Presser transcripts - McVay and Stafford

Los Angeles Rams Transcripts - Head Coach Sean McVay,
QB Matthew Stafford - Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Head Coach Sean McVay

(Opening Statement)
“From an injury perspective, Kam Curl and Jordan Whittington will be limited. Joe
Noteboom will be full and [Neville] Gallimore at a little bit of a stinger. He will not
participate today as a result of that shoulder and neck. His status will be in doubt for this
game.”

(On whether he expects any changes to the injury status of Steve Avila, Jonah
Jackson and John Johnson III this week)
“Not this week. I don't expect any changes in their status, until I do.”

(On his opinion of Offensive Line Coach Ryan Wendell’s ability to get the offensive
line playing well)
“He's done a really good job. Obviously a really smart, conscientious player. He had a
chance to learn under [Bills Offensive Line Coach] Aaron Kromer, who has a history
here. We worked really well together and then you come here. Last year, I thought he did
a tremendous job and he’s got a great way with the guys to be able to communicate, to
connect with them and to be able to teach. He's got an incredible humility where he's
always learning and he's always asking questions, even though most of the questions he
knows what the answers are. He has a very strong opinion on what it should look like. I
think going into year two and experiencing a lot of adversity. It really started from the
very beginning of training camp. We had invested in a lot of guys. A lot of guys have
been out and we've navigated through as many, if not more, injuries than ever before at
this point in the season. I know ‘22 was unique, but I've been really impressed. He's just
very steady and he's even-keeled. I’ve really been impressed with the improvement of
some of the younger players and his ability to lean on those veteran players like Rob
Havenstein. You look at the development of how well Alaric Jackson has played, Kevin
Dotson in his second year with us, and then you see Beaux Limmer and Justin Dedich in
there and what those guys have done. A ton of credit goes to ‘Wendy’ on that and also
[Assistant Offensive Line Coach] Zak Kromer and [Coaching Consultant] Mike Munchak.”

(On WR Demarcus Robinson getting more opportunities with WRs Cooper Kupp
and Puka Nacua back on the field)
“He's always been a really good player. I thought what he did a great job of is… I was
really just as impressed with the two catches that everybody sees that go for touchdowns
and what he did without the ball. I thought he competed well without the ball. I thought he
was working good edges when he was running routes and the ball didn't go his way. I
think we saw that emergence from Demarcus last year. I would say Cleveland was the
game where he really made his presence felt and he's had a lot of positive momentum
since then. He's become a guy that Matthew [Stafford] and him have a really huge
amount of trust with one another. I do think that when you can get guys settled into spots
that they're comfortable with, that's where they thrive. When you bring two guys back
and he's in more consistent positions than what he's accustomed to, I don't think it's by
coincidence but it's also a credit to his work and his ability to just continue to stay the
course. He’s on the backside of one of those progressions and does a great job of
understanding the timing and rhythm. We were running a concept there where he does a
great job winning on his release, the ball gets up and down, gets the ‘PI’ [pass
interference] and still is able to finish. He had a pretty cool celebration. I don't know what
the heck was going on right there, but he was excited and so were his teammates.”

(On how dynamic the offense can be and alleviating some of the pressure when he
has healthy receivers available)
“Well, anytime that you get those guys back it's a big deal. Obviously, Puka and Cooper
are outstanding players, but it enables other guys to be able to be at their best in their
roles that they're playing. Maybe you're not being asked to play 60 snaps, but if you're
playing 30 to 40 and what that does. Those guys, they're tremendous players so they
make us a lot better. They take a lot of stress off. I want to say Puka had a bunch of
yards after the catch, a couple screens and then one on the in cut that he caught. He
does a great job. Cooper, it was a big third down catch that he ended up making to
extend a drive to be able to continue to run off some different clock. That was a trust
throw between him and Matthew. I think everybody was elevated by those guys being
available and we want to continue to go in that direction.”

