Transcripts: General Manager Les Snead and Head Coach Sean McVay - Tuesday, April 23, 2024
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Los Angeles Rams Transcripts - General Manager Les Snead
and Head Coach Sean McVay - Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Rams General Manager Les Snead & Head Coach Sean McVay
(Opening remarks)
Snead: “I know we're going to talk about the draft, but I was going to start…a
former player of ours, a great legend in the game, Roman Gabriel did pass
away this week. Will let his family know that we're thinking of him, his legacy,
the impact he had in Los Angeles, not just in football, but just in life. Obviously,
definitely a very fruitful life. We’re going to miss Roman and we’re celebrating
that as we speak.”
(On NT Kobie Turner’s versatility and how that will impact looking at
replacements for former DT Aaron Donald in the Draft)
Snead: “It’ll be interesting. I can let Sean discuss on the let's call it the nuances
of versatility amongst being in a three-four base front, whether you're a nose
tackle, ‘four-I’, three-technique. I think big picture, probably, as we've said, I'll
continue saying it, whatever we do in this draft, whoever we draft, it's probably
pretty hard to say you're replacing Aaron Donald. But again, I know Sean and
his staff are trying to figure out how to still be a very impactful, frustrating
defense to play against in ways other than just finding another Aaron Donald...”
McVay: “I think the best part about it is Kobie knows we just want Kobie to be
Kobie. And he does have some position flex across the front, whether we're in
three-down spacing or whether we're in some of our four-down nickel, sub
spacing. He can play in a bunch of different areas. That does give us some
flexibility relative to the different types of players that we like if maybe they're a
little bit more specific in terms of where we envision them so that's a real
blessing for us. He's come in here. He’s done a great job. You can see he has
already got a really great rapport with (Defensive Line Coach) Giff Smith. We
still have (Assistant Defensive Line Coach) AC Carter here who will do an
awesome job continuing to help with that defensive line. Kobie Turner is a
special human being that understands that the work works. I'm excited about
him continuing to naturally just progress and enjoy every day and just stack
good days. We are very fortunate to have him. Aaron Donald will never be
replaced. We love him. We know that and we just want the guys to be the best
versions of themselves.”
(On what he hopes WR Puka Nacua takes away from offseason training
with WR Cooper Kupp)
McVay: “Yeah, I think the best part is that they're positively pouring into one
another. There's been a consistent humility throughout the course of Cooper's
career. Puka has a natural humility as well, but I think just continuing to
understand that, hey, this is a blessing. Let's just continue to go to work. Let's
understand this work works. I think as important as anything is Cooper's feeling
good. Sometimes there are things you can't control and that you can control
and Cooper's feeling good. He's able to go through a rhythm and routine that's
a little bit more consistent than with what he's had in previous years. To be able
to set and develop that foundation and to be able to put his arm around Puka
and have somebody like Cooper is a real blessing. Those guys, they've got a
really cool relationship and you can just see the respect and admiration that
Puka has for Cooper, but also Cooper for Puka and that's what we want here,
guys pouring into each other so it's been great.”
(On how the pre-draft process is different this year with a first-round pick
versus other years)
Snead: “It’s probably common sense… it’s really probably spending more
intimate, more intentional time with a certain subset of players. Even in years
past, even if you set aside a subset and say, we probably should spend less
time with these players if one of them did slip to within striking distance if we
weren’t picking in the first, you have Friday morning until probably 4 p.m. PST
to maybe let's call it, be a little more intentional about, wait a minute, we weren't
expecting this to occur. Let's now fast forward it. Let's cram for the exam, but
that's really it. I think the interesting thing about the first round is a lot of those
players that get picked in the first round are for the most part good football
players, probably very good college football players. And the key with what
we're trying to do now is within the nuance of our scheme, our needs, who fits
us and who really doesn't. Sometimes the hard part about the first round is who
not to pick, not necessarily who to pick, and actually also who's available when
you do pick.”
(On holding a potential Thursday night pick and what that means in terms
of filling roster needs)
Snead: “It definitely allows us to, let's call it add a Thursday night-caliber player
to address one of those needs. Then sometimes I like to call it, you're not just
filling the need, you're actually adding a human being that's going to make a
significant or hopefully… and your vision is to make a significant impact to our
collective.”
(On how they balance picking a player who will have an immediate impact
versus a player who can make an impact in the future)
Snead: “I think it's case-by-case, right? I think in this as we mentioned, a lot of
those variables, that nuance of who to pick, who not to pick, right? Obviously,
there’s need and a lot of times, you want to make sure you fill a need. You hear
the word reach a lot. I think reach usually means you reach because you have
a need, you actually fill a spot but a year from now, do you still have a need?
You have to ask yourself and that question. It’s subjective. It's case-by-case.
We want to be successful. we want to be the best football (team) we can be in
2024. It’s what’s Sean, his staff's vision for that player in ‘24? What is it moving
forward? Things like that. It's all nuance. It's all case-by-case and that's what
you work through.”
McVay: “No, that’s a perfect answer. Nothing to add. (Rams scout) JW Jordan,
nothing to add.”
Snead: “I should explain that right? In draft meetings, we had somebody who
still consults with us, JW Jordan, and he was really, really good. In draft
meetings, you get everyone together. We know we like to talk. We like to talk
about how we like this player, don't like that player, the superpowers, the
kryptonite’s, and you go around the room and you're about 10 deep in
discussing a player. You might ask JW Jordan if he had anything to add and
he'd go, ‘Nothing to add.’ As Sean will say, most people will say, ‘Nothing to
add,’ and then spend about the next two minutes adding…”
McVay: “Yes, he's the first person I've ever seen do that. ‘You got anything to
add? No,’ and then they say so much. I'm guilty of that as well. JW taught me, if
you say nothing to add, that means you have nothing to add…”
Snead: “Somehow, I added to that, Sean…”
McVay: “It was well said.”
