TRANSCRIPT: Rams Head Coach Sean McVay - Media Availability - November 4, 2019
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TRANSCRIPT: Rams Head Coach Sean McVay - Media Availability - November 4, 2019
(On WR Brandin Cooks visiting with specialists in Pittsburgh and if there is any update on his status)
“It was good. I think, more than anything, just getting some clarity on what’s been the reason that maybe these things have occurred, how’s he (WR Brandin Cooks) feeling? I think anytime that you can get some more information with something like this is very helpful. He’s still day-to-day, he was asymptomatic right after – which is always a positive thing. I think for him, just being able to learn a little bit more about the entirety of what’s going on and maybe have a better understanding of why some of these things have occurred I think gives him a quieted mind and gives us a good feeling about how we want to progress and move forward with this.”
(On how that information impacts Cooks’ availability ahead of Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh)
“I think it’s going to be something that we’re going to just really take a day at a time. He’s continuing to have good responses day in and day out. We’re scheduled for him to probably meet with some of those doctors in Pittsburgh again. When exactly that will take place, we’re going to find out a little bit later on.”
(On if it is possible Cooks will play on Sunday)
“It’s possible. We’re just taking it a day at a time right now.”
(On if Cooks officially cleared concussion protocol)
“I don’t know exactly where he’s at with the specific nuances of exactly how that works. I do know that when you’re talking about somebody that has had two this season, you can’t be careful enough with that. What I am doing is I’m following exactly what we feel like is in the best interest of Brandin Cooks, No. 1, and then finding out exactly what that means as we move forward. He’s scheduled to meet with those guys again to continue to see if he’s progressing at the right rate. Whether that means he’s available now or at a later date, we’ll have some more information on that as the week goes.”
(On if the team has had conversations with Cooks about brain injuries in football)
“Oh yeah – absolutely. I think he feels good – without divulging too much information, just out of respect for the process and some of these things that we’ve learned from the doctors – I think the best thing is that you are asymptomatic. This isn’t something that’s ongoing and lingering in terms of some of the side effects and the repercussions that you can have from some of these concussions. I think, like anything else, he feels good about just getting some more clarity on maybe why these have occurred or what’s the reasons, what are some of the things that we can do from a preventative-maintenance standpoint to try to avoid. Some of these things – just in a physical game – you can’t do much to avoid it when you look at the way that some of these collisions occur. But yes, we’ve talked about those things. He’s got a great perspective on what’s most important: I think, No. 1, he’s got so many great things going. We’re not going to do anything to put him in harms way. That’s the No. 1 priority, that will continue to remain that not only with Brandin, but with all of our players. We’ll be very smart with how we ease him back into this whenever that time comes if that’s the decision we make.”
(On how much of deciding when a player returns to action is up to the player themselves)
“100 percent. With something like that, it’s totally up to them. Usually, what I think they have is a trust that our interest is in their best interest. Using the experts to be able to give their opinion and then you make decisions accordingly as you move forward. You can’t be safe enough with some of these health things. That’s something that we don’t take lightly at all.”
(On how he will bring LB Clay Matthews along this week leading up to Sunday’s game)
“I think, really, it’s just kind of getting him (LB Clay Matthews) back into normal routine, seeing how he’s feeling. Everything’s checked out in a positive manner up to this point, so I think it’s just kind of progressing back to, ‘How comfortable do you feel putting a helmet on?’ Some of the collisions that naturally would occur and just kind of trusting that you’re nice and secure in that absence of some of that stuff that kind of kept it in place and helped it heal over the last couple weeks.”
(On if Matthews will be on the field this week)
“That’s the anticipation, yes.”
(On any updates on RB Malcolm Brown)
“He’s feeling good. He had a couple of good days of work with (Director of Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie (Scott). The ankles responded the right way. As long as he continues to progress at this rate, things are looking very positive for him as well this week.”
