Head Coach Sean McVay – Rams-Eagles Postgame Availability – December 10, 2017

Head Coach Sean McVay – Rams-Eagles Postgame Availability – December 10, 2017


(Opening Remarks)

“Okay guys, tough football game, tough football game today. We played against an excellent opponent. They made more plays than we did in the end. Congratulations to (Eagles Head) Coach (Doug) Pederson and the Eagles, but it’s a great learning opportunity for us. There was a handful of things that took place in that game that we will learn from – we’ll learn from our mistakes, including me, starting with me. This week provides a great chance for us to respond quickly, go play a great divisional opponent in the Seattle Seahawks and try to see if we can find a way to gather ourselves together to learn from the mistakes and move forward accordingly. What this team has done week-in and week-out is we’ve responded the right way – I trust our guys will do that. There is going to be some things that we certainly can’t do if we’re going to win some football games going into the last quarter of the season, finishing up with these three games and it’s a great challenge with the Seahawks. From an injury standpoint, (T) Rob Havenstein got an ankle, don’t have any updates on him. (C Kayvon Webster, I think it’s already out there he did rupture his Achilles (tendon) – very unfortunate, Kayvon is a great competitor, we love Kayvon and what he’s meant to this football team and guys are going to need to step up in his absence. (T) Andrew Whitworth had his ankle, but he came back and then (C Trumaine Johnson will be in the concussion protocol and that’s where we’re at from an injury standpoint.”


(On learning some hard lessons today)

“Yeah, against a great team like that there is things that you can’t do. We cannot afford to beat ourselves, we’ve got to make sure that we always do a great job taking care of the football. I think when you look at that play right there, it was a great rush by (Eagles DE) Chris Long – certainly not a great play selection by me – I’ve got to do a better job of putting our offense in better situations, be smart, have a little bit of situational awareness there and that was a mistake on my part. But, when you look at it, we can’t afford to allow them to extend drives by things that we can control. I trust the football character of this team that those lessons that we’ll learn from this game will provide a great opportunity for us to move forward. Unfortunately, you do have to learn some lessons the hard way, myself included, most importantly starting with me and I can’t wait to watch the resolve of this team as we move forward into a great week for Seattle.”


(On what he feels like QB Jared Goff can learn from this game)

“I think every single week provides a great learning opportunity for him every single play. It was a great defense. (Eagles Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Jim) Schwartz did a good job of changing some things up. We didn’t get enough opportunities. We really only had – I want to say 45 snaps today, so it’s hard. We had really three possessions in the second half when you look at it, the two touchdown drives and then we end up turning it over on the second-down play and then really last deal where it’s kind of the last play, so four technically. But, we’ve got to do a better job early on of sustaining drives by converting on third downs. We had a couple third-and-manageables where they did a great job creating some pressure, the ball had to come out and these are all things that we can look at and clean up collectively as a unit.”


(On if he got any clarity on the CB Trumaine Johnson penalty and the leverage penalty on the field goal)

“Yeah, what they were saying is that we leapt on the leverage penalty and then they said that these guys had been talking, going back and forth and there had been some warnings going on and that was the decision that the side judge made and those are things that we have to respect and we have to handle the right way and I trust that we will as we move forward.”


(On what he thought about Eagles QB Carson Wentz)

“I think he’s a great competitor. I think when you just look at his ability to extend plays, the toughness, eyes down the field when things are there in rhythm, so you see why he’s had the season that he’s had. They were able to stay on the field – I want to say they almost had twice as many snaps, I think they had 85 snaps today and (Eagles QB Nick) Foles came in and did a nice job, it was a big third down that they hit to (Eagles WR Nelson) Agholor. They made the plays, hats off to them and Coach Pederson – they’re a very well coached team, complete in all three phases and it’s a great challenge for us as we move forward to try to see if we can go get our tenth win in Seattle.”