(On how many first-round grades he has in this draft)
Snead: “We don't grade by round. We really, if I kept it simple…I'll say this, we
have a depth chart and what's the vision for the player, right? Early, but really,
you're like, hey, what do you think this player is going to be when he gets to the
NFL, when he gets settled, when we develop him? Where does he fit on the
depth chart? And at that point, you make your decisions.”
(On their evaluation of the 2024 wide receiver class and why they have
been successful finding productive receivers through the draft)
Snead: “I'll open quickly, let Sean fill in some nuance. I can say it's interesting.
We’re picking (at) 19 but when you don't have a first rounder, I can say there
are some wide receivers that we kind of put in this pod that they're probably not
getting to 19. We may have a little less time to react if all of a sudden one of
those guys falls to the 18, but it is up at what we call the top of the draft, early in
the draft. Pretty cool class of receivers. I'll let Sean fill in some nuance on
finding that player who might not be drafted as early, but still can come in and
contribute.”
McVay: “Incredibly deep, but here's what I think. I think (General Manager) Les
(Snead) said it perfectly earlier, there's a vision that you need to have for these
players because I think they feel that vision. They feel that collective buy-in, not
only from Les and his group but from our coaching staff, from the rest of the
organization where there's a real investment to bring stuff to life that maybe
they don't even see in themselves, but we do. And that's a powerful thing. I
think in a lot of instances there's a lot made of what a great job Les and his
group and working in coordination and collaboration with our coaching staff did
last year. What was a good reminder is a lot of those decisions were, hey,
these guys have to play because that's the situation that we're in and what a
great job they did, where sometimes we as coaches can get caught up. You
don't really trust a guy yet, but having the patience to allow them to work
through the inevitable growth that needs to exist and to occur. And so some of
those guys got afforded opportunities that maybe others wouldn't have in
previous years. What a cool reminder to use all seven years as learning
opportunities and even though we do have a little bit more draft capital earlier
on, there's going to be some big-time players in this draft that contribute in later
rounds. And, hey, how good of a job can we do identifying our kinds of guys
and the people that we have a vision for that's not exclusive to just getting
caught up in, all right, who are those top upper echelon guys? But there's a real
fit. There's a real buy-in. There's something that we really like and respect
about their game that fits into our ecosystem as Les would say. We're looking
forward to kind of letting that unfold. I will say too, it's a really cool reflection of
the amount of work that's been put in from Les, from his scouts, from their
collective. And then when we get our coaches a little bit added to the mix,
starting to dive in, it’s a really cool process, but there’s been a lot of work and
there’s a lot of trust on my end and our coaches’ end and Les and his group.”
(On if guys who play 7-on-7 all year round and if they fit the mold they’re
looking for due to more reps)
Snead: “I could get in trouble for this, but I'm old school so I'm a little less than
on the seven on seven in that I think there's an element, if you play too much
seven on seven, you engineered this let's call it skill without defenders who are
going to tackle. You could make it this false sense of confidence of what it's
really like to play football when you're in pads, right? You're not in pads so you
move better. You may run some routes into some zones that you would never
run into if you had pads on based on the angles the defender has to hit you. I
do think young kids growing up, unlike when I grew up where maybe football
season was football, and then if you could dribble a basketball, maybe go play
basketball, then you play baseball. You are getting a lot of kids now who can
basically run routes pretty much year-round.”
(On if the qualities of OL Steve Avila, OLB Byron Young, NT Kobie Turner,
and WR Puka Nacua can be seen in other players in this year's class)
Snead: “We try to research that as best we can before they get here. I've since
termed it between last year and now, kind of a north star…I call it in honor of
(Former Rams DT) Aaron Donald when he said, ‘Hey, I'll play beside anyone as
long as they care.’ So we call it the “care factor”. It's really a lot of the person's
intangibles and how much of those intangibles lead to, or let's call it inspire,
ignite, whatever, the player to do things behaviorally that show that they care
about football. There's a lot of people in this building who care about football,
and we'd like to partner with them. We try to figure that out and it is really neat
because all of a sudden this is getting to a level of the video game that no one's
ever been to, right? For playing Miss Pacman, this is the top. So you can be
really good in college football, but you're never quite sure what happens when
you get to this environment because it is stressful, it's competitive, it's a fast
moving ecosystem. So we definitely try to vet it. And it's really cool to see that
when some of those players do… like wow, as Sean will say, they don't flinch
even though they maybe younger, less experienced. And I'm sure Sean can
elaborate too because it's interesting, we talk a lot of times in the draft that
once we draft them, Sean and his staff will pretty much spend a lot of time with
each of those players, a lot more time than I will ever spend over the next four
years once they do become a Ram.”
McVay: “I think it's part of some of the experiences that people have been
through give you a better opportunity to project it. But the vetting, the feel for
the human, I think there's some intuition. The love for the game, the
understanding that a lot of these things are factors that can be controlled if you
do have the mental toughness, the growth mindset, the understanding of how
to apply it and be in atmospheres and environments where it's rewarded, it's
continuously revisited. I speak on a lot of that stuff because I can speak from
times when it's been good and times when it's been bad for myself included.
