Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay sits down with J.B Long to discuss special teams adjustments made over the weekend, the Rams' success on 4th down conversions, and his confidence in offensive linemen Justin Dedich and Warren McClendon Jr. to fill in for injured players.
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
Well, welcome back to the Coach MCFAIE show presented by
Microsoft Surface co Pilot plus PC. I'm Jblong with the
head coach of your Los Angeles Ram Sean McVay.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Good to see you.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
I wonder what weekend perspective you might have gained.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Yeah, I think the weekend perspective is number one.
Speaker 4 (00:21):
You know, just grateful to be able to get some
time at home with my family and you know, a
little Christians doing good. It's cool to watch his big
brother Jordan interact with him and everything's good at home.
And then you know there's a great chance to be
able to reflect and the appropriate sense of urgency of
couldn't wait to get back in the building with the
guys today and be able to look at the things
that we can improve upon. And I believe the best
(00:44):
is yet to come for our group, and we're going
to be battle tested. We're going to use this as
an opportunity to strengthen us. I think our scars will
strengthen us, and I just refuse to believe anything else
other than that. And I have so much confidence in
what this team can be. Obviously, a really tough decision
and moving on from Chase Blackburn. But I do feel
like it's best for our football team. I have tremendous
(01:04):
confidence in Ben Kottwika's leadership, the sense of urgency, the accountabilities,
some of the things that I think we can improve
upon that I think you'll see reflected in our style
of play. And and ultimately, you know, I got to
do a better job. You know that that that first
and foremost is something that you know, I have to
do better for us collectively. Very tough and difficult, very
grateful for you know, the many years of contribution that
(01:26):
Chase had to a lot of positive things that have
gone on with our football team since he's been running
the special teams. And you know, I'm excited about, you know,
leaning into the prep and getting ready to roll against
the Falcons this week.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Sure, kay, I'll fall up on a few of those specifics,
but you know, I found myself thinking a lot about
two division losses in overtime.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Yeah, on a Thursday.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Night, that's right, And I can't help but draw a
parallel to the way the first one in week five
sets you up for a six game rip. Are there
elements of focus and concentration and motivation that maybe can
parallel that one.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Right, you think absolutely?
Speaker 4 (02:01):
I think, Hey, what I've seen from this group is
they've always used setbacks as setups for comebacks to strengthen ourselves.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
And you know what I said to.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Myself, I said, you know, and I mentioned this to
the team too, and I don't share too much of
what I say to the team, but what a cool
thing to do, something that takes you to the highest
of highs and some of the feelings that it can
elicit where you do something meaningful. You know a lot
of people, you know, they're just you know, they yearn
to find something that lights you up or can take
you to some of the tough moments that this game
(02:31):
does when you're doing it with people that you love
and care about. I think about eleven locker rooms that
we've had really just such a sense of appreciation, gratitude,
and I think a four where we've been disappointed, but
all with the resolve and the resilience of I can't
wait to respond. And you look at those margins and
how small they are, and how if we can continue
to use those things to callous us the right way
(02:53):
and continue to improve in stack blocks as we lead
into this one game tournament that we've assured ourselves to
slot in, and I don't care what our seed is
where we're playing. You'd obviously love to be at home,
but really it's a anytime, any place, but it's one
day at a time, and our first goal is the Falcons,
and I'm I'm jacked up about. You know, where we
can go with this thing and where I think we're headed,
(03:15):
and we're not going to allow that to be anything
except for a setup for a comeback.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
When I hear you use the expression like battle tested
or toughened, you know you plan a division that has
three teams clinched already way two games to play. I
hope your top that division when the dust settles, but
even if not, as of this moment, you've got the
number one strength of victory in the NFC. You've traveled
more miles than any team in the NFC who is
more playoff tested than you're Los Angeles.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
I believe we're playoff tested, and I'm more worried about
just inside out. I'm not worried about anybody else. I'm
worried about us continuing to move in the direction that
we want, being able to use all the learning ops,
and that's irregardless of whether we want or not. I could,
you know, point to a handful of plays that if
we make them, But but you know what, we didn't.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
We're not victims.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
We're not going to make excuses. That's not who we are,
that's not how we're wired. You give out of credit,
But make no mistake about it, this is going to
strengthen us.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
And I I just I know it.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
When you say scars though I mean scars could could
cause you to flinch, I know they're not going to.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Scars will strengthen us. I mean scars in the best
way possibly know you.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Do, because like, look what it's Look what's had to.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Happen for the Rams to lose the game this year,
that's right, I mean pretty improbable list of things, turnovers, miscues,
some bizarre rulings, but most, if not all, of what
you are under your team's control.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
That's exactly right.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Is that where you can draw confidence even into.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
Feats hundred percent, you know, because when those moments arise,
where when you have a lead and you give people hope,
how can you eliminate any life that you give them?
