Full transcript of McVay and Stafford with questions--
| September 07, 2023 02:48PM |
Los Angeles Rams Transcripts - Head Coach
Sean McVay, Quarterback Matthew Stafford -
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Head Coach Sean McVay
(Opening remarks)
“Okay guys, injury report for today. Guys that will not participate: (WR) Cooper
Kupp, (TE) Hunter Long and (Q
Stetson Bennett and all of those guys will be
out for the game.”
(On an injury update for Kupp)
“Not much more information. It’s dealing with some soft tissue stuff, trying to get
him to feel back to normal and when that ends up occurring, then we'll have
him back but in the meantime, he will not be playing for us.”
(On if Kupp will be placed on injured reserve)
“It’s a possibility, we'll look into that. We want to be able to give him a little bit of
time. We don't have to make that decision quite yet, but there's a possibility of
that.”
(On the status of Bennett)
“His right shoulder is bothering him.”
(On if Bennett’s injury has been an ongoing issue)
“It has been. It's been bothering him for the last couple weeks on and off and so
(we) want to try to be able to get a hold on that. Unfortunately with Hunter Long,
he's still getting bothered by the thigh and then had something that he felt in his
hamstring, so trying to get a hold on all three of those guys.”
(On whether Kupp's absence will handicap the team)
“No, you wish he was able to go, but I got a lot of confidence in the guys. This
is something that we probably thought was going to be the situation for a while
now so this isn't anything new to us, but rather just put it to bed, not have to
continue to answer questions. We want to be able to get Cooper back when
he's ready to go and in the meantime a lot of guys have been able to get a
great chance to be able to develop, establish a rapport with (Q Matthew
(Stafford) and the rest of the group and looking forward to watching these guys
compete on Sunday.”
(On what he meant by Kupp’s hamstring being outside the normal
hamstring injury)
“Exactly what it was. It wasn't the normal thing and there's a lot of gray behind
this. I'm not a doctor, so I can't really answer anything more about that. I just
know that it doesn't follow the standard protocol for when you're reaggravating
a soft tissue injury, trying to continue to get a grasp on exactly what it is so that
he can get back to feeling like the Cooper that we know and love, and hopefully
we'll do that. As far as what that plan looks like, there's a lot of information that
goes way above my head that they've talked about. I think there'll be some
things that from a rehab procedure approach that he'll start to implement, but it
wasn't like there was any sort of groundbreaking information when I sat down
and got a chance to speak with Cooper this morning.”
(On if Kupp’s injury is the same ongoing injury)
“It is, yeah. It's the same thing.”
(On how Kupp is handling the injury mentally)
“He's a stud. He wants to be out there with his teammates. He puts so much
into it and so it's been unfortunate. It's been frustrating, but I do think he's done
an excellent job being able to control what he can control. I think the biggest
thing is let's implement a plan. Let's hopefully start feeling back to normal and
then being able to slowly and steadily progress him back, but it's been a really
unique situation to say the least, kind of like what I've been talking about for the
last few minutes. But in regards to exactly how you would want him to handle
the things that he can control, I think he's done a great job. He's stayed
engaged. He's leading in his way that he can right now even though he can't be
out there with his teammates. I've been really pleased and proud of that and
then I'm hoping that he'll be able to get back with us sooner than later.”
(On if there is a timeline for placing Kupp on IR)
“There's not. Saturday is the latest that we can decide that as it relates to just
having him out for the next four weeks.”
(On TE Hunter Long being a candidate for IR)
“Possibly and his has been actually separate entities. He had the thigh working
back from that then felt a little something in his hamstring so feel for him too. All
of these guys want to be out there as much as anybody and so you empathize
with them and then you want to be able to get them on a program to recovery.
We'll be a better team when those guys are back with us.”
