December 17, 2024 • 16 mins
On this episode of Rams Revealed, Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson talks about his first year on the team, the return of fellow veteran tight end Tyler Higbee, and what lessons he has learned since becoming a father.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hello, Welcome to a fresh new episode of Rams, revealed
presented by Sleep Number, the rams official sleep and wellness partner.
I'm your host JB. Long and as you know, the
Rams are in control of their own playoff fate. They've
won three in a row and next up a week
sixteen trip to face the New York Jets in the
Meadowlands to preview that game and the postseason surge. I'm
joined by Rams tight end Colby Parkinson, who makes his
(00:26):
first appearance on the show. Good to see you, Colby,
Thanks for having me. Yeah, thanks for stopping by. How
did you spend your extended weekend mini buye however you
want a friend?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yeah, just relaxing with the wife and baby boy. It
was a great weekend just to kind of get back
together with them and you know, get ready for the
rest of the season.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Do you enjoy those longer weekends more coming off a
Thursday night win, which the Rams been fortunate to have
a couple of this season.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Absolutely, Yeah. I always say it's the longest weekend. If
you lose, it's a great weekend off. You so excited
to get back to work this week there you got to.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Be able to double up on Thursday Night Football. It's
kind of a new wrinkle the NFL has thrown at
the teams. You do play two of them, but it's
a short trip at San Francisco and you come away
with victorious. How do you feel the body's holding up
and how does it set up for these final three?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, all things consider feel great this time of year.
You know, ready to go for these last three weeks,
and like you said, we got a lot of momentum
coming into these big time games in December.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Do players get as geeked about the opportunity in front
of you as the fans do? I mean to see
your team rally from one to four to the chance
you have as soon as this Sunday is something else?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah, I think we take it one week at a time.
But you also kind of hear those bird chirping in
the background talking about playoffs and you know the turnaround
that we've had this season. But we'll focus on this
week and then see what happens next week.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
I just think about all the hours and days and
months that you pour in to having this chance to
rack up this many wins, to put yourself in position
to play meaningful, consequential football. Down the stretch.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
I mean, yeah, it's everything. This team has just grown
closer and closer together each and every week, and it's
a testament to how Sean run things and excited to
see how we continue from here.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
So after a few days off, what was the team
like at the facility this week as you gather to
kind of review a couple of wins Buffalo and San
Francisco and then set the stage for the challenge going
to the East Coast.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, you said it. We weren't able to watch the
Buffalo game with the Thursday game right after, so we're
able to watch those two games together see what we
need to work on, and you know, very similar defensive
front structure coming up with the Jets, So it should
bode well for us in terms of, you know, a
lot of same as play calls and techniques.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yeah, you know, Sean McVay has spoken publicly about what
he said in front of the room after the Eagles loss.
I believe it was right less than forty days to go.
Can we commit to making the most of them? From
your vantage point, what are your recollections of that moment
in time for the Rams and how has that sparked
this little push here.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Yeah, I think that was a great message and well
received by the entire team. Every single week, now I'll
mark down how many days we have left, how many
practices we have left, how many opportunities to go out
there and prove not only that you know I can
be a great player, but how I can help this
team and improve for them.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Really, So, like the guarante days, guaranteed games, you went
in a notebook, kind of just kept tracking. Just at
the top of my notes. I'll write that down at
the start of each week. Awesome, all right, so my
kids are counting down to Christmas and taking up the advanc'ry. Okay,
very good. What do you make either this week or
in the broader picture of the term trap game, like
the Rams coming off of rivalry win, hearing that you're
(03:19):
in first place, now last road trip of the year,
you got two home games against division rivals on the
backside of it. Psychologically, you know enough to know what
this means in New York.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Right, Absolutely, this is just as important as last week
was and will be as important as the following two weeks.
So we need to approach it as that, and we
have to come away with a win. And you know,
do everything in our power to do so it's going.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
To be cold.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Yeah, it gonna be a lottle cold, hopefully not as
what as last week though, So how do you prepare
when a game day high is hovering around twenty twenty
four degrees? Also, don't think about it too much. I
know some guys have their different you know, lotions that
they put on to stay warm, warm, skim all that stuff,
but honestly, I think it's just the same as it's.
