Transcripts - Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris, Offensive Coordinator Mike LaFleur, Receiver Cooper Kupp, Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald - Thursday, November 30, 2023

Los Angeles Rams Transcripts - Defensive
Coordinator Raheem Morris, Offensive
Coordinator Mike LaFleur, Receiver Cooper
Kupp, Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald -
Thursday, November 30, 2023

Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris

(On how NT Kobie Turner has grown from the beginning of the season to
now)

“It's a tough question because he came in really veteran laden, to be honest
with you. He's one of the guys that just picked it up and right away you realized
how smart he was, you realized his capacity was very high, the things that he
could bring to the table. I think it's just getting the results now is the thing that
you see him grow in. Then you see his ops and he knows what's happening. It's
different than telling a person and you go out there a couple of weeks in a row
and you say he’s going to turn into Aaron (Donald)and believe in it. Now he has
an absolute belief in it and he's playing faster because of it. He understands the
stuff that's moving around him and how it's going a little bit better. When you
talk about putting the position and putting pieces in place, he had that from the
very beginning. Got to give his college coaches a lot of credit and all the people
that he had before us, because he came in here ready made to come out there
and play pro football and to be able to do some of those things. I really have
been impressed with his ability to move around, his ability to get better and
better every single week. It's hard for me to even say because he played pretty
well out the box versus Seattle. He's still gotten better. I think he had a 10
tackle, 1.0 sack game versus Green Bay and last week having two sacks . I
hope he got Rookie of the Week. I don't know if you guys voted for him or not,
but he should have, if he didn't. The Pepsi Rookie the Week. I voted for him. I
never vote for that.”

(On how Turner showed his football IQ right off the bat)

“It's pretty scary. (Defensive Line Coach Eric Henderson) ‘Henny’ brings those
guys in the room and I usually like to sit in that rookie meeting because he
really tortures those guys. He puts them through the ringer. I say, ‘Hey Henny,
we're going to do install one today,’ and I get to the room and it's install seven
going on and these guys are in jet rush positions and they're doing what they're
supposed to do and he's trying to trick them with questions. ‘Can I run a gold
this, and it spark that, and this and that.’ He was one of the few guys that
picked it up right away and knew what was happening and why it was going on.
He was the guy answering all the questions until you get to the point where you
tell him to be quiet and let some other people answer the questions. Right away
you recognized this kid has got something else. He’s a little bit extra and you
were elated by that. But you don't want to get too overblown because you are in
OTA days. You have no pads on. You talk about upfront people and when you
talk about big people in his profession, you want to see them move around in
pads and it just carried throughout. So that was one of the things that got us
right off the bat, those meetings.”

(On preparing for two different quarterbacks and the challenge that
presents for players and coaches)

“It's more on the coaches so to speak. (DT) Aaron (Donald) is going to prepare
to play, right? He's going to go against two really good guards. He's going to
have to position to move around that giant that you guys know they got there
out there playing tackle. He may play against him a little bit, both of those
guys… that offense line, he’s a really good player. So he's looking at those
guys and his preparation and how he's going to get there. The finishing product
for him is when he gets there, who's standing there, right? Is it a mobile guy? Is
it a guy that's not mobile and what his stuff has got to be. For the coaches, it
really factors in some of our calls and how they change and how the dynamics
and all those types of things change with those guys. Those guys know this
well. (Browns Q Joe Flacco has been in his league for a long time so he
knows what plays and calls and things he's going to get that's comfortable and
he knows what's going to try to make him uncomfortable and he's going to try to
make us uncomfortable the same way. So really that goes more into the
coaches, that thought process and how we go about our business and how we
move through the week and as we gather more information every day. You do
prepare subtly for both. You got a plan for what you want to call versus each
person. It's no different if the quarterback changes within the game, how you
got to be ready to adjust subtly. It happened to us in Seattle a couple weeks
ago. It was an adjustment in the game plan within when (Seahawks Q Geno
(Smith) runs to come back out and it's got to happen for you that way and that
fast and that quickly. It won't change within football.”