(On Nacua’s pregame routine and how he navigates that with the coaches)
“[Wide Receivers Coach Eric Yarber] ‘Yarbs’ does a good job. I try not to get too
immersed in the warmups. My involvement in the warmups is making sure that we set
the tempo for what it looks like with all the new assistants that it seems like we have
every year. I come out a little bit later. There's something different… He's settled into a
more consistent routine. It was funny because [Offensive Assistant/Pass Game
Specialist] Nate Scheelhaase was made aware and you're saying, ‘Where's Puka?’ You
look behind the goal post and you say, ‘Alright, that's where he is.’ ‘Yarbs’ had kind of
already given him the heads up just hey, let him go to whatever that dark place is and
you leave him alone. He’ll be ready to go by the time the ball kicks off.”

(On the success of the team’s ‘next man up’ mentality and being one spot out of
first place in the division)
“There’s a lot of football left. What I've been proud of is the way that we've navigated
through a lot of different things in seven weeks and obviously, we had a slow start.
We’ve got some positive momentum that the guys have built up right now, but it's just
two games. You know that you're getting an incredibly hungry, disciplined and wellcoached team. A lot of players that we're very familiar with in a tough road atmosphere
so we have to have a great week of preparation. It is our eighth game and we're going to
do whatever we can to try to have a great week and then put together a good
performance on Sunday. I've been proud of the team's ability to be able to show some
resilience, to show some mental toughness, and to develop some depth that sometimes
is forced upon you. I think it's made guys better and it stretches you in ways that while
they might not be comfortable at the time, growth does occur. When you look back on it,
I think you can appreciate it a lot more than sometimes when you're in the midst of it.”

(On the decision to trade Seahawks' LB Ernest Jones earlier this season and how
that’s worked out)
“I think I've been pleased with some of the things that guys have done. It'd be hard to
deny the production that he's had when you look at what he's done at Tennessee and
even just in his first week there last week. He's a great player and he did a lot of good
things for us. I think all the decisions that we make in the moment we feel like are in the
best interest. I'm not going to pretend and act like every decision is accurate. You try to
be able to learn from it and apply it moving forward, but you know that you're playing
against a really well-respected player, mentally and physically tough. [It] seems like he's
always around the football. I wish him well and it's going to be a great challenge going
against him.”

(On whether it will be weird not playing against Former Head Coach Pete Carroll)
“He's a guy that I've always watched from afar and just had tremendous respect for the
way that he led. In a lot of ways, we tried to mimic and emulate a lot of the things that
they believed in terms of his culture, his consistent, authentic enthusiasm, the energy
that he brought and the competitive spirit, being at your best when your best is required.
It will be different. He’s a legend and he's a guy that I've looked up to for a long time.
There's a ton of respect that I have for [Seahawks Head Coach] Mike Macdonald. You
look at what he's done in a short amount of time in this league, made his impact and
earned the right to be a head coach. When you flip on their tape, you see his identity on
this football team. They've got some challenging things that they present on the offensive
side of the ball as well. It'll be different just because that's all you knew for the seven
years that I was here before this year going against Seattle and what they've been.
They’re a damn good football team and Mike Macdonald is a really good coach.”

(On what impresses him about OL Beaux Limmer and OL Justin Dedich)
“I think when you look at Beaux, he's thrust into a role that's really challenging. We ask a
lot of that center, especially as it relates to communication. In a lot of instances, we have
been in absence of our verbal communication. It's a lot of visual communication, it's
making sure that there's an understanding and working rapport with not only your
guards, but also with Matthew. [I’ve] been pleased with the improvement. I think he's
getting a better ownership of how that communication is so key and critical to provide
clarity for the players around him. I think he's physically shown a lot of improvement,
especially as it relates to pass protection. He’s young, strong, and he's got a really good
lower half strength where you can get vertical removal on some of the double teams. I
think he's shown improvement in protection. With Dedich, stepping in the last couple
games starting. He's a tough competitor. You could see he's got good instincts,
awareness, and understands how we anticipate movement when that picture changes in
front of you. I think he's been really productive in both phases, so I've been proud of
those guys.”