And that's been a prevalent theme and how do we
really be able to, you know, play complimentary ball in
those most important moments. And I think we'll be able
to look back on it and say, let's lean in,
let's understand when these moments arise moving moving forward, whether
(04:49):
that's against Atlanta, might be against Arizona and then whoever
we play in the in the first round and so
but whatever it is, it's one day at a time
and we're always going to be able to use whatever
we can take to be able to learn apply it,
be totally present and be grateful for the opp that
we have in front of us.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
When you say theme, it sounds like maybe a callback
to two historic losses in terms of the leads that
you had in Philadelphia and Seattle. There have been some attempts,
I think this weekend to associate those Do you feel
a link between those moments, Well.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
I think they're similar in some regard of we came
up short, and there was many moments to be able
to slam the door shut, and so you look at
all those things, but then there was also a bunch
of opportunities where I could show when we did slam
the door shut and you really opened up and you
ended up winning, you know, buy wide margins. So I
think you want to be careful to overcorrect, but you
got to be able to acknowledge it. And I think
you know, like I said, all of those moments, all
(05:39):
fifteen of the games that we've experienced up to this point,
have been strengthening mechanisms for us to be able to
learn to apply it and to continue to shape ourselves
into the team that we want to be. Where there's
a continuous growth, there's a continuous improvement, and that's not
always exclusively reflected in whether we get the win or
the loss.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
All right, So I believe there's going to be opportunities
for the Rams to be up two or three score
from this point forward when those moments present themselves.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Where specifically do you want your team to be better?
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Well, I want us to be able to sustain through
four quarters, you know, And then you know, if you
just look at the other night, you know there's great
opportunities where all right, you're up thirty to fourteen, Kobe
makes a great pick in the tight red area. Hey,
let's move the ball. Let's not even leave ourselves susceptible
to punt it. And then if we do have to punt.
Let's hit it in the location. Let's cover where we're
casting a net with the appropriate urgency, and don't allow
(06:27):
that to turn into points. Let's make sure that we
use the learning op to be able to say we're always,
you know, urgently fighting to get on those loose balls.
You know where they end up or rewarded a two
point conversion a couple of plays later.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
I mean, where do you want me to start?
Speaker 4 (06:41):
Where do you want me to finish? In terms of
the amount of beautiful things that we're going to learn
moving forward. But it's really about stack and day stacking
plays and continuing to execute with the way that we're
capable of with the urgency and the enjoyment, with our
preparation and our approach.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
When you talk about urgency, I think all of your
championship teams have been characterized by that, like this common
belief that it was their year or their moment. Do
you see that in the eyes of your team when
you talk to them on a day.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
Oh, I have such belief in this team, and I
think that we can take this.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
It is one day.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
At a time and you have to earn everything that
you get. But my confidence, my belief we don't need
anything more than what we have in that locker room,
and I believe that our best is pretty damn special.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
But we have to be able to find that.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
We have to be able to continue to appropriately, have
the discipline, the ability to be present, to.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Be able to bring that out in one another.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
And then when you get those opportunities to play in
those three and a half hour windows that are so precious,
you got to be at your best. You got to
be locked in and then have the courage to be able.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
To go for it.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
And if we do that, I think good things are
on the horizon for us. But it's just still one
day at a time. Like I've always talked about.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
All right, let's get to that kicking game phase and
you reference the change that you made at special teams
with Chase Blackburn. What's a realistic expectation because we are
in week seventeen here in the middle of December, in
terms of activating change and improvement at this stage at the.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Game, Yeah, I think better overall play. I think I
expect to see us improve no different than what I
expect to see us from offense to defense. I expect
the same exact things, whether that's aggressiveness in our coverage units,
the ability to have the appropriate integrity the way that
we're defeating blocks transitioning from punt where we're in a
protection you know, to be able to go cover.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
I expect us to be able to hit the.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
Ball consistently, you know, where we want to and then
if we don't, and then let's have some other guys
be able to make it right. I want to see continued,
you know, improvement in the arena of the field goal operation,
which I think has been reflected you know, recently, and
that's what I want to see us play, you know, clean,
good sound execution where hey, we're playing with speed, we're
playing with violence, we're playing with an aggressiveness and the
(08:39):
same things that I think we've seen consistently, and there's
been glimpses of that on teams, but what we've seen
on offense and defense fairly consistently throughout that's what I
want to see on teams.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Is there a version of this RAMS Special Teams group
where you're in attack mode like you are in your
other phases? Is it a fair I don't want to
say criticism. I'm not trying to criticize your team. But
it's been a few years since the Rams were kind
of on that or front foot in the case, and.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
That's and that's on me. That's on me and nobody else.