(On what the decision was like to play LB Alec Ogletree and how did he think Ogletree competed)

“It seemed like he did a nice job. He’s going to continue to compete. We made the decision that we felt like certainly he’s not at 100 percent, but Alec, with the way that he communicates, with the way that he leads, with the way that he’s able to pursue the football we felt like with where his elbow was at we’re going to further risk anymore injuries and he was going to be able to play at level that we felt like was going to be successful for our defense and he continued to compete until the end. Until you go back and look at the tape, it’s hard to truly say exactly, but he’s a great competitor and we’re fortunate to have Alec on our team.”


(On why Ogletree exited briefly)

“I’m not sure. There were a couple things. He might have had a little issue, there was a lot of different things that took place, but I’m not sure why he exited briefly.”


(On what happens with the secondary with Webster and Johnson going down)

“Guys will need to step up. We’ve got some depth at the corner spot – you look at (CBs) Troy Hill and Kevin Peterson had to step in, (D Blake Countess can do a little bit of both, but those are things that after we kind of have some finality in terms of what we’re going to do we’ll get a chance to gather ourselves as a staff tomorrow and have a little bit better direction moving forward.”


(On if the nature of the game was to stay aggressive on the play when Goff fumbled)

“Yeah, I think the one thing that we’re always going to be is we’re going to be aggressive and we want to be smart when we are aggressive and understanding the defense, some of the things that they’re presenting, provided being mindful of whatever the situation is – up one in that spot, Rob (Havenstein) had just gone out the previous play, so there were a lot of things. I don’t regret ever being aggressive, but being more situationally aware and how I can put our team in a better spot I would say is probably the more appropriate term and that’s something that I’ll learn from.”


(On if Goff has to do a better job of protecting the ball in that situation)

“I think they made the play. Until I go back and truly see the play and am able to really truly evaluate it where you’re not just seeing it in live action it’s always tough to say. But, anytime that plays like that are made, it’s also a credit to the defense being able to create that and there’s a situation where Chris Long, you guys are familiar with him ended up making a big rush and provided them with a huge play that ended up being the game winning type play.”


(On if there is any concern with the discipline of his team after so many penalties)

“Certainly. I will say this, it provides an opportunity for us to learn from. We can’t beat ourselves. We’ve got the right guys in that locker room from a football-character standpoint to take accountability for the things that we can control and this is coaches and players alike. But, what we’re not going to do is we’re not going to beat ourselves. Unfortunately, there were some instances today where we gave them some free first downs because of things that we can control and I trust our guys will respond the right way as we move forward.”


(On Eagles QB Nick Foles performance)

“I think you have a lot of respect for Nick Foles, he’s had a lot of success in this league. Certainly Carson is special for a reason, but I think it’s just he made a handful of plays at the end and they were able to pull it out and hats off to Nick right there.”


(On how he thinks Goff handled the pressure of the Eagles pass rush)

“They’re a great defense. I thought really, when you start out with the first drive, we’re able to get a scoring possession and then the first down play that comes out for a big run when they call the hold, now you’re playing behind the sticks and we just didn’t have a whole lot of opportunities. They’re a great defense for a reason – they’re great against the run, they’re great against the pass – it’s why they’re a top-tier unit. But, we competed, guys competed well – love to have had a couple more opportunities and certainly for me as a play caller I would have loved to have that first down call back where it ends up leading to the turnover there.”


(On the blocked punt for a touchdown)

“Huge momentum. You look at ‘Bones’ (Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel) and ‘Ty’ (Assistant Special Teams Coordinator Tyrone McKenzie) do a great job of scheming some things up, (WR) Mike Thomas ends up coming free and Blake Countess is able to deliver, finishing that play and that’s kind of the theme for the year when you look at the way the special teams has played and they gave us a chance to win the football game by being able to come away with a touchdown in that instance and that’s the third touchdown on special teams this year, which is a huge credit to for ‘Bones’ and that unit and that was a big play for us and unfortunately we weren’t able to capitalize and turn it into a winning-type play.”

 

QB Jared Goff – Rams-Eagles Post Game Availability – December 10, 2017



(On is this game was a hard lesson learned with the amount of penalties and turnovers)

“It was definitely a really tight one and one that was a lot of fun to be a part of. We would have liked to finish it a different way, but I think if we eliminate some of the stuff that we did that hurt us in the end there – it could be a different story. That Philadelphia team is really good. It’s a really good team and so are we and we knew it was going to be a dog fight and so did they. Four quarter game all the way to the end and hopefully bounce back next week and have a good one in Seattle.”