What really gets different is the rain. Games Like last week,
we have to change gloves and did you gloves? Change
(04:00):
gloves and cleats and everything so you're not slipping around,
and a whole different approach.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
I imagine that game plan played out a lot differently
than maybe what you had rehearsed here in Woodland Hills.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Yeah. Yeah, it's definitely a run game emphasis a lot
of grinded out plays and you know, all field goals.
Snowe would have put money on that, so kind of crazy.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
What I love about closing time though, is after the
d Will interception, the Rams have the ball up three
five minutes to play. It's it's five minute mode, right,
what we call four minute oute in football, but you're
looking to salt that game away on offense, and I
love that it was the tight ends that helped get
that done. Hunter Long had one. You had a couple
take us inside that last drive.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yeah, we knew that we had to do our job
to you know, keep the defense off the field and
try to run down as much clock as we can.
Hunter and I will both be the first to say
that we should have got down on a couple of
those catches to run the clock, so we don't have
to get into that. But yeah, the offensive line just
you know, running behind them, Kiren doing his thing and
then throwing the ball when we had to. Matthew did
a great job and guys did a gat job for two.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
I talked with Sean earlier about like having the keeper
game in your pocket. Still you hadn't really thrown that
at the Niners. You saved that for the last drive.
It works to perfection what you said though about the
game management, Like, are those the types of things that
normally get mentioned in a huddle pre snap here? Like
hey Hunter, Hey Colby, Like.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Yeah, normally you'll you'll hear something like hey, this is
five minute. You know, make sure that you get down,
say bounds, and that's completely on us, but you know,
thinkfully worked out.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
It did work out. Let's go to the other side
of the two minute warning. Have you ever been more
wide open there all alone than you were on that
third and four conversion?
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Not at all. And it's funny. We watched all the
tight end touchdowns every week as a tight end group,
and half the time they're just wide open, and I
all always joking like, man, that would be nice. I
wish I would have less And here we go, Uh,
just the way to kind of ice the game and
get that first down.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
So it was what Cooper motioning in a way that
kind of drew the attention to that second level the defense.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Yeah, the nickel and the safety both ran and I'm like,
are they going to stay over there? So Matthew saw
it too, and we're able to you know, catch quick.
It seems so obvious when you're watching from the bird's
eye view, but that's a feel from Matthew Stafford right
to I just identify the dispersion and who might be there. Yep,
absolutely must.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Have felt good. What do you make of what Sean
was saying about this group having the attribute of winning
games different ways with different styles. Is that just how
this season has played out, or do you feel like
that's a real strength to your toolkit that the Rams
can use down this stretch.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yeah. I think we've kind of added to that toolkit
throughout these last four weeks and the entire season. You know,
each game has been different, like you said, and I
think that just stems from our confidence that's continuing to grow.
The guys are doing a great job every single week
putting in the work, and like you said, it's not
you know, the same way every single week. So we
feel confident that we can win no matter what the
circumstances are.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Coolby you're right at the fulk room between run and
past in your tight end room. So I wonder from
your vantage point, what's it been like seeing the offensive
line get some continuity, some time on task and how
has that impacted winning here in this last month?
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Oh, it's huge. I mean, those guys are playing phenomenal football,
and we're able to run the ball well. And when
we're able to run the ball well, I mean you
saw it in the Buffalo game, we're able to throw
it and that just opens up the entire offense. And
it's really cool to see how Sean uses all of
those different moving parts together.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
I just flashed back to Jared Verse clinching the Saints game. Yea,
And some of our audience have said, like, don't block
him with the tight end? One do you take that personally?
And two would you advise opponents not to block Jared
Verse with the tight end?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I think both can be true. I take that personally,
and I would advise not doing that. You've tried this
going back to the summer y, You've experienced this. The
Rams get one of their leaders back this week in
Tyler Higbee. He's been working so hard behind the scenes
since that injury in Detroit, set to make his twenty
twenty four debut. What's it been like observing that, first
of all, before we talk about what his impact could
(07:46):
mean in your huddle. Yeah, just seeing his hard work
and his dedication to the team just completely unwaivered throughout
this process. You know, a lot of guys can get
hurt and kind of feel bad for themselves, but that
wasn't him. He took it head on and he's been
in every single meeting, you know, helping me out as
you know, newcoming to the Rams helping me understand the offense.
Done an amazing job. So excited to get him back
out there and play with him.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
In terms of a game plan, in terms of execution.
