TRANSCRIPTS – SEAN MCVAY, MATTHEW STAFFORD - THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025

LOS ANGELES RAMS TRANSCRIPTS – HEAD COACH
SEAN MCVAY, QUARTERBACK MATTHEW STAFFORD
- THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025

Head Coach Sean McVay

(Opening Statement)

"Obviously our thoughts and prayers are with everybody who has been affected by these fires.
It's one of those deals that almost doesn't feel real, but it certainly is real to the people that are
affected. Praying that as many people [as possible] are okay. You just see the amount of people
that are affected and it's one of those deals that gives you perspective. Hopefully, they get this
stuff under control. It's been a unique week. Unfortunately for us, there have been some people
who have been affected in regard to power outages and recommended evacuations. A couple of
our staff members did have their homes affected, but fortunately, to my knowledge nobody has
been injured. For that, we're grateful."

(On whether the fires have affected their preparation for the game and whether he
expects the game to be played at SoFi Stadium)

"I am expecting the game to be in SoFi. We're operating with the full expectation that that’s
where we're going to play. As far as how [preparation] has been affected and altered, I think you
acknowledge these things, but you also want to make sure that hey, how you can control
making sure that you're doing the right things is preparing accordingly while also being mindful
of this is bigger than football and if the people that you're directly involved with are affected,
making sure that you're tending to that first. You look at [Football Chief of Staff] Carter
Crutchfield, [Senior Director of Football Operations] Sophie Harlan, so many of our staff
members have done a great job, [Head of Football Affairs] Casey Africano of making sure that
they're connected with the players and staff members to take care of that first and then
ultimately, do a great job with our preparation so that we can play as well as possible on
Monday."

(On the factors that have gone into deciding whether or not to practice outside)

"Just air quality. That was the main thing. Because of where we're at and [Vice President of
Sports Health and Performance] Reggie Scott did a great job with Carter of being able to kind of
monitor that. There hasn't been anything that's going to put our players at risk, so we've been
able to operate as normal."

(On when he would like a decision to be made on where the game will be played on
Monday)

"Here's what I would say, it doesn't really matter. We'd like to be able to play the game at home
in front of our fans. That's the way that we're operating, but I can't control exactly when that final
decision will be made. I think the most important thing is let's hopefully get this situation that's
bigger than football under control as quickly as possible so that it gives us the best opportunity
to be in LA. If it's not in LA, then the game will still be played and we have to be able to get
ready to roll in the meantime."

(On whether the team feels a responsibility to "carry the flag" for the city)

"Well, you realize the perspective and you hate for situations like this to arise. There was
something similar that we've been a part of in 2018 with 'LA Together.' You talk about really what
sports represents is an opportunity for people to come together and provide a temporary sense
of relief from some of the things that they're going through. I am excited about the opportunity
for our team to go compete where people can be proud and have a team that represents a lot of
the things that are right about sports. I know we're going to prepare to the best of our ability to
do that."

(On the biggest factors that helped the team beat the Vikings earlier this season)

"You mentioned it, there are so many things that have taken place since then. It was two good
football teams going at it. They've certainly been great. They had gone on an incredibly long
winning streak if you will and then went against the number one seed for the NFC [First Playoff
Seed] last week. I think guys were able to make plays, guys were able to play within themselves
and that's usually what it comes down to. Every single game is its own separate entity. We have
to prepare to the best of our ability and go shoot our shot."

(On whether he’s been in contact with Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell or any of
their staff members who previously worked for the Rams about the circumstances
surrounding the game)

"I think they were more just checking to see... I talked to both him and [Vikings Offensive
Coordinator] Wes [Phillips]. They were just checking in to make sure that we’re okay. I think
when you see it, you realize the severity and the seriousness of it and you're not necessarily
aware of... alright, where are you in proximity to some of these different locations? It was more
just friends checking up, not necessarily worried about how that affects our game."

(On whether any players or staff members have been affected by the evacuation
mandates)

"There have been a few. It was recommended evacuation and then a couple of our staff
members, their places were affected."

(On whether air quality issues would lead to them practicing at a different location)

"Yeah, that's something that we've explored. I don't expect it to get to that just based on our
projections, but player’s health and safety are at the forefront of our concerns. If it got to that, we
would alter our practice plans and be able to utilize SoFi [Stadium]."