(On if he found out anything new about himself in today’s game)

“No, I don’t think so. I felt good the whole game. Thought we did a pretty good job scheming and game planning. Moved the ball around a little bit. We’d like to make a few more plays at the end there to win it, but ultimately we couldn’t.”



(On the play where Eagles DE Chris Long forced him to fumble)

“I probably just held on to it a little bit too long. Stepped in the pocket there and Chris Long came around and made a great play. Probably get rid of it a little earlier there and one thing that you can learn from for sure.”



(On Head Coach Sean McVay blaming himself for the forced fumble play by Eagles Long)

“He told me the same thing. He shouldn’t do that. He’s been doing a great job all year calling plays. Once the play comes in, it’s my job to execute it and fortunately we didn’t.”



(On if he has disappointed in the decision to punt the ball with two minutes left in the fourth quarter)

“No, that was the right move. That was for sure the right move. I think fourth-and-long there and you still have three timeouts, still got the two-minute warning – I completely agree with that move.”



(On what separates the two teams in the end)

“I think if we played them 10 times, it would be close every game. It comes down to, at the end of the game who makes the play and who doesn’t and who takes care of the ball and doesn’t have dumb penalties and stuff like that. That ends up being the difference in the game, and we did that and they didn’t. So, hats off to them. They’re a great team, really good team; complete team. That was a really good atmosphere out there today. It felt like a playoff game and one that we would’ve liked to win.”



(On if he got a chance to talk to Eagles QB Carson Wentz after the game)

“Not at afterwards, no.”



(On if this last stretch of games against competitive opponents has made him believe that the Rams can compete)

“Of course. I think anytime you get a chance to play the top teams, you get a chance to see where you’re at. We’ve had the Vikings and this one that were both close that we’d like to pull out. But, we did beat the Saints at home a couple of weeks ago and we’ve had a number of other good wins on that road and all over the place. So, no I think we’re in a great spot. Next week, we have another big on in Seattle. It’ll be a fun one and a good atmosphere I’m sure. We’re going to have to get ready for that one soon.”



(On the team not losing two in a row all year and the key to success to bouncing back)

“Got a short memory. Our whole team’s got a short memory. I think we understand as good as any team I the league that we can’t let a team beat us twice. As big as this game was and as many implications as there were, they played a great game. We played pretty well up until the end. Ultimately, next week, we got to come back and try to do that same thing and play a really good game and finish it off. So we know we can’t dwell on this at all.”



(On how he thinks he played)

“Okay. Anytime you don’t win, you’re never really satisfied, but there were some things I was happy with and plenty of things I would like to have back. I’d have to look at the film to give you a better answer, but there was a little bit of both.”



(On McVay talking about missed opportunities and if that’s his biggest takeaway as well)

“I think so, especially at the end there. I thought when we hit the punt play, get the touchdown, we had two good drives to start the half - two touchdown drives. Only had so many plays in the second half, they did a good job taking care of the ball on their side and running some clock. But, we started off the second half with two touchdowns and had two more possessions after that and didn’t score on those and that’s the difference. If we get a chance to score on those it’s probably be a different ball game.”



(On what he thinks the issue was with the offense)

“I don’t know. I don’t think there was an issue offensively. When you play a good team like that, they’re going to make plays too and you try to respond. It was a battle of a top offense and a top defense. Ultimately, they came out on top.”



(On the reports that Wentz may have a torn ACL and if that ends up being the case what is that like for him and for the league if he has to miss time)

“It’s terrible. I just heard that. I shot him a quick text, hoping for the best for him. It’s tough, especially a guy I’m close with, young guy. I hope that’s not the case. Praying for the best, but if there’s anyone that’ll bounce back it’ll be him. I think he can handle it.”



