December 4, 2023 • 24 mins
On this episode of the Coach McVay Show, Sean McVay joins J.B. Long and D’Marco Farr to break down Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. McVay discusses wide receiver Puka Nacua's record-setting performance, highlights other standout player performances, and looks ahead to Sunday's Week 14 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Good evening and welcome to the Coach mcvaigh Show, presented
by Microsoft Surface.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
I'm JB.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Long with Tomarco Farr and the head coach if your
Los Angeles Ramshan McVeigh Los Angeles back to five hundred
winners of three in a row. But it's not just
the wins, the complimentary football that they're playing to get
those wins and the fun they're having along the way show.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Yeah, that was my favorite part of the game yesterday.
JB and I thought that really was on display in
the fourth quarter. I mean, even if it's a twenty
to nineteen game, about seven minutes left, get a great
job by Ethan Evans and the punt unit to be
able to get a long punt flip it where we're
on our thirty and then it ends up putting them
on their minus twenty one. Defense gets a first play,
gets the interception by John Johnson. You know, what a
(00:44):
huge job by him to be able to make that
play against his old squad. Puts us in a position
to be able to go up eight where Cup punch,
you know, Cup ends up, you know, Matthew and Cup connect,
you know, a few plays later, and then we end
up getting a fourth down stop by rush Yeast to
then ultimately be able.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
To go up couple scores.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
That was so big, and when Kyroen ended up finishing
it off but complimentary football on display at its finest
finishing a game. And then you know, the fun was
really fun when you watch Kobe Turner and Aaron you know,
be able to close the game out the way that
they did and doing all the conductor and hey, everybody's
skipping off and it was a lot of fun watching
those guys do their things.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
See, I'm glad they did it. You can make skipping
cool again, right, we can skip instead of running.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Ad can make anything.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
That's what I'm saying. Nania nine's doing it. But it's fun.
I am a sucker for drama. I mean, look, I'd
rather be undefeated, but there's something about fighting your way
from under five hundred getting back to five hundred having
fun doing it. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Yeah, And I do think that there's been a grit
established from this team through some of the setbacks and
challenges that we've had to navigate through, and you guys
have heard us talk about it each of the last
couple of weeks and really coming off of the buy
I thought it represented basically a halfway point. We know
we were nine games through, but you knew you had
eight left, and let's take it one day at a time.
(01:57):
Let's just continue to try to play good ball, get
guys back healthy. I think you're starting to see that unfold.
And man, what a great challenge we've got going to Baltimore,
one of the best teams in the league, one of
the most complete teams in the league, and we love
it and that's what you want.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
And we're looking forward to another good week.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
But to be able to get the first three coming
off of the buye and the way the guys have
done it against Seattle, against Arizona and then ultimately against
the Browns yesterday, they were earned and nothing's given in
this league, and I think it makes you appreciate those
things that you're talking about a little bit more. And
we're establishing a toughness both physically and mentally that I
think is going to service well as we keep navigating
(02:34):
through December the way we want to do it.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
While we're skipping, Yeah, all right, take us inside the headset.
What are you thinking as Matthew Stafford checks into the
shotgun and turns that play into what becomes a seventy
yard touchdown to poopin Aakua.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
What the hell am I here for?
Speaker 3 (02:49):
I'm thinking this guy's doing he's doing the quarterback job,
he's doing the coaching job.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
I'm thinking that, Hey, good thing we got him. But
now it was really cool JB.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
You know, you talk about players ownership and DeMarco you
can appreciate this and there's nothing more powerful than that.
And when he recognizes it. They had given us a
similar look on the first drive, and as soon as
they presented that again, he got to a check ended
up getting one of our best players on a middle
run through player with a lot of air and the
way he got that protection straightened up, the way that
(03:21):
he ended up getting that ball up and down, I mean,
what a location on the throw. And then what a
finish by Puka. I mean, you talk about the power,
the strength and the speed to be able to finish
that seventy yard touchdown. He's got a lot more gas
and I think people realized on that play and then
on some of the Jets sweeps, thirty plus yard run
and then a forty five yard or.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
That I don't know about that one, well wow.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
But it's still you know, you could feel he was
big time yesterday. But Matthew, I'm just thinking, what a
g is really what I was thinking?
Speaker 4 (03:49):
I mean, that was awesome.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
I wish Taki Taki had a GoPro just so I
could see what that looked like going over his head.
But we said, I think you went berserk, didn't you
on the touchdown pass? On your on your call?
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (04:00):
I usually do, but the pass was you do?
Speaker 4 (04:02):
And just sitting there calm.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Actually, to be honest, I was still staring at the
spot because I couldn't believe what I just saw. No joke,
what a throw, That's what I'm saying. That's got to
be the hard part with Stafford when you see stuff
like that. Hell, I'd call a pass on every single
down if my guy can do that.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
Yeah, you know it was. It was.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
It was an incredible execution, and against a defense that
is as great as they are, to be able to
create some plays like that, that was big.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
To be able to have a.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Two play scoring drive, you know, what an awesome job.
And you know all the credit that goes to Matthew
on that play and then ultimately his teammates and then
Pooka being able to finish it.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Here's a crazy coincidence is the three of us MJD.
We're talking pregame about being at field level. What I
don't always appreciate is the professional receivers how late their
hands are to come up and catching football. And then
what does Matthew say after the game that what he
appreciate about what Pooka did there is not giving his
hands away to the linebacker to make that all possible totally.
Can you talk about like how you coach that and
(04:57):
how real a dynamic that is that separates the true
really great receivers.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
I think number one, I think that is something that
the great ones just having innate feel for understanding that.
And even if you and I'm sure you heard it too,
Puka was talking about it in his post game. He
knew he had Taki Taki running with him, and he
knew that he was playing visual on him, and so
he was cognizant of late hands in that. Well, you
can't do that unless you get a throw that's basically
handed off to you. But I think there's certain things
(05:23):
that these really special athletes have a feel for. You
can coach certain things, but then when it's unfolding in
real time, you're not You're more reacting than you are
being cognizant about thinking about it. And I think when
you talk about the game slowing down for those really
good players, that example that you're bringing up epitomizes that
for Matthew to be able to do all the things
that he did, and then for Puka to even be
(05:44):
aware of all, Right, I'm a rookie, but I'm on
a middle I've got a guy basically who's a middle
run through player carrying me vertical with his back to
the ball, and I know when this ball arrives, he's
going to try to play through my hands or you know,
make a make it more challenging. And the fact that
it was such a great location enabled him to be
able to stay in stride because the backside corner was overlapping,
where usually that'd be a catch tackle, uh for you know,
(06:07):
thirty five yards, but instead it's a seventy yard touchdown.