That has become an incredibly important thing that we try to identify, whether
that be for anybody we onboard, coaches, players, new staff members,
because I'm such a believer and you become the company you keep when you
have like-minded people around that still have their own personalities that make
the whole special, there's just a better way about navigating through the
inevitable ebbs and flows that occur. And those people that can stay steady,
that can really understand that these setbacks, these are events. They're not
identities, but they understand that the process is so important and that's really
what keeps resilient approach. And Les talked about it… I've been around a lot
of guys that do it, but I haven't been around anybody that does it more in terms
of Aaron Donald epitomizing… you guys hear us talk about this growth mindset,
the work works, understanding that when we do have setbacks, those are truly
opportunities for growth to really occur. And now what helps us get back on
track? Going back to work, putting the time, the effort, the dedication in. Those
are just things that you do that's not your whole identity.”
(On how important it would be to draft a defensive lineman that can play
immediately)
Snead: “It would definitely be a net positive for the Rams.”
(On the transition of learning scouting language as a head coach as
opposed to a position coach and getting used to Snead’s scouting
language)
McVay: “Where do you want me to start there? Here's the best part about Les
and I's relationship…”
Snead: “Nothing to add Sean. Nothing to add.”
McVay: Yeah, that's what you want. I think the best part about it is there was an
immediate rapport with the way that we saw the game going back to even just
the interview. It was obviously great with (Rams COO ) Kevin (Demoff) and
(Vice President Football and Business Administration) Tony (Pastoors), but Les
and I, the way that we saw the game was through a very similar lens. I respect
so much the amount of work and film study and the way that he tries to
understand the game from an all 22 lens. And then, okay, what does that mean
for how we want to fit them in schematically? He's done an incredible job
because of our relationship of really the amount of work that he does. But
'podding' guys within the framework of needs, but then also not over-drafting for
a need that is obvious from the outside view. He's done a great job. There's a
lot of trust that exists that doesn't make me feel like I have to do anything other
than be on the same page. I'm not going to have the amount of time that he
and his group do and that's part of trusting the people that you're doing it with.
But I think when you look back on seven years, number one, there's an ability
for us to be real honest with each other because we have a real relationship
that can withstand good conversations that need to exist with anybody you
have a real relationship with to try to figure out what's best for the collective?
What's best for our football team, which we have never had any discrepancies
on those types of things. And then being able to make sure that there's a
respect for the other work that's been done, whether that be by his group or the
coaches, and that inclusivity where everybody understands they're a part of it.
And even if we might not draft a certain guy from a position of need, everybody
understands the why behind it, but it's been so smooth and seamless, and I
think it's only gotten better. I think that's one of the things that I know I can just
speak for how much I appreciate our relationship, but I'm really proud that it's
only gotten better as we're going into year eight now and that's something that I
certainly don't take for granted. And I think the more that you have a little bit of
a better understanding of how this works, you really cherish it.”
(On if they look at continuity having worked together for so long)
McVay: “Yeah, our relationship has only gotten better from my vantage point.
Now he might say, I don't like him as much as I liked him year one, but I sure
like him a hell of a lot more every single year.”
Snead “I concur. I intentionally was silent just for a couple seconds to get
everyone thinking. On the relationship part, I would call Sean a really good
friend before a partner at work, per se. Definitely a really, really good friend. We
see the game very similarly and we care about the game very similarly so it
definitely, definitely works.”
(On how they feel about picking at 19)
Snead: “It's probably a good metaphor for life. There's this element, you have
this piece of real estate at 19 and there's a few pieces of real estate that may
be a little less than 19 or earlier and you're like, ooh, kind of envious of those or
that. Then there's that element of, wow, if this could happen at 19, this would
be a good net positive for the Rams. And then there's always the let's move
back. Maybe at that point in time, if I'm going to continue the real estate
metaphor per se, maybe you get a chance to buy more pieces of real estate
versus just one and that would be one of the reasons why you would move
back. A strategic advantage you're thinking you can get someone that you like
a little later and also add another pick. I think that's really the reality of 19.
(Reporter) Gary, you've had your hand raised forever and you've been the one
to ask consistently, are we moving up or staying back? And you really don't
know. But I can honestly say that all three of those options are probably as real
as it can get in a reality for sure. And we're going to explore all three. Staying
pat is one that you control, but you definitely do not control who falls. If you're
going to move up, that's a proactive attempt to strike from a distance per se,
maybe get an explosive play in the football world, and we'll see what happens
and see if we move back or stay pat..”
(On if it has been frustrating not having a first-round pick during his head
coaching tenure with the Rams and if he's excited to have one this year)
McVay: “Zero frustration because all of those decisions have been with guys
that we thought made tremendous impacts. We moved back out of the first
round our second year when we did actually have a first-round pick. It's
exciting. I think like what Les talked about, it really hasn't been as different as
maybe you guys think because you always have to play the contingency plans
whether it's a move back or a move up. There were guys last year, like I told
you guys after we were fortunate to come away with Steve. There were players
we had identified, Les and his group and us, that we wanted to move up for,
and we made some calls to see if that could happen. So there was a good
amount of work done on those players that are projected in the top half of the
first round or the top skill players or top at whatever position it might be. I'm
excited about adding players that are our kinds of guys that we do have a vision
for and then really going to work with them. There's definitely a lot of good
possibilities. There's a lot of contingency plans. If you said, are there certain
things that I think we would all say that's a win-win if it comes out that way? Hell
yeah. But that doesn't mean we're not going to feel good about other scenarios
because sometimes when you look back on it, those things that don't work out
maybe the way you want them to end up being the biggest blessings in
disguise if you just make the most of whatever circumstance and situation that
you have.”