(On the challenge of playing against two different quarterbacks in the
same game)

“That's a huge one just because you want to know what's coming off the
sideline. You want to know the temperament of the game. When you come in
within the middle of the game sometimes you want to get a guy comfortable.
They’re thinking that. I'm thinking that. The chess game that you're playing
between the coaches and whether it’s going to be a run down or whether it's
going to be a pass down to get back on track. You're talking about what we're
going to do on that first third down. They're going to let him go out there in the
middle of a series and just open up and let one go deep? I don't know. How
confident they feel in this guy? What does his tape look like before that? How
much experience this guy has playing in the regular season games? The NFL
is a different deal. You can gather all your college information you want, but all
those factors have got to come in and those are the things that are constantly
going through our heads on game day and when that happens when the
quarterback changes.”

(On going from the bottom of the league in pass breakups to being
ranked first the last two weeks and what’s changed to spark that)

“I think it's one simple thing and I'm not going to coach speak you with this one.
This is just the players practicing hard and getting better. The coaches that
coach those guys constantly being on them and giving them the confidence to
go out there and make those plays. Just go to (DB Derion Kendrick) ‘DK’ for
example. Watching the ups and downs, the ebbs and flows in the last two
weeks of (Defensive Backs Coach) Aubrey Pleasant just constantly being on
him and talking about the importance of practice and starting it and finishing it.
You have seen the fruits of his labor the last two weeks. Then you're talking
about (DB Ahkello Witherspoon) ‘Motown’ on the other side where he's a cool,
calm, collected guy where the things are starting to make more sense to him
and get more slowed down for him and how he wants to make his place, when
you're talking about Ahkello. Then the guys inside, whether it was (D Quentin
Lake playing Star for us, or (D Russ (Yeast) last week, or a little bit of Cobie
Durant, all those little pieces that we do and putting the people in the best
positions to make plays during that bye week that we talked about. Those
pieces all are coming to work and starting to work for those guys. Will it remain
the same this week? You got to go out there and we got to practice and make
sure that happens. That's the only way that happens. It's a simple formula.
Guys taking the chances because they got the confidence because they trust in
the process and go through the process of what they do during the week.”

(On what he thinks about Kobie Turner’s sack celebration)

“The conductor is probably the most secure human I've been around. He likes
what he likes. He's very comfortable in his skin. There's nothing you can do to
make him sensitive about himself because he'll let you know. If that means
being in touch with my feelings coach, I am. He is one of the people you love.
His personality and he grew up loving being him. His parents did an amazing
job and he did an amazing job of growing up being comfortable in his own skin.
If everybody can live like Kobie Turner, we wouldn't have as many problems we
have in the world that we have now. He is as comfortable as it gets as a
human. He's as comfortable as it gets with anybody. He can fit into any setting.
He brings joy to the room when he comes in and he just lights it all up. He's
unbelievable. When he hits that conductor celebration the team embodied it.
You see the DBs doing it. They're not even sure if it was him (laughter). You
see the joy that they have for him. That stuff doesn't happen by mistake. He
didn't do the gritty, he did the conductor and that's who he is.”

(On if he's been on the other side of QB Matthew Stafford trying
something new or installing a new play in practice)

“In practice it's always a constant challenge. The things that he tries in the
game, I bet you they multiply what he's trying in practice. Then when you're
over there and get a chance to ear hustle when you're over there with those
guys, him, (Head Coach) Sean (McVay), and whether it be (Quarterbacks
Coach) Zac Robinson or whoever he's talking to when he's coming off the field,
the backup quarterback, whatever it is, just listening to him and talking about
the detail that he puts into it and what he saw. It helps you in your coaching
points. You go back, hey, he's looking at you. If you move one bit to the middle,
he's going there. He's going to shift this way and looking you off. He's trying to
pull you with his eyes, whatever the case may be, let him get those
progressions, sit on his back foot, then make that move. Those constant things
are going to happen with you talking about a guy like Matthew, especially with a
guy who has as much confidence as he has in his arm and his arm talent. You
don't make those throws that he's made throughout his career, particularly in
the Super Bowl, without having that type of confidence that he has in his arm
when can no look a grown man and a really good defender at any time at any
time of the game.”