(On how challenging it was with the rotation of offensive linemen due to injuries)

“That’s part of the game. That happens every week across the league and guys have to step up and step in. I thought (T) Darrell (Williams) did a good job coming in on the left side at first and (T Andrew) Whitworth came back, and had to come in of the right side. It’s a tough position, being cold on the side lines and having to jump in like that, but thought he did a good job.”



(On if he felt good about the game when Wentz went out with an injury, due to the way Wentz was playing)

“No. There was a still a whole fourth quarter left and (Eagles Q Nick’s (Foles) no slouch himself. He’s played in the league for a long time and can do some things and clearly showed that tonight."



 

Rams RB Todd Gurley II – Rams-Eagles Postgame Media Availability – December 10, 2017



(On how he feels after the game)

“We lost that game. At the end of the day, we’ve got to do better – penalties, turnovers, fixing that so we can bounce back.”



(On if he feels confident that his team can play with or beat anybody in the NFC)

“It’s the NFL, man. Anybody can beat anybody no matter what team it is. We’ve just got to come in and be able to prepare, go out there and execute. The main thing is take care of the ball.”



(On his success running the ball)

“(Offensive Line) Coach (Aaron) Kromer, he does a great job every week of just coming in there. He’s putting in good schemes and he was able to do that. We know they like to rush the passer a lot and get up field. We were able to use that as an advantage. The big boys up front, they did good, (TE Tyler) Higbee. Everybody did good. We’ve just got to finish a little bit more.



 

Rams WR Cooper Kupp – Rams-Eagles Postgame Media Availability – December 10, 2017



(On his thoughts after a game where the team came up a bit short)

“Just a few plays on either side that, going one way or another, things we’ve got to clean up – things that we can execute better. Philly is a great team. Across the board they’ve got some really good football players. It was a lot of fun being able to go out and compete against them. We will get back and watch the film and learn from it. We expect to get a W.”



(On his connections with QB Jared Goff and his speed on the 66-yard reception)

“We’ll see it on the film. We’ll see it on the film what that looks like. I got a glimpse of it up on the jumbotron. I looked a little slow, I don’t know so we’ll see.”



(On his thoughts going into next week’s game at Seattle)

“It’s your divisional opponent, so it’s going to be a lot of fun heading up to their place. You have a lot of respect for them and the way they play the game. We’re excited about that. We’re excited to go prepare this week. Seven days from now we’ve got to be ready to go again.”



 

Rams CB Nickell Robey-Coleman – Rams-Eagles Postgame Availability – December 10, 2017



(On his thoughts CB Kayvon Webster’s injury)

“Kayvon is my guy. Kayvon and I go all the way back to high school. It means a lot to me that he’s hurt right now. I pray (for) nothing but the best for him, his recovery and his family.”



(On what he saw with Trumaine Johnson’s penalty)

“They weren’t even talking trash, they were just talking football and they threw the flag. I really don’t know exactly what went on in that conversation because I was far away.”



(On how good Wentz is and how the game changed when he went out)

“(Eagles Q Nick (Foles) went in and basically just put the icing on the cake for Wentz. But Wentz is a good player. I respect him a lot. He’s smart, can use his feet really well and that’s what makes him really good.”



(On if he thinks about one play here and there when he loses a close game)

“You can look at it two different ways. You can go home and beat yourself up or you can say, ‘I have another opportunity next week to do the right thing and to actually close in on a division opponent in a game that we really need and learn from this loss.’ This loss doesn’t define us as a team, it doesn’t define one player or who he is. This loss is definitely a learning experience late in the game, learning how to be a situational master, being smart and avoiding penalties. Things like that are going to make us better in the future.”



(On if it helps knowing the Seahawks lost today)

“Yeah, it felt pretty good, but I just wish we could have taken care of business on our side, that’s it.”



 

Rams LB Alec Ogletree – Rams-Eagles Postgame Availability – December 10, 2017



(On what he thought of Eagles QB Carson Wentz)

“He’s an elite quarterback in this league. He’s definitely pretty athletic. If you’re not careful, he can get out of stuff and get down field and make throws. I think we just have to nail it down a little bit more and be able to rattle him a little bit.”



