Los Angeles Rams Transcripts - October 22, 2020 Head Coach Sean McVay, Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley and QB Jared Goff

Los Angeles Rams Transcripts -
October 22, 2020
Head Coach Sean McVay, Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley and QB Jared Goff
Head Coach Sean McVay
(On what went into the decision to sign K Kai Forbath and if he will work out with the team this weekend)
“You know, we just wanted to bring in a guy that's kicked in this league with success. Let's give ourselves an opportunity to evaluate. He won't be able to get here until Sunday, with some of the new protocols and things like that. But I want to just, you know, see some more consistency. That doesn't mean that it's over for ‘Sam’ (K Samuel Sloman). We want to continue to evaluate him but getting (K) Kai Forbath in here was something that we wanted to explore as well."

(On what he thinks is a realistic evaluation period for the kickers)
“I would say we're just going to take it one day at a time.”

(On if Forbath could theoretically kick for team on Monday)
“I mean, theoretically, but, you know, we're just taking it one day at a time. We'll see when he gets here on Sunday. Sam's going to practice and we're going to continue to evaluate and try to put him in a position to see and have him ready to go on Monday night against the Bears.”

(On what makes Forbath an attractive option)
“Just experience. He’s had experience. When we played against Dallas last year that was, I believe, his first game for them, he was automatic. I'm familiar with him from having been with him in Washington and a guy that's had some success in this league. That's what went into the decision.”

(On his evaluation of the Bears)
“It’s a really good football team. You see them very well coached in all three phases. They do an excellent job applying a lot of pressure on defense. They have speed on all three levels. They're very physical upfront. Obviously, they have one of the best players in the league IN (Bears OL Khalil Mack. But, you know, you see (Bears DT) Akeim Hicks, they've added (Bears OL Robert Quinn, that makes their pass rush a nightmare. (Bears IL Roquan Smith and (Bears ILB Danny) Trevathan are excellent on the second levels. And then, I think (Bears S) Eddie Jackson and (Bears CB Kyle) Fuller playing really well. So, they're doing an excellent job. You see (Bears QB Nick) Foles getting in there on offense and, you know, people want to make a big deal about things, but I know this, in crunch time that guy is at his best, you're seeing him make big time plays. They play very well as a team. They have one, really two, dynamic returners. (Bears WR) Cordarrelle Patterson is a nightmare to deal with in the kick return phase and then we know how dangerous (Bears WR) Ted Ginn is as a punt returner. (Bears Head) Coach (Matt) Nagy does an excellent job. You can see the second year under (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Chuck) Pagano on defense. There's a lot of comfort. They're playing with a lot of confidence in all three phases and you're seeing a team that looks like their record when you watch the tape at 5-1.”

(On how he thinks the team has responded to last Sunday’s lost)
“Yeah, they're good. I mean, we've moved on. We're excited about the opportunity to compete in our seventh game. We know what a great challenge it is, but you look at that film, you correct it, and you have some urgency with how you move forward and that's exactly what we're doing.”

(On how DT A’Shawn Robinson is looking at practice)
“He's been great. I mean, he's really done an excellent job working out with our weight coaches in the meantime. Today will represent the first true practice because we've only had walk-thrus up to this point throughout the week. So, I know he's excited and chomping at the bit to get out there and compete with his teammates today.”

(On if the hope of bringing Robinson is was to act as ‘space eater’ and occupy several blockers and help the other players on the line be more dynamic)
“You know, really the reason we brought him in when we signed him in the offseason was because he's a player that can play on all three downs. He has versatility across the front, he can play in your base, he can play in your sub-packages. This is a really good football player that we expect to contribute in all of our personnel groupings and excited to add him to the mix of the defensive line sooner than later.”

(On how soon Robinson could play)
“It could be this week.”