(On if he notices a difference in McVay day-to-day this year compared to
last year)

“There's a tricky one. Yes. Let's be honest, right? Let me give you your coach's
answer. No, I don't notice it from Sean. He remains resilient. Yes, it's a different
set of energy with him. It's a different set of urgency and excitement and joy.
Last year got dark for us just all around and if you guys know me, I am going to
force my will on my opponent, whether it's from within or from outside. So Sean
going through some of the stuff that he went through last year that’s well
documented that he is more than open to talk about and willing to talk about is
real. And now he has a certain sense of urgency. He has a better feel for his
process and he went through it and he's really enjoying the fact that he went
through it to get better from it. I definitely do. Then you have days where Sean
can walk around and there's days in his funk when he's just thinking and he
doesn't want anybody to talk to him and be around him, including me and
probably his wife and kid, yes. But he just bounces back from it faster and able
to go ahead and relay his message and get to the guys. And when he gets to
the guys and when he gets to us, the juice, the excitement, the things that he
brings throughout this building, the people first mentality, all the things that he
preaches on a day-to-day basis, they really get a chance to show because of
who he is and how he's grown as a head coach and how he's grown as a
human.”

(On if McVay’s new way of leadership has affected him or any other
people in the building)

“As a leader, he creates the open environment to self-reflect. If he didn't create
that environment, everybody would be around pointing fingers trying to see
what happened in what game and who did what wrong So they don't blame
me. He doesn't create that type of environment. He creates the environment for
us all to self-reflect, to come in on Mondays and have the ability to be steadfast
and have the ability to sit there and be detailed about what we did wrong and
what we feel like we can do better so we can move forward accordingly the
right way.”

(On if McVay’s leadership is the same as it was last year)

“It's always been like that between me and him, but it definitely helps for
everyone else. It's just one of those things when your leader has the ability to
be challenged, when your leader has the ability to be second guessed or
second guess himself or is very open and honest with this communication
about what's happening, it lets other people be more that way. So for me, we
have a different relationship, you know that, and we've been that way since
we've known each other. But it definitely spreads throughout the team. It
spreads throughout the players. It spreads throughout, his own leadership
within the team, his coaches, all of us, the support staff, just all hands on deck
at all times. You guys, it's easy. Like you guys are his couch and he gets to
come in and lay on the couch and talk to you guys and fill his guts and then I
get these type of question. The media activity and Artis has to sit in the back of
the room and make sure I don't say the wrong thing so I don’t become national
news.”

Offensive Coordinator Mike LaFleur

(On what he remembers about Browns QB Joe Flacco)

“Joe, awesome two years with him. A good friend now, obviously working with
him and didn't know anything about him except for ‘Cool Joe' and what we all
got to see from him being on TV and stuff like that and how well he's performed
throughout his career, but he was a pleasure to work with. He had some
memorable moments when he was in there. Week two of last year we went into
Cleveland when I was with the Jets and he threw four touchdowns and led the
team back to an awesome victory. So those were the cool things on the field,
but the better stuff was off the field. He's just a great human, great person to
work with and glad he's back in it. I hope he gets really rolling after this week
obviously.”

(On the different feel on offense with RB Kyren Williams back)

“Yeah, it's no secret. He brought just a jolt of energy that is so authentic to his
personality and guys can feel it. You can tell just from the first snap to the time
we were in the locker room just what his teammates think of him because of
what he brings every single day in terms of his work ethic, what he brings out in
the practice field. And then just like I just said, his personality and his energy
that he brings 24/7, it never changes. So it was good to have him back.”

(On the team’s reaction to Williams’ success)

“(Rams Head Coach) Sean (McVay) mentioned it the other day and you give
him kind of a dap up and stuff like that and just like Kyren would want and all,
hey, awesome job. Now what can we do now? What can we do moving
forward? So guys were happy for him obviously. Anytime a guy gets the player
of the week, that's a reflection of the entire unit, right? The guy's blocking for
him, the tight ends did a tremendous job in the run game, (Q Matthew
(Stafford) making sure that just the operation of everything from getting the call
from Sean to before that ball is snapped is smooth, receivers doing their job in
the run game. I thought they blocked their butt off. Kyren got the reward for it
but that's a reflection of everybody.”