(On if he feels any pressure about having a first-round pick and how that
will be evaluated)
McVay: “What the hell kind of question is that? (laughs). Pressure is when you
guys tell us that we're all in every year, huh? (laughs). No. No pressure, just a
great opportunity to add a quality player that hopefully makes an impact. That is
if we do pick in the first round.”
(On how they would respond to the perception that the team won’t let an
opportunity to draft an impact offensive player get by)
McVay: “Why the hell did (Fox Sports and NFL Network Analyst ) Peter
Schrager put that out there? (laughs). Here's what I would say, that is not an
accurate assumption. Now are you saying that I get excited about an offensive
player? Yeah, but I get damn sure excited about a defensive player too
(laughs).”
Snead: “You know what? Going back to (Scouting Consultant) JW Jordan, he
would definitely say, ‘Nothing to add,’ but there's times he would add that
people who score touchdowns are important in this league so just keep that in
mind. And I think I've even said is as we've gone through this together that
Thursday night, whether you pick an offensive player or a defensive player, the
vision is to be a net positive for the Rams, not necessarily looking at it from one
side of the ball, right? Both sides complement each other and work together.
The Rams either win or lose on Sundays. It's never a the offense tied, the
defense won, and special teams lost per se. It all compounds to one victory or a
loss.”
(On if he can share some of the texts sent from McVay)
Snead: “You know what? That was just a joke.”
McVay: “You know the answer to that question, hell no (laughs).”
(On how QB Stetson Bennett has been doing in OTAs so far and if having
QBs Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Bennett on the roster right
now precludes them from picking a quarterback in the draft)
Snead: “I was going to say, y’all know my relationship with (NFL Draft Prospect)
Bo Nix’s father, it’s been well reported this week.”
McVay: “I think you leave all options on the table. Stetson's been here. We're in
phase one. It's been just meetings and then lifting so our ability to get out on
the field with the players hasn't existed yet. That's the thing that's the most fun.
But he’s done a great job being engaged in the meetings. We've had a lot of
individual meetings up to this point. I know (Quarterbacks Coach) Dave Ragone
has really enjoyed his interaction with him throughout the first six days, if you
will, with Monday through Thursday last week, and then now being through two
days this week and so it's been good. I mean, he looks good. He's had a good
look in his eyes. He’s been attentive in the meetings and then I'm looking
forward to next week to being able to get out on the grass with all of our players
and Stetson being one of them.”
(On confirming there’s nothing that would preclude them from taking a
quarterback)
Snead: “You're getting close to asking about that depth chart, it seems like that
would be counterintuitive. It wasn't a joke. Bo's father and I were once
teammates at Auburn and as it was reported, I was maybe a graduate assistant
when (NFL Draft Prospect Bo Nix’s Father) Patrick (Nix) was the full-time
starter. But I do know this, Patrick Nix did come off the bench. What a play.
We're on probation, it's the last game of the season. We're losing to Alabama.
It's fourth-and-10. Now, I'm not sure (Former Auburn Head Coach) Terry
Bowden really…some people said, ‘Did he really know it was fourth-and-10?’
But he was saying we were in no man's land. We're probably on about their 38-
yard line. Patrick Nix’s first pass of the ‘93 season was basically a go ball to
(Former Auburn WR) Frank Sanders to take the lead and the momentum in the
Auburn-Alabama rivalry. And we finished the season 11-0 on probation, so we
didn't have to go probably get beat by Florida in the SEC championship. We
can live forever undefeated.”
(On how they gauge when a draft has been successful and what
determines a prospect fitting into the Rams culture)
McVay: “I think the success of the draft is definitely after the fact. You have
goals and people that you identify that you want to come away with so I
certainly think you can feel really good about the direction, but the work begins
right after they get drafted, pouring into these guys. We felt like it was a
successful draft based on our projections last year, but I would be willing to bet
if you went and looked back at the post-weekend draft grades, they're very
different than they are now when you actually have tangible evidence to apply
on how those guys do in the NFL. I think it’s best served after the fact, but there
are guys that you identify and you feel good about it. And certainly, last year
represented that and a lot of years have. As far as the guys that fit, I think Les
talked about it earlier. People that love football, that have a resilience, a mental
toughness, a growth mindset, an ability to be able to handle the ebbs and flows,
but high-character people that have humility, the right kind of energy,
accountability, build it, pour into relationships, and have that mental toughness.
Those are the things that we're really looking for in people that we want to
onboard, not exclusive to players.”
Snead: “I have something to add and it would really be nothing, but on cue
what a lot of people talk about in this, but Sean and I get a chance to come chat
with y'all but there are a lot of people involved in this process that have done a
lot of work in personnel. Starting with personnel, then flowing over to coaching
as the season ends and you get into the, if you call it the offseason portion of
the draft. They often don't get a chance to get up here maybe and y'all see
them, but they've spent basically… their lives’ mission for the last 365 days
trying to figure out how to help us, Sean and I, eventually make a decision on
who we want to onboard as a Ram moving forward. Couldn't do it without them,
for sure. If we didn't have them, I know this, (LA Times Reporter) Gary (Klein)
would definitely feel the pressure, be a little nervous, hands a little sweaty
picking at 19 but because of their work, we're just ready for the opportunity, as
Sean said.”