(On whether he's talked to Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts given they’ve had a
relationship for many years)
“Oh yeah. I tried to let the dust settle a couple days after they won the pennant. It seems
like our tenures have kind of coincided with one another. I got connected with him when I
first got out here through [Author] Jon Gordon. And Dave, similar to what I was saying
with Pete Carroll, you talk about all the right things, the way that he leads, what his team
stands for, the values and principles at which he leads and how he operates. I love Dave
Roberts. [I’m] really happy for the position that they're in. We texted back and forth
before they started this series. [I’m] looking forward to seeing if we can get one more and
go close it out, but really happy for Dave.”

(On his 80th win and what it means to be the franchise’s winningest head coach)
“It's special. It's special because you think about all the memories and all the people that
have been a part of that journey. Sometimes it seems like a long seven and a half years
and sometimes it seems like it's a short seven and a half years, but it's all a blessing. It’s
all about those relationships that are formed in the midst of that journey. I think about
how fortunate and blessed I've been with the many people that have put their arm
around me and helped me grow with the many players, coaches and staff members that
I've been around. Hopefully we'll continue to be able to add to that, but it was special.
For that to happen on my son's first birthday, that was the coolest and felt like a little god
wink right there for you. That was pretty special.”


QB Matthew Stafford
(On going into Week 9 knowing WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp will be playing
and participating in practice)
"It's good. As many reps as I can get with those guys, and really all of our guys that I can
get, the better. Like you said, we only had one kind of Friday-ish practice last week with
'Coop' getting some run there and Puka as well. The more reps, the better. Offense is so
much about timing, rhythm, anticipation, trust, and all those kinds of things and that's
built through time on the field in practice. The more of that we can get, the better."

(On whether it was scripted that they would throw another pass to Nacua after his
drop on the first play of the game)
"No, it's a little bit situation-dependent, to be honest with you. Had we completed the first
one, I bet you the second call is not that. I'm not going to get too far into it, but yes. The
way the first play ended, I was not ultimately surprised that we went right back to him
with a similar type of play."

(On the stadium noise and atmosphere in Seattle)
"What you like about it is that it is a challenge. It's difficult to go and communicate there.
Every time I've ever played there, it's been rocking and rolling and I expect it to be no
different this week. I'm hoping we're going to catch decent weather. It looks like we will.
It's another element sometimes at that place, but it's always a tough environment to go
play. You obviously have to go play their team but having to try to communicate in that
noise is definitely a challenge. It's something that we've been working on for a long time
and we'll continue to work on this week."

(On what stands out about Seattle's defense and how it compares to what
Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald was doing last season in Baltimore when
they played the Ravens)
"Like any good coach, I think he's trying to figure out what his guys do best. It's a
personnel-driven league. What do you have? Who can do what? Then you go try to build
that scheme around it. Are there some similarities? Yes. Is it the exact same? No, just
like you would expect. I think they have talented players really at all three levels again
and obviously, I'm familiar with some of their guys. It'll be a big challenge for us."

(On having most of their offensive skill position players healthy and whether it
makes his job easier)
"It's still a difficult game, but definitely those guys are talented players. 'Coop' and Puka
have done a lot of great things in this league and we're happy to have them, both
throwing the ball down the field but also their ability to create after the catch is really
valuable for us as well. Anytime you can have as many good players as you can possibly
have, the better."

(On what he notices about Nacua's pregame rituals)
"Sometimes I don't know where he’s at, to be honest with you. He takes like one patand-go maybe, sometimes he doesn't. I frankly don't know what he's doing but you know
what, when the ball is snapped, he's ready to rock and roll. I've played with enough guys
in this league that all do it very differently. Some guys are very regimented, other guys
are not. I just know that when the lights come on and the ball is snapped, his energy is
always high, his competes are always high and that helps us out."