(On if he thinks the team will be able to rally against Seattle)

“This game’s over with. Yeah we lost, but it is what it is, they played better than us and they were able to get the win. Like I said, a division game next week in Seattle, that game is always tough. Like I said, we just got to get ready for that one now.”



(On the status of his elbow coming out of this game)

“I felt fine, I came out well. It didn’t get any worse so I’m definitely excited about that. Thanks to the training staff and everybody for helping me get back.”



(On if this was the best offense he’s seen this year)

“They’re a great team. It’s not just offense, they made plays on defense and special teams. It’s a team game and they played really well as a team to get the job done. Definitely a top offense in this league. For us, it’s just a matter of us doing what we need to do and winning our one-on-one matchups and getting pressure on the quarterback. Like I said, I don’t think we did enough of that today but definitely proud of the guys for continuing to fight until the end.”



(On if he thought the penalties hurt them and how they get rid of them)

“They definitely did. You mentally have to be disciplined. (Head) Coach Sean (McVay) preaches it all the time. Since day one he came in, you have to be mentally and physically tough. That’s what we say a Ram is, being mentally and physically tough. You can’t have all those penalties because they come back to hurt you. Like I said, we’ll come back, we’ll fix it and hopefully get it right for next week.”





Rams DT Aaron Donald – Rams-Eagles Postgame Availability – December 10, 2017



(On some of the positives from this game)

“Yeah we’re fine. Like I said, we just have to watch the film and see what went on. There’s nothing to worry about, we’re still in a good position. We’re going to keep working and keep grinding. We’re still winning.”



(On the halftime adjustments)

“Just coaching, putting us in position to stop things that we were getting hurt with in the first half. We fixed it.”



(On if the showed anything different than what they saw on film)

“No, they just did a good job of executing plays and making stuff happen.”



(On if he thought they beat themselves with penalties)

“Yeah, anytime in a hard fought game, a tough game, you get penalties like that it’s going to hurt you. Like I said, they made plays, we made plays, but they made one more than what we did today.”



(On what this result makes next week’s game in Seattle)

“No matter what, we know what we have to do. It’s a divisional game with a team we’re always going back and forth with. We know it’s going to be a dog fight so we know we have to get prepared for it.”

 



Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson – Rams-Eagles Postgame Availability – December 10, 2017



(On what kind of knee injury QB Carson Wentz sustained)

“I’ll find out more tomorrow. I just don't know. I don't know anything yet until we evaluate him fully tomorrow.”



(On the report that Wentz has a torn ACL)

“It’s just a report.”



(On how concerned he is about Wentz if he ends up having to sit out for an extended period of time due to his injury)

“I mean, you’re speculating, you know, that he’s going to be out. So until I know more tomorrow on him, you know, it’s hard to say. But listen, there’s a lot of leaders on that football team right now and you saw it tonight.”



(On what he saw on the play where Wentz got hurt)

“You know what, I was really blocked on the play. So I’ve got to check out the tape tonight on the way home.”



(On if Carson Wentz knew he was injured after that run)

“He did get up a little “hobbley.” I knew something was up, but didn’t know the extent of it, obviously.”



(On if Wentz will have an MRI tomorrow)

“He’ll have one tomorrow, yeah.”



(On if he liked the way QB Nick Foles handled the team)

“I love it. You know this guy has come in and he’s played a lot of football games in this league, he's started in this league, guys have confidence in him, I have confidence in him. A great way to step in under these circumstances and then pull this game out. So it’s huge for Nick.”



(On how he would describe the locker room now that they won the division championship)

“Jubilation. I mean this is one of those heavyweight fights. The Rams, great football team. We knew that coming in here. Give them a lot of credit, you know, they’re a playoff-caliber team, and we found a way. This team’s been resilient all season long. We were on the road back-to-back. We spent a week out here. The guys did a nice job focusing in and getting this win.”



(On what he said to his players after the game)

“Well first of all, congratulated them on the NFC East. I’m proud of the guys, the way they fought. But you know, we get back to Philly and we still have three games left and we still have an opportunity. The road is – or I should say everything is still right in front of us for us to take and we’re just got to make sure we take care of business.”