(On if not having Kupp play handicaps him as a playcaller)
“No, I would never say that. I love Cooper Kupp. You guys know how
instrumental and vital he's been to a lot of great things that have occurred, but
we've had a lot of work with the group that's going to play for the last handful of
months. This is the group that we've been working with, unfortunately, or
fortunately, however you want to look at it. He really hasn't had a chance to get
any offseason work. It's been very limited in training camp. And so, for that I'm
very excited about the opportunity to compete and I have a lot of belief in these
guys and the improvement that I've seen and the way that they just commit to a
process every single day. I'm really looking forward to just being able to go
shoot our shot and see what the hell happens.”
(On the type of specialist Kupp saw in Minnesota)
“I would just say this, it's trying to just figure out what's going on with him.
Again, I'm kind of speaking out of turn. I just know that we're trying to open up
every avenue in regards to figuring out what's going on, why is he feeling some
of the sensations and things like that in his hamstring. Is it soft tissue? Is there
something nerve-wise? And I would be speaking out of turn. I think we're really
trying to be able to figure that out. He felt like he gained a lot of information,
was able to do a couple day’s worth of treatment that was beneficial, but it
wasn't anything that's like, okay, he's going to be back right now. And we had a
feeling that there could be a couple weeks that we need to just be able to take it
a day at a time and then hopefully we'll start to see some positive results as it
relates to how he's feeling, what that means for his rehab program and as far
as like a timetable, it could be anywhere between if we decide to put him on IR
or it could be a couple weeks. But as soon as I have that information, I'll let you
guys know. And I know he wants to be out there badly, and we want him to be
out there but we don't want to rush it either.”
(On how Kupp is able to pass along his knowledge while rehabbing)
“Just being around, he's almost an extension of the coaches and so just being
able to kind of provide any of his feedback going against this excellent team
that we're going against a lot. They've got some different personnel changes,
but there's also some familiar faces that he can communicate with some of the
guys that are going to be in similar spots that he's been in to try to be able to
give those guys pointers. I think a lot of the information that the players are able
to give to one another can be a lot more beneficial sometimes than what we
say as a coach because those are the guys that are doing it. They're in it
together and there's a dialogue that exists that I think is really valuable and
beneficial and some of that occurs in our absence and I know it's always good
things when he's pouring into those guys.”
(On some of the challenges going against a familiar team like the
Seahawks)
“I think you just answered it right there. There's somewhat of a familiarity.
There’s continuity that they have at the coordinator spots, but there’s always
chances to be able to implement new things offensively, defensively, and in the
kicking game. There's obviously going to be a different approach just around
the league as it relates to how people handle kickoff and kickoff returns so it's
all those things and that's what you use these last few months for. I think you
want to be careful chasing ghosts, but here's what you do know, (Seahawks
Head Coach) Pete Carroll does an excellent job with a group that's super
competitive. They've got great personnel, they've got great schemes, great
coaches. It's why they've been so successful for such a long period of time and
it's a great venue to be able to go play at and I'm excited for the opp.”
(On if Bennett’s injury will heal with rest or require surgery)
“That would be something that I got to get some more information. It's been
something that's kind of been lingering a little bit and so it could be in alignment
with what we've talked about as it relates to Hunter and Cooper, even though
it's a little bit of a different thing with his shoulder but we're trying to get some
more information. But in the meantime, he's going to be out.”
(On if QB Brett Rypien will be the backup)
“Brett will be, yes.”
(On if the team will sign a new quarterback)
“We're talking about that, but for this week we will not.”
Quarterback Matthew Stafford
(On his reaction to WR Cooper Kupp’s injury and how he has been
communicating with him)
“Yeah, I'm just talking to him first and foremost as a friend, trying to help him
out anyway I can. I know he's going to do everything he can to be as good as
he possibly can as quick as he can like we all are in this profession. He's as
good a professional as I've ever been around when it comes to taking care of
his body and trying to get himself right. I know it’s disappointing for him, I'm
sure to not be out there, but I know he is doing everything he possibly can to
get back quickly which is part of what makes him such a great teammate.”