(On the win against Minnesota on Thursday Night Football)
"I think it was a great team win, really. I thought our defense played fantastic against a
really talented group. I thought on special teams, when we needed to make plays we did.
Great punt there at the end of the game to keep them backed up and then our defense
closed it out. On offense, we just executed the plays that were called. We did enough
scoring to have the game in our hands at the end of it. That was a total team effort. It
was great complimentary football and we have to go out there and prove it every week
like we do. It was a nice win to get."

(On having a full week of practice compared to a short week like they did in Week 8)
" It's nice knowing that we have a Sunday game and knowing that we don't have one on
Thursday right after that. Hopefully, we can go out there and attack this day with a bunch
of competitiveness, passion, and get ready for another good game."

(On watching Nacua grow mentally and channel his emotions compared to his
rookie season)
"He had some issues last year missing some drives early. I don't know if you guys
remember that. He'd go score a touchdown on the first drive and then I think he'd be so
fired up that he'd be throwing up in the trash can and miss the second drive. That didn't
happen the other night, which is good. Hopefully, we can keep that streak going. He
loves the game, he loves being out there, he loves performing, playing hard, and doing
all that kind of stuff. We feed off that energy and it's great for us but at the same time, he
knows he has to be in there as many snaps as he can for us. We'll see if we can keep
that one going."

(On Nacua's blocking ability)
"Obviously, he had a big one on the fourth down play in the game, but there are plenty of
snaps that I think he, 'Coop'... [Demarcus Robinson] 'D-Rob' had a really nice game
blocking as well in the screen game and in the run game. Those guys on the perimeter,
it's a thankless thing to go out there and block in some of those situations. Sometimes
it's tough to block guys in space, but it's a 'want to' mentality and those guys have it. It
creates plays for all of us. It creates plays in the run game. Sometimes we have those
guys chipping on defensive ends, whatever it is. Those guys embrace the physicality and
the physical part of the game that makes us better."

(On OL Beaux Limmer's performance and making the correct calls at the line of
scrimmage)
"He's done a nice job. It's something we're in constant communication with. We try to
keep the plans concise, easy to digest, and understandable. Out there in the game, there
are times where he is taken over and going, which is great and sometimes we have a
little bit of dialogue up there and all of that's great. It's a team effort. Nobody's right,
wrong, different, we're just trying to be all on the same page. As long as we do that, we'll
be good. I thought he's done a hell of a job and the mental part of it aside. I think he's
playing physically really well as well."

(On whether it’s an advantage or disadvantage facing former Rams LB and current
Seahawks LB Ernest Jones IV and whether Rams OLB Jared Verse is as talkative
with him as he is to opponents)
"As far as Ernest goes, I couldn't say either. He's new in that system and he played a
bunch of snaps last week. I know who he is as a player, physically really talented,
mentally and emotionally, really gifted. I loved being a teammate with him and I have a
ton of respect for who he is as a person and as a player. I don't think there is any
disadvantage or advantage. I just know it's a challenge going against him after going
against him for years in practice. As far as Verse goes, when he first got here, he was
pretty chatty. He loves to compete, he's an aggressive dude. You come to understand
what it’s like to practice on the NFL football field with your teammates and then go save
all that energy up that he really wants to chirp at us in practice and go let it loose on
Sunday. I think he does a good job."

(On OL Justin Dedich and Beaux Limmer's chemistry, what he’s seen from them,
and his thoughts on the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series performance so far)
"First question, I think Beaux and Dedich are doing a really nice job, like I said earlier.
Two young guys who were forced into a role or given the opportunity and have done a
really nice job of executing at a high level which is a tough thing to do as a young player
in this league, especially up front. As far as baseball goes, obviously I'm pulling for the
Dodgers. It got a little out of hand late last night, but it was close there for a while.
Hopefully, they can get it done. I selfishly would like them to get it done here, but anytime
they get it done is alright with me."

(On whether he would tell his friend and Dodgers Pitcher Clayton Kershaw that
they should lose tonight in order to play at home again before the World Series is
over)
"Well, no I don't want them to lose, but if it happens to go another game, I'm cool with it."
--RAMS--
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