That's not something that Chase could have controlled. Those are
things that I have to be honest with myself about
and that is my responsibility and that's my fault.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
But what you do feel.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
Fortunate of is that there's opportunities to still be able
to correct, to try to inspire and influence positive change.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
And that's what I think you're going to see reflected.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
For the fans curiosity. Does that mean you're going to
be more involved with special teams per se?
Speaker 4 (09:27):
I'm going to be where I need to be and
uh and and if that's reflected in that phase, then
the answer is yes. But I think that's always been reflected.
I think sometimes you know.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
I'm not sitting.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
I don't go through all right, what's my weekly rhythm
week in and week out. I am wherever I'm needed.
I feel tremendously grateful and blessed to have such a
great coaching staff that, hey, you know, they can pick
up the slack if I need to spend some time elsewhere,
and if that's where I feel like it is going
to be, you know time, best spent value received in
the answers.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Yes, uh, I've heard you use the word aggression a
few times. One way that we have seen that lately
is on fourth down your top three in the league
and fourth down conversions. How would you describe how you've
evolved in that moment in games over the years and
why why are we seeing it so much?
Speaker 4 (10:08):
I think, you know, we talk about all the time
having the courage to be able to cut it loose
and be you know, the controlled aggression, be smart, you know,
be aggressive but not reckless. And I think that you know,
we've tried tow those lines. You know, I give tremendous
credit to you know, the surrounding part. You know, smash
Ball has done an excellent job of being able to
help influence a lot of those decisions in real time.
And then the confidence and the players, you know, ultimately
(10:29):
they're the ones executing, they're the ones that are converting
on those fourth downs. And then you know, there's different
situations and circumstances that arise that you're saying, maybe I
should have in that one or you know, you don't
just say Okay, if we got it was the right decision,
or if we did and it wasn't, it's.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Really are right where when you do those.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
After action reviews, how honest can you be with yourself
while taking in all the factors and analytics is certainly
a huge factor, as is some of the different things
that go on with twenty two moving parts. And ultimately,
our guys have done a nice job and I think
it's served us well for the most part.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
There's still a week to go before game day, so
not a lot of specifics on the health front, but
let me just check a few boxes. The way that
Warren's been playing at right tackle, has that bought Rob
as much time as he needs to get back to
one hundred?
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Yes, you know, and he's not. He's not there yet.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Warren's done a great job, you know, And like I've
said over and over again, Warren deserves a ton of credit,
as does Ryan Wendell, Zach Kromer and Brian Allen. But
I also think Rob pouring into guys. You know, Rob
is he's a captain for a reason. He's basically voted
a unanimous captain over the last handful of years since
whitword since you know, Big Wit retired because of the
respect reverence that his team teammates have for who he
(11:36):
is and how he moves every single day. And he
still has had a tremendous impact on that room even
if he's not out there playing. And I'm really proud
of Warren, but I'm not surprised. And you know, and
Rob deserves, you know, some of that credit as well.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
And then is it just indeed it's job to hold
down right guard until Ka Doc can come back.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
It will be Yeah, he did, he did a great
job the other night. You know, we'll see what it
looks like for Ka Doc moving forward. He got his
ankle pretty good. He's as tough as it gets. He
might need some time, and if he does in the meantime,
then you know a lot of confidence. Indeed it who
can play left can play right. He's a great competitor.
Love what he's about.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
And that seems like a healthy braid and Fisk is
integral to getting the Rams too where they're trying to go.
How much can this extra time help him get back
to more of the braid?