(On if he has been able to connect with the new receivers on and off the
field)
“Yeah, definitely. It's been good. Cooper was out some of training camp as well
and we had some guys have to come in there and step up and make plays for
us and they've done that. Through joint practices, practicing against our
defense, we've had a lot of guys step up and make some great plays and (I
have) total trust in everybody that's put out there to go out there and make
plays. I'm excited for those guy’s opportunities, obviously like I said,
disappointed for Cooper but at the same time I'm excited about the guys that
we have going out there and trying to make some big plays.”
(On if he has had conversations with Kupp about needing to rehab and
get better before playing full speed)
“That's the toughest thing. Everybody sits there and goes, ‘Oh man, he is not
going to be on our fantasy team,’ or ‘He is not going to be on this, that, and the
other,’ but this is a human being too that's worked his entire life and works
more than anybody I know in the offseasons to make sure that he's ready to go
and when he's not, that's tough as a human being and as a football player and
as a competitor. I was in those situations, especially early on in my career. I
missed I think 19 games my first two seasons for hits that I feel like I'd taken a
hundred times and for some reason I wasn't getting up from them. Then played
eight and a half years and didn't miss a game. It's a game that…injuries
happen. They're not the fun part, there probably the worst part of this game, but
he's a strong-willed guy. Obviously, we support the heck out of him and
whenever he is back, we'll be happy to have him.”
(On his mindset and preparation for the game knowing Kupp will not be
playing)
“I try to play the game as cleanly as I possibly can and throw the ball where the
coverage dictates. No question about it from a skill position point, there's a lot
of stuff that goes through Cooper where he may be designed to be the number
one or if we get a certain pressure we're going to get to this play and let him go
do what he does best. Obviously, he's not going to be out on the field but my
job really doesn't change much. It's, hey, go out there and throw the ball where
it's supposed to be thrown accurately and on time and let those guys do what
they do because we've got some talented guys on the outside that can make
plays both down the field and also after the catch. I'm excited to watch those
guys do their thing and I'm excited to go play and when Cooper gets back, we'll
welcome him back.”
(On reaction to Kelly’s comments on podcast)
“No, I think more probably from you guys than anything else. I was going to
come out here with a newspaper under my arm with some spectacles. Set the
mood, but it turns out you can't even find a newspaper around here so I couldn't
do that. I was going to try to have some fun with it, but no it's been great. I love
coming to work. I love working with these guys and they all know that.”
(On if he feels connected)
“I do, definitely. I definitely do.”
(On if he addressed the comments within the locker room)
“No, I think those guys understand where I'm coming from. They see me come
in this building every single day and know how I go to work, know how I interact
with everybody and we didn't really think too much about it to be honest with
you.”
(On if the comments got lost in translation)
“No, I think so and listen, I'm not too worried about it. Nobody in that locker
room is too worried about it, I can promise you that. We've completely moved
on not that we ever really stopped to think about it, to be honest with you. But
yeah, I'm not too worried about it.”
(On if the turnover on the team presents challenges for an older
quarterback)
“Well, I don't think so. I think in general in the NFL you get like, what is the
average like 30% turnover on a team? And every team is different. Every team
is new. We happen to have a lot of young guys on our team, a lot of rookies
that have come in and done a heck of a job and earned roles on our football
team. They are going to be big parts of our season and that's exciting. But
every season, every team is different. That's the great part about this game is
you get exposure to all different kinds of people from all different places and
different places in their life and I love being a part of that. It's probably my
favorite thing is coming into the locker room and being a part of that. So every
single year is different. That difference is the same for us as it is around the
league and I’m enjoying it.”
(On what he’s seen from WR Van Jefferson, WR Tutu Atwell, WR Ben
Skowronek, WR DeMarcus Robinson and WR Puka Nacua and what they
can bring on Sunday now that Kupp is out)
“I think a lot of reps are in training camp. Cooper had some time off in training
camp and those guys were, I don't want to say forced into the role, just hey,
let's go out there and practice, let's go out there and everybody kind of move
around, play different positions, and they did a great job and it's a testament to
them as players, to their coaches for helping them get them ready. Coach
Cooper, I mean, he's out there with a clipboard telling those guys every little
secret he knows and trying to help those guys out so it's a team effort. And then
at the same time, just let those guys be themselves. Puka, Tutu, Van, Ben,
whoever it is, you're not going to go try to be Cooper Kupp, just go be the best
version of yourself you can be. That's what we all have to do, go out there,
compete our ass off and you go try to get a win.”