(On if he's had conversations with McVay about taking on some of his
workload)

“Just general conversations. I didn't know what his workload was, right?
(Packers Head Coach) Matt (LaFleur) was with him in '17, but that was their
first year so you got some insight there, but so much has changed within six
years and the success they've had in this building. We had some discussions
but I look at this stuff, it's going to come organically. I'm going to do whatever
my boss asks me to do, but also I'm going to do what I feel is best. If he doesn't
ask me to do something, that's just innately who I try to be, who everyone on
our offensive staff tries to be. So yeah, we had conversations, but again
organically it just kind of worked itself out.”

(On what Browns Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz does differently
that stands out)

“It's the truth. This isn't just obviously this year, this is his whole career and
having to play him in ‘16 when he was in Philly, having to play him in ‘20 when
he was in Philly. They present so many challenges. First of all, his players play
so dang hard that just speaks volumes right when you get to the tape and for
the amount of stuff they do whether it be first and second down, whether it be
third down, whether it be in the red zone, they got a pretty big menu. I think
there are a lot of factors that involves a good coach. Well, when you see 11
guys in unison at every single snap in every phase of the game, it's clearly
getting communicated what the expectation is and that's what you see when
you pop on the tape. They got great players on top of it and that's why they've
had the year they've had on defense so it's going to be a great challenge for
our guys. These are the moments as a competitor what you live for. You're
going against great players in a great scheme. Much respect for Coach
Schwartz and what he's done.”

(On conversations with Stafford when they're creating plays on the
offensive side)

“Yeah, collaboration. We'd be very dumb not to listen to what ‘9’ has to say and
so whether it be just in the quarterback room, whether it be just with (Pass
Game Coordinator) Zac (Robinson), myself, whether it be with Sean, whether
us, our group, whether it be the whole offensive unit. When he talks people are
listening, coaches included. So again, he's seen too much and he's the one
pulling the trigger, you know? In a good way, he's not afraid to just sit back and
just be like, 'hey, you tell me what to do, you know? He knows what he wants
and what's been cool is just the success that him and Sean and this offense
has had.”

(On if Stafford has ever installed something in their game plan)

“Yeah, he always is kind of somewhat installing per say. Anytime that we're
going through something that he has a lot of experience with, you can kind of
just tell with nonverbal communication like, ‘Hey Matthew, you got anything to
add there?’ And usually, he's going to have some awesome little detail or
nugget that I didn't say or Sean didn't say. So he's on the screws with it. He
loves it and I love joking with him. I can't wait to watch him be an offensive
coordinator someday, whether it be Highland Park High School in Texas or
wherever he wants. And he kind of gives me the no, that's not going to
happen.”

(On getting TE Tyler Higbee going from a statistical standpoint)

“It's awesome because you just root for guys like Tyler Higbee. You coach for
guys like Tyler Higbee because he's just an incredible man, off the field and on
the field, the way he goes about his day. True professional, tough as nails, and
has done it at such a high level for such a long time. He truly means it, he's not
worried about it and he doesn't need to just say that to you to mean it. He
means that. But at the same time, you're happy for him and you want to see
him get in there and be able to celebrate with his teammates. He does have
one of the best, I don't know if you call it memes or emojis or whatever, when
they were putting it on and I was watching the TV copy, he's got kind of a nice
black locks right there. He got his little headband on. So I don't know who he
paid for that, but you're happy for him though because of the person and
obviously just obviously the Rams scoring”

(On getting TE Davis Allen and TE Hunter Long more involved last game)

“Yeah, it was good. They deserved it. It took some off of ‘Higs’. He's historically
played a lot of snaps just being an 11 personnel outfit and stuff like that. So to
be able to just somewhat take him off him so he felt a little bit fresher in that
second half, in the fourth quarter in general. Also those guys earned it. Every
single week they're getting better. (Tight Ends Coach) Nick Caley does just as
good of a job as anyone I've been around the tight ends. Like I said, they
earned it.”