Speaker 3 (12:17):
And we love Yeah, I thought he did a great job.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
You know, I want to say played you know, a
little over twenty snaps the other night. What a stud,
what a competitor to be able to you know, push through.
But I think it'll serve him and really our team
as a whole well, because our guys use these times
to be able to recover, get rested, get rejuvenated, and
I like to look in our eye from our group,
they'll be ready.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
To go this week.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
A couple things about this week. One is the holiday.
The other is the weather. It's supposed to pour here.
How have those two elements shaped your plan for preparedness?
Speaker 4 (12:44):
If we've got to be able to adjust and go
and use, you know, the fortunate luxury that we do
have of being able to go practice at so far,
if there's not any conflicts, and that's something that we're
going to do. We need to practice, need to be
able to continue to take steps in the right direction
and even though if it's not ideal, then then we'll
adjust and adapt. Our guys know that work is important,
so if we need to do that, then that's what's
going to be reflected.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
And Thursday gets to be a holiday.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
Thursday will be a day off, you know, because we
play on Monday, So it works out pretty well, and
then at Friday we're still dealing with the rain.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
We need to be able to get our work in accordingly.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
I've heard you say anyone anywhere, that's kind of the
moment that you're in right now in terms of the
current playoff constructs. Do you feel like this is the
team to build to win in any weather conditions that
you prove it.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
I think that whatever it is is, we've got to
be able to adjust and adapt. And I'm not interested
in watching anyone else. I'm more but interested in being
inside out. You know, we're in this situation because of
our own responsibility we have. No, we're not victims, we're
not making excuses. I'm grateful that we know we're going
to have an opportunity to be able to play in
the games afterwards.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
And what I'm interested in is.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
How good and how far can we take this thing,
whether we're you know, going to Atlanta, whether we're playing
Arizona at home, and then whatever it looks like in
the first round of the playoffs. You know, we're just
grateful to be able to get extra football and we're
gonna maximize every single damn day that we've got.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
No, you will the Atlanta Falcons are neck. I think
the teams will be connected naturally this week because of
the draft day trade, among other reasons. What were your
recollections of how that went down, why it made sense
for your rams, and really how it's worked out nicely
for both sides.
Speaker 4 (14:11):
I think what worked out was is that there was,
you know, a player that they wanted and there was
a player that we wanted, and we felt like where
we were moving back to projection wise, we were still
going to be able to do that, and they had
a guy that they really wanted, and so I think,
you know, two teams with with a need, and it
allowed us to be able to have some delayed gratification
with the pick. The following year, Rob was able to
(14:33):
get his guy that they wanted and we were still
able to come away with Terrence Ferguson is who we wanted.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
So it worked out for everybody.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
I know. Last week was a whirlwind for you.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
Did you happen to see Kirk Cousins get on the
soapbox about the pure progression versus coverage stuff?
Speaker 2 (14:46):
It was a clinic.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
When did he do it?
Speaker 1 (14:49):
In preparation for last week's game at Arizona and what
was cool is about how he spoke about living the
jump and some other you know, people from your tree,
like Koc who came to them in Minnesota. But whether
it's you know, going from Misschigan State and reading safeties
to then getting to more of a pure progression place,
how the defensive disguise has changed the way that people
like him are being taught to play this game.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
Yeah, he's he's always so well thought out. I mean,
I owe kirk Aton.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
I mean, he's as responsible as any player for me
being fortunate enough to, you know, get an opportunity to
interview with the Rams because of the success he had
leading the way as a quarterback when we were playing,
and when we were when he was playing, when I
was coaching in Washington, and so a lot of respect,
a lot of reverence, and he's so well thought out.
I'm sure it was a masterclass and appropriately articulated, as
(15:35):
he always does.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Yeah, any Maris reunion this week, nobody can love you.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
Know what, I don't know yet, I'm not even sure.
I'll tell you what though, that place meant a lot
to me. A lot of the foundational values, a lot
of coaches, a lot of people that mean a lot.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Maris was a really special place in my heart.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
It'll always be and I'll always give back and always
try to get back there, but it'll be business, you know,
going back there on a Monday night. You know our
focus will be on that Monday night game.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
Well, Merry Christmas to you.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
This is the last full week of the regular season,
so that means this is the finale of the Coach mcfay' show.