(On how Foles and the Eagles defense stepped up after Wentz’s injury)

“Well that’s what you got to have. You know, when you're in these type of games and playoff-type atmosphere and your back’s a little bit against the wall, you need guys to step up. You need players to make plays and that’s what happened. The second half of this football game was just a gut-check and I’m just so proud of the guys for the way they battled and hung in there tonight.”



(On his conversations with Went about his aggressiveness and walking the line between putting yourself in danger and making a play)

“We just have conversations about just understanding where you are and what you’re doing and getting down, and sliding to protect your body. I mean, he’s a quarterback. He understands that and we talk about it with all our guys.”



(On if he addressed Wentz’s injury to the team after the game)

“Not until I get further information. I didn’t address any injury after the game.”



(On if Went was injured on the play before he left the game and if so, what that says about his toughness)

“That’s a great question. It just shows how tough he really is. To be a little banged up at that time and to, on fourth down, make that throw and (WR) Alshon (Jeffrey) to make that catch. Again, just mental and physical toughness by he as a quarterback. But, we also had a lot of guys make plays in that second half that we needed and it showed a lot of toughness by the football team.



(On what his thinking was going for it on fourth-and-goal)

“Yeah, it’s really an ideal situation. Even if you don’t get it, they’re backed up on about the 2-yard-line. Again, anything can happen at that. It was early in the game – early in the second half, I should say. If you make it, obviously it’s a shot for us offensively and as a team. If you don’t make it, our defense takes the field at the 2-yard-line, 3-yard-line. It’s sort of a win-win for us.”



(On if he’s comfortable with QB Nate Sudfield being the backup if Carson Wentz is out for a while)

“Well we brought (Q Nate (Sudfield) in here for that reason, obviously. Going forward we’ll evaluate that, but we’re comfortable with the guys that we have.”



(On if he’s talked to Wentz yet)

“I just saw him inside, yeah.”



(On how Wentz was feeling)

“He was excited. He was excited. NFC East champs, he’s fired up. He’s excited and we get back on the plane and get ready for next week.”



(On TE Trey Burton’s early involvement and if that was by design)

(TE) Trey’s (Burton) a tremendous athlete. He works extremely hard. He’s a core special teams player for us. Really Trey hasn’t probably gotten a lot of offensive plays this year, but when he has if you go back to the Denver game he’s made the most of his opportunity. He did that tonight. Real proud of the way Trey played.



(On if he considered calling timeout after he saw him hobble following his run)

“No, I didn’t.”



(On what this win means for him)

“It gets us to 11 and we’re one step closer to where we want to be. My mentality all along has been – and we set goals before the season starts. Obviously, NFC East we checked the box, put it behind us, and we move on. It’s the New York Giants next week.”



(On if TE Zach Ertz is still in concussion protocol)

“Yeah, right now he’s still in.”



(On how much of a challenge it was for the defense with both offenses being tied for the most points per game)

“Well again, offensively they’re very explosive. You’re coming in with two offenses that are tied in points and you look at the score tonight, it’s a two-point game, it’s unbelievable. They’re a good offense. They have a great running back, their offensive line is one of the best in the league. Their quarterback has been real efficient all season long, making plays down the field. You saw tonight a solid football team over there. There’s probably a chance we see them somewhere in the near future.”



(On what happened at Left Guard)

“Yeah, (LG Stefen) ‘Wiz’ (Wisnisniewski) ankle and then again went with (LG) Chance (Warmack).”



(On why he played LT Isaac Seumalo after LG Chance Warmack)

“Why (LT) Isaac (Seumalo)? Just get them both in there and get them both some work in this game.”




