On this episode of Rams Revealed, Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Omar Speights speaks on his Philadelphia roots, college career in the PAC-12 and SEC, journey into the NFL as an Undrafted Free Agent, 4-year-old daughter, mindset as a starter, and more.
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
Hello, and welcome to a new edition of RAMS revealed
presented by Sleep Number, the rams official sleep and wellness partner.
I'm your host, JB. Long, and our guest this week
is a rookie linebacker coming off his best individual performance
of the season, albeit in defeat. Despite another great showing
by this LA defense, came up just short against the
Miami Dolphins. But we're glad to have Omar spates with us.
How are you, Omar?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Good? Glad to be here?
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Yeah, glad to have you with us. How would you
summarize how this RAMS locker room is feeling after that
Miami game kind of got away?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It's a tough loss.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
You know, we pouring a lot throughout the week and
stuff like that, and you you really try to, you know,
just logging on the details throughout the week and build
throughout the week so that like on Monday night, you know,
you could you could come away with the dub, but
you know, we just came up short, you know, in
a couple of different areas, and we really just you know,
kind of moving forward just looking to you know, how
(01:00):
how can we respond, How can we you know, just
find those little details to where next time were in
a different situation. You know, we could execute better and
just you know, come away with a win.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
You hold the Dolphins high octane offense to twenty three points,
get two takeaways, three sacks. I think there are a
much better team than they arrived at two and six,
And I imagine these coming weeks are going to show
that Pro Football Focus had it as your highest graded
game so far. Granted there's only been a small handful
of them. Would you agree with that assessment? Did you
feel like you took a step in the right direction.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
I think I took a step in the right direction
for the most part. You know, I'm really just you know,
really just building you know, a foundation.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
You know, I'm not nowhere close to where I want
to be or where I think i'd be, but you know,
I think it's a step in the right direction, you know,
just building a foundation for myself, you know, introducing myself
to the NFL.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Omer What do you think about that cliche that the
more experience you get, the more the game slows down
for you? Like, how did it feel on the prime
time lights Monday compared to a couple of weeks ago
when you dive in Thursday night again? The Vikings.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
It definitely slowed down a lot. Even like go back
to Detroit Sunday Sunday night football. You know, I wasn't
you know, starting or anything like that. But like even then,
it was just kind of like like super energy. You
could kind of see like on the just from washing
on the sideline, things kind of look fast fast forward
to now, like things that kind of like really like
(02:24):
really slowed down and just allowed me to process things
faster and just be able to, you know, just feel
comfortable and free out there.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
I wonder what was like to see Christian Roseboom have
a career night had an interception which was cool, nearly
got another one which would have been highlight worthy. Hou's
he been as a running mate as you settle in
off ball linebacker.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
It's crazy he almost had two the other night.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
But now like Boom, he's been a leader in a room,
you know, like any anything that I need, any questions
that I got, you know, he always there and you know,
just being able to, you know, have somebody that been
in a kind of like the same down the same
path as you far as like undrafted and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
You know, it's it's been big, a big help.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
You know, I just you know, I love him, you know,
a great later, great player, great person.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
You know.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Yeah, a little bit later on this show, I want
to touch on that college free agent process, what it
was like through your eyes. But let's continue to run
down some of your highlights, some of your early welcome
to the NFL moments. How about the run stuff on
fourth down a couple of weeks ago in Seattle. What
was that like to contribute in such a pivotal way
to a team's road wind.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Yeah, it was crazy. Just throughout the week. Uh you know,
I like I just was, you know, talking to guy
just like basically like I didn't know, like like how
what my role is going to look like on defense
that week just because of you know, the personnel that
that they like mainly liked to be in. So I
kind of got like an idea like all right, like
(03:49):
it's going to be a big like Nickel game.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
And I was, you know, starting in base.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
So I was really just talking to guy like whatever
you got for me, Like I ain't not trying to
personal issue or nothing like that, and then you know,
you just go throughout the game. I think I had
like before that, probably like four snaps. You know, I
had a tackle. You know, it's kind of at one
tackle that I had. It was kind of like the
fourth down stop.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
You know.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
It was like I want to say, that was either
like a third or fourth now and he ended up
getting it by like a yard, you know, so just
you know later in the game, just for everything to
come back full circle, you know, just you know, when
my number was called, you know, just getting in there,
you know, and then just being able to get that stopped.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
It was crazy. You know, you know, I just thank God.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
For that was a great moment. You mentioned something just
a few minutes ago that I don't want to circle
back to, which is you're just scratching the surface right
like you know where you have to go mm hm
if and when you're settled in and playing at your
full potential, and maybe that's next week, maybe that's next year,
whenever it is. What are some of the things some
of the ways that you would like to be described
as a player.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Just a player that like that's relentless, like as physical,
free like all the time, like you know, just talking
with with the way that I play, you know, just
you know, the way that I play speaking volumes is
like people just cringing when you you know, when they
see me play, you know, So that's what I'm that's
(05:18):
what I'm going.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
For opposing players.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, I like that.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Yeah. Do you have a superpower? Do you think there's
something that differentiates you?
