Los Angeles Rams vs. Tennessee Titans Transcripts - Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, Rams QB Matthew Stafford, Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel, Titans QB Ryan Tannehill - November 7, 2021

Los Angeles Rams vs. Tennessee Titans Transcripts - Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, Rams QB Matthew Stafford, Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel, Titans QB Ryan Tannehill - November 7, 2021




Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, Rams QB Matthew Stafford, Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel, Titans QB Ryan Tannehill
Rams Head Coach Sean McVay
(Opening Statement)
“First of all, congratulations to the Titans. (Titans Head) Coach (Mike) Vrabel and those guys did a good job. I didn't do nearly a good enough job for our football team tonight. We were uncharacteristic with the penalties, the turnovers. I really think the defense started off, they were giving us a chance. It was a big-time interception by (C Jalen (Ramsey). Then ultimately, really just the momentum and the flow of the game, I didn't do nearly a good enough job of helping our players establish that, particularly on offense. You go back, you look at yourself critically. We get these things corrected. That's all I know how to do. That's what we'll do. I trust the character of this locker room to be able to respond the right way. Not nearly good enough and it starts with me.”

(On QB Matthew Stafford’s ankle)
“I'm not sure. He came back, played. Did a good job leading the touchdown drive. He got it rolled up pretty good on a bad play call, bad situation I put him in right there. But I'm not really sure other than that.”

(On Stafford’s two interceptions)
“Not really giving him much of a chance. I got to help our players out a little bit more. They did a good job of being able to make some plays and that's really what it boils down to.”

(On if the offensive line was losing one-on-one battles)
“There was a couple times where they did a good job being able to win some ISOs (isolations). There were a couple where some late movements ended up coming free. Again, I think it goes back to the feel, the flow for a game, being able to allow our players to get into a rhythm and establish that and really I don't think I did nearly a good enough job of helping us do that. And then also I think some of the penalties. We're playing behind the sticks. They did a good job. They had some players that were able to win some one on ones and we were uncharacteristic. But I think overall, you look at yourself and say what can I do to make sure we establish a little bit better rhythm and routine. That's where I'm very bothered at myself for that.”

(On the penalties committed today)
“I think you go back and you say, ‘All right, we're not going to allow one game to define us. I don't think that's reflective of the type of football team we are. We had a rough night. It really seemed like that was kind of the narrative for the night. A lot of those things that occurred are uncharacteristic. I choose to believe that tonight was not a reflection of who we are. We can look at it, correct it, and we’ll keep it moving.”

(On the last drive and getting into the end zone)
“Oh, yeah. I mean, they're playing softer coverages, things like that, too. You do have to be mindful of that.
But I did like the way our guys competed untill the end, found enough way to make plays. I thought (Q Matthew (Stafford) showed his guts and his resilience. You certainly want to ride with guys like that.”

(On if Stafford not practicing this week led to issues on the field during the game)
“Yeah, I don't want to use that as a crutch. I really think it boils down to, ultimately, did you really put yourself -- did I really put our team in positions to make plays and have a rhythm and routine like I keep talking about. I didn't. Did Matthew make some uncharacteristic plays? Yeah, he did. But I'm not going to say that's a result of what occurred.”

(On if physicality up front on the offensive line can be an issue sometimes)
“Yeah, I don't think so. I think tonight they did a great job in some isolated instances. If it was one matchup that you felt like continued to show itself, then you'd say, ‘Alright, maybe that's a concern right there.’ Again, when you're playing behind the sticks you become one-dimensional like we were. I think that's tough versus any defensive front, especially a really good team like they are. We'll go back, we'll look at it, we'll clean it up. I trust that we'll play better moving forward.”

(On the timeframe for OLB Von Miller’s return)
“We'll see. We'll take it a day at a time with (OL Von (Miller) right now.”

(On if they are being especially careful with Miller)
“Yeah, we are. We're going to be smart with Von. He's doing everything in his power to be ready to go. Hopefully he's ready to go next week. I can't give you that answer right now.”

(On what happened on third-and-longs offensively)
“Third-and-long? You're talking about defensively or offensively? We didn't convert tonight. But if you look at it over the season, I bet you we're as good as anybody in the league. We just weren't very good as a whole offensively at all tonight. I don't think that's reflective of the type of unit, the operation that we want to have. Looking forward to the opportunity to respond.”

(On if he was close to going for it on fourth down after the TE Tyler Higbee touchdown was called back)
““Yeah, I mean, I think when you look at how early that was in the second half, you felt like that was the smart decision. I thought our defense was playing really well and kind of was able to maybe say let's capitalize on this momentum. That was a play that didn't go in our favor.”

