Rapp Henderson Long Evans Gaines Edwards Scott Allen …transcripts

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Rams Fourth-Round Draft Selection DT Greg Gaines – Conference Call – Saturday, April 27, 2019

(On his reaction when he got the phone call from the Rams)

“I was just in shock. I was talking to my mom and all of the sudden my phone started ringing. I don’t know, it was just amazing. It’s cool because I’m going back home. I grew up in L.A., so it’s just, it’s awesome. I’m super excited.”

(On his reaction to joining a defensive line that includes DT Aaron Donald)

“I mean, I’m just like excited to learn from those guys. I’ve watched (DT) Aaron Donald a lot on film and studied a lot of his techniques. It’s going to be amazing to learn from him firsthand. I think he’s going to really help me improve as a player.”

(On the Rams interest in him prior to the draft)

“I met with them at the Senior Bowl in like a formal interview, so that was about it. They said that they liked me. But, I don’t know, I really wasn’t sure.”

(On being drafted to the same team as University of Washington teammate S Taylor Rapp)

“Yeah, that’s super cool. I love (S) Taylor Rapp. He’s a great guy. We get along really well. It’s going to be fun being with him again. He’s a guy I trust back there and it’s going be fun being together still.”

(On if he thinks he has the potential to step in and play immediately in the NFL)

“Yeah, I think so. I’m really strong. I got good technique, quickness, and I’m pretty smart – I think that’s one of my biggest assets. I learn the playbook fast and I’m good at studying offenses, so I think I can make an impact right away.”

(On if there is a spot on the defensive line where he is most comfortable playing)

“I like head-up nose (guard), three (technique) – anywhere on the inside between the guards – anywhere in there. From guard-to-guard, I’m good. That would be my sweet spot.”

(On returning home to Los Angeles to play for an NFL team that wasn’t here a few years ago)

“I’ve never personally been to an NFL game. My first NFL game, I’ll be playing in it, hopefully.”

(On why he hasn’t ever been to an NFL game)

“I don’t know. Well, I grew up in L.A. and there were no teams anywhere nearby, so I just never got to go to an NFL game. I was always playing football during (the NFL season).”

(On if he is in L.A. right now)

“I am in Dallas, Texas right now. I was training out here and my wife had a baby, so I couldn’t fly back. Just didn’t want to fly the newborn around.”

(On everything happening in his life right now)

“Yeah, it’s been a big month that’s for sure.”

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Rams Fifth-Round Draft Selection T David Edwards – Conference Call – Saturday, April 27, 2019

(On his reaction to being drafted by the Rams)

“Complete shock. Just really grateful and appreciative that they gave me this opportunity. When I got the call, I was in the middle of a conversation with my girlfriend and my agent and was like, ‘Holy smokes, this might be it!’ But yeah, just really shocked and really excited.”

(On if he had any idea that the Rams were considering drafting him)

“I didn’t, but I thought I had a really good interview with them at the combine and really felt like I had a good connection with them. I can tell you, when I left my interview with the Rams at the combine, I felt really good about it. Even though I didn’t know that this was kind of a chance, I thought I’d be in a good spot if the Rams were to take me.”

(On how well he knows former Badger and current Rams T Rob Havenstein)

“I don’t know (T) Rob (Havenstein) very much. I met him when he was a senior (at Wisconsin) and I was a senior in high school. I had the opportunity to cross paths with him, but I’ve never had the chance to really talk to him. Everything I’ve heard from guys like (Wisconsin Teammates Michael) Deiter and Beau (Benzschawel) that had the chance to play with him are really cool. So, he’s a really good dude. Nothing but excitement to learn from him and play behind him and get the chance to compete with him.”

(On if he’s played anywhere else on the line besides right tackle)

“So I’ve played left tackle in spring ball, but I’ve played pretty much right tackle my entire career at Wisconsin.”

(On his capabilities at guard if the Rams moved him inside)

“Yeah, I think if I had the opportunity and the reps to play at guard and even at center, I would definitely welcome that. Wherever they decide to play me and give me the opportunity is fine with me. I have no reservations on moving inside or playing at any other position.”

(On if his shoulder affected his draft status and the status of it now)

“Yeah, I think it definitely did. The biggest thing that hurt me this year was my tape – I tried battling through it and giving myself a chance to play with my teammates. But in terms of right now, we actually had the chance to figure out what was wrong, it was something very minor and we were able to fix it actually pretty quickly and it was non-surgical or anything like that. I’m feeling confident, I’m healthy and ready to head into OTAs and rookie minicamp.”

(On his attempt to play through the injury and if that impressed the Rams and showed his commitment to the team)

“Yeah, I hope so. I think the biggest thing that I took away from that was at the end of it, I came out of it as a team guy, I proved I was a team guy. As much as I wanted my tape to be better or the season for myself to be better, I had the chance to play 10 games with teammates and make memories that I will never forget. So, in terms of regretting it or feeling bad about it – I don’t feel bad at all and I hope that the Rams can see that they got a really good dude and a team guy that is going to work his tail off for everybody in the building.”