Eagles QB Nick Foles – Rams-Eagles Postgame Availability – December 10, 2017



(On what he saw happen to QB Carson Wentz, and how did he know he was going to go in)

"I saw him favoring his leg a little bit. It was just one of things that where he toughed it out and threw a touchdown. He’s one of the toughest players I've played with. Then he came to the sideline, got checked out, and I was just told, ‘be ready to go in.’ That’s when I went in. “



(On how hard it is to be ready to go in, in that situation)

"You just have to do what you got to do. You go in there a lot of times you’re just trying to find completions, trying to play fast because its been a while. So, you try to pick up the speed as much as you can and don't try to make a bad play worse. You just go in and you're really just trying to get the win and you’re leaning on the guys. The defense did an awesome job stepping up when (Q Carson (Wentz) went down our guys really rallied. It means a lot to this team, it means a lot to me. I'm excited we're NFC champs, but it's emotional. The guy you work with everyday, you think the world of. I know I said earlier I think he's the MVP. You know it's not easy, but I know this team will step up and rally no matter what so we'll see what will happen from here."



(On how ready he feels if he has to lead the team through the rest of the regular season and playoffs)

"I'm absolutely ready, I mean that's why I'm here. I'm ready to go. Prepare everyday, work everyday, so I'm ready to go if need be."



(On the irony of him playing considering his history)

"It's honestly just one of those things where you don't think too much about it. You’re really just thinking about getting a win. You’re really thinking about just coming out, finishing the game and getting a ‘W’ and we did. It was a big one on the road. It was a good environment for football."



(On if Wentz was there to celebrate with the team)

"Yeah, Carson was there waiting for everybody when they were walking in. Like I said, he's one of the leaders on the team. He was right there congratulating and celebrating with everyone.”



(On his last completion to WR Nelson Agholor)

“It was really one of those things where they went in two-man coverage and it was one-on-one inside. Nelson did a great job of getting off his defender and I threw it away from his defender. He did a great job catching it and getting the first down. That allowed us to run a lot of the clock out, which was big.”



(On if that was the first option)

“It’s based on coverage, so, that was mine.”



(On how great of a moment it was for him and to and rally the team to a win)

“That’s my job, that’s why they brought me here. Just going in there, getting a win. Like I said, everyone stepped up when Carson went down because he means so much to this team and this city. It’s great to get a win.”



(On if Wentz getting hurt put a damper on the locker room after the game)

“I mean everyone is really excited because we put in a lot of work this season – a lot, a lot of work. We’ve won a lot of games. It has been a great team effort. Carson has been a big piece of that puzzle. Everyone was really excited about the win, but yeah, when you have your starting quarterback go down, it’s emotional. It’s emotional for me. I work with him everyday. We do everything together. I’m excited we won, but at the same time, I’m dealing emotionally with seeing him go down. You never want that.”



(On the conversation him and Wentz had in the locker room)

“Just seeing how he was doing. He was watching every single play, and just sitting on pins and needles watching, so he wants to be out there obviously.”



(On how the third down call by Head Coach Doug Pederson to not just call a running play and make the Rams call a time out showed Pederson’s confidence in him)

“Absolutely, I want the ball in my hands. I love throwing the ball, love throwing the ball in my hands and making decisions. It’s one of those situations where you know hey, if it’s not there you either run or you know what you got to do, just don’t make a bad play worse and that was one of those things where Nelson did a great job winning. Coach Pederson showed a lot of confidence in me. I have a long history with him and he knows I can go out there and play, so I’ll see what happens.”



(On what this moment means for him)

“I’ve always tried to live in the moment. It’s really just a lot of adversity for our team tonight and to win tonight. I’m blessed to do what I do. There’s no hard feelings. It’s crazy that it was with the Rams going out there but at the same time I’m just really happy to celebrate with the Philadelphia Eagles. Being NFC East champs, these guys have put in so much work, we’ve worked so hard this season and the coaching staff and everyone at the facility. It’s really a testament to them so that’s really what I focus on in these moments.



(On if anything in his personality changes when stepping into the starter role)

“I’m going to be me. When you are the starter, obviously you’re more vocal, you’re given more reps, so that stuff changes but I’m going to be me so I don’t have to change. But, were going to see what happens, see how Carson’s (Wentz) doing and go from there.”