(On what QB Jared Goff needs to correct from last week)
“I just think offensively as a whole, you know, really for our team it's just playing and doing your role and responsibility snap in and snap out more consistently than we did. I have to coach better. We all have to do a little bit better. And, you know, I could answer that question for about three hours. We'd have to watch the film and go through it in intricate detail. I think it's more about a lot of the things that he's done really well throughout the first six weeks, but it's consistently making good decisions when we are throwing the football, staying in the timing and rhythm of the play and delivering the ball with accuracy and anticipation to be able to give guys a chance to create afterwards and recognizing the coverage structures are what we need to do based on what the defense activates. So, it's why it's the most difficult position. There's so many little nuances and intricacies to it. He's done a great job. Last week there were a couple of things that we can clean up, but that's consistent with every player and really any game, no matter how well you play and that's the approach that our guys take and especially (Q Jared (Goff).”

(On what conversations he and Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley have had about the 2018 Rams-Bears game and if there’s anything he can pick up from him that is useful)
“I mean, he basically ruined my night that night, that was not a good night for us. We talked a lot about that game and a lot of the things that we're doing are reflective of some of the things that they were doing then, but also you see some carry over from what (Broncos Head) Coach (Vic) Fangio and then what they're doing under (Bears Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Chuck) Pagano. But it certainly is Coach Pagano’s system and they're doing an excellent job executing that defense now.”

(On if Staley was diplomatic by not bringing up the 2018 loss to the Bears when he first joined the Rams coaching staff)
“Yeah, he's pretty diplomatic. He just shows it with – he's got all his teach tapes and the cut-up spliced with that game in there. So, he brings it up in a subconscious way (laughs).”

(On how his game planning will be different against the Bears this year)
“There were different things that went on going into that game that we kind of had to adjust and adapt last minute with some injuries and some guys that we were missing. Certainly, we're always going to do what we think is best, as far as moving the football and scoring points. Now you don't want to just sit back and throw it all day and give those freaks upfront a chance to really disrupt the game. You can see when they do, they do a great job on the second and third levels of getting tipped balls. And then those guys are catching interceptions and really creating favorable field position for their offense. And so, I think it's about smartly activating plays, in the run and in the pass game, that they give us the chance to move the ball, keep our defense off the field and ultimately score points. I think a little bit of a different approach will probably be necessary this year, but you still do want to minimize those opportunities for those great players, like (Bears OL Khalil Mack to be able to get home.”

(On if he sees any similarities between the two defenses)
“I think in certain phases you do. But you know, I think it all starts with the personnel and we’ve got great players on both of the defenses that you're talking about. But there are some differences, in terms of the personnel, but there's some similarities. Schematically, there's definitely some differences as well, but I know this, getting ready for this defense, for the Bears this week you see why they've had so much success. You see why they've had such a huge influence on them winning in five out of their first six games and why it's going to be a phenomenal challenge and one that we're excited about.”

(On some of the things they can do to continue to run the ball successfully and do so against the Bears front)
“I think it's being able to be a little bit versatile in the types of things that you can activate to them. You know, they do a good job of being able to mix up a lot of different personnel groupings as well. And so, that's something that we’ve got to be ready for. I think it's mainly being efficient on those early downs. You know, anytime you get into those negative situations, that's when they can really pin their ears back and tee off on you on your second-and-long and your third-and-longs. And so, like any week, but especially against an excellent front like this and an excellent defense overall, your early-down success is going to be critical.”

(On how he keeps the team mentally locked in during games when there are no fans)
“I think that's a player-led type thing. I think it's definitely important for us as coaches to try to make sure that we're bringing our own juice. But it's also where you really see those players that are intrinsically motivated – that are made of the right stuff, which we feel like we have a lot of those kinds of guys – really shine, if you will. And so, you realize how much you appreciate the fans and the energy that they do bring. But what's also been good is it's made you appreciate, that much more, the special players, those leaders that kind of are the pulse or the heartbeat of your team, that really in a lot of instances it feels kind of like your JV or your high school games, where the only guys cheering are your teammates and you can kind of hear it from the field and kind of bringing your own juices, what I've heard our guys talk about a lot.”


Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley
(On what DL A'Shawn Robinson can bring to the defense)
“He's an experienced player in the league. We feel like he fits our style of defensive lineman that we're looking for. A guy that can really play. He can play nose, he can play defensive end in our base packages, he can also play either the two defensive tackle spots and sub defense, so we feel like he gives us some versatility, gives us some size and some experience. I'm certainly excited to have him back and what a great story, him really just competing so hard to get back. It's been a long journey, just really proud of the way he's competed to get back and it's never easy when you're going through something like that, where there's a lot of unknowns and just a big thanks to (Vice President, Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie Scott, (Manager, Sports Science/ Assistant Athletic Trainer) Tyler (Williams), all those guys, all of our training staff for getting him back well."

(On if he had this game circled in his calendar for a while or if he is trying to stay in a tunnel this week)
"This isn't uncommon in the NFL, where you go play teams that you've been a part of before. I think in the NFL, every week is so important, regardless of who you play. I know it'll be good to see a lot of those guys, the players that I was fortunate to coach because, the truth is, they're one of the biggest reasons why I'm in this role. Guys like (DT) Akiem Hicks, (D Kyle Fuller, (L Khalil Mack, (L Danny Trevathan (L Roquan Smith, (D Eddie Jackson, all those guys are deeply responsible for me having this opportunity. I love those guys. I have the utmost respect for them and it's going to be exciting to compete against them."

(On the Rams offense having trouble against the Bears in the past and if he feels his presence on the staff will alleviate that)
"No, I don't think (Head Coach) Sean (McVay) needs a lot of help from me. I just need to do my part as the defensive coordinator. I would say that, that game that people allude to in 2018, that was a great ball game. That happens in the NFL when you have two teams like that playing in the cold. It was a defensive game that night and I think that we certainly played a really good game that night. I think that last year, I'm not privy to everything that went into that game, but I know that it was a hard fought game and that big games in the NFL tend to go like that when you've got two great teams going against each other. Not every game is going to be a high fly, high-wire act. They're tough, tight games and I think that that's kind of what happened in both those games that I was a part of and then last year against this team. It's a really good defense. They've got tremendous personnel, guys that have played a lot together and that's how it is sometimes. You get into these low scoring games, but excited to see what we can do this week."

(On the defense allowing fewer points in the second half and what has allowed the defensive coaching staff to make those adjustments at halftime)
"Yeah, just credit to our players. I think we've executed at a high level coming out of the second half. I think sometimes when you get to see an offense for a half, you get a real strong sense of how they're trying to attack you and then now you're able to apply the game plan, maybe flip the script a little bit, get to some things that maybe you weren't able to get to in the first half, but it comes down to execution of your assignment and your technique. I think that we've got a group of players that is very confident in one another. They know that it's a long game. I think that they trust our preparation and training during the week. We've been able to go out in the second half of games and really play winning football and that's kind of what you're after, is as a competitor to play your best at the end and we've been able to do that to this point."

(On tackling)
"We've got to be more aggressive, I think. We certainly emphasize it, we drill it. I think we've had guys in position, so I don't think it's a schematic deal. I just think we've got to be a little bit more aggressive at the finish. I think that that mindset of really being physical on the finish, getting as many guys as we can to the football, so if a guy misses, we're there for another physical finish, but I think we've just got to be more aggressive. I think at the beginning of that game, we were a little off and didn't have the same energy that our entire team is capable of having, that we've displayed, and I think that it showed in that first half. But just I think being aggressive and playing with energy will fix a lot of those issues."

(On how you infuse that aggressiveness)
"I think during the week, making sure during the week that our guys are fresh and energized. So much of the NFL, when you go through parts of the season like this, it's just these guys feeling well rested and healthy and then just feeling really confident in the game plan. It's just a combination of things and then our guys have got to bring it. We all have got to bring it when the lights go on and so I think that we've got to be tapped in. When you play a really good opponent, like we played last Sunday night, you've got to be tapped in from the beginning and I think that there is no margin for error when you play against great teams and I think that when got off to that slow start, it could be traced back to the energy and we know that that's a big component of getting off to a good start, is just coming out with the right energy, with the right mindset, not trying to feel your way at the beginning of the game. You make sure that you're going to happen to the beginning of the game, not let the game happen to you. It will be a point of emphasis for sure this week."