Speaker 2 (05:30):
I probably? Uh. I feel like my size, I'm pretty strong.
My size is pretty strong.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Like weight room strong or like point of arrival strong?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Both?
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Really?
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah? Both.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Did you have a combined invite? No, I didn't think so.
So all of your measurables came from what l s
U's pro day? And how do you think you performed
U at? I think I had a solid day.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
I didn't run quite what I wanted to, but it
was it was a solid run. And the drugs they
were silid, you know, bench press slad. So I think
I had a slid day.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
So what were some of the things you were hearing,
Like how high were your hopes going into draft weekend?
Were you expecting to maybe catch on somewhere or did
you think you'd have to go through the college free
agent process.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I was hearing like late rounds to undrafted free agent,
you know, so like in my mind, like when I
when I heard that, like just from like talking to
like different people, like usually like when you hear that,
you know you kind of lean more towards the undrafted
free agent side.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
So I was hoping, you know, to get drafted.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
You always going to have that hope, you know, maybe
six seven round, but regardless, I was just you know,
focused on like when I get my foot in the door,
Like once I get in the building.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
You know, you were one of five college free agents
to make this initial fifty three man roster on defense,
you Charles Woods, Josh Wallace, Tank mccallaugh, Eli Neil. Now
you've got Justin Didtsch in there as well in the
offensive line. As you rewind time, what are those hours
like post draft, Like you see the names come off
the board, you realize probably three repers that's not going
(07:01):
to happen for you. How do you go from that
moment in time to signing a contract with the Rams.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
It was tough, you know, not hearing your name called
and stuff like that, but you know, it ain't no
time to cry about it, you know, just from like
talking to different people, Like you got people that get
drafted and they don't paying out for them. You got
people that don't get drafted and they going to play
long career. So you know, my main focus was just
you know, uh, regardless of like how I played out
(07:31):
right then and there, like you know, trying to put
myself in the best you know, opportunity and position, you know,
and then that you know, I had a couple couple
of different teams to choose from, you know, during that process,
and it was tough decisions, but I just felt like this.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Was the place to be for me. And you know,
I don't regret it.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
You know, I truly think, like God bless me to
be here, and just you know, I'm just grateful to
be here.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Do you remember why what was about the rams that
made you finally choose that lane?
Speaker 3 (07:59):
Uh, well, my daughter was out here one and then
uh just like I like, I like the coaching staff,
you know, and I just like just hearing you know,
just about like kind of like how the culture is,
you know, I think and like none that I've been here.
You know, it's a culture where like you know, they
(08:21):
care about you on and off the field, you know,
developing you know, as a as a man and as
a football player, you know, always pushing you to keep going,
you know, you know, just a good environment, you know,
for for somebody to be able to grow.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Quick sidebar, since you mentioned her, tell us about your daughter.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Uh, she she's amazing. She's four years old. She probably
she got so much personality like she wanted to. She
probably the funniest person I know, the smartest person I know.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
She's only four years old.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
She's just amazing. I don't even know how to describe her.
Her name is Kelly.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Kelly. Yeah, some people in your shoes have said previously
that it might be a blessing in disguise to not
be selected because you have a little bit more autonomy
over where you begin your NFL career. It sounds like
that may have been the case for you, that rather
than being say, taken in the seventh round summer, where
you weren't necessarily as comfortable. Yeah, that being able to
choose your destination worked out in your favor. M hm.
(09:17):
Is that your story?
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Uh? Yeah, I definitely heard that.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Just uh, you know, sometimes people get drafted into you know,
bad situations, you know, uh, just situations where like the
eyes are kind of stacked up against them, you know,
obviously going in the drafted regardless, the eyes stacked up
against you, but uh, I feel like when you're going drafted,
you kind of you able to like pick like kind
of measure and pick and choose your battle kind of
(09:46):
you know, like what position you know and thing fits
you the best, and uh just looking at you know,
the roster and different things and you'd kind of decide
and like what makes sense?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
You know.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
So what was your mentality through the offseason pro because
imagine it's been a while since you had to try
out for a football team.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Yeah, uh far what you mean far as well?
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Like so you know, you're a high school star, you
get to sign as a recruit, you get to pick
your destination as a grad transfer, but you go into
this first professional offseason having to make a team. When
was the last time you had to make a team?