(On QB Matthew Stafford having one of his best games of the season against the Vikings
earlier this season and what it takes to get the best performance out of him)

"I think he's played so long that he does a great job of bringing his best in the most important
moments while just playing within himself. I thought he did a couple of things that were
unbelievable and then there were a couple of examples of being able to do a great job of
playing the quarterback position and distributing the football. When he ended up breaking a
couple of tackles and going off-schedule, those are always fun things. I think he's at his best
when he’s just in the moment and enjoying it. That's what I saw there and there’s been a lot of
examples of that. It's the greatest team sport that there is, but all we need is Matthew to just be
Matthew. That'll be all we need from him and that's what we're expecting."

(On whether he thinks back to the Super Bowl in 2021 which was the last playoff game
the Rams played at SoFi Stadium)

"Those were some great memories, being able to play three out of our four playoff games at
home, even though the Super Bowl was a neutral site or supposedly a neutral site, or
supposedly a neutral site. I hadn't thought about it until you mentioned it. Really, we're just
grateful to be at home and looking forward to a great home atmosphere."

(On what helped the team prepare for stopping the Vikings from generating pressure in
their matchup earlier this season)

"I think it goes back to our guys executing. This is a great defense. [Vikings Defensive
Coordinator] Coach [Brian] Flores does an excellent job of presenting a variety of issues. They
have great personnel on all three levels of the defense. They have versatile pieces that can
create a bunch of different issues for you and we're expecting their best. There’s a reason why
they have gotten all the accolades and recognition that they have defensively. This is what you
love. It's a great challenge. Whatever happened in that game has nothing to do with how we're
going to play on Monday. You use that as a learning opportunity, but you have to be ready to go
and be at your best in that three-hour window that we're allotted."

(On whether playoffs feel differently to him as a coach)

"The stakes are higher. I think you want to try to keep as much normalcy as possible while
embracing the opportunity that's been earned. I think the most important thing is... Hey, let's
enjoy it. Do the stakes rise and is the speed of play a little bit better? That'd be better for players
to be able to answer, but I know this. You try to be as consistent in your preparation [as
possible]. You try to continuously improve like we talk about with our guys and you say, 'Let's
enjoy it and embrace it. Let's go cut it loose.' That's exactly what I'm expecting from our group."

(On the conversations with the NFL about having enough law enforcement officers
required at the game in the midst of the fires)

"Just basically what you said, Commissioner [Roger] Goodell does a great job of understanding
the platform the NFL has while also understanding this is bigger than the game of football.
Without taking away from our ability to be able to get this situation under control and contained
with the people that are instrumental in doing that, that has been something [we've talked
about]. Now to say that I've been on the forefront of those conversations in regards to exactly
what the numbers are…but what you just said is exactly where their priorities are and that's why
you're hopeful and praying that... get this under control first and foremost for the safety and then
as a positive, that'll also enable us to be able to play here."

(On making the decision to spend more time around the players after the bye week and
why he felt that would help the team)

"That's a good question. I can't say that there was anything specific. Most importantly, it's
communicating with people, taking their feedback, and then sometimes it's just an intuition on
how you move and being consistent with that. Every single year is a new year. When you really
look at it, being fortunate enough to be in year eight, you're saying, 'Hey, how you moved in '17
and '18 might not necessarily be the best way to try to affect and influence positive change and
most importantly, connect with the guys. It's great to have much more space than our old place,
but I did like the natural collision hours that took place at our old facility. It's fun for me. You're
able to feel like you're more connected to the team, you're more connected to the coaching
staff, and I've really enjoyed that. Hopefully, everybody else has too."


QB Matthew Stafford

(On whether the fires have affected him and his family)

“We've lost power where I am for a couple days. At some point Tuesday or Wednesday, we
were trying to figure out what we were going to do. We've been lucky in that regard, that power
is the worst thing that has happened to us. It's a tough thing to watch on the news, to be around
and to see driving around. It's really sad to see what's going on. A bunch of people [are] doing
everything they possibly can to try to get things under control and get people back to normal as
quickly as possible. I’m thinking about and feeling for a bunch of people that have been affected
all across the city.”