(On if he can see a shift of what's to come by watching explosive plays
from across the league each week)

“Yeah, you for sure can see it and then you get analytic reports without even
seeing the tape of it. But you can definitely see which direction the league is
going and it is what it is. It is a copycat league and you take a lot of pride and
when you do something you're like, I haven't seen that, but probably realistically
someone did it and you just didn't see it, you know? There are ebbs and flows
of this thing and ultimately, it's all cool but does it A, match up schematically?
B, can our players do it and C who are we having to block and or run routes
against and will that play work for what we're putting out there versus them? So
there's so many factors into it because there are so many cool plays, but each
play has life of its own in terms of when it's called and who you're running it
against. That's what's so unique about this league.”

(On understanding what type of plays have worked for his players over
time)

“Still learning every single day about that in terms of how much volume you
give to your players. Again, it's kind of how I just answered that in terms of it all
looks cool, but it's got to fit in so many aspects for your players, for the scheme,
for the scheme you're going against. So a lot of factors into it. But yeah, there
are a million different things going through all of our heads and hey, how does it
fit for the Rams?”

Receiver Cooper Kupp

(On how he’s feeling after having a full workload last week)

“We're getting there. We're getting there. It’s always just a work in progress, but
at this point in the year everyone's working through stuff. So we're working
through it and optimistic about how things are going. It's football and it's late in
the year in the NFL. This is just kind of par for the course.”

(On if this playoff push feels similar to ones of the past)

“That's not really something that I think about. I think most of the guys would
say the same thing. It's less about feeling like where are you in the playoff run?
Because at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter where you are right now,
it's about where you are after week 17. And for us, it's really about just stacking
weeks together. I think we're playing some better football right now. Still so
much that you can do better, so much that's left out there still. And I think that's
kind of the attitude. Say, ‘Hey, we're doing some good stuff, but we know
there's more to be had’. I think that's kind of been the approach this week and
we got a good Browns team coming to SoFi, so excited about attacking that.”

(On if it was harder to keep a week-by-week mindset earlier in his career)

“I honestly think it was a little bit easier. I have to look back to my rookie year
and I felt like a lot of my rookie year was just arriving week-to-week. Like, hey,
I want to make sure I'm doing my stuff this week and doing my job right and
learning this offense and being there for the guys. And that was kind of the
focus. It was very much just week-by-week. How can I be the best of me this
week? And as it goes on, you have more experience. You play in the playoffs,
you play in this league longer so I think it gets a little bit easier to start
projecting things out, but I think you want to live in that world where you're
going week-by-week and approaching your opponent with that respect. Hey,
let’s just handle this week the best we can, and we'll worry about the playoff
stuff, all that stuff down line. We do what we're supposed to do week by week.
That stuff will take care of itself.”

(On if there’s anything the Browns defense does that jumps out on tape)

“Yeah, well I think like you said, (Browns Defensive Coordinator) Coach
Schwartz has done a great job in this league for a long time. Defensively, I think
those guys, the identity of what they play with has been pretty consistent under
his leadership and I think his Browns team plays with that same energy, same
physicality. There's obviously the mixes of pressures that you're going to see.
The guys are going to come and challenge you. And yeah, they play hard, man.
They play hard. He's brought a lot of different pressures and things like that
throughout his time in the NFL so I'm sure he has something fun for us to look
at. But yeah, a lot of respect for him and this defense so they're doing some
good stuff.”

(On differences in Coach McVay from last season to this one)

“Yeah, I think really everyone knows what last year was, having to go through
the adversity that year presented, I think he did such an incredible job learning
from that and taking this perspective of understanding the impact that he has
on guys. He's a very special human being and he’s very well respected and
what he says goes a long way and it's very meaningful. He's very impactful with
the words and how he can connect with guys. I think that's a gift and a curse,
especially in those positions where you are having to navigate through
adversity, navigate through the highs and lows. And how are you going to then
communicate with people? And how are you going to lead people as you're
experiencing those highs and lows as well? And when you are that kind of
person that can be so impactful, that can go bad when you’re in those lows.
How are you dealing with people? You can take a lot of people down with you
or you can raise people up and inspire people to overcome. He's one of those
guys that can inspire people to overcome some incredible things, push through
some great challenges. And he's someone you want to play for, you want that
person on your team. And I think he's just done an incredible job this year. To
come back and be that positive guy challenging you, having an urgency in
knowing that the standards are high, but he's going to come across and push
you in the right way. He's going to connect with you and challenge you to meet
those standards because he wants the best for you. At the end of the day,
that's who Sean McVay is. He wants the best for each one of his guys and he's
done a great job getting the most out of each and every one of his guys this
year.”