What could having a built out, fully formed tight end
room mean for the Rams as they look to make
this postseason push.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Yeah, I think we're just continuing to build on what
we've been building all year and adding you know, another
weapon can only help us.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
How come the tight Ends always have the best hair.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
I think it's a staple of the room. It's got
to be that way. Yep.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Do you ever miss year long?
Speaker 2 (08:28):
I do? I do. Higgs and I talked about bringing
the flowback every now and then, but it's a lot
of commitment.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Was he the first mover on that? I think he
chopped his pretty early on, Yeah, he did, and yours
is more recent.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Yeah. I chopped at this offseason because I always sad
when I had a kid, I'd cut my hair, uh huh,
so he wouldn't be grabbing it and everything. But he
still finds, you know, my beard or smart. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
I think we'll talk about him a little bit later
on in the show. One other thought, Well, I'm thinking
of it, are you the tallest ram because the roster
says it's rob.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Have you ever gotten think I am talked about Actually
I'm not entirely sure, but we've talked about this. I
think I think I'm slightly talking.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Like you him and Alaric. Yeah, so you play like
a tackle in terms of roster height. Yeah. Individually, let's
talk about your season so far. You've already said a
career high for receptions, you're closing in on a single
season career high for yards. What's been your evaluation of
your first year as a rank?
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Yeah, I'm happy with where I've been at, but you know,
continuing to try to get better each and every week.
I think that this whole offensive staff does a great
job of cultivating growth and you know, and encouraging you
to be the best person that you can, best player
that you can. So just continue to try to get better,
try to help this team. And there's been ups and
downs and playtime and receptions and all that, and that
(09:38):
doesn't really matter to me. What matters is helping the
team win. And I think that this environment really does
a good job at that.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
So let me take that cue. You talk about the
variance in terms of your role within a game plan.
Sometimes it's looked like Starter's reps. Sometimes it's looked like,
you know, sharing the load with with Davis and Hunter
and some others. Now with Tyler coming into the foray
as well, how do you balance all that in terms
of what is the next week going to hold.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Yeah, it's just one week at a time and doing
whatever's best for the team. If you start thinking about yourself,
so I think about your own playtime, your own catches
and yards and everything, it can get overwhelming and honestly
don't play as well. So focusing on the team, focusing
on the unit as a whole is going to be
my approach this game and for the rest of my career.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
I do want to point out your age though, and
for those who don't know it, Kolby was one of
the youngest members of his draft and then subsequently free
agent class. You're the same age as Kobe Turner. Just
to put that in perspective, Like, you turn twenty six
in January, right, So do you feel like you're still
growing into the part of a starting tight end in
the NFL, which is one of the toughest things to
do in this sport.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Yeah, I do. Forget very often that I'm still twenty five,
But I feel that I have the capability to be
that starting tight end and just continue to get better
to allow myself opportunities going forward to have that role.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
I know you left college early, but are you young
for your class too? Is that part of how I think?
I was pretty average for my class. So it was
more just in this post COVID environment where we have
fifth and six years old years, you were that are
my age? You were the standard.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
The Bill Belichick news this week, by the way, made
me think of Pete Carroll. I wonder if you have
any perspective on like, would it work if he wanted
to go back to college, because yeah, he was so
good for so long.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
I could see it. I mean, Pete still had as
much energy as he's always had his whole time. There
so much respect for that guy and love for him,
so I could see it. And I know when I
mean the CEA ex played the Patriots a couple of
years back. It was the oldest matchup in the NFL history.
So to see him Belichick go down to colleges is
very interesting help the best for him.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
We enjoyed that rivalry between Pete and Seawan for many years.
How would you compare and contrast two men who have
gone about it very different ways, different career paths, but
have experienced so much success.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Yeah, honestly, I would say the way they cultivate, you know,
competition and growth is very similar. Pete was all about
energy and competitiveness, and it's very similar to how Sean
runs seeing down here, So I feel like I was
able to step into that very well. And you know,
it's so cool to be able to play for two
of the greatest head coaches in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
Yeah, you know. Part of the reason it's relative is
because you're from SeeMe Valley, from this area. We've covered
that on various platforms. Went to Oakes Christian in west Lake.