--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
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2024 12:38PM by Ramsdude.
and Head Coach Sean McVay - Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Rams General Manager Les Snead & Head Coach Sean McVay
(Opening remarks)
Snead: “I know we're going to talk about the draft, but I was going to start…a
former player of ours, a great legend in the game, Roman Gabriel did pass
away this week. Will let his family know that we're thinking of him, his legacy,
the impact he had in Los Angeles, not just in football, but just in life. Obviously,
definitely a very fruitful life. We’re going to miss Roman and we’re celebrating
that as we speak.”
(On NT Kobie Turner’s versatility and how that will impact looking at
replacements for former DT Aaron Donald in the Draft)
Snead: “It’ll be interesting. I can let Sean discuss on the let's call it the nuances
of versatility amongst being in a three-four base front, whether you're a nose
tackle, ‘four-I’, three-technique. I think big picture, probably, as we've said, I'll
continue saying it, whatever we do in this draft, whoever we draft, it's probably
pretty hard to say you're replacing Aaron Donald. But again, I know Sean and
his staff are trying to figure out how to still be a very impactful, frustrating
defense to play against in ways other than just finding another Aaron Donald...”
McVay: “I think the best part about it is Kobie knows we just want Kobie to be
Kobie. And he does have some position flex across the front, whether we're in
three-down spacing or whether we're in some of our four-down nickel, sub
spacing. He can play in a bunch of different areas. That does give us some
flexibility relative to the different types of players that we like if maybe they're a
little bit more specific in terms of where we envision them so that's a real
blessing for us. He's come in here. He’s done a great job. You can see he has
already got a really great rapport with (Defensive Line Coach) Giff Smith. We
still have (Assistant Defensive Line Coach) AC Carter here who will do an
awesome job continuing to help with that defensive line. Kobie Turner is a
special human being that understands that the work works. I'm excited about
him continuing to naturally just progress and enjoy every day and just stack
good days. We are very fortunate to have him. Aaron Donald will never be
replaced. We love him. We know that and we just want the guys to be the best
versions of themselves.”
(On what he hopes WR Puka Nacua takes away from offseason training
with WR Cooper Kupp)
McVay: “Yeah, I think the best part is that they're positively pouring into one
another. There's been a consistent humility throughout the course of Cooper's
career. Puka has a natural humility as well, but I think just continuing to
understand that, hey, this is a blessing. Let's just continue to go to work. Let's
understand this work works. I think as important as anything is Cooper's feeling
good. Sometimes there are things you can't control and that you can control
and Cooper's feeling good. He's able to go through a rhythm and routine that's
a little bit more consistent than with what he's had in previous years. To be able
to set and develop that foundation and to be able to put his arm around Puka
and have somebody like Cooper is a real blessing. Those guys, they've got a
really cool relationship and you can just see the respect and admiration that
Puka has for Cooper, but also Cooper for Puka and that's what we want here,
guys pouring into each other so it's been great.”
(On how the pre-draft process is different this year with a first-round pick
versus other years)
Snead: “It’s probably common sense… it’s really probably spending more
intimate, more intentional time with a certain subset of players. Even in years
past, even if you set aside a subset and say, we probably should spend less
time with these players if one of them did slip to within striking distance if we
weren’t picking in the first, you have Friday morning until probably 4 p.m. PST
to maybe let's call it, be a little more intentional about, wait a minute, we weren't
expecting this to occur. Let's now fast forward it. Let's cram for the exam, but
that's really it. I think the interesting thing about the first round is a lot of those
players that get picked in the first round are for the most part good football
players, probably very good college football players. And the key with what
we're trying to do now is within the nuance of our scheme, our needs, who fits
us and who really doesn't. Sometimes the hard part about the first round is who
not to pick, not necessarily who to pick, and actually also who's available when
you do pick.”
(On holding a potential Thursday night pick and what that means in terms
of filling roster needs)
Snead: “It definitely allows us to, let's call it add a Thursday night-caliber player
to address one of those needs. Then sometimes I like to call it, you're not just
filling the need, you're actually adding a human being that's going to make a
significant or hopefully… and your vision is to make a significant impact to our
collective.”
(On how they balance picking a player who will have an immediate impact
versus a player who can make an impact in the future)
Snead: “I think it's case-by-case, right? I think in this as we mentioned, a lot of
those variables, that nuance of who to pick, who not to pick, right? Obviously,
there’s need and a lot of times, you want to make sure you fill a need. You hear
the word reach a lot. I think reach usually means you reach because you have
a need, you actually fill a spot but a year from now, do you still have a need?
You have to ask yourself and that question. It’s subjective. It's case-by-case.
We want to be successful. we want to be the best football (team) we can be in
2024. It’s what’s Sean, his staff's vision for that player in ‘24? What is it moving
forward? Things like that. It's all nuance. It's all case-by-case and that's what
you work through.”
McVay: “No, that’s a perfect answer. Nothing to add. (Rams scout) JW Jordan,
nothing to add.”
Snead: “I should explain that right? In draft meetings, we had somebody who
still consults with us, JW Jordan, and he was really, really good. In draft
meetings, you get everyone together. We know we like to talk. We like to talk
about how we like this player, don't like that player, the superpowers, the
kryptonite’s, and you go around the room and you're about 10 deep in
discussing a player. You might ask JW Jordan if he had anything to add and
he'd go, ‘Nothing to add.’ As Sean will say, most people will say, ‘Nothing to
add,’ and then spend about the next two minutes adding…”
McVay: “Yes, he's the first person I've ever seen do that. ‘You got anything to
add? No,’ and then they say so much. I'm guilty of that as well. JW taught me, if
you say nothing to add, that means you have nothing to add…”
Snead: “Somehow, I added to that, Sean…”
McVay: “It was well said.”