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Rams Seventh-Round Draft Selection S Nick Scott – Conference Call – Saturday, April 27, 2019

(On his reaction to getting drafted by the Rams)

“Oh, man. I was speechless. I was trying to find the right words to say to the coaches. I was just so glad to hear their voice and talk to them. My family was going crazy in the background. I’m sure that the coaches heard that. But, just a huge sense of relief and I just feel extremely blessed to see all of the work I’ve put in over the years come into fruition.”

(On if the Rams were a team he thought could potentially draft him)

“Absolutely. As a matter of fact, Coach (John) Fassel, the special teams coordinator, he was the first actual coach that I heard from during this process. I was training down in Florida and the Combine was being aired on television, and he was the first coach that called me while he was at the Combine. He said, ‘Hey Nick, I’m looking at your film and I’m extremely surprised that you’re not here right now.” And we’ve been in contact ever since then. He told me he was going draft me and he kept his word. So, I’m looking forward to not only being a huge part of his special teams, but contributing to that defense.”

(On if he’s been a special teams guru throughout his college career)

“Yes ma’am, that’s right. That’s what I call myself. I’ve played special teams all four years. I was special teams player of the year my freshman year and special teams captain the two years after that.”

(On which special teams he played on)

“I’ve played on the core four, all of them. Kickoff, kickoff return. I was a returner for a couple of years. I was on kickoff coverage. I was on punt. I was a gunner on punt, a guard on punt, and I’ve also been on punt return.”

(On his impression on Rams Special teams Coordinator John Fassel)

“He’s awesome. I’ve only had a couple conversations with him over the phone. But, I can just tell from talking to him, he’s got a tremendous amount of energy and he’s passionate about what he does. I can tell that by talking to all the coaches and the coaching staff. I’m just extremely excited to work with those guys.”

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Rams Seventh-Round Draft Selection LB Dakota Allen – Conference Call – Saturday, April 27, 2019

(On his reaction on being picked by the Rams)

“I’m emotional and I broke down in tears. Me and my family, we’ve been waiting on this moment for so long. And I’m just so excited to be an L.A. Ram.”

(On it being a long journey to get to this point and what enabled him to make the the turnaround going to East Mississippi Community College and going back to Texas Tech)

“You know, I had a mistake in my past and the biggest thing is, I learned from it and I grew from it as a person. I’m just excited to continue my football career as an L.A. Ram.”

(On if he thought the Rams might be a team to select him)

“I did have some contact with them. I wouldn’t just say 100 percent that I knew that they were going to pick me. I’m sorry I’m emotional.”

(On his interaction with NFL teams during the draft process regarding his past incident at Texas Tech and rebounding from it)

“Normally when I talked about it, I was just open and honest, and I told them what I learned from it. Their reaction to it was, ‘Everybody makes mistakes. As long as you learn from it, as long as you grow from it, and as you long as you don’t make the same mistake twice.’ So, that’s the most reaction I got.”

(On what he learned from his mistakes looking back)

“I’d say, I learned what’s important to me, and that’s definitely my family and that’s definitely football. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize either one of those things.”

(On if he’s ever been out to Los Angeles before)

“I have. I want to say a couple of spring breaks ago, but definitely not under the same circumstances.”

(On his experience participating in the television show ‘Last Chance U’ and if people still recognize him from the show)

“Honestly, it was a weird experience, but also a great experience. People do recognize me from the show. They recognize me as sort of the good guy on the show (laughs). The whole experience was just amazing and I’m thankful for it because I was able to continue playing football.”

(On where he thinks he would fit in best in the NFL and what kind of player he thinks he can be)

“I will fit in wherever I am coached to fit in. When a get there, I’m going to work hard from day one. I’m going to take it day by day, get better and be coachable, and just hopefully contribute to the team.”

(On if he thought the NFL was no longer a possibility after he first left Texas Tech)

“Oh, yeah. Absolutely. When I first left Texas Tech, I thought I was never going to play football again. That’s why I was so grateful and thankful for the opportunity that East Mississippi provided me. Then once I got that opportunity, I just took it and ran with it. I honestly can’t believe I’m an L.A. Ram.”

(On playing in the same division as Kliff Kingsbury – his former college coach and now head coach of the Arizona Cardinals)

“Oh, that will be very interesting, but I have nothing but the utmost respect for Coach Kingsbury. I mean, he was the one that allowed me back on the team the second time. So, I mean, I love Coach Kingsbury, but I’m definitely a competitor and I’m ready to compete.”

(On where he was when he got the news that the Rams were drafting him)

“I was in my living room with my family.”

(On where he lives)

“In Humble, Texas. It’s like North Houston area.”