(On how mentally challenging it is for him to see fires spreading across Los Angeles)

“Once we get in here, there's plenty of football to think about. Playing a really good opponent in
a postseason game, that'll get your attention really quickly. I know when guys leave here, there
are things that guys are having to figure out at home or go through and people to think about.
While we're here, it's full focus one hundred percent on the Vikings and the challenges that they
present but we’re also human beings and care for the people of our community.”

(On whether it would be a mental hurdle if the game gets moved to Arizona because they
earned home field advantage)

“We'd love to have the game here. I would love to have the game in SoFi. Hopefully, it works
out that way. I don't control the weather patterns and all that kind of stuff. None of us do. The
one thing about this job and playing this sport is you get used to just controlling the things that
you can. When you can't control those things, you just adjust. We've a great group of coaches,
staff and players that no matter what happens [in the] situation or wherever we have to play this
thing, hopefully it's SoFi, we'll be ready to go.”

(On whether as a team they feel any responsibility to ‘carry the flag’ for the city during
this challenging week)

“Every time we suit up, we're the Los Angeles Rams. We play for the people in this community
and the people that support us. This week will be another example of that. I'm sure, hopefully,
it’s a great escape for people who have been going through a lot of tough times here in these
last couple days, really football all weekend. Two teams in LA are in the playoffs.”

(On whether he’ll look back to the first matchup against the Vikings to try and replicate it
or not)

“I think they're playing different ball. We're playing different ball. You kind of evolve as the
season goes on. If you look at the tape, certain things look similar and certain things look
different. I think the biggest thing is just personnel watching your guys go up against their guys
and how that looks. Scheme wise, I know there are going to be different wrinkles. [Defensive
Coordinator Brian Flores] ‘Flo’ has always had a bunch of different coverages, different
pressures and all those kinds of things that you have to get ready for to be able to adjust to on
the fly in the game. Just kind of go out there and try to do my best to make sure we're in a good
place.”

(On how he feels having extra rest time)

“I feel pretty good. It's late in the year so everybody's dealing with something. I feel pretty good,
rested, and ready to go.”

(On what he remembers about the first matchup and what they learned about themselves
as a team that helped get them here)

“It was a short week. That one happened fast and it was a good outcome for us. You look back
and there are still plays you'd like to have back or things you could have done better to help it
be more manageable or more in your favor, whatever you want to say. It was a good battle and
it's a really good football team. I think when you take that away, you go back and you watch that
tape, it was high-level football in a lot of areas. I'm expecting it to be something similar coming
Monday night.”

(On how much preparation he does and whether he leans on his preparation with his pre-
snap looks when diagnosing the defense)

“Yeah, that's a huge part of it. That's a huge part of it every single week. There are multiple in
their looks, both in the fronts and the coverages that they present. Personnel groupings or
whatever it is, they do a nice job of mixing it up and making the quarterback the center of the
whole team on offense to really be on the same page. They do a really nice job of not making
too many mistakes when it comes to busting a coverage or anything. They do a lot. You can tell
they're really well-coached. I have a lot of respect for them as a team, as a defense, and as a
playcaller.”

(On whether the winds affect the practices)

“I'm sure it'll be a little tougher to throw than if you were in a dome or something. Dating all the
way back to Cal Lu in ‘21 and all that kind of stuff…It’s been windy here since I've been here so
I'm used to it.

(On Head Coach Sean McVay spending less time in his office and more time around the
facility and what impact that’s had)

“You guys are around him sometimes too. You just know how infectious his energy is and how
much he loves this game and loves doing what he does and that's coaching and helping people
become better football players. The more of him we can get in all aspects of the team, the
better. I think he’s probably enjoyed that too rather than sitting in there and spending time by
himself. He’s done a really nice job of interacting with a bunch of guys on the team and I think
you've seen the results.”

(On what his wisdom of his experience and longevity in the NFL has brought him leading
up to this opportunity to play another playoff game)

“I think the biggest thing for me is to embrace these opportunities. I spent 12 years in Detroit
and went to the playoffs three different times. That's it. I've been lucky enough to go three out of
the four years that I've been here. I cherish those things. I cherish those opportunities because I
know how tough they are to get. Each season has its own story on how you get there. Some are
a little more smooth sailing than others. This one was a tough start. The way we battled back as
a team and as a group is something I'm really proud of. We put ourselves in position to be
where we want to be. You have to just take every opportunity you get in this league and run with
it.”

---

#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 01/10/2025 11:50AM by Ramsdude.