One interesting thing and this is a real tangent, but
bear with me here because I discovered it just reading
more about you this week. The Rams recent win over
the Bills drew many comparisons to the twenty eighteen game
(12:26):
at the Coliseum. It goes down as like one of
the great Monday night football games of all time. But
what we can never compareison circumstances of that game. And
for those who don't remember there was what the Wolsey
fire going on, right there was a tragic shooting at
Borderline that claimed twelve lives, and you were at Stanford
at the time, and so I read that those events
(12:48):
were very much on your mind, on your heart as
you had a career game. I think this was two
days before this Rams Chiefs game. You go out and
score four touchdowns from kJ Costella. Do you remember that momment? Yeah,
and to this kind of community, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
And there's also major fires going up in northern California
at the same time. So I had a personal friend
who was lost in that shooting. So it was very
sentimental to me. And to be able to go out
and you know, hopefully put a smile on some people's
faces with that performance was amazing. And then to watch
that game, I remember watching it with some of my buddies,
you know, at the facilities, was just unbelievable.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Yeah, I didn't think I'd ever see a game as
electric as that. The one you guys played against the
Buffalo Bills was very very reminiscent of that, again only
in terms of the points and the on field product.
All Right, time here for the wine Down. It's brought
to you by sleep number. Each week on Rams Revealed,
we get insight into how sleep and recovery impacts performance
in the NFL. You reference your son earlier in the show.
(13:43):
I thought, this is the perfect time, your first season
with a newborn, sleep and recovery forced, isn't y force? Okay?
How is he doing?
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Yeah, he's doing great.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
And how is he impacting sleep and recovery in the
Parkinson household?
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Well, my wife is very gracious, so while we were
sleep training, she took the rent of that, and by
the rent of it, I mean one hundred percent. And
he's sleeping great. Now, he's sleeping on his own, able
to put himself to sleep, and if he needs something,
I know who to wake up so that you can
go help him out. What have you learned about yourself
as a father? Maybe something surprise you or I mean
(14:17):
just so much love for this child, who I you know,
barely even know, like right when he came out, and
just overwhelming. And yeah, I'm a Christian, so just reminds
me of my faith and my Lord, my father. So
pretty amazing to experience that. How about babies first Christmas?
Speaker 1 (14:31):
What's that like?
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Can't wait? Yeah? So Davis Allen's wife actually knitted him
something says Forest in the little Christmas outfit, So look
her up on et. So if you guys are looking
for some Christmas attire for your kids, so excited to
get him in that and experience first Christmas.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Oh that's terrific. And you still have friends obviously and
family in the area too. Do you get together?
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Yeah, a lot of week holiday a lot of friends.
But some of my family's moved away, but they'll be
coming back to town. So excited to see them.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
All right, we have so many Dodger fans in the
room and in the facility. Having the first chance to
talk to you since the World Championship, the Otani season.
How did that all land for you?
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Oh? It was awesome. So I grew up kind of
a Mariners fan and a Dodgers fan. Interesting, I lived
in Seattle for a couple of years when I was
a kid, but when we moved down here as a
Dodgers fan. So I've been following them closely for a
long time. And it's an amazing season. To see Otani
just crushed the fifty to fifty record and then to
go on and win the whole thing was a lot
of fun. Cool.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
And then lastly, I hear you reference your older brother
in conversation a little bit. Can you tell us about
him the role he's played in your football and life
off the field as well.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Yeah, so he's five years older than me, but it
seems like we've been the same age and best friends
since I can remember. I always did everything he did.
He started playing football first, so of course I quit
soccer and started playing football, and he started playing guitar.
I started playing guitar, and everything he did I did.
So very thankful for that relationship. My dad was always
super intentional about making sure we spend a lot of
(15:51):
quality time together and couldn't be more thankful for both
of them.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Soccer at six seven would have been interesting.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Yeah, yeah, I think I might have been a goalie
at that That would have been would have been good
at it too.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
We close each show with our grease board sketch. Beg
your pardon here while I find it. We're so thankful
for Fair and her amazing contributions to the show and
her artistic talent that we get the showcase well done.
That's amazing, pretty solid, right, that is great? Yeah, we'll
give our audience a view of it. Will you sign
that and send us on our way. I'll you very good.
(16:23):
Thank you for displaying that, and thank you for helping
us get to know you a little bit. I think
it's the right time to be talking RAMS and tight
End Room as you get set to travel to New York.
