Los Angeles Rams Transcripts - Head Coach Sean McVay - Monday, September 4, 2023

Los Angeles Rams Transcripts - Head Coach

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Sean McVay - Monday, September 4, 2023

Head Coach Sean McVay

(On the status of WR Cooper Kupp)

“I saw it got out there that he was going to visit a specialist, so he's still in the
midst of doing that and he's day-to-day kind of like where we left things off.”

(On if Kupp will be playing Week 1)

“I think you want to be able to take it a day at a time, and I know that's the
cliché thing, but we're hopeful that this will give some clarity once he goes and
talks to these doctors because it doesn't fall in alignment with some of the
things that have ended up occurring relative to the standard strains of the
hamstring just based on what's occurred over the last month and a half so I
think we want to be able to get some clarity. Hopefully that clarity provides a
better answer to what you're asking, but we've got to be able to have a good
practice today. Guys have a good look in their eye and we'll be able to get a
good bonus day against what we know is going to be a great challenge on
Sunday.”

(On what the specialists can provide for Kupp)

“I haven't gotten that answer yet, so we're still in the midst…He's visiting those
guys. Once he gets back then I'll be able to have answers for you.”
(On when he expects Kupp back from Minnesota)
“Maybe later today or tomorrow.”

(On who the doctors are)

“I talked to (Head Team Physician) Neal ElAttrache about it last week. I don't
know the parameters and out of respect for the situation, the circumstances,
but I did know from speaking with Neal ElAttrache, speaking with (VP Sports
Medicine and Performance) Reggie Scott, and then I know Ryan Tollner was a
part of this, Cooper’s agent, to be able to figure out, alright, what is the one of
the more reputable people in regards to what we think this might be, that’s a
little bit different and a little bit outside the framework of a soft tissue so he went
to go see those guys. I spoke with him when he was walking into the office the
other day and I haven't had a chance to reconnect with him yet.”

(On how Kupp’s absence would affect the months of preparation for Week
1)

“I think you just move forward and you got to be able to operate with the
situation and the guys that we do have and if he's able to go then that's
outstanding for us and if not, then that's how we've been operating. I think the
most important thing is whenever he's able to take the field, whether that be
this week, whether that be week two, whatever it is, as long as he's able to
have that return to performance, he's feeling like the Cooper Kupp that we all
know and love and he's got some clarity on, alright, what is really going on? I
think that'll be a really good situation for us. You look at it in the meantime and
really in his absence over the majority of the offseason program for whether he
was doing stuff for the family or just some of the things that he was rehabbing
with his ankle, it has forced growth and development for some players and
they've gotten some reps and opportunities and a rapport with (Q Matthew
(Stafford) that you feel confident in their ability to step up if that's what has to
occur.”

(On if there is a concern that the injury could be long-term)

“I'm careful to speak too far in advance just where there is a little bit of gray. I
think probably the best thing that I can tell you is… when am I scheduled to
meet with you guys again, on Wednesday? That should provide some better
clarity where I can give you an answer that's consistent with the appropriate
information.”

(On conversations that decided the appropriate steps to get to the root of
the injury)

“I think just doing everything in our power and using all the resources at our
disposal. I think the biggest thing I can say is there were just some things that
were a little bit out of the norm relative to… you say it's a muscle strain or it's a
hamstring when you're re-aggravated it. It really just didn't go in alignment with
when those things occur and other situations and under similar circumstances.
And so, (I) felt like this would hopefully give us some clarity just based on his
ability to articulate what he's feeling, some of the information that we got from
the MRIs and so that was kind of what led to it is just really trying to explore all
avenues and try to get some clarity.”

(On how he plans to prepare for Week 1 with Kupp’s status in doubt
coming off last year)

“Oh, we’re more ready for it coming off that. Here's what I would say. I know
how badly Cooper wants to be available and wants to be out there to compete
with his teammates so I first feel for him. And the second thing is what we're not
going to do is get caught up in things that are outside of our control. I'm not
doing that. We're not going to do it. We're going to control the things that we
can control and we're going to really operate in the present and do the best we
can to prepare for what's going to be an excellent chance to go compete at a
beautiful venue with a team that you know is going to be ready to roll. And our
job is to be able to get these guys ready to go and establish an authentic
confidence by the way that these guys work, the way they prepare, and that
started a long time ago. I do think that last year's perspective and awareness is
going to be beneficial to apply the way that you want to respond and not feeling
sorry for yourself, but you understand and you empathize with the player, but
it's like, hey, I got a lot of confidence and if guys do need to step up, that's what
we're going to do. Because what? That's all we can do. And I believe that and
that's the approach that we want to be able to take, and you keep me
accountable to that.”

(On what the chemistry is like for the offensive line going into Sunday’s
game)

“I think they're good. I think we're still working through that. What I do feel good
about is you bring in a (OL) Kevin Dotson who's got starting experience. You
get a lot of different guys that have played at different spots, some of which
have started in different spots. They've gotten really valuable and beneficial
reps against two quality opponents and real practice settings and so we're
going to continue to use today and then Wednesday through Friday to really be
able to kind of tailor in on our best five. What does that lineup look like and who
do we feel like gives us the best chance to operate? But like anything else,
we've got to have guys that are ready, and they could be one snap away and I
do feel like with some of the shuffling that we've had to do, it has developed
some depth. And whoever we decide on that final five is, you'll feel good about
those guys, but you also feel good about the three other guys that'll be
available with our eight offensive linemen that'll be up and active on Sunday the 10th.

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#HelmetHornsMatter

“Well, the color is good, I like the metallic blue,” Youngblood recently said while laughing, via NFL Journal. “The horn is terrible. It looks like a ‘C.’ When I first saw it on the logo I honestly thought it was a Charger logo.

“Now when I see it on the helmet, it just isn’t a ram horn. There is no distinct curl like a mature ram horn. I don’t know how the Rams could get that wrong. That is your symbol and it has been for what? Seventy years or more? Longer than I have been alive? It’s just not us, it’s not the Rams.”---Mr. Ram Jack Youngblood