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (10:22):
That was crazy, you know, just you know, just talking
like during that time with the ungirafted guys, you just
it was like dang, I just felt like we'll walk
on or something like that. So, uh, you just got
like it was tough, like a little bit, like just
that feeling to like damn, like like you go from
(10:45):
being a guide to now you just like a guy,
like you know, like it really doesn't matter. But for me,
it was just you know, just the patience, you know,
just having patience to you know, continuously put in the
work to just know that like at some point, like
if it's meant to be, it's all gonna come together.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
All right. How about one of those moments where it
felt like it was meant to be preseason game number two,
opening kickoff, they changed everything?
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Yeah, yeah, that was crazy. That was crazy.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Just like right before that kickoff, I'm like, I'm like,
I don't if I see him and he bring this out,
like I don't care what it is.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
I'm gonna just I'm not wrapping up. I'm not I'm
just going run straight through them.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
And I was opportunity presented itself and then you know,
I just made a play.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
You sure did you?
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Sure?
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Did you know? Some have said that the preseason has
kind of been diminished in terms of its value or
its importance having just played through it as an underrafted
free agent. What did it mean to you to play
those two games at so FI and earned your spot
on the roster.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
To me, it was it's still football to me, Like
anytime I'm gonna put on a helmet and put on
some pass I'm gonna go play. Like to me, it's
still football. So you know, it felt good to be
out there. You know, you trained. We just went from
training for the draft too, now, you it basically was
not stop training from January to what like August, and
(12:11):
it's like, dang, like can I finally play football? So
like for me, it was just like I just was
ready to play football, and I just was excited then
to be able to do it, you know, at this level,
you know, it was a blessing, you know, So for me,
I was excited about it.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Well said, but given what you just said, it had
to be the best feeling in the world to not
play the third preseason game at Houston, because when you're
in street close, that means you made it. Yeah, what
was that feeling?
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Like?
Speaker 3 (12:38):
It was crazy because I was getting ready for the game,
like I was about to play, and then we're getting
ready and then like right before we're doing team warm ups,
right before we like bring it up.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
As a team. I just feel somebody like pulling on
my jersey. Like from I'm.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Like like pulling on my jersey. I'm thinking somebody's like
trying to tell me, like pull me back and I'm like,
they study pulling on my and I'm like I was
about to swake the hand away. When I look back,
I'm like, it's my coat. He like, yeah, you're not.
You're gonna be down for this game. I'm like oh.
And then like once he said that, I kind of
kind of clicked on my head. You know what that meant,
(13:16):
you know. So it just was a real moment, you know,
you know, just you know, the whole process and stuff
like that.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
It just was just a real moment.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
So then I think like in the media or something
like something was said and then so like all my
people kind of you know, just got to text me
and stuff like that congratulate me.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
So it was it was good. It was nice. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
I thinks GM Lesson he was probably on TV during
that game saying the reason you didn't have a helmet
is because you had made the roster. By the time
you get back to your phone, word is out.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Uh huh yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Were you aware then or subsequently that you would kind
of become a fan favorite?
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Uh?
Speaker 3 (13:55):
Not really like throughout throughout camp and all that stuff
like that. I really like, I really ain't have social
media like that, like Twitter and stuff like that I
try to stay off it for the most part, so
I really wasn't on there like that.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Well, then let me share with you that once you
made the team, I think there is a large contingent
of our audience that could not wait for you to
get your chance to play you They might have said, okay,
that first month of the season, what took so long?
I'll frame it this way, what did you need to
do behind the scenes to establish yourself as ready for
the opportunity that you now have?
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Really just you know, continuing to just you know, be
comfortable in the defense, you know, our scheme to begin with,
but then going from week to week understanding how to
you know, just you know, dive into each team and
just you know, how to apply our stuff to what
they're trying to do and stuff like that, and just
(14:49):
you know, really just staying consistent with the work. You know,
just you know, just really falling in love with the process,
staying with the process, and just you know, I just
knew like at you know, like they say, it's a
long season. You know, at some point in time, you
know it's going to be time for me to be
out there. So I just was really staying ready so
I ain't have to get ready.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
We talked about the speed of the game and the
difference jump into the NFL level already. What about the
weekly classroom preparation, How would you compare it to playing
in the SEC or the PAC twelve previously? What you
need to do between say Monday and Saturday to be
ready to perform on Sunday, I say it.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
So it's different just because of you know, how much
time we spend spend up here, you know, in college.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Like you you got like more.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Free time on your hands, so it's kind of twenty
hours as a hard cap.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Yeah, yeah, so you got that.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
But then hair's like, especially like the first couple of
days of the week, you probably hear from early in
the morning to like.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Five six at night.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
So then but then you still like gotta watch films,
so you gotta prioritize watching film on top of that,
and then you got to get back up the next morning,
got to take care of your body. So just really
you know, finding on that process too, you know, just
staying in a routine to do all those things.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
You know. Omar if I had told you at some
point along the way that you'd be starting for the
twenty twenty four, Los Angeles Rams. I wonder, what's the
earliest moment you would have believed me Draft weekend?