Absolutely all right. For Colby Parkinson, I'm JB. Long. Thank
you as always for being with us. For RAMS reveal
presented by Sleep Number
Hello, Welcome to a fresh new episode of Rams, revealed
presented by Sleep Number, the rams official sleep and wellness partner.
I'm your host JB. Long and as you know, the
Rams are in control of their own playoff fate. They've
won three in a row and next up a week
sixteen trip to face the New York Jets in the
Meadowlands to preview that game and the postseason surge. I'm
joined by Rams tight end Colby Parkinson, who makes his
(00:26):
first appearance on the show. Good to see you, Colby,
Thanks for having me. Yeah, thanks for stopping by. How
did you spend your extended weekend mini buye however you
want a friend?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yeah, just relaxing with the wife and baby boy. It
was a great weekend just to kind of get back
together with them and you know, get ready for the
rest of the season.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Do you enjoy those longer weekends more coming off a
Thursday night win, which the Rams been fortunate to have
a couple of this season.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Absolutely, Yeah. I always say it's the longest weekend. If
you lose, it's a great weekend off. You so excited
to get back to work this week there you got to.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Be able to double up on Thursday Night Football. It's
kind of a new wrinkle the NFL has thrown at
the teams. You do play two of them, but it's
a short trip at San Francisco and you come away
with victorious. How do you feel the body's holding up
and how does it set up for these final three?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, all things consider feel great this time of year.
You know, ready to go for these last three weeks,
and like you said, we got a lot of momentum
coming into these big time games in December.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Do players get as geeked about the opportunity in front
of you as the fans do? I mean to see
your team rally from one to four to the chance
you have as soon as this Sunday is something else?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah, I think we take it one week at a time.
But you also kind of hear those bird chirping in
the background talking about playoffs and you know the turnaround
that we've had this season. But we'll focus on this
week and then see what happens next week.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
I just think about all the hours and days and
months that you pour in to having this chance to
rack up this many wins, to put yourself in position
to play meaningful, consequential football. Down the stretch.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
I mean, yeah, it's everything. This team has just grown
closer and closer together each and every week, and it's
a testament to how Sean run things and excited to
see how we continue from here.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
So after a few days off, what was the team
like at the facility this week as you gather to
kind of review a couple of wins Buffalo and San
Francisco and then set the stage for the challenge going
to the East Coast.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, you said it. We weren't able to watch the
Buffalo game with the Thursday game right after, so we're
able to watch those two games together see what we
need to work on, and you know, very similar defensive
front structure coming up with the Jets, So it should
bode well for us in terms of, you know, a
lot of same as play calls and techniques.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yeah, you know, Sean McVay has spoken publicly about what
he said in front of the room after the Eagles loss.
I believe it was right less than forty days to go.
Can we commit to making the most of them? From
your vantage point, what are your recollections of that moment
in time for the Rams and how has that sparked
this little push here.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Yeah, I think that was a great message and well
received by the entire team. Every single week, now I'll
mark down how many days we have left, how many
practices we have left, how many opportunities to go out
there and prove not only that you know I can
be a great player, but how I can help this
team and improve for them.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Really, So, like the guarante days, guaranteed games, you went
in a notebook, kind of just kept tracking. Just at
the top of my notes. I'll write that down at
the start of each week. Awesome, all right, so my
kids are counting down to Christmas and taking up the advanc'ry. Okay,
very good. What do you make either this week or
in the broader picture of the term trap game, like
the Rams coming off of rivalry win, hearing that you're
(03:19):
in first place, now last road trip of the year,
you got two home games against division rivals on the
backside of it. Psychologically, you know enough to know what
this means in New York.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Right, Absolutely, this is just as important as last week
was and will be as important as the following two weeks.
So we need to approach it as that, and we
have to come away with a win. And you know,
do everything in our power to do so it's going.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
To be cold.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Yeah, it gonna be a lottle cold, hopefully not as
what as last week though, So how do you prepare
when a game day high is hovering around twenty twenty
four degrees? Also, don't think about it too much. I
know some guys have their different you know, lotions that
they put on to stay warm, warm, skim all that stuff,
but honestly, I think it's just the same as it's.
What really gets different is the rain. Games Like last week,
we have to change gloves and did you gloves? Change
(04:00):
gloves and cleats and everything so you're not slipping around,
and a whole different approach.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
I imagine that game plan played out a lot differently
than maybe what you had rehearsed here in Woodland Hills.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Yeah. Yeah, it's definitely a run game emphasis a lot
of grinded out plays and you know, all field goals.