I've enjoyed being with you again in twenty twenty five. Shaw,
thank you very much and go deep all right, all
right For Sean McVay, I'm JB.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Long. Have a great week and happy holidays to you
as well.
Well, welcome back to the Coach MCFAIE show presented by
Microsoft Surface co Pilot plus PC. I'm Jblong with the
head coach of your Los Angeles Ram Sean McVay.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Good to see you.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
I wonder what weekend perspective you might have gained.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Yeah, I think the weekend perspective is number one.
Speaker 4 (00:21):
You know, just grateful to be able to get some
time at home with my family and you know, a
little Christians doing good. It's cool to watch his big
brother Jordan interact with him and everything's good at home.
And then you know there's a great chance to be
able to reflect and the appropriate sense of urgency of
couldn't wait to get back in the building with the
guys today and be able to look at the things
that we can improve upon. And I believe the best
(00:44):
is yet to come for our group, and we're going
to be battle tested. We're going to use this as
an opportunity to strengthen us. I think our scars will
strengthen us, and I just refuse to believe anything else
other than that. And I have so much confidence in
what this team can be. Obviously, a really tough decision
and moving on from Chase Blackburn. But I do feel
like it's best for our football team. I have tremendous
(01:04):
confidence in Ben Kottwika's leadership, the sense of urgency, the accountabilities,
some of the things that I think we can improve
upon that I think you'll see reflected in our style
of play. And and ultimately, you know, I got to
do a better job. You know that that that first
and foremost is something that you know, I have to
do better for us collectively. Very tough and difficult, very
grateful for you know, the many years of contribution that
(01:26):
Chase had to a lot of positive things that have
gone on with our football team since he's been running
the special teams. And you know, I'm excited about, you know,
leaning into the prep and getting ready to roll against
the Falcons this week.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Sure, kay, I'll fall up on a few of those specifics,
but you know, I found myself thinking a lot about
two division losses in overtime.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Yeah, on a Thursday.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Night, that's right, And I can't help but draw a
parallel to the way the first one in week five
sets you up for a six game rip. Are there
elements of focus and concentration and motivation that maybe can
parallel that one.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Right, you think absolutely?
Speaker 4 (02:01):
I think, Hey, what I've seen from this group is
they've always used setbacks as setups for comebacks to strengthen ourselves.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
And you know what I said to.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Myself, I said, you know, and I mentioned this to
the team too, and I don't share too much of
what I say to the team, but what a cool
thing to do, something that takes you to the highest
of highs and some of the feelings that it can
elicit where you do something meaningful. You know a lot
of people, you know, they're just you know, they yearn
to find something that lights you up or can take
you to some of the tough moments that this game
(02:31):
does when you're doing it with people that you love
and care about. I think about eleven locker rooms that
we've had really just such a sense of appreciation, gratitude,
and I think a four where we've been disappointed, but
all with the resolve and the resilience of I can't
wait to respond. And you look at those margins and
how small they are, and how if we can continue
to use those things to callous us the right way
(02:53):
and continue to improve in stack blocks as we lead
into this one game tournament that we've assured ourselves to
slot in, and I don't care what our seed is
where we're playing. You'd obviously love to be at home,
but really it's a anytime, any place, but it's one
day at a time, and our first goal is the Falcons,
and I'm I'm jacked up about. You know, where we
can go with this thing and where I think we're headed,
(03:15):
and we're not going to allow that to be anything
except for a setup for a comeback.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
When I hear you use the expression like battle tested
or toughened, you know you plan a division that has
three teams clinched already way two games to play. I
hope your top that division when the dust settles, but
even if not, as of this moment, you've got the
number one strength of victory in the NFC. You've traveled
more miles than any team in the NFC who is
more playoff tested than you're Los Angeles.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
I believe we're playoff tested, and I'm more worried about
just inside out. I'm not worried about anybody else. I'm
worried about us continuing to move in the direction that
we want, being able to use all the learning ops,
and that's irregardless of whether we want or not. I could,
you know, point to a handful of plays that if
we make them, But but you know what, we didn't.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
We're not victims.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
We're not going to make excuses. That's not who we are,
that's not how we're wired. You give out of credit,
But make no mistake about it, this is going to
strengthen us.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
And I I just I know it.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
When you say scars though I mean scars could could
cause you to flinch, I know they're not going to.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Scars will strengthen us. I mean scars in the best
way possibly know you.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Do, because like, look what it's Look what's had to.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Happen for the Rams to lose the game this year,
that's right, I mean pretty improbable list of things, turnovers, miscues,
some bizarre rulings, but most, if not all, of what
you are under your team's control.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
That's exactly right.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Is that where you can draw confidence even into.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
Feats hundred percent, you know, because when those moments arise,
where when you have a lead and you give people hope,
how can you eliminate any life that you give them?