Speaker 2 (16:22):
Uh, I don't even know.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Otay, Oh how about training camp?
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Training camp? Probably?
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Okay, training camp. Yeah, when we're at LMU. If I
had said, hey, Omar, I think I think you're gonna
end up starting for this team, you might have said,
I feel like I got the traction and I made
enough progress that that's a possibility.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Yeah. Probably.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Yeah, that's a cool feeling. We're glad you're here. I'm
glad you're doing it. We hope your best is right
around the corner. It's time now for the wind down,
brought to you by Sleep Number. Each week here on
RAMS Revealed, we get insight into how sleep and recovery
impacts performance in the National Football League. As you're probably aware,
Week eleven will take the Rams to New England to
face the three and seven Patriots. They just beat the Bears.
(17:06):
So here's an early window game on the East coast
om all. You'll travel three time zones and kickoff ten
am body clock time. What you're playing in preparation to
make sure you're ready to rock.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Really just prioritizing my time throughout the week, you know,
trying to get to bed like at least like an
hour earlier, you know, just to you know, let my
body catch up. You know, we just played on Monday night,
so that But then once we get there, you know,
get my routine and then you know, hopefully takes a
melatonin you know, the night before we have to fall
(17:38):
asleep early and energize ready to go.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
At least you've got East Coast roots, right, so this
is a natural time zone for you. It's something that
Sean mcvay's rams have historically done really well. Teams going
west to East playing early don't often have success, but
it's been one of their claims to fame since he's
got here. Philadelphia born and raised raised you. So you
end up as one of the top prep players in
(18:02):
the state playing you told me on the edge mostly right,
But you choose to go across the country to play
in Corvallis to start your college career. How did that happen?
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Uh?
Speaker 3 (18:11):
So it started. It started out with my brother. My
brother was actually ended up coming going to Juco out
here in LA. They recruited him up there, so he
ended up there and then they ended up offering me
and recruiting me. I ended up taking a visit like
a couple a couple of different times, and then uh,
(18:32):
it just like it just felt like family. Then my
brother was there too, so like everything just meshed well.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
And then.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
I kind of got to feel that, like when I
was going to college, like I'm not gonna be like
coming off the edge. I'm kind of like way underside
for that. I figured I'd be playing like inside backer,
something I ain't never do before. So I was like,
all right, like from a like I'm gonna do this.
I feel like coming in early to college would be
the best option. No schools in Philly like graduated early,
(19:02):
you know. And I was already committed to Oregon State
at the time. So I ended up going finishing my
last year a high school out in Oregon with my brother,
and I ended up graduating early, the enrolling early into
Oregon State.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
So you did overlap with him for one season. You
got to play with your brother Jeremy.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
And where's he now?
Speaker 3 (19:20):
He's still up in Portland, yeahfic Northwest Home.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Yeah, yeah awesome.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
You end up as a freshman All American with the Bees,
all packed twelve, you graduate with a degree in business administration,
and then you want to test your your metal in
the SEC. I understand. Yeah, how'd you pick LSU?
Speaker 3 (19:37):
I really was just going for you know, the SEC.
But then like one of the you know, the top
top schools in the SEC, you know that that had
an opportunity to compete for like a national title, you know,
and out of the options that I had, I felt
like they.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Was, you know, the best choice for me.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
And you end up playing with a Heisman winner Jaden Daniels,
who's now in position to win in a landslide offensive
Rookie of the Year. What's it been like to see
his success?
Speaker 2 (20:01):
It's been amazing. You know.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
I was at Oregon State, so I played against him
a lot when he was at Arizona State, you know,
so just seeing his growth and transition from Arizona State
to LSU and to now in the league is just
you know, it's amazing.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
You know, God is good. You know God is good.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Yeah, we know who's gonna win Defensive Rookie of the
Year though, right, that's just as obvious. Yeah, what's your
perspective on how he has wrecked shot through half a
season so far.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
He a dog. He a dog.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
I love her like I love his energy. You know,
the way that he playing stuff like that. I think
he just speaks for himself, to be honest. You go
watch him on the field. You watch how you carry yourself.
You know, you know, you understand why. You know he
gonna win that.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Yeah, all right, New England this week? Then Philadelphia is
in for another prime time contest. Given your roots, was
that a hometown team for you at all growing.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Up a little bit? Yeah? Uh huh?
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Will that be special?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (20:56):
I got my mom and my sister and all of them.
They they all come in here, are they really?
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Will that be their first time seeing you play in person?
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Regular season? Regular season? Anam? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Terrific? Yeah all right, wish you all the best. Thanks
for stopping by. I know it's never fun to come
in and chat, you know, coming off a loss, but
you handled it really well and I know the best
as yet to come.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Yeah, appreciate you all right.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Omar Spate's our guest on this week's RAMS revealed thank
you for joining us, As always presented by Sleep Number
Hello, and welcome to a new edition of RAMS revealed
presented by Sleep Number, the rams official sleep and wellness partner.