Snowe would have put money on that, so kind of crazy.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
What I love about closing time though, is after the
d Will interception, the Rams have the ball up three
five minutes to play. It's it's five minute mode, right,
what we call four minute oute in football, but you're
looking to salt that game away on offense, and I
love that it was the tight ends that helped get
that done. Hunter Long had one. You had a couple
take us inside that last drive.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yeah, we knew that we had to do our job
to you know, keep the defense off the field and
try to run down as much clock as we can.
Hunter and I will both be the first to say
that we should have got down on a couple of
those catches to run the clock, so we don't have
to get into that. But yeah, the offensive line just
you know, running behind them, Kiren doing his thing and
then throwing the ball when we had to. Matthew did
a great job and guys did a gat job for two.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
I talked with Sean earlier about like having the keeper
game in your pocket. Still you hadn't really thrown that
at the Niners. You saved that for the last drive.
It works to perfection what you said though about the
game management, Like, are those the types of things that
normally get mentioned in a huddle pre snap here? Like
hey Hunter, Hey Colby, Like.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Yeah, normally you'll you'll hear something like hey, this is
five minute. You know, make sure that you get down,
say bounds, and that's completely on us, but you know,
thinkfully worked out.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
It did work out. Let's go to the other side
of the two minute warning. Have you ever been more
wide open there all alone than you were on that
third and four conversion?
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Not at all. And it's funny. We watched all the
tight end touchdowns every week as a tight end group,
and half the time they're just wide open, and I
all always joking like, man, that would be nice. I
wish I would have less And here we go, Uh,
just the way to kind of ice the game and
get that first down.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
So it was what Cooper motioning in a way that
kind of drew the attention to that second level the defense.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Yeah, the nickel and the safety both ran and I'm like,
are they going to stay over there? So Matthew saw
it too, and we're able to you know, catch quick.
It seems so obvious when you're watching from the bird's
eye view, but that's a feel from Matthew Stafford right
to I just identify the dispersion and who might be there. Yep,
absolutely must.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Have felt good. What do you make of what Sean
was saying about this group having the attribute of winning
games different ways with different styles. Is that just how
this season has played out, or do you feel like
that's a real strength to your toolkit that the Rams
can use down this stretch.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yeah. I think we've kind of added to that toolkit
throughout these last four weeks and the entire season. You know,
each game has been different, like you said, and I
think that just stems from our confidence that's continuing to grow.
The guys are doing a great job every single week
putting in the work, and like you said, it's not
you know, the same way every single week. So we
feel confident that we can win no matter what the
circumstances are.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Coolby you're right at the fulk room between run and
past in your tight end room. So I wonder from
your vantage point, what's it been like seeing the offensive
line get some continuity, some time on task and how
has that impacted winning here in this last month?
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Oh, it's huge. I mean, those guys are playing phenomenal football,
and we're able to run the ball well. And when
we're able to run the ball well, I mean you
saw it in the Buffalo game, we're able to throw
it and that just opens up the entire offense. And
it's really cool to see how Sean uses all of
those different moving parts together.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
I just flashed back to Jared Verse clinching the Saints game. Yea,
And some of our audience have said, like, don't block
him with the tight end? One do you take that personally?
And two would you advise opponents not to block Jared
Verse with the tight end?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I think both can be true. I take that personally,
and I would advise not doing that. You've tried this
going back to the summer y, You've experienced this. The
Rams get one of their leaders back this week in
Tyler Higbee. He's been working so hard behind the scenes
since that injury in Detroit, set to make his twenty
twenty four debut. What's it been like observing that, first
of all, before we talk about what his impact could
(07:46):
mean in your huddle. Yeah, just seeing his hard work
and his dedication to the team just completely unwaivered throughout
this process. You know, a lot of guys can get
hurt and kind of feel bad for themselves, but that
wasn't him. He took it head on and he's been
in every single meeting, you know, helping me out as
you know, newcoming to the Rams helping me understand the offense.
Done an amazing job. So excited to get him back
out there and play with him.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
In terms of a game plan, in terms of execution.