And so I mean, those guys are ballers, and you know,
they make you look like a lot better coach.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
No doubt. Now everybody's going to think they can get
a Pooka in the fifth, right, good luck.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
I'd be looking for guys running four or five seven.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
You kept saying stupid of us was going to wait
till the fifth.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
If we knew that, That's what I'm saying. Tremendous.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
How did he even get back in that game?
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Seriously?
Speaker 1 (06:29):
How did he come back in that game?
Speaker 3 (06:31):
He was like rod Tidwell from Jerry McGuire man. You know,
he was down and then he's he's not down. Our
guys are too young to appreciate that reference, but I
think you guys can both appreciate that one. Yeah, but
I can't make those jokes anymore. They don't hit back.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
But here's what I will say.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
He is so tough, and I knew that if there
was a chance that okay it's the shoulder, it's the ribs,
he's banged up, if there was going to be a
chance for him to be able to come back, you know,
he's going to do everything in his power. And you know,
you talk about a guy that plays for his teammates,
loves to compete. And then what's the first play of
the second half. We run a He's combination blocking on
a defensive end with with Higbee for a big run
(07:12):
to Kien Williams on the left side. So I wasn't
really too worried about the restrictions, and he certainly ended
up erasing any of our fears.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
But the way he.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Competed with the ball without the ball, what a what
an energy that he brings to our team, A toughness
of production, and the humility is so authentic and real.
And I love working with pukin Nakua.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
More than willing to block amazing.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Oh yeah he is.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Yeah, he gets in there. He's feisty. Know. Yeah, you
got to respect that and respect what was going on.
I think Cleveland threw everything they had at you, stunt wise,
but trying to get pressure on the quarterback.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
And great job by the guys up front. Our guys
did a great job. There was a mindset, there was
a mentality. I think you give a tremendous amount of
credit to Ryan Wendell, Nick Jones, Zach Kromer. Also, you know,
coach Munchek's been around helping out and I think his
presence means a whole lot to us.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
But the always got it done up front. You know,
you got to give it.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
You know, I thought Aleric Jackson had a great week
of prep. His mindset of mentality was right. Rob Havenstein's
been steady and consistent. The toughness from Coleman Shelton, the leadership,
the communication, and then Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila, you know,
really did a great job of straining. I thought Tyler
Higbe and Hunter Long did a really good job as well.
And then you know, Kyron was was really good in
(08:22):
protection and then also doing a great job of being
a presence. But it was, it was, it was a
big time deal. You knew what a great defense that was.
They are a great defense, and it.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
Wasn't always easy.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
But I love the way they just kept staying in
the fight, They kept competing, They worked through some different
things that came up. They made some of their plays,
and finding a way to finish a game is the
most important thing, and our guys did that.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
I read I heard that you ran in a Miles
Garrett post game and he's playing at less than a
hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
I get it.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
But the fact that the only called his name once
and it was when his face mass was attached to
AJ that had to be a good sign with the
way that you protected.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
Yeah, when we were driving out, you know, he was
kind of walking to the buses, and you know, I
talked to him a little bit after the game, but
I got a lot of respect for the way he
goes about it and he's a challenging guy to prepare for.
And so just you know, really said that and kept
it moving. But our guys they answered the bell and
and again it's going to be another week like that
this week. This is a great defense that we're playing.
(09:16):
I mean, you arguably are playing the two best defenses
if you look at the metrics and back to back weeks,
and it's what you love about the NFL.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
And what a great challenge. But but you know, we're
looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
It's almost like a great opponent right before you go
to Baltimore. Same division, almost same style, but fun. But
going back to defense, and Miles Garrett is impressive when
you see him. But I thought aj Alar Jackson, your
left tackle, accepting the challenge one on one, did fantastic.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
I thought he did too.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
I thought, you know, he's a mentally physically tough player.
I thought his week of preparation was key and critical.
You know, I don't think you just show up on
Sundays and play the way that he did. I think
you have to have great focus and concentration, great sense
of urgency that allows you to be able to go
play with a quieted mind and go do your thing
and and.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Shoots your shot.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
You know, we talk about that a lot, and I
thought he did that, and then he did play on
the right side for a few snaps, and I thought
Rob did an excellent job versus him. But you know,
it's not exclusive to Miles. You know, they've got a
rotation of guys across the board, whether it's their interior
or on the edges, that that present a lot of problems.
And it's why they've had the production that they have
had as a defense.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
And you know, it was it was big time. But
but but Aleric was outstanding.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Obo was trying to get you, Obow was.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
You know, it's good. It was good to see Obow man.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
I appreciated, you know, our time together, and he's he's
done a good job, and he's he's he's uh, he's
a problem on the edge. But you know, we had
to be mindful of not running certain plays because he
sniffs him out and Uh, he's done a great job
for those guys.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
An NFL schedule is no place to heal, but his
Cooper cups starting to feel better week over week, not
just the production yesterday, but playing sixty three snaps as well.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
I think, so, you know, and I think he'd be
better equipped to tell you that. I know he's still
working through, you know, getting the field. I think the
standards that he has for himself and what he's earned
are really high. And I think he made a big
impact in the game in a real positive way. And
I thought that was a step in the right direction.
And I think that you know, when he's feeling good,
when he's getting involved, good things happened for our offense.
(11:12):
But he made big time plays in crunch time. That
that touchdown on third down and four was huge to
be able to put us up fifteen. You know, we
had to be able to have that, and he and
Matthew that that was vintage for those guys, and then
he made a couple other plays and then he did
a nice job without the ball as well. But I
think he is feeling better. I think he's making steps
in the right direction, and that's what we want to
(11:32):
continue to see.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
I just I think you're. It goes without saying you're
you're a better football team when those two guys are connected,
like John and Paul, you know, making music on the football.
Is that weird to say? Is that too? Is that
too deep? No?