I'm your host, JB. Long, and our guest this week
is a rookie linebacker coming off his best individual performance
of the season, albeit in defeat. Despite another great showing
by this LA defense, came up just short against the
Miami Dolphins. But we're glad to have Omar spates with us.
How are you, Omar?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Good? Glad to be here?
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Yeah, glad to have you with us. How would you
summarize how this RAMS locker room is feeling after that
Miami game kind of got away?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It's a tough loss.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
You know, we pouring a lot throughout the week and
stuff like that, and you you really try to, you know,
just logging on the details throughout the week and build
throughout the week so that like on Monday night, you know,
you could you could come away with the dub, but
you know, we just came up short, you know, in
a couple of different areas, and we really just you know,
kind of moving forward just looking to you know, how
(01:00):
how can we respond, How can we you know, just
find those little details to where next time were in
a different situation. You know, we could execute better and
just you know, come away with a win.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
You hold the Dolphins high octane offense to twenty three points,
get two takeaways, three sacks. I think there are a
much better team than they arrived at two and six,
And I imagine these coming weeks are going to show
that Pro Football Focus had it as your highest graded
game so far. Granted there's only been a small handful
of them. Would you agree with that assessment? Did you
feel like you took a step in the right direction.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
I think I took a step in the right direction
for the most part. You know, I'm really just you know,
really just building you know, a foundation.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
You know, I'm not nowhere close to where I want
to be or where I think i'd be, but you know,
I think it's a step in the right direction, you know,
just building a foundation for myself, you know, introducing myself
to the NFL.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Omer What do you think about that cliche that the
more experience you get, the more the game slows down
for you? Like, how did it feel on the prime
time lights Monday compared to a couple of weeks ago
when you dive in Thursday night again? The Vikings.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
It definitely slowed down a lot. Even like go back
to Detroit Sunday Sunday night football. You know, I wasn't
you know, starting or anything like that. But like even then,
it was just kind of like like super energy. You
could kind of see like on the just from washing
on the sideline, things kind of look fast fast forward
to now, like things that kind of like really like
(02:24):
really slowed down and just allowed me to process things
faster and just be able to, you know, just feel
comfortable and free out there.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
I wonder what was like to see Christian Roseboom have
a career night had an interception which was cool, nearly
got another one which would have been highlight worthy. Hou's
he been as a running mate as you settle in
off ball linebacker.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
It's crazy he almost had two the other night.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
But now like Boom, he's been a leader in a room,
you know, like any anything that I need, any questions
that I got, you know, he always there and you know,
just being able to, you know, have somebody that been
in a kind of like the same down the same
path as you far as like undrafted and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
You know, it's it's been big, a big help.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
You know, I just you know, I love him, you know,
a great later, great player, great person.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
You know.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Yeah, a little bit later on this show, I want
to touch on that college free agent process, what it
was like through your eyes. But let's continue to run
down some of your highlights, some of your early welcome
to the NFL moments. How about the run stuff on
fourth down a couple of weeks ago in Seattle. What
was that like to contribute in such a pivotal way
to a team's road wind.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Yeah, it was crazy. Just throughout the week. Uh you know,
I like I just was, you know, talking to guy
just like basically like I didn't know, like like how
what my role is going to look like on defense
that week just because of you know, the personnel that
that they like mainly liked to be in. So I
kind of got like an idea like all right, like
(03:49):
it's going to be a big like Nickel game.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
And I was, you know, starting in base.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
So I was really just talking to guy like whatever
you got for me, Like I ain't not trying to
personal issue or nothing like that, and then you know,
you just go throughout the game. I think I had
like before that, probably like four snaps. You know, I
had a tackle. You know, it's kind of at one
tackle that I had. It was kind of like the
fourth down stop.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
You know.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
It was like I want to say, that was either
like a third or fourth now and he ended up
getting it by like a yard, you know, so just
you know later in the game, just for everything to
come back full circle, you know, just you know, when
my number was called, you know, just getting in there,
you know, and then just being able to get that stopped.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
It was crazy. You know, you know, I just thank God.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
For that was a great moment. You mentioned something just
a few minutes ago that I don't want to circle
back to, which is you're just scratching the surface right
like you know where you have to go mm hm
if and when you're settled in and playing at your
full potential, and maybe that's next week, maybe that's next year,
whenever it is. What are some of the things some
of the ways that you would like to be described
as a player.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Just a player that like that's relentless, like as physical,
free like all the time, like you know, just talking
with with the way that I play, you know, just
you know, the way that I play speaking volumes is
like people just cringing when you you know, when they
see me play, you know, So that's what I'm that's
(05:18):
what I'm going.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
For opposing players.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, I like that.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Yeah. Do you have a superpower? Do you think there's
something that differentiates you?