(On what he learned about his team tonight)
“Well, I learned that we've got to play cleaner football. I've learned that I didn't do a good enough job for this team. I'm looking forward to seeing what we learn from our response. That's where I think we can learn the most. The last time we had a setback with this group, loved the way they responded on a short week coming off that Arizona loss against Seattle. Now we'll get an opportunity to respond this week. Okay, thank you.”

Rams QB Matthew Stafford
(On how his ankle is doing)
“Uh, it’s fine. It will be alright. I just rolled it on myself really.”

(On his two turnovers)
“Yeah, I mean, the first one, the guys got a hold of me. I got to do a better job, probably just falling on that one or throwing it over (WR) Robert's (Woods) head maybe earlier. Maybe try to get back through it. I can't have that. I basically spotted them 14 points. Can't do that in the NFL, especially against a good team like that, that wants to get out in front, run the football, mix coverages, all that kind of stuff. Just wasn't good enough early in the game. Turnovers really killed us. Those were on me. If I clean those up, I know I will, I got a lot of confidence in this team to go out there and play some really good football. Our defense played good, good enough to keep us in the game. If we don't turn the ball over twice it gives us a chance to win that one. I got to play better myself first and foremost.”

(On being hampered by his back or being limited at practice)
“No, no, I felt good. Felt good physically, just didn't do enough early in the game. I took a couple sacks early in the game, too, that kind of helped them build a little bit of momentum where I could have probably gotten the ball out. I was probably trying to be a little bit too aggressive and hold onto it a little bit. There's a lot of things I can do to clean up and be better. I'll take a hard look at myself and know I got a big opportunity on Monday night next week to go out there and play well.”

(On him feeling out of sync)
“Yeah, I think I just got to get it out. There were guys underneath open. I was trying to probably do a little bit too much. I just got to play within the scheme, play within myself… do that a little bit better. Felt like kind of settled in in the second half. At that point, you know, I had done too much damage early in that game to get us out of it. I love the way our guys fought. We were close. Maybe if the (TE Tyler) Higbee touchdown stands, it's a different ballgame there late. I love the way our guys fight and battle. I always appreciate that. Just got to be cleaner… turnovers, penalties, all those things hurt us tonight.”

(On what goes through his mind during interceptions, sacks and incompletes)
“Yeah, I mean, it's a reactionary game. Football is a reactionary game. I just got to make a better decision there. I've been doing this long enough to know I can't just throw one right down the middle of the field. If I can find the sidelines, get it out. That's a better option. I’ll try to do that next time.”

(On not being able to practice and how that affected the game)
“Not for me. It didn't feel like that was an issue. Really just execution, when we were out there, wasn't good enough on my part. I just got to be a little bit better.”

(On being sacked)
“I'm going to have to go look at the tape. For sure the first couple early on. There was one late as well on a third down. I probably could have gotten one out where we ended up kicking a field goal. But I got to go look at it. Yeah, too many of them.”

(On shaking this game off)
“You just turn the tape on, learn from it. I've been doing this a long time. Had a bunch of good games, had a bunch of bad games before. I know what it looks like to go out there and respond and play well the next week. I think our team does. We did it earlier this year and plan on doing it again.”

(On his response to the Cardinal game and how that affected how he worked and prepared)
“No different than most of the days we're in there. We have a great team that is full of guys that care about putting the right stuff out there every single day. I know we'll show up to work ready to go. Pissed off about losing the game, absolutely. Ready to go out there and make whatever mistakes we made in this game, make 'em right and make sure we do a good job next time we're out on the field.”

(On how tough it is to exercise patience)
“It shouldn't be tough. I just have to take what the defense gives me. They were doing a great job of trying to keep it all in front of them tonight. I didn't do a good enough job of just checking it down early in the game, keeping us ahead of the sticks and doing all the things that would build positive momentum for our team. If I do that, it will probably be a different ballgame.”

Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel
(On being proud of controlling the game defensively)
“Those guys played fantastic. It was fun to watch them play. I thought (Defensive Coordinator) Shane (Bowen) called a great game. I thought all the assistants were ready to go to make adjustments, but all the credit goes to the players. Obviously, the impact that the front had and the pressure, you want to force him into some bad decisions.”