(On if there was a conversation between him and Head Coach Sean
McVay about wanting to protect him more)
“No, I think the biggest thing for me is I just had a long, healthy offseason which
was awesome for me. I was able to do everything I wanted to do to get myself
ready to play both physically, mentally, emotionally, all that kind of stuff. And
we're constantly talking about what's best for us as a team and that changes
depending on who's available that week, maybe, or who we're playing,
whatever it is. All those things kind of go into it. But I just want to be able to do
everything that I was asked to do at as high a level as I possibly can.”
(On how he valued and measured success in the first year of his NFL
career)
“I was coming into a team that was 0-16 the year before. We were just trying to
accumulate as many good players and as many experiences for young ones
like myself that we possibly could. I was lucky (Former Lions Head) Coach
(Jim) Schwartz and (Former Lions Offensive Coordinator) Coach (Scott)
Linehan were awesome to me. I have games where I threw a lot of
interceptions. They’d be like, ‘Hey, keep slinging it, learn. This is the opportunity
to learn from those, learn what throws you can make, what throws you can't
make, learn about your teammates, what it's like to play in the NFL,” all that
kind of stuff. So I had a lot of great experiences. My first game was not great at
New Orleans. I think (Former Saints Quarterback) Drew threw six touchdowns,
they won the Super Bowl that year so they were a pretty good team, but I just
remember trying to learn as much as I possibly could, but I was in a position
where we struggled quite a bit and it was tough. Who knows what it's going to
be for some of these other guys, but I know it's an awesome start to a cool
journey. I hope they embrace it, love every minute of it. It's not going to be
easy, never is, but that's the fun part of it so best of luck to all those guys.”
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2023 02:54PM by JimYoungblood53.
Sean McVay, Quarterback Matthew Stafford -
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Head Coach Sean McVay
(Opening remarks)
“Okay guys, injury report for today. Guys that will not participate: (WR) Cooper
Kupp, (TE) Hunter Long and (Q
Stetson Bennett and all of those guys will beout for the game.”
(On an injury update for Kupp)
“Not much more information. It’s dealing with some soft tissue stuff, trying to get
him to feel back to normal and when that ends up occurring, then we'll have
him back but in the meantime, he will not be playing for us.”
(On if Kupp will be placed on injured reserve)
“It’s a possibility, we'll look into that. We want to be able to give him a little bit of
time. We don't have to make that decision quite yet, but there's a possibility of
that.”
(On the status of Bennett)
“His right shoulder is bothering him.”
(On if Bennett’s injury has been an ongoing issue)
“It has been. It's been bothering him for the last couple weeks on and off and so
(we) want to try to be able to get a hold on that. Unfortunately with Hunter Long,
he's still getting bothered by the thigh and then had something that he felt in his
hamstring, so trying to get a hold on all three of those guys.”
(On whether Kupp's absence will handicap the team)
“No, you wish he was able to go, but I got a lot of confidence in the guys. This
is something that we probably thought was going to be the situation for a while
now so this isn't anything new to us, but rather just put it to bed, not have to
continue to answer questions. We want to be able to get Cooper back when
he's ready to go and in the meantime a lot of guys have been able to get a
great chance to be able to develop, establish a rapport with (Q
Matthew(Stafford) and the rest of the group and looking forward to watching these guys
compete on Sunday.”