Speaker 4 (11:47):
No, it's not too deep, you know.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
Yeah, but John, yeah, and Jerry McGwire.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Yes it is.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
It is a little bit farther back. But when they're
in sync, oh my god. Yeah, and it's starting to
come around.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
No question it, you know.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
And they that was big to be able to make
those plays for those guys and to get him involved.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
And so yes, it's just like John and Paul.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
We'll stop. Okay, thank you, thank you for going with
me on that.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
A couple of weeks now, we've been talking about Kyen
Williams and the impact he has on you as a
play caller on the other ten on the field with him,
when I see Coleman Shelton kind of carry him down
inside the five to help you secure that victory. Is
that the type of moment you're describing in terms of
the intangibles.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
That was one of my favorite plays of the game.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
You know, it's a second down and four you look
at him, he spins out of a tackle that he's
going to be short of the sticks down in the
tight red area, and then you just look at the strain,
You look at the finish and then you see our
center basically get out of the stack and go cap
that off to be able to knock him forward. And
that was awesome. And Kyen's like the energizer bunny. He
(12:46):
he just keeps going. He loves football. I mean, you
just see some of the things that he's aware of.
He's such a smart player. He's so instinctual guy. Once
he gets into a flow too, he's got such a
great way of being able to set up his blocks.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
I thought he did a great job of.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Earning a lot of tough, hard earned yards, and then
I thought he really made his plays as the game
war on, and then we were able to, you know,
create some more vertical seams on him to be able
to finish the game out the way that we did.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
But he's a stud.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
Ron Gould's doing a great job with him, and he
just is going to continue to grow because you forget,
he plays a mature brand of football. He's had such
good production, you know, but he's continuing to learn, and
he's continuing to gain more and more confidence because of
the way that he approaches the weeks. And you know,
you're talking about a lot of guys with growth mindsets
that they understand that work works and that earns the
(13:34):
opportunity to go compete and feel the way that they
do on game day and to just go cut it loose.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
That was psyched when he got that Russian touchdown, like
he had to get it twice. Yeah, and he went
back and got it again. Tremendous. Like I said, this,
this is how you know when a guy is starting
to affect the defense. They know you're going to run it,
You run it, and you still get something out of it.
Even when he has to deal with a free hitter.
He's still bouncing off guys, keeping the ball moving forward.
That's how you know a guy's getting better.
Speaker 4 (13:57):
Yeah, he really is.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
And I thought he did a great job, especially in
that sequence you're talking about. We were in the tight
red zone and you know, they're really packing the box
and there really wasn't much of a mystery in terms
of some of the different concepts and plays that we
were trying to run down there, and our guys did
a great job of being able to stay connected and
then ultimately him being able to work edges and be
able to punch it in or create positive yardage where
(14:19):
you're getting good surges.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
The NFL draft is a is like a big ten
pole event for a reason.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
I get it.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
But when I look at what the Rams did from
the draft forward this summer, whether it's Kevin Dotson who
we've talked about, certainly Kello Witherspoon who we talked about,
and then maybe this weekend de Marcus Robinson and John
Johnson deserved the conversation. There's veterans who joined you this
summer who are making winning plays for you in December.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
No question, And I think that's so big, and I
think that's such a credit to those guys JB. But
also the coaches, you know, and just to be able
to continue to, you know, have these guys receptive to
the things, just continuing to stay locked in, be ready
for their opportunities. JJ's done a great job, you know,
and once he got his legs underneath him, I think
he's been awesome for us. He enjoyed in the command
(15:00):
they've had thought. I think it's enabled Rush he used
to be able to play really well, do an excellent
job and some of the different things you've seen him
over the last couple of weeks, and what a cool
thing it was to see DeMarcus make his plays. You know,
you feel his presence on the field. He's a big target,
he's got the ability to work edges and made four
critical catches for us yesterday. Eric Yarber does such a
(15:20):
great job leading the way for that group. And then Atkello,
you know, he can't say enough about the consistency at
which he's played with Aubrey's done such a great job.
You know, Aubrey and coach Beek and Mike Harris, we're
really with our back end as a whole. But you know,
those guys that you just mentioned, they've they've certainly made
winning plays each of the last handful of weeks, and
that's really been consistent where they've been ready, and I'm
(15:43):
not surprised because of the way that they've attacked, whether
it be practice opportunities or what they've done in games,
to just continue to put themselves in those positions.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
I heard you described the pick JJ his pick it
was against his old team, for his first team, for
his current team, or something like here you go amazing. Yeah,
well there's a lesson there a guy who comes in.
He's not starting, but just wait your turn. Eventually it
could come around to you and be ready when you're called.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Yeah, And that's I think that speaks to the maturity,
the security, just the overall awareness where he came in
was a great leader in his own right and getting himself,
whether it was helping be a mentor and provide insight
in terms of the experience that he could draw upon,
but also making sure that he's continuing to do the
work behind the scenes so that when those opportunities come,
(16:30):
whether it be if somebody goes down or if it's
earned to be able to get out there and make
an impact for this football team. And he certainly has
earned everything that he's gotten. But he's been a pro
in every sense of the word. His teammates love him.
I mean, he is one of those guys that you
can't help but love being around. And you just watch
the excitement that his teammates had for him making that play,
getting the game ball afterwards, and anybody that doesn't love JJ,
(16:53):
you know, there's something wrong with you.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Yeah, what'd you think of the return though great the return,
Come on, be honest.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
You know what, I thought that there was maybe a
possibility to pick the DK Now I'm kidding, I'm getting
on that. I thought he did a great job of
being able to get in plus territory and uh, I
was pleased with that.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
John Hussey with one of the cheekiest performances I've ever
heard from a referee. One cheek equals two feet, I
guess is the lesson of your first challenge.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
Yeah, and you know, and I knew that, you know,
because I did know that. I was hopeful it happened
kind of right in front of me. It was a
good call by the side judge. I think it was
one of those situations in scenarios that I bet you
whatever the call on the field was would have held up.
And you know, when I saw it in Bang Bang,
it's such a big play. You know, you feel like, man,
(17:39):
maybe there's a chance that that outside part hit first,
but the cheek did hit and you know, it was
hard to say that. I think that could have been
overturned and stupid challenge.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
No, No, the second one more than made up for it, though.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
That was huge with that was big.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
Yeah, that was a great job by our guys up
top being able to recognize that get it communicated. I
think really just our our booth communication from the top
down has been really good and it's enabled us to
be able to.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Make some decisions.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
And there wasn't enough time even on the first one
where more catches it, where you're really saying, all right,
you didn't necessarily get a look at the replay, but
you're hoping and you're thinking that there's a chance, so
let's go ahead and uh, you know, throw this out there,
and you know it didn't work out in our favor
and lesson learned?
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Do they use the word cheek? Is that real?
Speaker 1 (18:22):
I was afraid to on the air. And then the
referee just does it for me?