(On if the two early turnovers were a result of them focusing on that as a team)
“I hope that it is. I think we’ve got to still continue to try to hammer the football out. When you can force quarterbacks in this league, just like they did sometimes to (Q Ryan (Tannehill) - if you can, it can force them into bad decisions. I think that the group is playing with a lot of confidence right now to be able to come in here and play the way they did and holding field goals and play great in the red zone, all those situations that we had where it was third down a red zone, and we really came up big and that's been an improvement for us this year.”

(On how he anticipated the game going)
“I don't really try to anticipate how the game's going to go. You go out there and you get a sense for how it's going. You could tell early on yards were going to be hard to come by. So, all the little things that we talk about with details, and penalties, and not doing stuff to hurt the team, and turnovers - all those things make a huge difference.”

(On the team’s reaction to losing RB Derrick Henry and then coming out with a win against the Rams)
“We've moved on since (R Derrick (Henry). We knew that he wasn't going to be with us early in the week. I felt like the guys responded, had a great week. Coaches got players ready that weren't here, and they played in the game and they made plays to help us win.”

(On his perspective of Rams TE Tyler Higbee’s touchdown getting turned over)
“Same one it was for you. I don't get an extra replay. I just get the same ones you guys get. Looked like his foot was out of bounds.”

(On why it took so long to make the call)
“Guys, they have a Twitter site. That’s @NFLOfficiating. Just tweet at them. I don't know. You know what I mean? I don't get any special answers. So, just tweet them and see if they respond to you.”

(On update on DE Amani Bledsoe)
“It was absolutely critical, and I think that (DE Amani) Mani (Bledsoe) worked his way through the trash. They probably tried to pick them off and made a fantastic tackle. And then for (OL Bud (Dupree) to factor on that play - it was a huge play. We were trying to hang on by any means. It was just tough sledding there. I thought we came up with a huge drive. They helped us out, but we went down there and we were able to finish off, and Ryan threw a great ball. (WR) A.J. (Brown) came up big when it mattered, and then we were able to punch it in there in the end zone.”

(On his front four getting pressure and being able to drop seven)
“I think that now that we're starting to see some of that. Hopefully, we can start to marry some of that and not take some chances but understand that the ball is coming out here pretty quick. I think he was able to progress through a few times, but they're going to block us. But hopefully that we can continue to have some success with rushing four and mixing in some pressure.”

(On if one of his coaching points was to have guys match hands with the quarterbacks)
“That’s something that we've always done. That's part of ball disruption. That's part of our practice routine, matching the quarterbacks’ throwing hand, stabbing through the pocket, hammer and raking, all those things that we coach. And I think that the more that they see themselves do it on film, then they're holding each other accountable to get turnovers. The offense is obviously taking care of the football, you can start to do some really good things.”

(On the type of contribution Titans RB Adrian Peterson made)
“I thought he played physical. I thought he brought an energy and a professionalism. As a run behind this line and we didn't have a practice that was a full-speed padded practice because where we were in the season, so I'm sure there's a lot of things that he would like to have had back or cuts. We were battling and I give our guys a lot of credit for competing.”

(On when did he know they would be without Titans OL Taylor Lewan and how does he think the guys up front did)
“I think that this is a very good, excellent defense, but I enjoy watching those guys play and compete. Quess (Titans OL David Quessenberry) was a captain for us today. Obviously, (Titans OL) Roger (Saffold III) coming back home, (Titans OL) Ben Jones is the glue and then Brew (Titans OL Aaron Brewer) being able to step up in there. I'm sure he'll be finishing all over the place and sure there'll be some plays that he'd like to have back. (Titans OL) Bobby (Hart) stepped in. Bobby's played in this league and he was ready to go.”

(On if Titans OL Taylor Lewan’s participation was based off what he could do in warmups)
“(Titans OL) Taylor (Lewan) just was unavailable today. Maybe it was going to be emergency role.”

(On how much growth he’s seen from Titans DT Jeffery Simmons)
“He’s been a fantastic person, leader, a contributor for us since the day that we drafted him. He’s really playing with a lot of confidence. I think that his technique is what's improved. He was always just a big, powerful play hard, be-disruptive player. I think we're all starting to see some of the technique that those guys up front or are coaching him and he's feeling some confidence in it. It’s showing that it works.”

(On how important it is to have a defense that makes game changing plays)
“I hope it doesn't run out. I know you can't rely on it, but again, you put enough pressure and I'm feeling it over on the sidelines. I'm feeling that type of pressure and they're doing the same thing to our guy. They’re doing the same thing to our quarterback, but I think they're all just continuing to build some confidence and guys are catching them when a quarterback makes bad decisions.”