(On how many first-round grades he has in this draft)
Snead: “We don't grade by round. We really, if I kept it simple…I'll say this, we
have a depth chart and what's the vision for the player, right? Early, but really,
you're like, hey, what do you think this player is going to be when he gets to the
NFL, when he gets settled, when we develop him? Where does he fit on the
depth chart? And at that point, you make your decisions.”
(On their evaluation of the 2024 wide receiver class and why they have
been successful finding productive receivers through the draft)
Snead: “I'll open quickly, let Sean fill in some nuance. I can say it's interesting.
We’re picking (at) 19 but when you don't have a first rounder, I can say there
are some wide receivers that we kind of put in this pod that they're probably not
getting to 19. We may have a little less time to react if all of a sudden one of
those guys falls to the 18, but it is up at what we call the top of the draft, early in
the draft. Pretty cool class of receivers. I'll let Sean fill in some nuance on
finding that player who might not be drafted as early, but still can come in and
contribute.”
McVay: “Incredibly deep, but here's what I think. I think (General Manager) Les
(Snead) said it perfectly earlier, there's a vision that you need to have for these
players because I think they feel that vision. They feel that collective buy-in, not
only from Les and his group but from our coaching staff, from the rest of the
organization where there's a real investment to bring stuff to life that maybe
they don't even see in themselves, but we do. And that's a powerful thing. I
think in a lot of instances there's a lot made of what a great job Les and his
group and working in coordination and collaboration with our coaching staff did
last year. What was a good reminder is a lot of those decisions were, hey,
these guys have to play because that's the situation that we're in and what a
great job they did, where sometimes we as coaches can get caught up. You
don't really trust a guy yet, but having the patience to allow them to work
through the inevitable growth that needs to exist and to occur. And so some of
those guys got afforded opportunities that maybe others wouldn't have in
previous years. What a cool reminder to use all seven years as learning
opportunities and even though we do have a little bit more draft capital earlier
on, there's going to be some big-time players in this draft that contribute in later
rounds. And, hey, how good of a job can we do identifying our kinds of guys
and the people that we have a vision for that's not exclusive to just getting
caught up in, all right, who are those top upper echelon guys? But there's a real
fit. There's a real buy-in. There's something that we really like and respect
about their game that fits into our ecosystem as Les would say. We're looking
forward to kind of letting that unfold. I will say too, it's a really cool reflection of
the amount of work that's been put in from Les, from his scouts, from their
collective. And then when we get our coaches a little bit added to the mix,
starting to dive in, it’s a really cool process, but there’s been a lot of work and
there’s a lot of trust on my end and our coaches’ end and Les and his group.”
(On if guys who play 7-on-7 all year round and if they fit the mold they’re
looking for due to more reps)
Snead: “I could get in trouble for this, but I'm old school so I'm a little less than
on the seven on seven in that I think there's an element, if you play too much
seven on seven, you engineered this let's call it skill without defenders who are
going to tackle. You could make it this false sense of confidence of what it's
really like to play football when you're in pads, right? You're not in pads so you
move better. You may run some routes into some zones that you would never
run into if you had pads on based on the angles the defender has to hit you. I
do think young kids growing up, unlike when I grew up where maybe football
season was football, and then if you could dribble a basketball, maybe go play
basketball, then you play baseball. You are getting a lot of kids now who can
basically run routes pretty much year-round.”
(On if the qualities of OL Steve Avila, OLB Byron Young, NT Kobie Turner,
and WR Puka Nacua can be seen in other players in this year's class)
Snead: “We try to research that as best we can before they get here. I've since
termed it between last year and now, kind of a north star…I call it in honor of
(Former Rams DT) Aaron Donald when he said, ‘Hey, I'll play beside anyone as
long as they care.’ So we call it the “care factor”. It's really a lot of the person's
intangibles and how much of those intangibles lead to, or let's call it inspire,
ignite, whatever, the player to do things behaviorally that show that they care
about football. There's a lot of people in this building who care about football,
and we'd like to partner with them. We try to figure that out and it is really neat
because all of a sudden this is getting to a level of the video game that no one's
ever been to, right? For playing Miss Pacman, this is the top. So you can be
really good in college football, but you're never quite sure what happens when
you get to this environment because it is stressful, it's competitive, it's a fast
moving ecosystem. So we definitely try to vet it. And it's really cool to see that
when some of those players do… like wow, as Sean will say, they don't flinch
even though they maybe younger, less experienced. And I'm sure Sean can
elaborate too because it's interesting, we talk a lot of times in the draft that
once we draft them, Sean and his staff will pretty much spend a lot of time with
each of those players, a lot more time than I will ever spend over the next four
years once they do become a Ram.”
McVay: “I think it's part of some of the experiences that people have been
through give you a better opportunity to project it. But the vetting, the feel for
the human, I think there's some intuition. The love for the game, the
understanding that a lot of these things are factors that can be controlled if you
do have the mental toughness, the growth mindset, the understanding of how
to apply it and be in atmospheres and environments where it's rewarded, it's
continuously revisited. I speak on a lot of that stuff because I can speak from
times when it's been good and times when it's been bad for myself included.