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Go ahead, he said it to the whole stadium. Works
for me. Yeah, good stuff. Your defense that was better
than that.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
Clearly the receiver.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Wow, was he emphatic on that?
Speaker 1 (18:35):
Right?
Speaker 2 (18:35):
I loved it? Yeah, great stuff.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
Clearly the Marcus was in bounds.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Clearly How many times have you used that since the game?
At least twice? Right? Clearly, Yes, this is empty, store
it away, no doubt. Your defense again up to the task.
I wish I could say it was just Aaron, But
it's not. It's it's all of them. They're playing hard.
I mean, they've got these guys really playing hard right now.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
Yeah, and they're they're playing hard for one another. And
I think what our coaches have done a really good
job of the Marco is be able to utilize all
the guys that are up that have jerseys. On game day,
I thought we knew it was going to be a
really physical brand of football that the Browns wanted to play.
Thought Joe Flacco did a great job, and I got
tremendous respect for their coaches, their ability to be able
(19:16):
to bring a game plan to life, and they created
some good stressful downs. But I thought our guys just
continue to strain. They found ways to make the key
and critical stops when we had to, and thought all
three levels of the d made their plays, and I
thought it was a great game plan by Raheem and
the defensive coaching staff, and ultimately you came away with
holding the team under twenty points and that's a big
(19:37):
deal in this league.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
As we go to Baltimore, I think back to the
Super Bowl season and what a critical win that was
on the path to your World Championship. Can we just
reminisce a little bit, like, what do you remember about
that day at Baltimore?
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Well, what I remember was what a big pick Jordan
Fuller made at the end of the half to be
able to give us some momentum, and then Cup ends
up scoring on a touchdown in that fringe area to
be able to cut the lead. I remember on the
you know, the next drive when we get it coming
out of the second half, We're going right down the
field and they ended up turning us over deep in
the red area. But we just kept battling, going back
(20:10):
and forth. I remember, you know, stop after stop from
our defense, and then I remember, in a drive that
we that we had to have offensively, Matthew walks us
down the field, makes an unbelievable completion on fourth down
to to he and O'Dell, and then ultimately a sprint
out to hit Odell to go up top. Timm had
a good stop on the two point play, but then
our defense ended up shutting him down. There was tight
(20:31):
red area stops that those guys made earlier in the game,
and it was a gritty, tough place. I mean, you know,
it's a really challenging place to play, and and that
was a real challenging game, and they were short a
lot of their great players. You know, we didn't see
Lamar Jackson that day. We didn't see a lot of
their great players on defense. And you know, they're healthy,
they're coming off there by, and we know it's going
to be a hell of a challenge, but we're looking
(20:53):
forward to it.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
I do remember that. I mean just digging yourself out
of that hole there, that style of ball. And I
told that, I said, something just happened in this locker
room at the end of that game, when you guys
came together after winning that game, I said, something just happened.
I don't know where it's going to end, but this
team has changed after this victory.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Yeah, no, it was big, you know, and that that
represented the opportunity to regain the NFC West lead as well,
and and that was.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
That was huge for us.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
I just think of Matthew Stafford's month the h was
it the winless November that turned into undefeated December, and
he's kind of in a little pick six rut, including
in that game. But like you described, that last drive,
I think just set the course for what was a
four game playoff push eventually that made the confetti fall.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
No, it was it was good and uh And I
think the important thing for this team right now is
they're playing off of one another JB. Every single week
creates new challenges. But I do love the way that
these guys have come off the buy and and really
I think we've gotten, you know, stronger as a team.
I think we're playing better football. I like the way
they've prepared and you know, fortunately we're we're staying relatively healthy. Obviously,
(21:57):
you got your guys that are getting banged up with
Tig and Puka yesterday, but we're hoping that both those
guys will you know, be ready to go this week.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
Yeah. Fish and smart and physical. Great way to play.
One more question about your quarterback as a pure thrower
of the ball, and you've been around a lot of quarterbacks,
where do you put him.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
Just as good as as good as there is ever?
Speaker 2 (22:16):
I mean, the stuff he can do and how he
does it, where he puts it's unreal.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Yeah, I think, you know, it's like the Michael Kobe
Lebron types of conversations. They're all great, you know, I mean,
he's he's among the best to ever do it, and
I genuinely and truly believe that, and there's a lot
of other guys that are in that conversation. But the
things that he can do from the work that he
puts in and then some of the talents that he
was blessed with is unique and special and.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
Why he has been, you know, so.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
Highly regarded and continued to really exceed those expectations that
have been placed on him from a very young age
because he puts in the work, but he's as good
as there is and he does things with the football
and can correct last second type of stuff that.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
Not many people in the world I've ever been able
to do.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
And it travels. That's the cool thing.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Great to be back in the playoff hunts here in
the month of December. Can you imagine if your playoff
spot were to be determined by a selection committee? Though,
that would be tough to stomach.
Speaker 4 (23:10):
That'd be tough, you know.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
That's these situations don't arise when it goes to twelve.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
Right, this is the last year unless you're Team thirteen,
I guess.
Speaker 4 (23:20):
But see, here's the thing.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
Team thirteen won't be undefeated.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (23:23):
You know, maybe team number five was Nah.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
I got a funny feeling that that same argument won't
be able to be made.
Speaker 4 (23:32):
You know, somebody's going to.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
Be pissed about being thirteen, but you're not gonna have
I mean, that's squad in.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
Marcos Husky's undefeated for the first time since your championship.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Yeah, that's right. They beat us. They're thirteen to No,
we were twelve and oh that was the best in
school history. And now they're thirteen to.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
Oh, that was it.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
I'll tell you what I you know, I kind of
casually watch.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
I was so impressed with the way they played in
that PAC twelve championship game, you know, especially just the
way they started Oregon gets the moment them back, and
then to be able to just have the resolve to
make plays and and to be able to finish that
game out because Oregon was playing as good as anybody
in the country, had a lot of positive momentum going
into it. But uh, those guys, Uh, those guys, you guys.
Speaker 4 (24:13):
Have been fun to watch.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Man.
Speaker 4 (24:15):
You're gonna go to the You're gonna go to the game.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
How do you how are you gonna be afraid of
a duck? Come on, now that's not I'm just saying,
you know me, I'm just saying, yeah, that's all right.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Well, my favorite play of the weekend was the Iowa
kid that got up behind the kick return and tracked
it all the way down that one.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
Oh yeah, that was that was fantacular.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
All right. Back to professional football and back to Baltimore.