(On what he meant by Kupp’s hamstring being outside the normal
hamstring injury)
“Exactly what it was. It wasn't the normal thing and there's a lot of gray behind
this. I'm not a doctor, so I can't really answer anything more about that. I just
know that it doesn't follow the standard protocol for when you're reaggravating
a soft tissue injury, trying to continue to get a grasp on exactly what it is so that
he can get back to feeling like the Cooper that we know and love, and hopefully
we'll do that. As far as what that plan looks like, there's a lot of information that
goes way above my head that they've talked about. I think there'll be some
things that from a rehab procedure approach that he'll start to implement, but it
wasn't like there was any sort of groundbreaking information when I sat down
and got a chance to speak with Cooper this morning.”
(On if Kupp’s injury is the same ongoing injury)
“It is, yeah. It's the same thing.”
(On how Kupp is handling the injury mentally)
“He's a stud. He wants to be out there with his teammates. He puts so much
into it and so it's been unfortunate. It's been frustrating, but I do think he's done
an excellent job being able to control what he can control. I think the biggest
thing is let's implement a plan. Let's hopefully start feeling back to normal and
then being able to slowly and steadily progress him back, but it's been a really
unique situation to say the least, kind of like what I've been talking about for the
last few minutes. But in regards to exactly how you would want him to handle
the things that he can control, I think he's done a great job. He's stayed
engaged. He's leading in his way that he can right now even though he can't be
out there with his teammates. I've been really pleased and proud of that and
then I'm hoping that he'll be able to get back with us sooner than later.”
(On if there is a timeline for placing Kupp on IR)
“There's not. Saturday is the latest that we can decide that as it relates to just
having him out for the next four weeks.”
(On TE Hunter Long being a candidate for IR)
“Possibly and his has been actually separate entities. He had the thigh working
back from that then felt a little something in his hamstring so feel for him too. All
of these guys want to be out there as much as anybody and so you empathize
with them and then you want to be able to get them on a program to recovery.
We'll be a better team when those guys are back with us.”
(On if not having Kupp play handicaps him as a playcaller)
“No, I would never say that. I love Cooper Kupp. You guys know how
instrumental and vital he's been to a lot of great things that have occurred, but
we've had a lot of work with the group that's going to play for the last handful of
months. This is the group that we've been working with, unfortunately, or
fortunately, however you want to look at it. He really hasn't had a chance to get
any offseason work. It's been very limited in training camp. And so, for that I'm
very excited about the opportunity to compete and I have a lot of belief in these
guys and the improvement that I've seen and the way that they just commit to a
process every single day. I'm really looking forward to just being able to go
shoot our shot and see what the hell happens.”
(On the type of specialist Kupp saw in Minnesota)
“I would just say this, it's trying to just figure out what's going on with him.
Again, I'm kind of speaking out of turn. I just know that we're trying to open up
every avenue in regards to figuring out what's going on, why is he feeling some
of the sensations and things like that in his hamstring. Is it soft tissue? Is there
something nerve-wise? And I would be speaking out of turn. I think we're really
trying to be able to figure that out. He felt like he gained a lot of information,
was able to do a couple day’s worth of treatment that was beneficial, but it
wasn't anything that's like, okay, he's going to be back right now. And we had a
feeling that there could be a couple weeks that we need to just be able to take it
a day at a time and then hopefully we'll start to see some positive results as it
relates to how he's feeling, what that means for his rehab program and as far
as like a timetable, it could be anywhere between if we decide to put him on IR
or it could be a couple weeks. But as soon as I have that information, I'll let you
guys know. And I know he wants to be out there badly, and we want him to be
out there but we don't want to rush it either.”
(On how Kupp is able to pass along his knowledge while rehabbing)
“Just being around, he's almost an extension of the coaches and so just being
able to kind of provide any of his feedback going against this excellent team
that we're going against a lot. They've got some different personnel changes,
but there's also some familiar faces that he can communicate with some of the
guys that are going to be in similar spots that he's been in to try to be able to
give those guys pointers. I think a lot of the information that the players are able
to give to one another can be a lot more beneficial sometimes than what we
say as a coach because those are the guys that are doing it. They're in it
together and there's a dialogue that exists that I think is really valuable and
beneficial and some of that occurs in our absence and I know it's always good
things when he's pouring into those guys.”