Speaker 2 (05:30):
I probably? Uh. I feel like my size, I'm pretty strong.
My size is pretty strong.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Like weight room strong or like point of arrival strong?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Both?
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Really?
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah? Both.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Did you have a combined invite? No, I didn't think so.
So all of your measurables came from what l s
U's pro day? And how do you think you performed
U at? I think I had a solid day.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
I didn't run quite what I wanted to, but it
was it was a solid run. And the drugs they
were silid, you know, bench press slad. So I think
I had a slid day.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
So what were some of the things you were hearing,
Like how high were your hopes going into draft weekend?
Were you expecting to maybe catch on somewhere or did
you think you'd have to go through the college free
agent process.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I was hearing like late rounds to undrafted free agent,
you know, so like in my mind, like when I
when I heard that, like just from like talking to
like different people, like usually like when you hear that,
you know you kind of lean more towards the undrafted
free agent side.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
So I was hoping, you know, to get drafted.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
You always going to have that hope, you know, maybe
six seven round, but regardless, I was just you know,
focused on like when I get my foot in the door,
Like once I get in the building.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
You know, you were one of five college free agents
to make this initial fifty three man roster on defense,
you Charles Woods, Josh Wallace, Tank mccallaugh, Eli Neil. Now
you've got Justin Didtsch in there as well in the
offensive line. As you rewind time, what are those hours
like post draft, Like you see the names come off
the board, you realize probably three repers that's not going
(07:01):
to happen for you. How do you go from that
moment in time to signing a contract with the Rams.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
It was tough, you know, not hearing your name called
and stuff like that, but you know, it ain't no
time to cry about it, you know, just from like
talking to different people, Like you got people that get
drafted and they don't paying out for them. You got
people that don't get drafted and they going to play
long career. So you know, my main focus was just
you know, uh, regardless of like how I played out
(07:31):
right then and there, like you know, trying to put
myself in the best you know, opportunity and position, you know,
and then that you know, I had a couple couple
of different teams to choose from, you know, during that process,
and it was tough decisions, but I just felt like this.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Was the place to be for me. And you know,
I don't regret it.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
You know, I truly think, like God bless me to
be here, and just you know, I'm just grateful to
be here.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Do you remember why what was about the rams that
made you finally choose that lane?
Speaker 3 (07:59):
Uh, well, my daughter was out here one and then
uh just like I like, I like the coaching staff,
you know, and I just like just hearing you know,
just about like kind of like how the culture is,
you know, I think and like none that I've been here.
You know, it's a culture where like you know, they
(08:21):
care about you on and off the field, you know,
developing you know, as a as a man and as
a football player, you know, always pushing you to keep going,
you know, you know, just a good environment, you know,
for for somebody to be able to grow.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Quick sidebar, since you mentioned her, tell us about your daughter.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Uh, she she's amazing. She's four years old. She probably
she got so much personality like she wanted to. She
probably the funniest person I know, the smartest person I know.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
She's only four years old.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
She's just amazing. I don't even know how to describe her.
Her name is Kelly.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Kelly. Yeah, some people in your shoes have said previously
that it might be a blessing in disguise to not
be selected because you have a little bit more autonomy
over where you begin your NFL career. It sounds like
that may have been the case for you, that rather
than being say, taken in the seventh round summer, where
you weren't necessarily as comfortable. Yeah, that being able to
choose your destination worked out in your favor. M hm.
(09:17):
Is that your story?
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Uh? Yeah, I definitely heard that.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Just uh, you know, sometimes people get drafted into you know,
bad situations, you know, uh, just situations where like the
eyes are kind of stacked up against them, you know,
obviously going in the drafted regardless, the eyes stacked up
against you, but uh, I feel like when you're going drafted,
you kind of you able to like pick like kind
of measure and pick and choose your battle kind of
(09:46):
you know, like what position you know and thing fits
you the best, and uh just looking at you know,
the roster and different things and you'd kind of decide
and like what makes sense?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
You know.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
So what was your mentality through the offseason pro because
imagine it's been a while since you had to try
out for a football team.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Yeah, uh far what you mean far as well?
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Like so you know, you're a high school star, you
get to sign as a recruit, you get to pick
your destination as a grad transfer, but you go into
this first professional offseason having to make a team. When
was the last time you had to make a team?
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (10:22):
That was crazy, you know, just you know, just talking
like during that time with the ungirafted guys, you just
it was like dang, I just felt like we'll walk
on or something like that. So, uh, you just got
like it was tough, like a little bit, like just
that feeling to like damn, like like you go from
(10:45):
being a guide to now you just like a guy,
like you know, like it really doesn't matter. But for me,
it was just you know, just the patience, you know,
just having patience to you know, continuously put in the
work to just know that like at some point, like
if it's meant to be, it's all gonna come together.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
All right. How about one of those moments where it
felt like it was meant to be preseason game number two,
opening kickoff, they changed everything?