(On the running back rotation with Brown, RB Todd Gurley II, and RB Darrell Henderson Jr. and what the plan is going forward and what has changed)
“That’s something that, number one you say, ‘Okay, is Malcolm part of that equation? Then what does our gameplan look like specific to how we want to try to run the football or use our backs against Pittsburgh this week.’ This is really one of the first times that you say, ‘Okay, all three are up,’ because now (R
Darrell’s (Henderson Jr.) gotten himself enough experience that you do have a confidence in finding a role and want to get him into a rhythm. Earlier on, it was kind of really just a good spell between (R Todd (Gurley II) and (R Malcolm (Brown). Then with both of those guys having missed games, that was what opened up the doors for Darrell to be able to step in and us to continue to gain some confidence in his ability to play and do some things. It’s a positive problem, but I think that would be something that I could probably be better equipped to answer after the game Sunday when you see what our gameplan is (laughs).”
(On how he thinks the NFC West is playing out so far and how he feels going into the last big game)
“It’s cliché, but I think the focus is on let’s try to go 1-0 against a really good Pittsburgh Steelers team that’s playing at a high level, especially over the last few weeks. They’re a resilient, tough football team, very well coached. Opportunistic on defense, they make you pay and they’re smart with how they move the football efficiently offensively. For us, it’s really just about winning our sixth game. This league has so many ebbs and flows, we’re halfway through. So much can be changed in the eight weeks. I think one of the things that has helped us over the last couple of years that you have to really be conscious about is not looking ahead. So many things are unpredictable. You start looking ahead, you don’t take care of the business at hand. The only thing that we can do is find a way to try to put together a good week of practice and really go 1-0 this week and ultimately try to get our sixth win of the season.”
(On if he spent his bye week going over film and planning for the second half of the season or if he got away from football)
“It was a little bit of both. I think it’s important to get away, but I did look at some stuff. I think it’s important. Especially at the halfway point where you really have enough inventory to really be thorough with a self-scout and evaluate, ‘All right what are some of the things from a coaching standpoint that we can help put our players in better spots, be more efficient? What are some of the key things that we really want to emphasize in all three phases that will help us play better football and ultimately play the best team ball that we can for the 2019 Rams?’ It was a little bit of that and then it was relaxing. But, it’s good. It was a good balance. I feel good, excited to get back at it with these guys.”
(On going into the second half of the season with a different roster and if it feels like a different group going forward without Ravens CB Marcus Peters, Dolphins CB Aqib Talib, OL Joe Noteboom being injured and CB Jalen Ramsey coming in)
“Yeah, that’s the truth. Whether it be by injuries or some of the moves that we did make, there is a different just personnel feel to it. That’s what’s a great challenge is you’re excited about continuing to figure out, ‘All right, what’s the best way for us to accentuate all these players’ skill sets? How does that adjust and adapt our identity that we feel like is best to try to win a football game?’ Like I mentioned, putting all three phases together. There is also a little bit more turnover. There’s been some more injuries than we’ve been accustomed to over the last couple years. So, there’s some new faces. I think that’s one of the things you hated for the guys that have gotten injured. You’re excited about the opportunity it presents for other guys and it’s a great challenge. It’s why you’ve got to stay within the moment and really just produce in the present, and try to just do the best that we can one day at a time.”
(On what challenges the Steelers defense presents)
“They do a great job. I want to say other than New England they’ve taken it away as much as anybody in the league. They’re very opportunistic. You look at the acquisition of (Steelers S) Minkah Fitzpatrick has been a big add for them. They’re physical, they’ve always had that identity, they’re a tough, hard-nose football team. They play physical on all three levels of defense. They do a great job of aggressively mixing it up. They’ll come after you, they can play sound coverage on the backend. It’s going to be a great challenge, especially playing in that atmosphere where you know it’s going to be a great crowd in Pittsburgh. They’re coming in rolling, so they’re feeling good about themselves. We’ve got a little bit of a streak. Hopefully we’ll be feeling healthy and play good football on Sunday.”
(On DT Aaron Donald’s first time playing in Pittsburgh and what type of reception he thinks he will receive and what he’s meant to him here in Los Angeles)
“I think anybody that has been around Aaron Donald, there’s nothing that you can say except for just be impressed by the human being. You look at how much he has done for the University of Pittsburgh, giving back to them. Really using all the success he’s had in that platform to really do a lot of really good things for that university. I know just because they share some of the facilities, the respect that (Steelers Head Coach) Mike Tomlin, when I’ve talked to him in years past, just what an impressive person, anybody that’s around him. Then you see the production, the way that he works at it. I can’t imagine, when you do look at Pittsburgh, you talk about a loyal fan base. I don’t think they would have anything but respect for Aaron Donald, what he’s done and hopefully it will lead to him playing like he has consistently. He sure has meant a lot to us, and I can’t say it enough just how fortunate I feel to be able to work with a player like him.”