(On some of the challenges going against a familiar team like the
Seahawks)
“I think you just answered it right there. There's somewhat of a familiarity.
There’s continuity that they have at the coordinator spots, but there’s always
chances to be able to implement new things offensively, defensively, and in the
kicking game. There's obviously going to be a different approach just around
the league as it relates to how people handle kickoff and kickoff returns so it's
all those things and that's what you use these last few months for. I think you
want to be careful chasing ghosts, but here's what you do know, (Seahawks
Head Coach) Pete Carroll does an excellent job with a group that's super
competitive. They've got great personnel, they've got great schemes, great
coaches. It's why they've been so successful for such a long period of time and
it's a great venue to be able to go play at and I'm excited for the opp.”
(On if Bennett’s injury will heal with rest or require surgery)
“That would be something that I got to get some more information. It's been
something that's kind of been lingering a little bit and so it could be in alignment
with what we've talked about as it relates to Hunter and Cooper, even though
it's a little bit of a different thing with his shoulder but we're trying to get some
more information. But in the meantime, he's going to be out.”
(On if QB Brett Rypien will be the backup)
“Brett will be, yes.”
(On if the team will sign a new quarterback)
“We're talking about that, but for this week we will not.”
Quarterback Matthew Stafford
(On his reaction to WR Cooper Kupp’s injury and how he has been
communicating with him)
“Yeah, I'm just talking to him first and foremost as a friend, trying to help him
out anyway I can. I know he's going to do everything he can to be as good as
he possibly can as quick as he can like we all are in this profession. He's as
good a professional as I've ever been around when it comes to taking care of
his body and trying to get himself right. I know it’s disappointing for him, I'm
sure to not be out there, but I know he is doing everything he possibly can to
get back quickly which is part of what makes him such a great teammate.”
(On if he has been able to connect with the new receivers on and off the
field)
“Yeah, definitely. It's been good. Cooper was out some of training camp as well
and we had some guys have to come in there and step up and make plays for
us and they've done that. Through joint practices, practicing against our
defense, we've had a lot of guys step up and make some great plays and (I
have) total trust in everybody that's put out there to go out there and make
plays. I'm excited for those guy’s opportunities, obviously like I said,
disappointed for Cooper but at the same time I'm excited about the guys that
we have going out there and trying to make some big plays.”
(On if he has had conversations with Kupp about needing to rehab and
get better before playing full speed)
“That's the toughest thing. Everybody sits there and goes, ‘Oh man, he is not
going to be on our fantasy team,’ or ‘He is not going to be on this, that, and the
other,’ but this is a human being too that's worked his entire life and works
more than anybody I know in the offseasons to make sure that he's ready to go
and when he's not, that's tough as a human being and as a football player and
as a competitor. I was in those situations, especially early on in my career. I
missed I think 19 games my first two seasons for hits that I feel like I'd taken a
hundred times and for some reason I wasn't getting up from them. Then played
eight and a half years and didn't miss a game. It's a game that…injuries
happen. They're not the fun part, there probably the worst part of this game, but
he's a strong-willed guy. Obviously, we support the heck out of him and
whenever he is back, we'll be happy to have him.”
(On his mindset and preparation for the game knowing Kupp will not be
playing)
“I try to play the game as cleanly as I possibly can and throw the ball where the
coverage dictates. No question about it from a skill position point, there's a lot
of stuff that goes through Cooper where he may be designed to be the number
one or if we get a certain pressure we're going to get to this play and let him go
do what he does best. Obviously, he's not going to be out on the field but my
job really doesn't change much. It's, hey, go out there and throw the ball where
it's supposed to be thrown accurately and on time and let those guys do what
they do because we've got some talented guys on the outside that can make
plays both down the field and also after the catch. I'm excited to watch those
guys do their thing and I'm excited to go play and when Cooper gets back, we'll
welcome him back.”