(On what opponents do to try to limit DL Aaron Donald)
"You take each individual opponent and you kind of say, ‘Okay, this is their style of play. These are the runs, the protection schemes that we think they could deploy to try and mitigate some of the risks of having (DL) Aaron (Donald) impact the game.’ So, every week, you’ve got to take the identity of that opponent and say, ‘Okay, these are the ways that we think that they're going to try and mitigate the risk of Aaron Donald making a bunch of plays.’ Last week was (San Francisco 49ers), I think we had a really strong sense that there were going to be a lot of perimeter runs away from him and a lot of quick passing game early, screens, things of that nature. That’s exactly what we faced. I think in the second half, when we were able to get into rhythm, we were able to get him a lot more opportunities. We did get him isolated in pass protection several times when it became more of a third-down game in the second half. I thought he played a nice game against the run. We needed to play better around him in the run game in the first part of that game in the first and second quarter. It would have created more opportunities for him. Unfortunately, we didn't get that done, but we spent a lot of time thinking about that for sure.”

(On if he has ever coached someone who has received a similar amount of attention)
“(Bears OL Kahlil (Mack) and (Broncos L Von (Miller) certainly garner that type of attention. It's a little bit different on the perimeter. They actually can take care of an edge player a little bit more easily than an inside guy. So, where you see a lot of the scheme for Aaron is in the run game. He sees more scheme in the run game than an edge player would. Where an edge player gets more passing-game attention than maybe an inside guy would. But certainly, we’re aware of all the ways different teams have tried to block them. You have an inventory of his whole career now, certainly the last three or four years since he's been the premier player in the league. So, you just study that really closely and every week that's the fight is trying to get him as many opportunities as possible.”

(On Head Coach Sean McVay joking about his use of 2018 film as teach tapes)
“He's really tough on himself about that night. As you know, he takes full ownership for everything that happens and that's one of the strengths of him as a leader. That's why it's so amazing to work with someone like that as the full ownership that he has, in the good times and the bad times. But specifically, in the tough times, I know the ownership that he took from a game like that. I think that as a competitor, you're always trying to learn from your experiences. I think that night, he learned a lot about himself. He learned a lot about his team, and I know that after that game, the Rams played really, really well and ended up getting into the playoffs and going to the Super Bowl. I would say that he learned quite well from that night and put his team in a position to be successful. I think that what you saw, as much as (Head Coach) Sean (McVay) impacted the league or offensively, what he's done is impacted the game defensively. People engineering an entire defensive structure to try and stop him. It's no easy task when every week you're facing possibly a new defense that’s trying to stop you. I think that’s the great thing about working with him is just that collaborative, that creative process, ‘Hey, how can we put our guys in the best positions to be successful?’ I think that ultimately that's what brought us together.”

(On his week of preparation when facing the Rams in 2018)
“It was stressful, I know that. It was a stressful week of practice. That’s the best way I can say it. It was stressful. It was a hard week of preparation. We knew that between the scheme and the players that we were going to have to defend, that we were going to have to be up against it. When you're going against guys like (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach) Aaron Kromer and their offensive line, (Tight Ends Coach) Wes Phillips and his tight ends, and then (Wide Receivers Coach) Eric Yarber, his receivers, (RB Todd) Gurley (II) running the ball, (Q Jared (Goff) throwing it. I mean, we knew we were up against it. But, the key to that game was our players. When you have Kahlil Mack, when you have (DL) Akiem Hicks, (DL) Eddie Goldman, (Bears C Kyle Fuller, (Bears S) Eddie Jackson, (Bears L Roquan Smith, (Bears OL Danny Trevathan, our players came to play that night. This is a players’ league. Our players rose to the occasion that night. That's the key to any game, is your players playing at a high level.”

(On how similar the Rams defense compared to his time with the Bears)
“I didn't get the chance to study them that closely last year. Certainly, with (OL Leonard (Floyd) being here, I'm aware of maybe a couple of the differences. I know (Broncos Head Coach) Vic (Fangio) and (Bears Defensive Coordinator) Chuck (Pagano) worked together in the past. I think that they're stylistically going to be different. They're different people and so certainly, there are going to be some changes. I would say that the strength of our team when I was there was those players. Those players are all still there. So, I think stylistically, there are certainly some similarities. I think at the heart of the success, our success, when I was there are these guys and it's a really outstanding group of players.”