That has become an incredibly important thing that we try to identify, whether
that be for anybody we onboard, coaches, players, new staff members,
because I'm such a believer and you become the company you keep when you
have like-minded people around that still have their own personalities that make
the whole special, there's just a better way about navigating through the
inevitable ebbs and flows that occur. And those people that can stay steady,
that can really understand that these setbacks, these are events. They're not
identities, but they understand that the process is so important and that's really
what keeps resilient approach. And Les talked about it… I've been around a lot
of guys that do it, but I haven't been around anybody that does it more in terms
of Aaron Donald epitomizing… you guys hear us talk about this growth mindset,
the work works, understanding that when we do have setbacks, those are truly
opportunities for growth to really occur. And now what helps us get back on
track? Going back to work, putting the time, the effort, the dedication in. Those
are just things that you do that's not your whole identity.”
(On how important it would be to draft a defensive lineman that can play
immediately)
Snead: “It would definitely be a net positive for the Rams.”
(On the transition of learning scouting language as a head coach as
opposed to a position coach and getting used to Snead’s scouting
language)
McVay: “Where do you want me to start there? Here's the best part about Les
and I's relationship…”
Snead: “Nothing to add Sean. Nothing to add.”
McVay: Yeah, that's what you want. I think the best part about it is there was an
immediate rapport with the way that we saw the game going back to even just
the interview. It was obviously great with (Rams COO ) Kevin (Demoff) and
(Vice President Football and Business Administration) Tony (Pastoors), but Les
and I, the way that we saw the game was through a very similar lens. I respect
so much the amount of work and film study and the way that he tries to
understand the game from an all 22 lens. And then, okay, what does that mean
for how we want to fit them in schematically? He's done an incredible job
because of our relationship of really the amount of work that he does. But
'podding' guys within the framework of needs, but then also not over-drafting for
a need that is obvious from the outside view. He's done a great job. There's a
lot of trust that exists that doesn't make me feel like I have to do anything other
than be on the same page. I'm not going to have the amount of time that he
and his group do and that's part of trusting the people that you're doing it with.
But I think when you look back on seven years, number one, there's an ability
for us to be real honest with each other because we have a real relationship
that can withstand good conversations that need to exist with anybody you
have a real relationship with to try to figure out what's best for the collective?
What's best for our football team, which we have never had any discrepancies
on those types of things. And then being able to make sure that there's a
respect for the other work that's been done, whether that be by his group or the
coaches, and that inclusivity where everybody understands they're a part of it.
And even if we might not draft a certain guy from a position of need, everybody
understands the why behind it, but it's been so smooth and seamless, and I
think it's only gotten better. I think that's one of the things that I know I can just
speak for how much I appreciate our relationship, but I'm really proud that it's
only gotten better as we're going into year eight now and that's something that I
certainly don't take for granted. And I think the more that you have a little bit of
a better understanding of how this works, you really cherish it.”
(On if they look at continuity having worked together for so long)
McVay: “Yeah, our relationship has only gotten better from my vantage point.
Now he might say, I don't like him as much as I liked him year one, but I sure
like him a hell of a lot more every single year.”
Snead “I concur. I intentionally was silent just for a couple seconds to get
everyone thinking. On the relationship part, I would call Sean a really good
friend before a partner at work, per se. Definitely a really, really good friend. We
see the game very similarly and we care about the game very similarly so it
definitely, definitely works.”
(On how they feel about picking at 19)
Snead: “It's probably a good metaphor for life. There's this element, you have
this piece of real estate at 19 and there's a few pieces of real estate that may
be a little less than 19 or earlier and you're like, ooh, kind of envious of those or
that. Then there's that element of, wow, if this could happen at 19, this would
be a good net positive for the Rams. And then there's always the let's move
back. Maybe at that point in time, if I'm going to continue the real estate
metaphor per se, maybe you get a chance to buy more pieces of real estate
versus just one and that would be one of the reasons why you would move
back. A strategic advantage you're thinking you can get someone that you like
a little later and also add another pick. I think that's really the reality of 19.
(Reporter) Gary, you've had your hand raised forever and you've been the one
to ask consistently, are we moving up or staying back? And you really don't
know. But I can honestly say that all three of those options are probably as real
as it can get in a reality for sure. And we're going to explore all three. Staying
pat is one that you control, but you definitely do not control who falls. If you're
going to move up, that's a proactive attempt to strike from a distance per se,
maybe get an explosive play in the football world, and we'll see what happens
and see if we move back or stay pat..”
(On if it has been frustrating not having a first-round pick during his head
coaching tenure with the Rams and if he's excited to have one this year)
McVay: “Zero frustration because all of those decisions have been with guys
that we thought made tremendous impacts. We moved back out of the first
round our second year when we did actually have a first-round pick. It's
exciting. I think like what Les talked about, it really hasn't been as different as
maybe you guys think because you always have to play the contingency plans
whether it's a move back or a move up. There were guys last year, like I told
you guys after we were fortunate to come away with Steve. There were players
we had identified, Les and his group and us, that we wanted to move up for,
and we made some calls to see if that could happen. So there was a good
amount of work done on those players that are projected in the top half of the
first round or the top skill players or top at whatever position it might be. I'm
excited about adding players that are our kinds of guys that we do have a vision
for and then really going to work with them. There's definitely a lot of good
possibilities. There's a lot of contingency plans. If you said, are there certain
things that I think we would all say that's a win-win if it comes out that way? Hell
yeah. But that doesn't mean we're not going to feel good about other scenarios
because sometimes when you look back on it, those things that don't work out
maybe the way you want them to end up being the biggest blessings in
disguise if you just make the most of whatever circumstance and situation that
you have.”