(On if there’s anything specific that shows up from last season to this
season)

“Yeah, well I think I see it every day. It's on the field. It's in the moment. I think
it's made a big difference. Last year, I think there were times things go wrong.
It's like the instant reaction, how you're feeling just comes out, you know? I
think he's done just an incredible job of saying, ‘Yeah, this is how I feel right
now, but what do we need to do to overcome this challenge? What do we need
to do to respond? How can I be a positive impact to push people to respond the
right way?’ That to me is the big difference. As it happens right now, what do
we need as a team? He's been that guy that's consistently said, ‘I'm going to
motivate my guys positively to respond the right way, move on to the next play
and be able to correct what's wrong, but be able to move forward with the right
attitude, with the right mindset.’”

(On if Stafford has ever come to him with a new play that has been used
in the game)

“Yeah, well, I think yes, he has. I'd say he doesn't stop there. I think he likes to
do the whole thing. He wants to be a part of the whole deal. He wants to
understand everything. He wants to know what the line is doing, why they're
doing it, what the looks are. I think that's what gets him really excited. I mean
so many times it's like, ‘Hey, this would be sweet, huh? This would be kind of
nice,’ and then he draws it up on the board. Most of the time I’m like, ‘Yeah, you
know what that looks really good. Half of that stuff I don't know what that is but
go ahead and go for it.’ And he runs out with a smile on his face to (Head
Coach) Sean’s (McVay) office. I’d say 50% of the time he comes back with a
smile. The other time he’s like, ‘No, he didn’t like it’ (laughter). He gets his stuff
in pretty often. He's got the respect of the head coach certainly and of the team.
Ultimately guys trust him. When your quarterback has a mastery and
understanding of the offense and really a play like that… If the quarterback's
bringing you a play, and in my opinion, putting my head coach hat on, if the
quarterback came to me with a play and it's like, shoot, you are understanding
this and you are seeing it, that's what you want. You want your quarterback to
have a mastery of what's happening and know all the ins and outs, the intent
behind each and every piece of it. That's what Matthew really prides himself on
knowing. So that's why when he puts plays in, they get in.”

(On what it was like watching one of Stafford’s plays unfold from the
sideline)

“Watching one of his plays? It's an exciting thing being able to watch something
like that, having someone be able to have a player take what they've seen and
how they want to attack things and there’s an element of just because you call
a play, a lot of times you're looking for a certain look too. It also comes on
Sean’s plate of calling it at the right time. But when all that stuff comes together,
it's a pretty special thing. You get pretty excited watching that stuff, guys
execute that stuff, get to the spots and having things pop open. It's usually
when (Q Matthew (Stafford) makes his best throws. He always wants to
make his plays look good. It's a really cool thing to see. I get really excited
seeing that because I've seen the work that's gone into it and seen it from its
inception. It's a cool thing.”

(On if he ever questions Stafford's plays)

“I try to ask questions and sometimes I need him to explain it a couple times to
see what he's really trying to get accomplished. Most of the time we're on the
same page with how he's seeing things and he's been playing in this league for
so long that a lot of stuff he's pulling is stuff he's done before or little variations
off things he's done before and how he's attacked things. It's pretty cool. He's
got some backing to the plays that he brings up and most of the time, it’s a
pretty sweet play. If you go to Sean’s office with a play, you better be able to
have answers for the different looks and things. I try to ask questions in that
regard. But man, he's usually on top of it and it's fun to be a part of.”

Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald

(On where he feels NT Kobie Turner has made the most progress from the
beginning of the season to now)

“He’s just playing with confidence, being productive, flying around, playing fast,
doing all the things you want to see as a young player or a player period. I think
he's just playing some good football right now. He plays hard and he finds a
way to get to the ball.”