And that's been a prevalent theme and how do we
really be able to, you know, play complimentary ball in
those most important moments. And I think we'll be able
to look back on it and say, let's lean in,
let's understand when these moments arise moving moving forward, whether
(04:49):
that's against Atlanta, might be against Arizona and then whoever
we play in the in the first round and so
but whatever it is, it's one day at a time
and we're always going to be able to use whatever
we can take to be able to learn apply it,
be totally present and be grateful for the opp that
we have in front of us.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
When you say theme, it sounds like maybe a callback
to two historic losses in terms of the leads that
you had in Philadelphia and Seattle. There have been some attempts,
I think this weekend to associate those Do you feel
a link between those moments, Well.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
I think they're similar in some regard of we came
up short, and there was many moments to be able
to slam the door shut, and so you look at
all those things, but then there was also a bunch
of opportunities where I could show when we did slam
the door shut and you really opened up and you
ended up winning, you know, buy wide margins. So I
think you want to be careful to overcorrect, but you
got to be able to acknowledge it. And I think
you know, like I said, all of those moments, all
(05:39):
fifteen of the games that we've experienced up to this point,
have been strengthening mechanisms for us to be able to
learn to apply it and to continue to shape ourselves
into the team that we want to be. Where there's
a continuous growth, there's a continuous improvement, and that's not
always exclusively reflected in whether we get the win or
the loss.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
All right, So I believe there's going to be opportunities
for the Rams to be up two or three score
from this point forward when those moments present themselves.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Where specifically do you want your team to be better?
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Well, I want us to be able to sustain through
four quarters, you know, And then you know, if you
just look at the other night, you know there's great
opportunities where all right, you're up thirty to fourteen, Kobe
makes a great pick in the tight red area. Hey,
let's move the ball. Let's not even leave ourselves susceptible
to punt it. And then if we do have to punt.
Let's hit it in the location. Let's cover where we're
casting a net with the appropriate urgency, and don't allow
(06:27):
that to turn into points. Let's make sure that we
use the learning op to be able to say we're always,
you know, urgently fighting to get on those loose balls.
You know where they end up or rewarded a two
point conversion a couple of plays later.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
I mean, where do you want me to start?
Speaker 4 (06:41):
Where do you want me to finish? In terms of
the amount of beautiful things that we're going to learn
moving forward. But it's really about stack and day stacking
plays and continuing to execute with the way that we're
capable of with the urgency and the enjoyment, with our
preparation and our approach.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
When you talk about urgency, I think all of your
championship teams have been characterized by that, like this common
belief that it was their year or their moment. Do
you see that in the eyes of your team when
you talk to them on a day.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
Oh, I have such belief in this team, and I
think that we can take this.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
It is one day.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
At a time and you have to earn everything that
you get. But my confidence, my belief we don't need
anything more than what we have in that locker room,
and I believe that our best is pretty damn special.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
But we have to be able to find that.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
We have to be able to continue to appropriately, have
the discipline, the ability to be present, to.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Be able to bring that out in one another.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
And then when you get those opportunities to play in
those three and a half hour windows that are so precious,
you got to be at your best. You got to
be locked in and then have the courage to be able.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
To go for it.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
And if we do that, I think good things are
on the horizon for us. But it's just still one
day at a time. Like I've always talked about.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
All right, let's get to that kicking game phase and
you reference the change that you made at special teams
with Chase Blackburn. What's a realistic expectation because we are
in week seventeen here in the middle of December, in
terms of activating change and improvement at this stage at the.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Game, Yeah, I think better overall play. I think I
expect to see us improve no different than what I
expect to see us from offense to defense. I expect
the same exact things, whether that's aggressiveness in our coverage units,
the ability to have the appropriate integrity the way that
we're defeating blocks transitioning from punt where we're in a
protection you know, to be able to go cover.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
I expect us to be able to hit the.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
Ball consistently, you know, where we want to and then
if we don't, and then let's have some other guys
be able to make it right. I want to see continued,
you know, improvement in the arena of the field goal operation,
which I think has been reflected you know, recently, and
that's what I want to see us play, you know, clean,
good sound execution where hey, we're playing with speed, we're
playing with violence, we're playing with an aggressiveness and the
(08:39):
same things that I think we've seen consistently, and there's
been glimpses of that on teams, but what we've seen
on offense and defense fairly consistently throughout that's what I
want to see on teams.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Is there a version of this RAMS Special Teams group
where you're in attack mode like you are in your
other phases? Is it a fair I don't want to
say criticism. I'm not trying to criticize your team. But
it's been a few years since the Rams were kind
of on that or front foot in the case, and.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
That's and that's on me. That's on me and nobody else.