(On if his players did a good job not letting Rams CB Jalen Ramsey get under their skin)
“He’s a good player. We had however many, three penalties or four penalties. They had 10 or 11. Again, there's your answer to how we responded.”

(On if he thought Ramsey was going to be ejected from the game after his second penalty)
“From my knowledge, when it was reported, they called a taunt and then the next one is the penalty that would get you out of the game. They just said, ‘No. We changed it.’ ‘Okay. Then just let me know when you change it.’”

(On how the success his team has had over the past few weeks helps build confidence)
“Success leads to confidence. Going out there and being able to view it, continue to improve. That’s the message. We're better now than what we were to start the season. And that's the most important thing in the National Football League, is that you find ways to continue to improve. Obviously, you have to find ways to win, but along the way, you got to find ways to get better because if you don't, you'll find yourself on the outside looking in because there's a lot of teams that are going to continue to improve and we have to be one of those.”

Titans QB Ryan Tannehill
(On the importance of getting short field position and the pick-six to take pressure off the offense)
“Oh, it's huge. And the defense played huge all game and those plays early were unbelievable. You look at the pressure on the quarterbavk and then, (Titans L David (Long Jr.) making a play on the ball and then (Titans S) Kevin (Byard) reading the pattern and getting underneath that out cut was huge. So hats off to them, they played a heck of a game. It was fun watching them make plays and, I’m proud of the way they played.”

(On going into the game not knowing if backup linemen Titans OL Bobby Hart or OL Aaron Brewer would start)
“Yeah, I didn't know exactly what was going to pan out up there, but I’m proud of those guys, the way they stepped in for us. We obviously knew coming in that, they have some pretty good players on the other side and I’m proud of the way that those guys battled and made plays for us.”

(On the Titans’ resiliency despite losing Titans RB Derrick Henry and two starting offensive linemen)
“We are a resilient group; we believe in each other. It's the ‘next man up’ mentality. We know it's not always going to be pretty, but we believe in each other, we're going to fight and we're going to try to find a way to win. And today we did that. The defense came up huge for us. They made those huge plays in the first half. The offense did enough, we made some plays when it counted there at the end, we were able to put that drive together and go get a touchdown when, if we give the ball back to him, it could have gone the other way. So part of the way our guys battled. Hats off to the defense, they play their tails off all day. And we found a way to win.”

(On if the Titans have as good of an understanding as there can be about the shape of the game as it unfolds)
“Yeah, you don't play for stats. You play for wins. Sometimes they correlate together, but in other situations, in other games, it's just a matter of finding a way to win. And today as a team, we did that. The defense, like we just mentioned, some of the plays they made were huge. They played tough the whole day and offensively, we kind of answered the bell there at the end when we needed to make a play.”

(On what he was seeing when the Rams’ intercepted him)
“(Titans WR) A.J. (Brown) was going on the outside. Right at the last second, somebody’s hand went across my face and I tried to adjust my arm angle so I wouldn’t get batted, and I left it inside there.”

(On beating a Super Bowl contender on the road and how big of a deal is it for the Titans)
“That was a good one for us. No doubt about it. Proud of our guys, the way we came out and battled, a good team on the other side, on the road. And guys stepped up and made plays, but at the end of the day, it's just one more game. We just have to find a way to keep winning one game at a time. But I think that, hopefully we can build on it. And I'm proud of the guys and way they battled.”

(On the tough hits he took in the fourth quarter and if the Rams were trying to rough him up when the game seemed out of reach for them)
“I mean, they're playing physical. They have a good pass rush and they play physical. I don't think it was personal or anything. At that point, if they get the ball back then they're going to have a chance to possibly make it a game again. So, they're playing good, tough defense and they committed those fouls and allowed us to extend the drives.”

(On where the team is now and what is different about this team compared to previous years)
“I don't want to compare it to years past, but I'm proud of our guys and the way we battled. We have a lot of heart, a lot of belief in one another, and a lot of will to win. No matter what's going on, what adversity we face, it's kind of next man up mentality. And it's been that way since I've been here, but I'm proud of our guys and the way we battle. We just want to go out and find a way to win each and every week.”

(On how his experience is different, what is different with him personally and mentally and how experience will shape him)
“It's a lot of fun to go out with a tough group of guys that believe in each other, and want to find a way to win; it may not always be the prettiest win. It may not always be smooth sailing, but when things don't go, well, this team doesn't blink, we believe in each other, we're going to keep fighting no matter what happens. And I'm proud to be a part of a team like that.”

--RAMS--