(On what Turner has been like as an addition to the defensive line room)

“It has been good. Obviously, we got a lot of different personalities in there but
it’s been good. Everybody gets along. Everybody's getting pretty close. But it’s
been good. I think we got a good group, a good young group with a lot of guys
that are getting better and finding ways to make plays for us.”

(On what he thinks about Turner’s sack celebration, “The Conductor”)

“It's him. It's a little long I think but that's his signature man. As long as he
keeps making plays it is going to grow and become something big for him. For
me, I'll be trying to give you five, I have to wait an extra 20 seconds. But as long
as you keep making those plays, we are fine with it.”

(On if he feels the influence he has on the defensive line on and off the
field)

“I guess, yeah, you do, obviously. They ask questions at times but obviously
the way I go about my work, you tend to rub guys the right way. They tend to
gravitate to that. We just got a good group and guys are starting to come along
and help us to be successful these past two weeks. So we just got to keep
going.”

(On what it's like for him to play against Browns QB Joe Flacco and what
his thoughts are on him returning to the NFL)

“Well, he's a veteran guy that played a lot of football in this league. I remember
being a kid watching him when he was with the Ravens playing against the
Steelers. He played this game a long time and obviously got a lot of
experience. (He’s a) different quarterback than what they had as far as being
mobile and things like that. But as far as the veteran presence, understanding
what he's seeing, getting the ball out quick at times, you have to get prepared
for that too. You just don't know. You just have to get ready for both.”

(On if there have been any talks in the locker room about how the team is
in the playoff race and how different this year is compared to last year)

“We are just playing ball. We don't talk about it. We just go week to week, being
in the moment. That's it. That's all you can do. Worry about what you have to
do this week and then once you finish this, worry about the next week.”

(On if it’s harder to be in the moment when you’re a young player)

“I don't know. I don't remember as a young player, but you have to ask one of
the young guys. No guys are really talk about it. Everybody's just pretty much in
the moment, enjoying where we at right now. Guys are flying around having fun
and that's what it's about.”

(On if their game plan changes if Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
comes out of concussion protocol and plays)

“Well, you got a guy that's more of a in-the-pocket type quarterback that
probably won't be able to do as much in a running game. Then you got a
quarterback that's mobile that can run and that can throw the ball and they can
do a lot more with. So you just got to prepare for both. So just watching film on
both the guys obviously and understanding if you get a guy like Flacco out
there, he’s not going to be as mobile and then you get another guy out there
that can run and do things, quarterback runs like that. You have got to prepare
for that.”

(On if he thinks time moves fast in the NFL and if he thinks about the
change from last year to this year)

“Yeah, but it's just about being in the moment. Obviously, never taking anything
for granted. It's a blessing to be able to play this game. At the end of the day,
it's just a game. The same game I played as a kid, five or six years old, playing
football. You just have to enjoy playing it. Never take anything for granted. Be in
the moment and just enjoy it. That's the best thing about having this group. I
think they bring a lot of energy and have fun at practice, always joking around,
you got guys flying around, they make the game fun. That's how it's supposed
to be. That's how you want it to be. As long as we keep doing that, keep playing
how we are playing, we’ll be fine.”

(On if he notices a difference in McVay this year compared to last year)

He is a lot more chill, a lot more calm. Obviously, he has his moments, but he
keeps himself mellow. I think that's not just for him, that's for all of us. I think
last year, you get used to something a certain type of way and then you have a
lot of things fall apart and it kind of weighs on you in a negative way. So just not
allowing that to happen, you see that in them. That's for us as the veteran guys
that experience that as well. Just being in the moment, enjoying this. It's a
blessing to be out here doing this.”

(On if he has any specific examples on when McVay is more chill)

“When things don't go right at practice or something like that. Instead of having
his little moments where he might black out, he kind of calms himself down. We
have those moments for sure. You have to be like, come on coach. It's all right
man.”

(On what he took away from last year that’s helping the team this year)

“It's more mental stuff, obviously. The best thing I can say is the mental part.
Like I said, just being in the moment, enjoying this process, not taking anything
for granted, just having fun doing this because it's just a game. Football is just a
game. Obviously, it's a profession. We get paid and take care of our family, but
it's just a game at the end of the day.”

--RAMS--

---

#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