Los Angeles Rams Transcripts - Head Coach Sean McVay

Los Angeles Rams Transcripts - Head Coach
Sean McVay, Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald
- Thursday, August 17, 2023

Head Coach Sean McVay
(Opening Statement)
“All righty, want to be able to start out and just let everybody know that our
thoughts and prayers are with people that are affected with those Maui fires. It's
a terrible thing, but we'll be wearing shirts on Saturday's game to benefit and
support those who have been affected and all the proceeds will go to them and
we're keeping them in our thoughts and prayers and want to be able to do our
part. I think it's a great thing that (COO) Kevin (Demoff) and some people have
gotten done and hopefully it helps those people that are suffering from that, so
we'll be able to do that and then I thought it was a good day of work. Real credit
to (Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach) Josh (McDaniels) and his group. He does
a good job being able to lead these guys and you could see their a first-class
operation and it was two good days of work. A lot of learning opportunities for
us, and like anything else, whether it's good or bad, you got to be able to keep
it moving and that's exactly what we'll do.”

(On OL Rob Havenstein's injury update)
“I think he's okay. I was just talking to him before I came out here, just a little
stinger in his neck is what the early prognosis is.”

(On how important the last two days have been for getting the starters
reps)
“It's been huge to be able to get the learning opportunities to go against
different schematic things, to the way that people play blocks, different
coverage contours, different schemes that their offense presents to our
defense, so it's been invaluable for us and so that's something that we don't
ever take lightly. These two days have been really good. There's going to be a
lot of learning and it's for the coaches as well and looking forward to having the
same thing next week against the (Denver) Broncos.”

(On the development of OL Logan Bruss)
“I think he's getting more comfortable. We're kind of settling him in at the tackle
spot. When Rob (Havenstein) went down, he had to step in and you're going
against one of the premier players in this league, and so I think there's some
things that he's continuing to gain confidence. There's certain things that he's
done at a high level and there's things that we want to continue to see more
consistency, so it's like anything else, you just got to continue to work at it.”

(On what he has seen from RB Cam Akers at training camp and the last
few practices)
“Yeah, I think he's done a good job. He's had a really good camp, like I
mentioned from the beginning, (Running Backs Coach) Ron Gould does such a
good job providing clarity from that room, for that room, in really every phase
and Cam has been consistent. Obviously, we were missing an opportunity for
him to be able to finish practice yesterday, but I like the way that he responded
and he's going to be a big part of what we do.”

(On if practicing against players like DE Maxx Crosby changes what the
team does offensively, even in practice)
“Yeah, it's situational. I mean, we're playing rules ball out here. Obviously, if
you are going against a player like that, whether it be him or a player like (Las
Vegas Raiders WR) Davante Adams, you're going to have different things and
that's the first part of when you're building an inventory to put a game plan
together offensively and defensively. That wasn't the case for the last couple
days because I think it's a great opportunity both for Rob (Havenstein) and then
obviously I mentioned Logan Bruss. To get an opportunity to go against a
player like that and see if you can really be able to go through some of these
stressful situations with no really repercussions other than let's go try compete
as best we can and see what happens and that's exactly what we want to see
guys do.”

(On his overall assessment of the offensive line group)
“I was back and forth today on both fields, so I'd be better equipped to answer
once I see the tape.”

(On what he wants to see from QB Stetson Bennett on Saturday)
“Consistency, good decision making, playing within the timing and rhythm of the
play. He knows, and I think he said it to you guys afterwards, he made some
really good plays and then he also had some plays that he kind of got away
with and so we want to just see the consistent decision making a little bit higher
and especially in some of those scoring situations and I think you'll see that
reflected.”

(On if there are any players who he thinks got enough quality work the
past two joint practices that they don’t need to play as much on Saturday)
“I wouldn't say that yet. I think once I get a chance to really digest this film, then
I'll have a better answer for you.”

(On his impressions of DB Ahkello Witherspoon these past two practices)
“I've really enjoyed being around Ahkello. Obviously, he's got a little bit of a
limitation with his left thumb, but his movement, how engaged he is, how
coachable he is. He's a guy that's played a lot of football in this league, but I
think he's brought a great element of veteran leadership to that DB group,
especially from the corner position. I've loved being around him and I think you
could see just the overall athleticism, the movement, the length that he can play
with. He's going to be a big piece for us and we're really excited to have him
and I think he got an opportunity to go against some of the best looks, some of
the best schematic things because I have tremendous respect for how Josh
goes about it and then obviously some of their players are pretty unique as
well.”

(On how he feels about the tight end group and how important it is to find
reliable depth)
“Yeah, it's really important, but I feel great about (TE) Brycen Hopkins. I think
he's had an excellent camp. If you said what's one of the bright spots of training
camp, Brycen Hopkins is one of the guys that comes to mind right away for me,
and so I think he's done an excellent job. I'm bummed out for (TE) Hunter Long
that he hasn't had an opportunity because I thought he had a really good
spring. He ended up having the setback with his quad pull and hopefully we'll
get him out here sooner than later because if he's able to pick up on some of
the momentum that he established in the offseason program, he's a guy we're
counting on. And then you're just getting (TE) Davis Allen out here for the first
time and so those are two of the guys that maybe you were counting on to
evaluate, we haven't even had a chance to really evaluate yet, but those are
things that are out of our control a little bit like we talked about yesterday. But
with Brycen, I feel good and we want to see those guys continue to get
opportunities and hopefully Hunter can get out here sooner than later.”

(On his assessment of WR Puka Nacua)
“I've been really pleased with him, very mature rookie. He's a guy that can kind
of play in all phases. He's tough, he's physical, he's great at the catchpoint. I
think the aggressive hands, the fearlessness, those are things that you saw in
his tape at BYU, and super conscientious and he's just got some natural play
strength that just kind of shows up and he’s got a great feel for how to be able
to work edges on people at some of those break points and we've been really
pleased with him. And like anything else, he's continuing to take really good
strides. I think (Wide Receivers Coach) Eric Yarber does an excellent job with
that group and Puka has been a real pleasant surprise.”
(On the offensive structure of the staff in terms of play calling)

“(Offensive Coordinator) Mike (LaFleur) and I get together, we talk about things
that we want to be able to get off and so he's a guy that's called plays so I feel
more than comfortable with him being able to get it sent in. (Quarterbacks
Coach/Pass Game Coordinator) Zac Robinson gets an opportunity to be able to
send some of those in with some of the second group, and then Zac will get a
chance. He'll call the preseason game this week. So I think these are great
opportunities for us to make sure that, hey, you're able to kind of see both
things, get a feel for our team as a whole, obviously knowing that I'm still going
to be the offensive play caller, but when you have guys that you can lean on
and really trust that things continue to operate really smoothly in your absence,
that enables you to be able to do that and that's what's always been reflected
with that group that we have.”



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2023 01:22PM by JimYoungblood53.