(On whether scheme doesn’t matter as much as personnel)
“No, I think obviously it’s a combination of both. I think that those guys are well coached with that group. I mean, they were really good last season on defense and they're really good this season on defense. So certainly, that group of defensive coaches is doing an outstanding job coaching them and those players have bought completely into whatever it is new that that they're doing. But I think they've got a really good culture there on defense. I think that that's as responsible for anything.”

(On how QB Nick Foles has impacted the Bears offense)
“He's really experienced. He's been through a lot as an NFL player. Been through a lot of different teams, played in a lot of different systems. Certainly, his playoff experience. I think that he's steady, calm. You can see that he operates that system with confidence, because he's been in that offense before at two different organizations. He has a relationship with the head coach and play caller. So, I think that he just gives them that steady, calm presence. He’s certainly operating well since he's taken over as the starter and you can see that offense is playing with confidence.”

(On takeaways from the 2018 matchup between Rams and Bears)
“There were a lot of good plays that night for us. I think that we try to take plays from all the good games that we play, or all the teachable moments, good and bad. They had some plays open now in that game too that they missed and it could have gone different had they hit them. I think that that's something that you also are aware of, ‘Hey, that result may have been than what it was, but there were a lot of things on that tape that we didn't like that we had to correct moving forward.’ Certainly, there was something to learn from that game. It was a big game and certainly because of Sean and that offense. You could because so much of the league has trended towards how Sean is playing. There was a lot to teach off of him from that game and we were fortunate to play well in that.”


QB Jared Goff
(On what he recalls about the last two times he has faced the Bears and what they are doing to make it tough on him personally)
“Well, two years ago they beat us pretty good and then last year we beat them, and I thought we played pretty well considering when we had that line of offense and we're 1-1. They do a good job on defense. They were obviously really good up front and veteran in the backend. I think (S) Eddie Jackson is one of top safeties in the league, (D Kyle Fuller is obviously a top corner in the league and they've got (DB Tashaun) Gipson (Sr.) who's an established veterans, so I mean, they're established and they're a good team and we've got our hands full, but we'll be ready."
(On what he learned from the game against the Bears in 2018)
"I mean, nothing that I hadn't learned from another game where I didn't play my best. It's just, continue to keep your head down and keep going. After that game happened, it was obviously not very good by us and we won a bunch of games after that, a bunch of big games. So, just not letting one game affect two and even when the performance is extremely subpar, like that was, not letting it affect the next game and further on into the playoffs that year."

(On how much LB Khalil Mack and DT Akiem Hicks affect your game plan)
"They're great players. You've definitely got to be aware of them and where they're at. We'll have a plan for them and be ready for them. But yeah, absolutely. They're both great players and affect the game."

(On how you bounce back from last week)
"Trusting the process. It's all a process and again, it was uncharacteristic, something that we don't expect to do again. I think today in practice is a good way to kind of be urgent about things, be intentional about things. How you practice, how you go about the day and usually when you're doing the right things and we've put on tape for a long time now in the system that when we're doing the right things in practice, it usually shows up in-game."

(On his thoughts on the defensive line)
"Yeah, they're very good. Their defensive line is one on top in the league, their pass rushing is on top of the league and has been for a long time, ever since they got Khalil Mack, obviously Akiem Hicks is good and I think (L Robert Quinn's playing at a high level still, as well, so you're definitely aware of it and their DB's are aware of it as well. You have to get rid of the ball, so you're aware of it."

(On what he recalls most from the game last year)
"It's a completely different year, I think is the best answer for you. We're still obviously aware of Khalil and what he's doing, and we want to keep him as far away from me as possible, but it's a completely different year. They have a completely different team. We have a completely different team, so the approach will be different."

(On if he has noticed any differences in communication with wide receivers in day games versus night games)
"I have not noticed anything, no."

--RAMS--