What could having a built out, fully formed tight end
room mean for the Rams as they look to make
this postseason push.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Yeah, I think we're just continuing to build on what
we've been building all year and adding you know, another
weapon can only help us.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
How come the tight Ends always have the best hair.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
I think it's a staple of the room. It's got
to be that way. Yep.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Do you ever miss year long?
Speaker 2 (08:28):
I do? I do. Higgs and I talked about bringing
the flowback every now and then, but it's a lot
of commitment.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Was he the first mover on that? I think he
chopped his pretty early on, Yeah, he did, and yours
is more recent.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Yeah. I chopped at this offseason because I always sad
when I had a kid, I'd cut my hair, uh huh,
so he wouldn't be grabbing it and everything. But he
still finds, you know, my beard or smart. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
I think we'll talk about him a little bit later
on in the show. One other thought, Well, I'm thinking
of it, are you the tallest ram because the roster
says it's rob.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Have you ever gotten think I am talked about Actually
I'm not entirely sure, but we've talked about this. I
think I think I'm slightly talking.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Like you him and Alaric. Yeah, so you play like
a tackle in terms of roster height. Yeah. Individually, let's
talk about your season so far. You've already said a
career high for receptions, you're closing in on a single
season career high for yards. What's been your evaluation of
your first year as a rank?
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Yeah, I'm happy with where I've been at, but you know,
continuing to try to get better each and every week.
I think that this whole offensive staff does a great
job of cultivating growth and you know, and encouraging you
to be the best person that you can, best player
that you can. So just continue to try to get better,
try to help this team. And there's been ups and
downs and playtime and receptions and all that, and that
(09:38):
doesn't really matter to me. What matters is helping the
team win. And I think that this environment really does
a good job at that.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
So let me take that cue. You talk about the
variance in terms of your role within a game plan.
Sometimes it's looked like Starter's reps. Sometimes it's looked like,
you know, sharing the load with with Davis and Hunter
and some others. Now with Tyler coming into the foray
as well, how do you balance all that in terms
of what is the next week going to hold.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Yeah, it's just one week at a time and doing
whatever's best for the team. If you start thinking about yourself,
so I think about your own playtime, your own catches
and yards and everything, it can get overwhelming and honestly
don't play as well. So focusing on the team, focusing
on the unit as a whole is going to be
my approach this game and for the rest of my career.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
I do want to point out your age though, and
for those who don't know it, Kolby was one of
the youngest members of his draft and then subsequently free
agent class. You're the same age as Kobe Turner. Just
to put that in perspective, Like, you turn twenty six
in January, right, So do you feel like you're still
growing into the part of a starting tight end in
the NFL, which is one of the toughest things to
do in this sport.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Yeah, I do. Forget very often that I'm still twenty five,
But I feel that I have the capability to be
that starting tight end and just continue to get better
to allow myself opportunities going forward to have that role.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
I know you left college early, but are you young
for your class too? Is that part of how I think?
I was pretty average for my class. So it was
more just in this post COVID environment where we have
fifth and six years old years, you were that are
my age? You were the standard.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
The Bill Belichick news this week, by the way, made
me think of Pete Carroll. I wonder if you have
any perspective on like, would it work if he wanted
to go back to college, because yeah, he was so
good for so long.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
I could see it. I mean, Pete still had as
much energy as he's always had his whole time. There
so much respect for that guy and love for him,
so I could see it. And I know when I
mean the CEA ex played the Patriots a couple of
years back. It was the oldest matchup in the NFL history.
So to see him Belichick go down to colleges is
very interesting help the best for him.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
We enjoyed that rivalry between Pete and Seawan for many years.
How would you compare and contrast two men who have
gone about it very different ways, different career paths, but
have experienced so much success.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Yeah, honestly, I would say the way they cultivate, you know,
competition and growth is very similar. Pete was all about
energy and competitiveness, and it's very similar to how Sean
runs seeing down here, So I feel like I was
able to step into that very well. And you know,
it's so cool to be able to play for two
of the greatest head coaches in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
Yeah, you know. Part of the reason it's relative is
because you're from SeeMe Valley, from this area. We've covered
that on various platforms. Went to Oakes Christian in west Lake.