The Rams and the Ravens come in your way in
Week fourteen. For Sean McVay, for Marko far I'm JB. Long.
This has been the Coach McVay Show, presented by Microsoft
Surface
Good evening and welcome to the Coach mcvaigh Show, presented
by Microsoft Surface.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
I'm JB.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Long with Tomarco Farr and the head coach if your
Los Angeles Ramshan McVeigh Los Angeles back to five hundred
winners of three in a row. But it's not just
the wins, the complimentary football that they're playing to get
those wins and the fun they're having along the way show.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Yeah, that was my favorite part of the game yesterday.
JB and I thought that really was on display in
the fourth quarter. I mean, even if it's a twenty
to nineteen game, about seven minutes left, get a great
job by Ethan Evans and the punt unit to be
able to get a long punt flip it where we're
on our thirty and then it ends up putting them
on their minus twenty one. Defense gets a first play,
gets the interception by John Johnson. You know, what a
(00:44):
huge job by him to be able to make that
play against his old squad. Puts us in a position
to be able to go up eight where Cup punch,
you know, Cup ends up, you know, Matthew and Cup connect,
you know, a few plays later, and then we end
up getting a fourth down stop by rush Yeast to
then ultimately be able.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
To go up couple scores.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
That was so big, and when Kyroen ended up finishing
it off but complimentary football on display at its finest
finishing a game. And then you know, the fun was
really fun when you watch Kobe Turner and Aaron you know,
be able to close the game out the way that
they did and doing all the conductor and hey, everybody's
skipping off and it was a lot of fun watching
those guys do their things.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
See, I'm glad they did it. You can make skipping
cool again, right, we can skip instead of running.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Ad can make anything.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
That's what I'm saying. Nania nine's doing it. But it's fun.
I am a sucker for drama. I mean, look, I'd
rather be undefeated, but there's something about fighting your way
from under five hundred getting back to five hundred having
fun doing it. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Yeah, And I do think that there's been a grit
established from this team through some of the setbacks and
challenges that we've had to navigate through, and you guys
have heard us talk about it each of the last
couple of weeks and really coming off of the buy
I thought it represented basically a halfway point. We know
we were nine games through, but you knew you had
eight left, and let's take it one day at a time.
(01:57):
Let's just continue to try to play good ball, get
guys back healthy. I think you're starting to see that unfold.
And man, what a great challenge we've got going to Baltimore,
one of the best teams in the league, one of
the most complete teams in the league, and we love
it and that's what you want.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
And we're looking forward to another good week.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
But to be able to get the first three coming
off of the buye and the way the guys have
done it against Seattle, against Arizona and then ultimately against
the Browns yesterday, they were earned and nothing's given in
this league, and I think it makes you appreciate those
things that you're talking about a little bit more. And
we're establishing a toughness both physically and mentally that I
think is going to service well as we keep navigating
(02:34):
through December the way we want to do it.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
While we're skipping, Yeah, all right, take us inside the headset.
What are you thinking as Matthew Stafford checks into the
shotgun and turns that play into what becomes a seventy
yard touchdown to poopin Aakua.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
What the hell am I here for?
Speaker 3 (02:49):
I'm thinking this guy's doing he's doing the quarterback job,
he's doing the coaching job.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
I'm thinking that, Hey, good thing we got him. But
now it was really cool JB.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
You know, you talk about players ownership and DeMarco you
can appreciate this and there's nothing more powerful than that.
And when he recognizes it. They had given us a
similar look on the first drive, and as soon as
they presented that again, he got to a check ended
up getting one of our best players on a middle
run through player with a lot of air and the
way he got that protection straightened up, the way that
(03:21):
he ended up getting that ball up and down, I mean,
what a location on the throw. And then what a
finish by Puka. I mean, you talk about the power,
the strength and the speed to be able to finish
that seventy yard touchdown. He's got a lot more gas
and I think people realized on that play and then
on some of the Jets sweeps, thirty plus yard run
and then a forty five yard or.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
That I don't know about that one, well wow.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
But it's still you know, you could feel he was
big time yesterday. But Matthew, I'm just thinking, what a
g is really what I was thinking?
Speaker 4 (03:49):
I mean, that was awesome.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
I wish Taki Taki had a GoPro just so I
could see what that looked like going over his head.
But we said, I think you went berserk, didn't you
on the touchdown pass? On your on your call?
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (04:00):
I usually do, but the pass was you do?
Speaker 4 (04:02):
And just sitting there calm.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Actually, to be honest, I was still staring at the
spot because I couldn't believe what I just saw. No joke,
what a throw, That's what I'm saying. That's got to
be the hard part with Stafford when you see stuff
like that. Hell, I'd call a pass on every single
down if my guy can do that.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
Yeah, you know it was. It was.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
It was an incredible execution, and against a defense that
is as great as they are, to be able to
create some plays like that, that was big.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
To be able to have a.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Two play scoring drive, you know, what an awesome job.
And you know all the credit that goes to Matthew
on that play and then ultimately his teammates and then
Pooka being able to finish it.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Here's a crazy coincidence is the three of us MJD.
We're talking pregame about being at field level. What I
don't always appreciate is the professional receivers how late their
hands are to come up and catching football. And then
what does Matthew say after the game that what he
appreciate about what Pooka did there is not giving his
hands away to the linebacker to make that all possible totally.
Can you talk about like how you coach that and
(04:57):
how real a dynamic that is that separates the true
really great receivers.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
I think number one, I think that is something that
the great ones just having innate feel for understanding that.
And even if you and I'm sure you heard it too,
Puka was talking about it in his post game. He
knew he had Taki Taki running with him, and he
knew that he was playing visual on him, and so
he was cognizant of late hands in that. Well, you
can't do that unless you get a throw that's basically
handed off to you. But I think there's certain things
(05:23):
that these really special athletes have a feel for. You
can coach certain things, but then when it's unfolding in
real time, you're not You're more reacting than you are
being cognizant about thinking about it. And I think when
you talk about the game slowing down for those really
good players, that example that you're bringing up epitomizes that
for Matthew to be able to do all the things
that he did, and then for Puka to even be
(05:44):
aware of all, Right, I'm a rookie, but I'm on
a middle I've got a guy basically who's a middle
run through player carrying me vertical with his back to
the ball, and I know when this ball arrives, he's
going to try to play through my hands or you know,
make a make it more challenging. And the fact that
it was such a great location enabled him to be
able to stay in stride because the backside corner was overlapping,
where usually that'd be a catch tackle, uh for you know,
(06:07):
thirty five yards, but instead it's a seventy yard touchdown.