That's not something that Chase could have controlled. Those are
things that I have to be honest with myself about
and that is my responsibility and that's my fault.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
But what you do feel.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
Fortunate of is that there's opportunities to still be able
to correct, to try to inspire and influence positive change.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
And that's what I think you're going to see reflected.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
For the fans curiosity. Does that mean you're going to
be more involved with special teams per se?
Speaker 4 (09:27):
I'm going to be where I need to be and
uh and and if that's reflected in that phase, then
the answer is yes. But I think that's always been reflected.
I think sometimes you know.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
I'm not sitting.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
I don't go through all right, what's my weekly rhythm
week in and week out. I am wherever I'm needed.
I feel tremendously grateful and blessed to have such a
great coaching staff that, hey, you know, they can pick
up the slack if I need to spend some time elsewhere,
and if that's where I feel like it is going
to be, you know time, best spent value received in
the answers.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Yes, uh, I've heard you use the word aggression a
few times. One way that we have seen that lately
is on fourth down your top three in the league
and fourth down conversions. How would you describe how you've
evolved in that moment in games over the years and
why why are we seeing it so much?
Speaker 4 (10:08):
I think, you know, we talk about all the time
having the courage to be able to cut it loose
and be you know, the controlled aggression, be smart, you know,
be aggressive but not reckless. And I think that you know,
we've tried tow those lines. You know, I give tremendous
credit to you know, the surrounding part. You know, smash
Ball has done an excellent job of being able to
help influence a lot of those decisions in real time.
And then the confidence and the players, you know, ultimately
(10:29):
they're the ones executing, they're the ones that are converting
on those fourth downs. And then you know, there's different
situations and circumstances that arise that you're saying, maybe I
should have in that one or you know, you don't
just say Okay, if we got it was the right decision,
or if we did and it wasn't, it's.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Really are right where when you do those.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
After action reviews, how honest can you be with yourself
while taking in all the factors and analytics is certainly
a huge factor, as is some of the different things
that go on with twenty two moving parts. And ultimately,
our guys have done a nice job and I think
it's served us well for the most part.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
There's still a week to go before game day, so
not a lot of specifics on the health front, but
let me just check a few boxes. The way that
Warren's been playing at right tackle, has that bought Rob
as much time as he needs to get back to
one hundred?
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Yes, you know, and he's not. He's not there yet.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Warren's done a great job, you know, And like I've
said over and over again, Warren deserves a ton of credit,
as does Ryan Wendell, Zach Kromer and Brian Allen. But
I also think Rob pouring into guys. You know, Rob
is he's a captain for a reason. He's basically voted
a unanimous captain over the last handful of years since
whitword since you know, Big Wit retired because of the
respect reverence that his team teammates have for who he
(11:36):
is and how he moves every single day. And he
still has had a tremendous impact on that room even
if he's not out there playing. And I'm really proud
of Warren, but I'm not surprised. And you know, and
Rob deserves, you know, some of that credit as well.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
And then is it just indeed it's job to hold
down right guard until Ka Doc can come back.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
It will be Yeah, he did, he did a great
job the other night. You know, we'll see what it
looks like for Ka Doc moving forward. He got his
ankle pretty good. He's as tough as it gets. He
might need some time, and if he does in the meantime,
then you know a lot of confidence. Indeed it who
can play left can play right. He's a great competitor.
Love what he's about.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
And that seems like a healthy braid and Fisk is
integral to getting the Rams too where they're trying to go.
How much can this extra time help him get back
to more of the braid?
Speaker 3 (12:17):
And we love Yeah, I thought he did a great job.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
You know, I want to say played you know, a
little over twenty snaps the other night. What a stud,
what a competitor to be able to you know, push through.