(On if he feels any pressure about having a first-round pick and how that
will be evaluated)
McVay: “What the hell kind of question is that? (laughs). Pressure is when you
guys tell us that we're all in every year, huh? (laughs). No. No pressure, just a
great opportunity to add a quality player that hopefully makes an impact. That is
if we do pick in the first round.”
(On how they would respond to the perception that the team won’t let an
opportunity to draft an impact offensive player get by)
McVay: “Why the hell did (Fox Sports and NFL Network Analyst ) Peter
Schrager put that out there? (laughs). Here's what I would say, that is not an
accurate assumption. Now are you saying that I get excited about an offensive
player? Yeah, but I get damn sure excited about a defensive player too
(laughs).”
Snead: “You know what? Going back to (Scouting Consultant) JW Jordan, he
would definitely say, ‘Nothing to add,’ but there's times he would add that
people who score touchdowns are important in this league so just keep that in
mind. And I think I've even said is as we've gone through this together that
Thursday night, whether you pick an offensive player or a defensive player, the
vision is to be a net positive for the Rams, not necessarily looking at it from one
side of the ball, right? Both sides complement each other and work together.
The Rams either win or lose on Sundays. It's never a the offense tied, the
defense won, and special teams lost per se. It all compounds to one victory or a
loss.”
(On if he can share some of the texts sent from McVay)
Snead: “You know what? That was just a joke.”
McVay: “You know the answer to that question, hell no (laughs).”
(On how QB Stetson Bennett has been doing in OTAs so far and if having
QBs Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Bennett on the roster right
now precludes them from picking a quarterback in the draft)
Snead: “I was going to say, y’all know my relationship with (NFL Draft Prospect)
Bo Nix’s father, it’s been well reported this week.”
McVay: “I think you leave all options on the table. Stetson's been here. We're in
phase one. It's been just meetings and then lifting so our ability to get out on
the field with the players hasn't existed yet. That's the thing that's the most fun.
But he’s done a great job being engaged in the meetings. We've had a lot of
individual meetings up to this point. I know (Quarterbacks Coach) Dave Ragone
has really enjoyed his interaction with him throughout the first six days, if you
will, with Monday through Thursday last week, and then now being through two
days this week and so it's been good. I mean, he looks good. He's had a good
look in his eyes. He’s been attentive in the meetings and then I'm looking
forward to next week to being able to get out on the grass with all of our players
and Stetson being one of them.”
(On confirming there’s nothing that would preclude them from taking a
quarterback)
Snead: “You're getting close to asking about that depth chart, it seems like that
would be counterintuitive. It wasn't a joke. Bo's father and I were once
teammates at Auburn and as it was reported, I was maybe a graduate assistant
when (NFL Draft Prospect Bo Nix’s Father) Patrick (Nix) was the full-time
starter. But I do know this, Patrick Nix did come off the bench. What a play.
We're on probation, it's the last game of the season. We're losing to Alabama.
It's fourth-and-10. Now, I'm not sure (Former Auburn Head Coach) Terry
Bowden really…some people said, ‘Did he really know it was fourth-and-10?’
But he was saying we were in no man's land. We're probably on about their 38-
yard line. Patrick Nix’s first pass of the ‘93 season was basically a go ball to
(Former Auburn WR) Frank Sanders to take the lead and the momentum in the
Auburn-Alabama rivalry. And we finished the season 11-0 on probation, so we
didn't have to go probably get beat by Florida in the SEC championship. We
can live forever undefeated.”
(On how they gauge when a draft has been successful and what
determines a prospect fitting into the Rams culture)
McVay: “I think the success of the draft is definitely after the fact. You have
goals and people that you identify that you want to come away with so I
certainly think you can feel really good about the direction, but the work begins
right after they get drafted, pouring into these guys. We felt like it was a
successful draft based on our projections last year, but I would be willing to bet
if you went and looked back at the post-weekend draft grades, they're very
different than they are now when you actually have tangible evidence to apply
on how those guys do in the NFL. I think it’s best served after the fact, but there
are guys that you identify and you feel good about it. And certainly, last year
represented that and a lot of years have. As far as the guys that fit, I think Les
talked about it earlier. People that love football, that have a resilience, a mental
toughness, a growth mindset, an ability to be able to handle the ebbs and flows,
but high-character people that have humility, the right kind of energy,
accountability, build it, pour into relationships, and have that mental toughness.
Those are the things that we're really looking for in people that we want to
onboard, not exclusive to players.”
Snead: “I have something to add and it would really be nothing, but on cue
what a lot of people talk about in this, but Sean and I get a chance to come chat
with y'all but there are a lot of people involved in this process that have done a
lot of work in personnel. Starting with personnel, then flowing over to coaching
as the season ends and you get into the, if you call it the offseason portion of
the draft. They often don't get a chance to get up here maybe and y'all see
them, but they've spent basically… their lives’ mission for the last 365 days
trying to figure out how to help us, Sean and I, eventually make a decision on
who we want to onboard as a Ram moving forward. Couldn't do it without them,
for sure. If we didn't have them, I know this, (LA Times Reporter) Gary (Klein)
would definitely feel the pressure, be a little nervous, hands a little sweaty
picking at 19 but because of their work, we're just ready for the opportunity, as
Sean said.”
--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
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2024 12:38PM by Ramsdude.
| Subject | Author | Views | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ramsdude | 47 | April 24, 2024 12:38PM |