And so I mean, those guys are ballers, and you know,
they make you look like a lot better coach.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
No doubt. Now everybody's going to think they can get
a Pooka in the fifth, right, good luck.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
I'd be looking for guys running four or five seven.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
You kept saying stupid of us was going to wait
till the fifth.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
If we knew that, That's what I'm saying. Tremendous.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
How did he even get back in that game?
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Seriously?
Speaker 1 (06:29):
How did he come back in that game?
Speaker 3 (06:31):
He was like rod Tidwell from Jerry McGuire man. You know,
he was down and then he's he's not down. Our
guys are too young to appreciate that reference, but I
think you guys can both appreciate that one. Yeah, but
I can't make those jokes anymore. They don't hit back.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
But here's what I will say.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
He is so tough, and I knew that if there
was a chance that okay it's the shoulder, it's the ribs,
he's banged up, if there was going to be a
chance for him to be able to come back, you know,
he's going to do everything in his power. And you know,
you talk about a guy that plays for his teammates,
loves to compete. And then what's the first play of
the second half. We run a He's combination blocking on
a defensive end with with Higbee for a big run
(07:12):
to Kien Williams on the left side. So I wasn't
really too worried about the restrictions, and he certainly ended
up erasing any of our fears.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
But the way he.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Competed with the ball without the ball, what a what
an energy that he brings to our team, A toughness
of production, and the humility is so authentic and real.
And I love working with pukin Nakua.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
More than willing to block amazing.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Oh yeah he is.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Yeah, he gets in there. He's feisty. Know. Yeah, you
got to respect that and respect what was going on.
I think Cleveland threw everything they had at you, stunt wise,
but trying to get pressure on the quarterback.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
And great job by the guys up front. Our guys
did a great job. There was a mindset, there was
a mentality. I think you give a tremendous amount of
credit to Ryan Wendell, Nick Jones, Zach Kromer. Also, you know,
coach Munchek's been around helping out and I think his
presence means a whole lot to us.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
But the always got it done up front. You know,
you got to give it.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
You know, I thought Aleric Jackson had a great week
of prep. His mindset of mentality was right. Rob Havenstein's
been steady and consistent. The toughness from Coleman Shelton, the leadership,
the communication, and then Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila, you know,
really did a great job of straining. I thought Tyler
Higbe and Hunter Long did a really good job as well.
And then you know, Kyron was was really good in
(08:22):
protection and then also doing a great job of being
a presence. But it was, it was, it was a
big time deal. You knew what a great defense that was.
They are a great defense, and it.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
Wasn't always easy.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
But I love the way they just kept staying in
the fight, They kept competing, They worked through some different
things that came up. They made some of their plays,
and finding a way to finish a game is the
most important thing, and our guys did that.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
I read I heard that you ran in a Miles
Garrett post game and he's playing at less than a
hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
I get it.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
But the fact that the only called his name once
and it was when his face mass was attached to
AJ that had to be a good sign with the
way that you protected.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
Yeah, when we were driving out, you know, he was
kind of walking to the buses, and you know, I
talked to him a little bit after the game, but
I got a lot of respect for the way he
goes about it and he's a challenging guy to prepare for.
And so just you know, really said that and kept
it moving. But our guys they answered the bell and
and again it's going to be another week like that
this week. This is a great defense that we're playing.
(09:16):
I mean, you arguably are playing the two best defenses
if you look at the metrics and back to back weeks,
and it's what you love about the NFL.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
And what a great challenge. But but you know, we're
looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
It's almost like a great opponent right before you go
to Baltimore. Same division, almost same style, but fun. But
going back to defense, and Miles Garrett is impressive when
you see him. But I thought aj Alar Jackson, your
left tackle, accepting the challenge one on one, did fantastic.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
I thought he did too.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
I thought, you know, he's a mentally physically tough player.
I thought his week of preparation was key and critical.
You know, I don't think you just show up on
Sundays and play the way that he did. I think
you have to have great focus and concentration, great sense
of urgency that allows you to be able to go
play with a quieted mind and go do your thing
and and.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Shoots your shot.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
You know, we talk about that a lot, and I
thought he did that, and then he did play on
the right side for a few snaps, and I thought
Rob did an excellent job versus him. But you know,
it's not exclusive to Miles. You know, they've got a
rotation of guys across the board, whether it's their interior
or on the edges, that that present a lot of problems.
And it's why they've had the production that they have
had as a defense.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
And you know, it was it was big time. But
but but Aleric was outstanding.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Obo was trying to get you, Obow was.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
You know, it's good. It was good to see Obow man.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
I appreciated, you know, our time together, and he's he's
done a good job, and he's he's he's uh, he's
a problem on the edge. But you know, we had
to be mindful of not running certain plays because he
sniffs him out and Uh, he's done a great job
for those guys.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
An NFL schedule is no place to heal, but his
Cooper cups starting to feel better week over week, not
just the production yesterday, but playing sixty three snaps as well.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
I think, so, you know, and I think he'd be
better equipped to tell you that. I know he's still
working through, you know, getting the field. I think the
standards that he has for himself and what he's earned
are really high. And I think he made a big
impact in the game in a real positive way. And
I thought that was a step in the right direction.
And I think that you know, when he's feeling good,
when he's getting involved, good things happened for our offense.
(11:12):
But he made big time plays in crunch time. That
that touchdown on third down and four was huge to
be able to put us up fifteen. You know, we
had to be able to have that, and he and
Matthew that that was vintage for those guys, and then
he made a couple other plays and then he did
a nice job without the ball as well. But I
think he is feeling better. I think he's making steps
in the right direction, and that's what we want to
(11:32):
continue to see.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
I just I think you're. It goes without saying you're
you're a better football team when those two guys are connected,
like John and Paul, you know, making music on the football.
Is that weird to say? Is that too? Is that
too deep? No?
Speaker 4 (11:47):
No, it's not too deep, you know.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
Yeah, but John, yeah, and Jerry McGwire.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Yes it is.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
It is a little bit farther back. But when they're
in sync, oh my god. Yeah, and it's starting to
come around.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
No question it, you know.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
And they that was big to be able to make
those plays for those guys and to get him involved.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
And so yes, it's just like John and Paul.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
We'll stop. Okay, thank you, thank you for going with
me on that.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
A couple of weeks now, we've been talking about Kyen
Williams and the impact he has on you as a
play caller on the other ten on the field with him,
when I see Coleman Shelton kind of carry him down
inside the five to help you secure that victory. Is
that the type of moment you're describing in terms of
the intangibles.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
That was one of my favorite plays of the game.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
You know, it's a second down and four you look
at him, he spins out of a tackle that he's
going to be short of the sticks down in the
tight red area, and then you just look at the strain,
You look at the finish and then you see our
center basically get out of the stack and go cap
that off to be able to knock him forward. And
that was awesome. And Kyen's like the energizer bunny. He
(12:46):
he just keeps going. He loves football. I mean, you
just see some of the things that he's aware of.