(On reaction to Kelly’s comments on podcast)
“No, I think more probably from you guys than anything else. I was going to
come out here with a newspaper under my arm with some spectacles. Set the
mood, but it turns out you can't even find a newspaper around here so I couldn't
do that. I was going to try to have some fun with it, but no it's been great. I love
coming to work. I love working with these guys and they all know that.”
(On if he feels connected)
“I do, definitely. I definitely do.”
(On if he addressed the comments within the locker room)
“No, I think those guys understand where I'm coming from. They see me come
in this building every single day and know how I go to work, know how I interact
with everybody and we didn't really think too much about it to be honest with
you.”
(On if the comments got lost in translation)
“No, I think so and listen, I'm not too worried about it. Nobody in that locker
room is too worried about it, I can promise you that. We've completely moved
on not that we ever really stopped to think about it, to be honest with you. But
yeah, I'm not too worried about it.”
(On if the turnover on the team presents challenges for an older
quarterback)
“Well, I don't think so. I think in general in the NFL you get like, what is the
average like 30% turnover on a team? And every team is different. Every team
is new. We happen to have a lot of young guys on our team, a lot of rookies
that have come in and done a heck of a job and earned roles on our football
team. They are going to be big parts of our season and that's exciting. But
every season, every team is different. That's the great part about this game is
you get exposure to all different kinds of people from all different places and
different places in their life and I love being a part of that. It's probably my
favorite thing is coming into the locker room and being a part of that. So every
single year is different. That difference is the same for us as it is around the
league and I’m enjoying it.”
(On what he’s seen from WR Van Jefferson, WR Tutu Atwell, WR Ben
Skowronek, WR DeMarcus Robinson and WR Puka Nacua and what they
can bring on Sunday now that Kupp is out)
“I think a lot of reps are in training camp. Cooper had some time off in training
camp and those guys were, I don't want to say forced into the role, just hey,
let's go out there and practice, let's go out there and everybody kind of move
around, play different positions, and they did a great job and it's a testament to
them as players, to their coaches for helping them get them ready. Coach
Cooper, I mean, he's out there with a clipboard telling those guys every little
secret he knows and trying to help those guys out so it's a team effort. And then
at the same time, just let those guys be themselves. Puka, Tutu, Van, Ben,
whoever it is, you're not going to go try to be Cooper Kupp, just go be the best
version of yourself you can be. That's what we all have to do, go out there,
compete our ass off and you go try to get a win.”
(On if there was a conversation between him and Head Coach Sean
McVay about wanting to protect him more)
“No, I think the biggest thing for me is I just had a long, healthy offseason which
was awesome for me. I was able to do everything I wanted to do to get myself
ready to play both physically, mentally, emotionally, all that kind of stuff. And
we're constantly talking about what's best for us as a team and that changes
depending on who's available that week, maybe, or who we're playing,
whatever it is. All those things kind of go into it. But I just want to be able to do
everything that I was asked to do at as high a level as I possibly can.”
(On how he valued and measured success in the first year of his NFL
career)
“I was coming into a team that was 0-16 the year before. We were just trying to
accumulate as many good players and as many experiences for young ones
like myself that we possibly could. I was lucky (Former Lions Head) Coach
(Jim) Schwartz and (Former Lions Offensive Coordinator) Coach (Scott)
Linehan were awesome to me. I have games where I threw a lot of
interceptions. They’d be like, ‘Hey, keep slinging it, learn. This is the opportunity
to learn from those, learn what throws you can make, what throws you can't
make, learn about your teammates, what it's like to play in the NFL,” all that
kind of stuff. So I had a lot of great experiences. My first game was not great at
New Orleans. I think (Former Saints Quarterback) Drew threw six touchdowns,
they won the Super Bowl that year so they were a pretty good team, but I just
remember trying to learn as much as I possibly could, but I was in a position
where we struggled quite a bit and it was tough. Who knows what it's going to
be for some of these other guys, but I know it's an awesome start to a cool
journey. I hope they embrace it, love every minute of it. It's not going to be
easy, never is, but that's the fun part of it so best of luck to all those guys.”
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2023 02:54PM by JimYoungblood53.