One interesting thing and this is a real tangent, but
bear with me here because I discovered it just reading
more about you this week. The Rams recent win over
the Bills drew many comparisons to the twenty eighteen game
(12:26):
at the Coliseum. It goes down as like one of
the great Monday night football games of all time. But
what we can never compareison circumstances of that game. And
for those who don't remember there was what the Wolsey
fire going on, right there was a tragic shooting at
Borderline that claimed twelve lives, and you were at Stanford
at the time, and so I read that those events
(12:48):
were very much on your mind, on your heart as
you had a career game. I think this was two
days before this Rams Chiefs game. You go out and
score four touchdowns from kJ Costella. Do you remember that momment? Yeah,
and to this kind of community, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
And there's also major fires going up in northern California
at the same time. So I had a personal friend
who was lost in that shooting. So it was very
sentimental to me. And to be able to go out
and you know, hopefully put a smile on some people's
faces with that performance was amazing. And then to watch
that game, I remember watching it with some of my buddies,
you know, at the facilities, was just unbelievable.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Yeah, I didn't think I'd ever see a game as
electric as that. The one you guys played against the
Buffalo Bills was very very reminiscent of that, again only
in terms of the points and the on field product.
All Right, time here for the wine Down. It's brought
to you by sleep number. Each week on Rams Revealed,
we get insight into how sleep and recovery impacts performance
in the NFL. You reference your son earlier in the show.
(13:43):
I thought, this is the perfect time, your first season
with a newborn, sleep and recovery forced, isn't y force? Okay?
How is he doing?
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Yeah, he's doing great.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
And how is he impacting sleep and recovery in the
Parkinson household?
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Well, my wife is very gracious, so while we were
sleep training, she took the rent of that, and by
the rent of it, I mean one hundred percent. And
he's sleeping great. Now, he's sleeping on his own, able
to put himself to sleep, and if he needs something,
I know who to wake up so that you can
go help him out. What have you learned about yourself
as a father? Maybe something surprise you or I mean
(14:17):
just so much love for this child, who I you know,
barely even know, like right when he came out, and
just overwhelming. And yeah, I'm a Christian, so just reminds
me of my faith and my Lord, my father. So
pretty amazing to experience that. How about babies first Christmas?
Speaker 1 (14:31):
What's that like?
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Can't wait? Yeah? So Davis Allen's wife actually knitted him
something says Forest in the little Christmas outfit, So look
her up on et. So if you guys are looking
for some Christmas attire for your kids, so excited to
get him in that and experience first Christmas.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Oh that's terrific. And you still have friends obviously and
family in the area too. Do you get together?
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Yeah, a lot of week holiday a lot of friends.
But some of my family's moved away, but they'll be
coming back to town. So excited to see them.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
All right, we have so many Dodger fans in the
room and in the facility. Having the first chance to
talk to you since the World Championship, the Otani season.
How did that all land for you?
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Oh? It was awesome. So I grew up kind of
a Mariners fan and a Dodgers fan. Interesting, I lived
in Seattle for a couple of years when I was
a kid, but when we moved down here as a
Dodgers fan. So I've been following them closely for a
long time. And it's an amazing season. To see Otani
just crushed the fifty to fifty record and then to
go on and win the whole thing was a lot
of fun. Cool.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
And then lastly, I hear you reference your older brother
in conversation a little bit. Can you tell us about
him the role he's played in your football and life
off the field as well.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Yeah, so he's five years older than me, but it
seems like we've been the same age and best friends
since I can remember. I always did everything he did.
He started playing football first, so of course I quit
soccer and started playing football, and he started playing guitar.
I started playing guitar, and everything he did I did.
So very thankful for that relationship. My dad was always
super intentional about making sure we spend a lot of
(15:51):
quality time together and couldn't be more thankful for both
of them.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Soccer at six seven would have been interesting.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Yeah, yeah, I think I might have been a goalie
at that That would have been would have been good
at it too.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
We close each show with our grease board sketch. Beg
your pardon here while I find it. We're so thankful
for Fair and her amazing contributions to the show and
her artistic talent that we get the showcase well done.
That's amazing, pretty solid, right, that is great? Yeah, we'll
give our audience a view of it. Will you sign
that and send us on our way. I'll you very good.
(16:23):
Thank you for displaying that, and thank you for helping
us get to know you a little bit. I think
it's the right time to be talking RAMS and tight
End Room as you get set to travel to New York.
Absolutely all right. For Colby Parkinson, I'm JB. Long. Thank
you as always for being with us. For RAMS reveal
presented by Sleep Number
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