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Yeah, yeah, that was crazy. That was crazy.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Just like right before that kickoff, I'm like, I'm like,
I don't if I see him and he bring this out,
like I don't care what it is.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
I'm gonna just I'm not wrapping up. I'm not I'm
just going run straight through them.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
And I was opportunity presented itself and then you know,
I just made a play.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
You sure did you?
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Sure?
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Did you know? Some have said that the preseason has
kind of been diminished in terms of its value or
its importance having just played through it as an underrafted
free agent. What did it mean to you to play
those two games at so FI and earned your spot
on the roster.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
To me, it was it's still football to me, Like
anytime I'm gonna put on a helmet and put on
some pass I'm gonna go play. Like to me, it's
still football. So you know, it felt good to be
out there. You know, you trained. We just went from
training for the draft too, now, you it basically was
not stop training from January to what like August, and
(12:11):
it's like, dang, like can I finally play football? So
like for me, it was just like I just was
ready to play football, and I just was excited then
to be able to do it, you know, at this level,
you know, it was a blessing, you know, So for me,
I was excited about it.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Well said, but given what you just said, it had
to be the best feeling in the world to not
play the third preseason game at Houston, because when you're
in street close, that means you made it. Yeah, what
was that feeling?
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Like?
Speaker 3 (12:38):
It was crazy because I was getting ready for the game,
like I was about to play, and then we're getting
ready and then like right before we're doing team warm ups,
right before we like bring it up.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
As a team. I just feel somebody like pulling on
my jersey. Like from I'm.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Like like pulling on my jersey. I'm thinking somebody's like
trying to tell me, like pull me back and I'm like,
they study pulling on my and I'm like I was
about to swake the hand away. When I look back,
I'm like, it's my coat. He like, yeah, you're not.
You're gonna be down for this game. I'm like oh.
And then like once he said that, I kind of
kind of clicked on my head. You know what that meant,
(13:16):
you know. So it just was a real moment, you know,
you know, just you know, the whole process and stuff
like that.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
It just was just a real moment.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
So then I think like in the media or something
like something was said and then so like all my
people kind of you know, just got to text me
and stuff like that congratulate me.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
So it was it was good. It was nice. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
I thinks GM Lesson he was probably on TV during
that game saying the reason you didn't have a helmet
is because you had made the roster. By the time
you get back to your phone, word is out.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Uh huh yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Were you aware then or subsequently that you would kind
of become a fan favorite?
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Uh?
Speaker 3 (13:55):
Not really like throughout throughout camp and all that stuff
like that. I really like, I really ain't have social
media like that, like Twitter and stuff like that I
try to stay off it for the most part, so
I really wasn't on there like that.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Well, then let me share with you that once you
made the team, I think there is a large contingent
of our audience that could not wait for you to
get your chance to play you They might have said, okay,
that first month of the season, what took so long?
I'll frame it this way, what did you need to
do behind the scenes to establish yourself as ready for
the opportunity that you now have?
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Really just you know, continuing to just you know, be
comfortable in the defense, you know, our scheme to begin with,
but then going from week to week understanding how to
you know, just you know, dive into each team and
just you know, how to apply our stuff to what
they're trying to do and stuff like that, and just
(14:49):
you know, really just staying consistent with the work. You know,
just you know, just really falling in love with the process,
staying with the process, and just you know, I just
knew like at you know, like they say, it's a
long season. You know, at some point in time, you
know it's going to be time for me to be
out there. So I just was really staying ready so
I ain't have to get ready.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
We talked about the speed of the game and the
difference jump into the NFL level already. What about the
weekly classroom preparation, How would you compare it to playing
in the SEC or the PAC twelve previously? What you
need to do between say Monday and Saturday to be
ready to perform on Sunday, I say it.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
So it's different just because of you know, how much
time we spend spend up here, you know, in college.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Like you you got like more.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Free time on your hands, so it's kind of twenty
hours as a hard cap.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Yeah, yeah, so you got that.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
But then hair's like, especially like the first couple of
days of the week, you probably hear from early in
the morning to like.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Five six at night.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
So then but then you still like gotta watch films,
so you gotta prioritize watching film on top of that,
and then you got to get back up the next morning,
got to take care of your body. So just really
you know, finding on that process too, you know, just
staying in a routine to do all those things.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
You know. Omar if I had told you at some
point along the way that you'd be starting for the
twenty twenty four, Los Angeles Rams. I wonder, what's the
earliest moment you would have believed me Draft weekend?