He's such a smart player. He's so instinctual guy. Once
he gets into a flow too, he's got such a
great way of being able to set up his blocks.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
I thought he did a great job of.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Earning a lot of tough, hard earned yards, and then
I thought he really made his plays as the game
war on, and then we were able to, you know,
create some more vertical seams on him to be able
to finish the game out the way that we did.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
But he's a stud.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
Ron Gould's doing a great job with him, and he
just is going to continue to grow because you forget,
he plays a mature brand of football. He's had such
good production, you know, but he's continuing to learn, and
he's continuing to gain more and more confidence because of
the way that he approaches the weeks. And you know,
you're talking about a lot of guys with growth mindsets
that they understand that work works and that earns the
(13:34):
opportunity to go compete and feel the way that they
do on game day and to just go cut it loose.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
That was psyched when he got that Russian touchdown, like
he had to get it twice. Yeah, and he went
back and got it again. Tremendous. Like I said, this,
this is how you know when a guy is starting
to affect the defense. They know you're going to run it,
You run it, and you still get something out of it.
Even when he has to deal with a free hitter.
He's still bouncing off guys, keeping the ball moving forward.
That's how you know a guy's getting better.
Speaker 4 (13:57):
Yeah, he really is.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
And I thought he did a great job, especially in
that sequence you're talking about. We were in the tight
red zone and you know, they're really packing the box
and there really wasn't much of a mystery in terms
of some of the different concepts and plays that we
were trying to run down there, and our guys did
a great job of being able to stay connected and
then ultimately him being able to work edges and be
able to punch it in or create positive yardage where
(14:19):
you're getting good surges.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
The NFL draft is a is like a big ten
pole event for a reason.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
I get it.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
But when I look at what the Rams did from
the draft forward this summer, whether it's Kevin Dotson who
we've talked about, certainly Kello Witherspoon who we talked about,
and then maybe this weekend de Marcus Robinson and John
Johnson deserved the conversation. There's veterans who joined you this
summer who are making winning plays for you in December.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
No question, And I think that's so big, and I
think that's such a credit to those guys JB. But
also the coaches, you know, and just to be able
to continue to, you know, have these guys receptive to
the things, just continuing to stay locked in, be ready
for their opportunities. JJ's done a great job, you know,
and once he got his legs underneath him, I think
he's been awesome for us. He enjoyed in the command
(15:00):
they've had thought. I think it's enabled Rush he used
to be able to play really well, do an excellent
job and some of the different things you've seen him
over the last couple of weeks, and what a cool
thing it was to see DeMarcus make his plays. You know,
you feel his presence on the field. He's a big target,
he's got the ability to work edges and made four
critical catches for us yesterday. Eric Yarber does such a
(15:20):
great job leading the way for that group. And then Atkello,
you know, he can't say enough about the consistency at
which he's played with Aubrey's done such a great job.
You know, Aubrey and coach Beek and Mike Harris, we're
really with our back end as a whole. But you know,
those guys that you just mentioned, they've they've certainly made
winning plays each of the last handful of weeks, and
that's really been consistent where they've been ready, and I'm
(15:43):
not surprised because of the way that they've attacked, whether
it be practice opportunities or what they've done in games,
to just continue to put themselves in those positions.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
I heard you described the pick JJ his pick it
was against his old team, for his first team, for
his current team, or something like here you go amazing. Yeah,
well there's a lesson there a guy who comes in.
He's not starting, but just wait your turn. Eventually it
could come around to you and be ready when you're called.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Yeah, And that's I think that speaks to the maturity,
the security, just the overall awareness where he came in
was a great leader in his own right and getting himself,
whether it was helping be a mentor and provide insight
in terms of the experience that he could draw upon,
but also making sure that he's continuing to do the
work behind the scenes so that when those opportunities come,
(16:30):
whether it be if somebody goes down or if it's
earned to be able to get out there and make
an impact for this football team. And he certainly has
earned everything that he's gotten. But he's been a pro
in every sense of the word. His teammates love him.
I mean, he is one of those guys that you
can't help but love being around. And you just watch
the excitement that his teammates had for him making that play,
getting the game ball afterwards, and anybody that doesn't love JJ,
(16:53):
you know, there's something wrong with you.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Yeah, what'd you think of the return though great the return,
Come on, be honest.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
You know what, I thought that there was maybe a
possibility to pick the DK Now I'm kidding, I'm getting
on that. I thought he did a great job of
being able to get in plus territory and uh, I
was pleased with that.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
John Hussey with one of the cheekiest performances I've ever
heard from a referee. One cheek equals two feet, I
guess is the lesson of your first challenge.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
Yeah, and you know, and I knew that, you know,
because I did know that. I was hopeful it happened
kind of right in front of me. It was a
good call by the side judge. I think it was
one of those situations in scenarios that I bet you
whatever the call on the field was would have held up.
And you know, when I saw it in Bang Bang,
it's such a big play. You know, you feel like, man,
(17:39):
maybe there's a chance that that outside part hit first,
but the cheek did hit and you know, it was
hard to say that. I think that could have been
overturned and stupid challenge.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
No, No, the second one more than made up for it, though.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
That was huge with that was big.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
Yeah, that was a great job by our guys up
top being able to recognize that get it communicated. I
think really just our our booth communication from the top
down has been really good and it's enabled us to
be able to.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Make some decisions.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
And there wasn't enough time even on the first one
where more catches it, where you're really saying, all right,
you didn't necessarily get a look at the replay, but
you're hoping and you're thinking that there's a chance, so
let's go ahead and uh, you know, throw this out there,
and you know it didn't work out in our favor
and lesson learned?
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Do they use the word cheek? Is that real?
Speaker 1 (18:22):
I was afraid to on the air. And then the
referee just does it for me?
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Go ahead, he said it to the whole stadium. Works
for me. Yeah, good stuff. Your defense that was better
than that.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
Clearly the receiver.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Wow, was he emphatic on that?