But I think it'll serve him and really our team
as a whole well, because our guys use these times
to be able to recover, get rested, get rejuvenated, and
I like to look in our eye from our group,
they'll be ready.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
To go this week.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
A couple things about this week. One is the holiday.
The other is the weather. It's supposed to pour here.
How have those two elements shaped your plan for preparedness?
Speaker 4 (12:44):
If we've got to be able to adjust and go
and use, you know, the fortunate luxury that we do
have of being able to go practice at so far,
if there's not any conflicts, and that's something that we're
going to do. We need to practice, need to be
able to continue to take steps in the right direction
and even though if it's not ideal, then then we'll
adjust and adapt. Our guys know that work is important,
so if we need to do that, then that's what's
going to be reflected.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
And Thursday gets to be a holiday.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
Thursday will be a day off, you know, because we
play on Monday, So it works out pretty well, and
then at Friday we're still dealing with the rain.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
We need to be able to get our work in accordingly.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
I've heard you say anyone anywhere, that's kind of the
moment that you're in right now in terms of the
current playoff constructs. Do you feel like this is the
team to build to win in any weather conditions that
you prove it.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
I think that whatever it is is, we've got to
be able to adjust and adapt. And I'm not interested
in watching anyone else. I'm more but interested in being
inside out. You know, we're in this situation because of
our own responsibility we have. No, we're not victims, we're
not making excuses. I'm grateful that we know we're going
to have an opportunity to be able to play in
the games afterwards.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
And what I'm interested in is.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
How good and how far can we take this thing,
whether we're you know, going to Atlanta, whether we're playing
Arizona at home, and then whatever it looks like in
the first round of the playoffs. You know, we're just
grateful to be able to get extra football and we're
gonna maximize every single damn day that we've got.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
No, you will the Atlanta Falcons are neck. I think
the teams will be connected naturally this week because of
the draft day trade, among other reasons. What were your
recollections of how that went down, why it made sense
for your rams, and really how it's worked out nicely
for both sides.
Speaker 4 (14:11):
I think what worked out was is that there was,
you know, a player that they wanted and there was
a player that we wanted, and we felt like where
we were moving back to projection wise, we were still
going to be able to do that, and they had
a guy that they really wanted, and so I think,
you know, two teams with with a need, and it
allowed us to be able to have some delayed gratification
with the pick. The following year, Rob was able to
(14:33):
get his guy that they wanted and we were still
able to come away with Terrence Ferguson is who we wanted.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
So it worked out for everybody.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
I know. Last week was a whirlwind for you.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
Did you happen to see Kirk Cousins get on the
soapbox about the pure progression versus coverage stuff?
Speaker 2 (14:46):
It was a clinic.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
When did he do it?
Speaker 1 (14:49):
In preparation for last week's game at Arizona and what
was cool is about how he spoke about living the
jump and some other you know, people from your tree,
like Koc who came to them in Minnesota. But whether
it's you know, going from Misschigan State and reading safeties
to then getting to more of a pure progression place,
how the defensive disguise has changed the way that people
like him are being taught to play this game.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
Yeah, he's he's always so well thought out. I mean,
I owe kirk Aton.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
I mean, he's as responsible as any player for me
being fortunate enough to, you know, get an opportunity to
interview with the Rams because of the success he had
leading the way as a quarterback when we were playing,
and when we were when he was playing, when I
was coaching in Washington, and so a lot of respect,
a lot of reverence, and he's so well thought out.
I'm sure it was a masterclass and appropriately articulated, as
(15:35):
he always does.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Yeah, any Maris reunion this week, nobody can love you.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
Know what, I don't know yet, I'm not even sure.
I'll tell you what though, that place meant a lot
to me. A lot of the foundational values, a lot
of coaches, a lot of people that mean a lot.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Maris was a really special place in my heart.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
It'll always be and I'll always give back and always
try to get back there, but it'll be business, you know,
going back there on a Monday night. You know our
focus will be on that Monday night game.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
Well, Merry Christmas to you.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
This is the last full week of the regular season,
so that means this is the finale of the Coach mcfay' show.
I've enjoyed being with you again in twenty twenty five. Shaw,
thank you very much and go deep all right, all
right For Sean McVay, I'm JB.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Long. Have a great week and happy holidays to you
as well.
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