Speaker 2 (16:22):
Uh, I don't even know.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Otay, Oh how about training camp?
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Training camp? Probably?
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Okay, training camp. Yeah, when we're at LMU. If I
had said, hey, Omar, I think I think you're gonna
end up starting for this team, you might have said,
I feel like I got the traction and I made
enough progress that that's a possibility.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Yeah. Probably.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Yeah, that's a cool feeling. We're glad you're here. I'm
glad you're doing it. We hope your best is right
around the corner. It's time now for the wind down,
brought to you by Sleep Number. Each week here on
RAMS Revealed, we get insight into how sleep and recovery
impacts performance in the National Football League. As you're probably aware,
Week eleven will take the Rams to New England to
face the three and seven Patriots. They just beat the Bears.
(17:06):
So here's an early window game on the East coast
om all. You'll travel three time zones and kickoff ten
am body clock time. What you're playing in preparation to
make sure you're ready to rock.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Really just prioritizing my time throughout the week, you know,
trying to get to bed like at least like an
hour earlier, you know, just to you know, let my
body catch up. You know, we just played on Monday night,
so that But then once we get there, you know,
get my routine and then you know, hopefully takes a
melatonin you know, the night before we have to fall
(17:38):
asleep early and energize ready to go.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
At least you've got East Coast roots, right, so this
is a natural time zone for you. It's something that
Sean mcvay's rams have historically done really well. Teams going
west to East playing early don't often have success, but
it's been one of their claims to fame since he's
got here. Philadelphia born and raised raised you. So you
end up as one of the top prep players in
(18:02):
the state playing you told me on the edge mostly right,
But you choose to go across the country to play
in Corvallis to start your college career. How did that happen?
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Uh?
Speaker 3 (18:11):
So it started. It started out with my brother. My
brother was actually ended up coming going to Juco out
here in LA. They recruited him up there, so he
ended up there and then they ended up offering me
and recruiting me. I ended up taking a visit like
a couple a couple of different times, and then uh,
(18:32):
it just like it just felt like family. Then my
brother was there too, so like everything just meshed well.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
And then.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
I kind of got to feel that, like when I
was going to college, like I'm not gonna be like
coming off the edge. I'm kind of like way underside
for that. I figured I'd be playing like inside backer,
something I ain't never do before. So I was like,
all right, like from a like I'm gonna do this.
I feel like coming in early to college would be
the best option. No schools in Philly like graduated early,
(19:02):
you know. And I was already committed to Oregon State
at the time. So I ended up going finishing my
last year a high school out in Oregon with my brother,
and I ended up graduating early, the enrolling early into
Oregon State.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
So you did overlap with him for one season. You
got to play with your brother Jeremy.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
And where's he now?
Speaker 3 (19:20):
He's still up in Portland, yeahfic Northwest Home.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Yeah, yeah awesome.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
You end up as a freshman All American with the Bees,
all packed twelve, you graduate with a degree in business administration,
and then you want to test your your metal in
the SEC. I understand. Yeah, how'd you pick LSU?
Speaker 3 (19:37):
I really was just going for you know, the SEC.
But then like one of the you know, the top
top schools in the SEC, you know that that had
an opportunity to compete for like a national title, you know,
and out of the options that I had, I felt
like they.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Was, you know, the best choice for me.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
And you end up playing with a Heisman winner Jaden Daniels,
who's now in position to win in a landslide offensive
Rookie of the Year. What's it been like to see
his success?
Speaker 2 (20:01):
It's been amazing. You know.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
I was at Oregon State, so I played against him
a lot when he was at Arizona State, you know,
so just seeing his growth and transition from Arizona State
to LSU and to now in the league is just
you know, it's amazing.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
You know, God is good. You know God is good.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Yeah, we know who's gonna win Defensive Rookie of the
Year though, right, that's just as obvious. Yeah, what's your
perspective on how he has wrecked shot through half a
season so far.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
He a dog. He a dog.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
I love her like I love his energy. You know,
the way that he playing stuff like that. I think
he just speaks for himself, to be honest. You go
watch him on the field. You watch how you carry yourself.
You know, you know, you understand why. You know he
gonna win that.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Yeah, all right, New England this week? Then Philadelphia is
in for another prime time contest. Given your roots, was
that a hometown team for you at all growing.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Up a little bit? Yeah? Uh huh?
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Will that be special?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (20:56):
I got my mom and my sister and all of them.
They they all come in here, are they really?
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Will that be their first time seeing you play in person?
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Regular season? Regular season? Anam? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Terrific? Yeah all right, wish you all the best. Thanks
for stopping by. I know it's never fun to come
in and chat, you know, coming off a loss, but
you handled it really well and I know the best
as yet to come.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Yeah, appreciate you all right.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Omar Spate's our guest on this week's RAMS revealed thank
you for joining us, As always presented by Sleep Number
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