(On if playing in a couple games early on in the season helped him perform today)

“Yeah it helps. Anytime you get into a game and you have game reps, it helps. So, you get out there and try to pick up the speed as much as you can. As the season goes on the game gets faster and faster.”



(On where he’d rank “Big V” LT Halapoulivaati Vaitai as a go-to receiver)

Yeah I was just trying to get the ball away. One of those things where you don’t want to make a bad play worse. We won’t design any plays for him, but he does a great job blocking.”




Eagles WR Torrey Smith – Rams-Eagles Post Game Availability – December 10, 2017



(On if Eagles QB Nick Foles showed the team something today)

“Absolutely. We needed to score to win the game and he was able to help us get into position to do that. You think about a guy who hadn’t played all game, his legs are probably super tight, never expecting to get in and he was ready, so that was big for us.”



(On if the injury to Eagles QB Carson Wentz muted the celebration at all)

“You couldn’t tell the way everyone was in the locker room, but when you think about it, absolutely it does. Everyone’s excited about what we were able to earn as a team, but definitely, again you’re concerned because of him as an individual. It’s not necessarily about, man, we lost our guy, probably arguably the MVP of the league. It’s like, man, you hope he’s okay,’ and we’ll deal with everything else afterwards.”



(On if the ability for the team to win without Wentz shows the resiliency of the team)

“Absolutely. Sometimes it’s almost like you need those things to happen to see where you are. Obviously, you don’t want to lose probably your best player on the team, the most important player on the team for sure. Like I said, that’s tough, but to be able to bounce back and win on the road, even though it’s probably a little more balanced with our fans here, is a huge accomplishment for us.”

 



Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery – Rams-Eagles Post Game Availability – December 10, 2017



(On if there was any extra trash talking between him and Rams CB Trumaine Johnson during their matchup)

“No, I mean we know each other. I mean when he makes a play, he’s going to make some noise. When I make a play, I’m going to make some noise, so it is what it is.”



(On his level of concern for QB Carson Wentz as he leaves the stadium today in a brace)

“I mean that’s our bother. In times like this, we don’t know the significance of the injury yet, so I mean that’s our brother. It’s a tough loss, but we’re going to enjoy this and celebrate this win with him and we’re going to still be with him.”



(On how confident he is in QB Nick Foles if he has to keep playing this season)

“We’re very confident in whoever is under center. We’re ready to roll and we’re ready to make it happen.”

 



Eagles DT Fletcher Cox – Rams-Eagles Postgame Availability – December 10, 2017


(On the significance of the team’s win against an elite team like the Rams)

“It’s a great team. No. 30 (Rams RB Todd Gurley II), he’s probably one of the best running backs I’ve been against as far as the way he runs the ball. They do a great job protecting ‘16’ (Rams QB Jared Goff,) and making sure he has time to get the ball out.”



(On what changed at the end defensively)

“We were giving them a lot. We were giving them too much. We knew at some point we had to stop them. We got to stuff the run on first down, and then they got to run their normal offense. I think guys just knew. We settled down and did what we had to do, but giving credit to that team, that’s a really good team.



(On winning the NFC East but having Carson Wentz go down)

“Well, it’s good and bad. When you lose a guy like (Q Carson (Wentz), it’s a big loss. He’s been having a great year. We believe in (Q Nick (Foles) and know that he’ll get the job done, and we’ll just rally behind Carson and hurry up and get him back.”



 

Eagles DE Brandon Graham – Rams-Eagles Postgame Availability – December 10, 2017


(On the atmosphere of the locker room)

“It was fun. We accomplished one goal, that’s the NFC East (title). It just feels good the way we won it. I was just happy the way we played hard, could’ve easily gave up, but we didn’t.”



(On when Carson Wentz went out if the defense felt like they needed to step up)

“Yeah, we felt like we had to do our part on defense and go out there and get a score or make something happen. (DE) Chris (Long) started it. Chris definitely started it and we just took over after that.”



(On how much confidence he has in Nick Foles if Carson Wentz can’t play)

“A lot of confidence. I played with (Q Nick (Foles) for years when he was here. He left and then he came back. I know what he’s all about. I know if he has to step up, he will.”