(On this year’s mindset of mid-season compared to last year)
“I think in the short time that you have been in this role you really learn that each year is truly a new year. That’s part of the challenge of the consistency and trying to produce year in and year out with the inevitable changes that each season occurs, some of the injuries that you have to overcome whatever it might be. That’s part of what you love about it is you never know what the next day holds, but you do know that all you can really do is work as hard as you possibly can. Figure out a way to collaborate as a coaching staff with your players to put together the best product to ultimately try and win games as a team. It is a different feeling anytime that you are able to get all the results that you want at this point in the season, that’s a good feeling. Part of the moments that we’ve gone through, some of the adversity has definitely helped strengthened us and hopefully we’ll see that pay its dividends as the second half comes about.”
(On if he were told that they would be 5-3 and knowing nothing of how they would get there, if that would sound okay)
“Here’s what I would say, I think it’s really hard to win in this league. You have to bring it every single week in order to get the result that you want. There’s a lot of different reasons why we are 5-3, we are 5-3, but really all we can do is try find a way to get our sixth win and that’s where our focus and concentration is on. There is so much football to be played still up to this point. There’s a lot of things that we can use those first eight games to learn from and hopefully be better when similar situations arise in the future and that’s what we’re looking forward to as a team.”
(On Dolphins CB Aqib Talib’s interview about wanting to stay in L.A. and disagreeing with being on IR)
“I thought he (Dolphins CB Aqib Talib) handled himself really well. I don’t think that, that surprises you with the competitor that he is. He wants to continue to compete, do all those types of things. I wouldn’t have expected to him to say, ‘Oh yeah I can’t wait to do that.’ I think with the type of elite playmaker and competitor that he’s been that’s what I would expect. Then when you watch the entirety of it, you talk about a class act with the way everything has been handled and what he’s meant to this team over the last year and a half. Nothing but appreciation and really fortunate to have worked with Aqib over this last year and a half.”
--RAMS--
(On WR Brandin Cooks visiting with specialists in Pittsburgh and if there is any update on his status)
“It was good. I think, more than anything, just getting some clarity on what’s been the reason that maybe these things have occurred, how’s he (WR Brandin Cooks) feeling? I think anytime that you can get some more information with something like this is very helpful. He’s still day-to-day, he was asymptomatic right after – which is always a positive thing. I think for him, just being able to learn a little bit more about the entirety of what’s going on and maybe have a better understanding of why some of these things have occurred I think gives him a quieted mind and gives us a good feeling about how we want to progress and move forward with this.”
(On how that information impacts Cooks’ availability ahead of Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh)
“I think it’s going to be something that we’re going to just really take a day at a time. He’s continuing to have good responses day in and day out. We’re scheduled for him to probably meet with some of those doctors in Pittsburgh again. When exactly that will take place, we’re going to find out a little bit later on.”
(On if it is possible Cooks will play on Sunday)
“It’s possible. We’re just taking it a day at a time right now.”
(On if Cooks officially cleared concussion protocol)
“I don’t know exactly where he’s at with the specific nuances of exactly how that works. I do know that when you’re talking about somebody that has had two this season, you can’t be careful enough with that. What I am doing is I’m following exactly what we feel like is in the best interest of Brandin Cooks, No. 1, and then finding out exactly what that means as we move forward. He’s scheduled to meet with those guys again to continue to see if he’s progressing at the right rate. Whether that means he’s available now or at a later date, we’ll have some more information on that as the week goes.”
(On if the team has had conversations with Cooks about brain injuries in football)
“Oh yeah – absolutely. I think he feels good – without divulging too much information, just out of respect for the process and some of these things that we’ve learned from the doctors – I think the best thing is that you are asymptomatic. This isn’t something that’s ongoing and lingering in terms of some of the side effects and the repercussions that you can have from some of these concussions. I think, like anything else, he feels good about just getting some more clarity on maybe why these have occurred or what’s the reasons, what are some of the things that we can do from a preventative-maintenance standpoint to try to avoid. Some of these things – just in a physical game – you can’t do much to avoid it when you look at the way that some of these collisions occur. But yes, we’ve talked about those things. He’s got a great perspective on what’s most important: I think, No. 1, he’s got so many great things going. We’re not going to do anything to put him in harms way. That’s the No. 1 priority, that will continue to remain that not only with Brandin, but with all of our players. We’ll be very smart with how we ease him back into this whenever that time comes if that’s the decision we make.”