Speaker 1 (18:35):
Right?
Speaker 2 (18:35):
I loved it? Yeah, great stuff.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
Clearly the Marcus was in bounds.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Clearly How many times have you used that since the game?
At least twice? Right? Clearly, Yes, this is empty, store
it away, no doubt. Your defense again up to the task.
I wish I could say it was just Aaron, But
it's not. It's it's all of them. They're playing hard.
I mean, they've got these guys really playing hard right now.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
Yeah, and they're they're playing hard for one another. And
I think what our coaches have done a really good
job of the Marco is be able to utilize all
the guys that are up that have jerseys. On game day,
I thought we knew it was going to be a
really physical brand of football that the Browns wanted to play.
Thought Joe Flacco did a great job, and I got
tremendous respect for their coaches, their ability to be able
(19:16):
to bring a game plan to life, and they created
some good stressful downs. But I thought our guys just
continue to strain. They found ways to make the key
and critical stops when we had to, and thought all
three levels of the d made their plays, and I
thought it was a great game plan by Raheem and
the defensive coaching staff, and ultimately you came away with
holding the team under twenty points and that's a big
(19:37):
deal in this league.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
As we go to Baltimore, I think back to the
Super Bowl season and what a critical win that was
on the path to your World Championship. Can we just
reminisce a little bit, like, what do you remember about
that day at Baltimore?
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Well, what I remember was what a big pick Jordan
Fuller made at the end of the half to be
able to give us some momentum, and then Cup ends
up scoring on a touchdown in that fringe area to
be able to cut the lead. I remember on the
you know, the next drive when we get it coming
out of the second half, We're going right down the
field and they ended up turning us over deep in
the red area. But we just kept battling, going back
(20:10):
and forth. I remember, you know, stop after stop from
our defense, and then I remember, in a drive that
we that we had to have offensively, Matthew walks us
down the field, makes an unbelievable completion on fourth down
to to he and O'Dell, and then ultimately a sprint
out to hit Odell to go up top. Timm had
a good stop on the two point play, but then
our defense ended up shutting him down. There was tight
(20:31):
red area stops that those guys made earlier in the game,
and it was a gritty, tough place. I mean, you know,
it's a really challenging place to play, and and that
was a real challenging game, and they were short a
lot of their great players. You know, we didn't see
Lamar Jackson that day. We didn't see a lot of
their great players on defense. And you know, they're healthy,
they're coming off there by, and we know it's going
to be a hell of a challenge, but we're looking
(20:53):
forward to it.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
I do remember that. I mean just digging yourself out
of that hole there, that style of ball. And I
told that, I said, something just happened in this locker
room at the end of that game, when you guys
came together after winning that game, I said, something just happened.
I don't know where it's going to end, but this
team has changed after this victory.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Yeah, no, it was big, you know, and that that
represented the opportunity to regain the NFC West lead as well,
and and that was.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
That was huge for us.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
I just think of Matthew Stafford's month the h was
it the winless November that turned into undefeated December, and
he's kind of in a little pick six rut, including
in that game. But like you described, that last drive,
I think just set the course for what was a
four game playoff push eventually that made the confetti fall.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
No, it was it was good and uh And I
think the important thing for this team right now is
they're playing off of one another JB. Every single week
creates new challenges. But I do love the way that
these guys have come off the buy and and really
I think we've gotten, you know, stronger as a team.
I think we're playing better football. I like the way
they've prepared and you know, fortunately we're we're staying relatively healthy. Obviously,
(21:57):
you got your guys that are getting banged up with
Tig and Puka yesterday, but we're hoping that both those
guys will you know, be ready to go this week.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
Yeah. Fish and smart and physical. Great way to play.
One more question about your quarterback as a pure thrower
of the ball, and you've been around a lot of quarterbacks,
where do you put him.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
Just as good as as good as there is ever?
Speaker 2 (22:16):
I mean, the stuff he can do and how he
does it, where he puts it's unreal.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Yeah, I think, you know, it's like the Michael Kobe
Lebron types of conversations. They're all great, you know, I mean,
he's he's among the best to ever do it, and
I genuinely and truly believe that, and there's a lot
of other guys that are in that conversation. But the
things that he can do from the work that he
puts in and then some of the talents that he
was blessed with is unique and special and.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
Why he has been, you know, so.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
Highly regarded and continued to really exceed those expectations that
have been placed on him from a very young age
because he puts in the work, but he's as good
as there is and he does things with the football
and can correct last second type of stuff that.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
Not many people in the world I've ever been able
to do.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
And it travels. That's the cool thing.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Great to be back in the playoff hunts here in
the month of December. Can you imagine if your playoff
spot were to be determined by a selection committee? Though,
that would be tough to stomach.
Speaker 4 (23:10):
That'd be tough, you know.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
That's these situations don't arise when it goes to twelve.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
Right, this is the last year unless you're Team thirteen,
I guess.
Speaker 4 (23:20):
But see, here's the thing.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
Team thirteen won't be undefeated.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (23:23):
You know, maybe team number five was Nah.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
I got a funny feeling that that same argument won't
be able to be made.
Speaker 4 (23:32):
You know, somebody's going to.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
Be pissed about being thirteen, but you're not gonna have
I mean, that's squad in.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
Marcos Husky's undefeated for the first time since your championship.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Yeah, that's right. They beat us. They're thirteen to No,
we were twelve and oh that was the best in
school history. And now they're thirteen to.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
Oh, that was it.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
I'll tell you what I you know, I kind of
casually watch.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
I was so impressed with the way they played in
that PAC twelve championship game, you know, especially just the
way they started Oregon gets the moment them back, and
then to be able to just have the resolve to
make plays and and to be able to finish that
game out because Oregon was playing as good as anybody
in the country, had a lot of positive momentum going
into it. But uh, those guys, Uh, those guys, you guys.
Speaker 4 (24:13):
Have been fun to watch.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Man.
Speaker 4 (24:15):
You're gonna go to the You're gonna go to the game.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
How do you how are you gonna be afraid of
a duck? Come on, now that's not I'm just saying,
you know me, I'm just saying, yeah, that's all right.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Well, my favorite play of the weekend was the Iowa
kid that got up behind the kick return and tracked
it all the way down that one.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
Oh yeah, that was that was fantacular.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
All right. Back to professional football and back to Baltimore.
The Rams and the Ravens come in your way in
Week fourteen. For Sean McVay, for Marko far I'm JB. Long.
This has been the Coach McVay Show, presented by Microsoft
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