(On how much of deciding when a player returns to action is up to the player themselves)
“100 percent. With something like that, it’s totally up to them. Usually, what I think they have is a trust that our interest is in their best interest. Using the experts to be able to give their opinion and then you make decisions accordingly as you move forward. You can’t be safe enough with some of these health things. That’s something that we don’t take lightly at all.”
(On how he will bring LB Clay Matthews along this week leading up to Sunday’s game)
“I think, really, it’s just kind of getting him (LB Clay Matthews) back into normal routine, seeing how he’s feeling. Everything’s checked out in a positive manner up to this point, so I think it’s just kind of progressing back to, ‘How comfortable do you feel putting a helmet on?’ Some of the collisions that naturally would occur and just kind of trusting that you’re nice and secure in that absence of some of that stuff that kind of kept it in place and helped it heal over the last couple weeks.”
(On if Matthews will be on the field this week)
“That’s the anticipation, yes.”
(On any updates on RB Malcolm Brown)
“He’s feeling good. He had a couple of good days of work with (Director of Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie (Scott). The ankles responded the right way. As long as he continues to progress at this rate, things are looking very positive for him as well this week.”
(On the running back rotation with Brown, RB Todd Gurley II, and RB Darrell Henderson Jr. and what the plan is going forward and what has changed)
“That’s something that, number one you say, ‘Okay, is Malcolm part of that equation? Then what does our gameplan look like specific to how we want to try to run the football or use our backs against Pittsburgh this week.’ This is really one of the first times that you say, ‘Okay, all three are up,’ because now (R
Darrell’s (Henderson Jr.) gotten himself enough experience that you do have a confidence in finding a role and want to get him into a rhythm. Earlier on, it was kind of really just a good spell between (R Todd (Gurley II) and (R Malcolm (Brown). Then with both of those guys having missed games, that was what opened up the doors for Darrell to be able to step in and us to continue to gain some confidence in his ability to play and do some things. It’s a positive problem, but I think that would be something that I could probably be better equipped to answer after the game Sunday when you see what our gameplan is (laughs).”(On how he thinks the NFC West is playing out so far and how he feels going into the last big game)
“It’s cliché, but I think the focus is on let’s try to go 1-0 against a really good Pittsburgh Steelers team that’s playing at a high level, especially over the last few weeks. They’re a resilient, tough football team, very well coached. Opportunistic on defense, they make you pay and they’re smart with how they move the football efficiently offensively. For us, it’s really just about winning our sixth game. This league has so many ebbs and flows, we’re halfway through. So much can be changed in the eight weeks. I think one of the things that has helped us over the last couple of years that you have to really be conscious about is not looking ahead. So many things are unpredictable. You start looking ahead, you don’t take care of the business at hand. The only thing that we can do is find a way to try to put together a good week of practice and really go 1-0 this week and ultimately try to get our sixth win of the season.”
(On if he spent his bye week going over film and planning for the second half of the season or if he got away from football)
“It was a little bit of both. I think it’s important to get away, but I did look at some stuff. I think it’s important. Especially at the halfway point where you really have enough inventory to really be thorough with a self-scout and evaluate, ‘All right what are some of the things from a coaching standpoint that we can help put our players in better spots, be more efficient? What are some of the key things that we really want to emphasize in all three phases that will help us play better football and ultimately play the best team ball that we can for the 2019 Rams?’ It was a little bit of that and then it was relaxing. But, it’s good. It was a good balance. I feel good, excited to get back at it with these guys.”
(On going into the second half of the season with a different roster and if it feels like a different group going forward without Ravens CB Marcus Peters, Dolphins CB Aqib Talib, OL Joe Noteboom being injured and CB Jalen Ramsey coming in)
“Yeah, that’s the truth. Whether it be by injuries or some of the moves that we did make, there is a different just personnel feel to it. That’s what’s a great challenge is you’re excited about continuing to figure out, ‘All right, what’s the best way for us to accentuate all these players’ skill sets? How does that adjust and adapt our identity that we feel like is best to try to win a football game?’ Like I mentioned, putting all three phases together. There is also a little bit more turnover. There’s been some more injuries than we’ve been accustomed to over the last couple years. So, there’s some new faces. I think that’s one of the things you hated for the guys that have gotten injured. You’re excited about the opportunity it presents for other guys and it’s a great challenge. It’s why you’ve got to stay within the moment and really just produce in the present, and try to just do the best that we can one day at a time.”
(On what challenges the Steelers defense presents)
“They do a great job. I want to say other than New England they’ve taken it away as much as anybody in the league. They’re very opportunistic. You look at the acquisition of (Steelers S) Minkah Fitzpatrick has been a big add for them. They’re physical, they’ve always had that identity, they’re a tough, hard-nose football team. They play physical on all three levels of defense. They do a great job of aggressively mixing it up. They’ll come after you, they can play sound coverage on the backend. It’s going to be a great challenge, especially playing in that atmosphere where you know it’s going to be a great crowd in Pittsburgh. They’re coming in rolling, so they’re feeling good about themselves. We’ve got a little bit of a streak. Hopefully we’ll be feeling healthy and play good football on Sunday.”
(On DT Aaron Donald’s first time playing in Pittsburgh and what type of reception he thinks he will receive and what he’s meant to him here in Los Angeles)
“I think anybody that has been around Aaron Donald, there’s nothing that you can say except for just be impressed by the human being. You look at how much he has done for the University of Pittsburgh, giving back to them. Really using all the success he’s had in that platform to really do a lot of really good things for that university. I know just because they share some of the facilities, the respect that (Steelers Head Coach) Mike Tomlin, when I’ve talked to him in years past, just what an impressive person, anybody that’s around him. Then you see the production, the way that he works at it. I can’t imagine, when you do look at Pittsburgh, you talk about a loyal fan base. I don’t think they would have anything but respect for Aaron Donald, what he’s done and hopefully it will lead to him playing like he has consistently. He sure has meant a lot to us, and I can’t say it enough just how fortunate I feel to be able to work with a player like him.”
(On this year’s mindset of mid-season compared to last year)
“I think in the short time that you have been in this role you really learn that each year is truly a new year. That’s part of the challenge of the consistency and trying to produce year in and year out with the inevitable changes that each season occurs, some of the injuries that you have to overcome whatever it might be. That’s part of what you love about it is you never know what the next day holds, but you do know that all you can really do is work as hard as you possibly can. Figure out a way to collaborate as a coaching staff with your players to put together the best product to ultimately try and win games as a team. It is a different feeling anytime that you are able to get all the results that you want at this point in the season, that’s a good feeling. Part of the moments that we’ve gone through, some of the adversity has definitely helped strengthened us and hopefully we’ll see that pay its dividends as the second half comes about.”
(On if he were told that they would be 5-3 and knowing nothing of how they would get there, if that would sound okay)
“Here’s what I would say, I think it’s really hard to win in this league. You have to bring it every single week in order to get the result that you want. There’s a lot of different reasons why we are 5-3, we are 5-3, but really all we can do is try find a way to get our sixth win and that’s where our focus and concentration is on. There is so much football to be played still up to this point. There’s a lot of things that we can use those first eight games to learn from and hopefully be better when similar situations arise in the future and that’s what we’re looking forward to as a team.”
(On Dolphins CB Aqib Talib’s interview about wanting to stay in L.A. and disagreeing with being on IR)
“I thought he (Dolphins CB Aqib Talib) handled himself really well. I don’t think that, that surprises you with the competitor that he is. He wants to continue to compete, do all those types of things. I wouldn’t have expected to him to say, ‘Oh yeah I can’t wait to do that.’ I think with the type of elite playmaker and competitor that he’s been that’s what I would expect. Then when you watch the entirety of it, you talk about a class act with the way everything has been handled and what he’s meant to this team over the last year and a half. Nothing but appreciation and really fortunate to have worked with Aqib over this last year and a half.”
--RAMS--
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 | Shaky | 247 | November 05, 2019 12:21AM |
