McVay, Goff … 8/18 … transcripts

TRANSCRIPTS: Rams Head Coach Sean McVay & Jared Goff – August 18, 2020

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay

(On how the first day of practice with pads went)
“It was good, you know the thing that’s been good about that is our guys have really learned how to practice with or without pads being able to go full speed. I think that’s one of the big things. Learning how to be a pro, is how to practice full speed whether you’re playing with or without pads. Obviously we can thud up. We didn’t tackle today, but today really represented our third practice of real football, going offense versus defense. Guys did a great job, and it was certainly good to be able to hear those pads pop a little bit. The guys where smart about doing it the right way, and that’s exactly what we wanted.”

(On how it was practicing without S Taylor Rapp today)
“He just got a little knee right now. We feel good about him being on track to get back on the field sooner than later, but it’s just a little knee right now.”

(On if OLB Justin Lawler was practicing today)
“No. Well, he got his foot stepped on and we’re getting that thing checked out. Hopefully, we get some good news, but that was why he wasn’t out there.”

(On what it was like to watch the running backs practice with pads on today)
“It’s been good. These guys have done a nice job. You know, I continue to come away impressed with the leadership from (Running Backs Coach) Thomas Brown, (RB) Malcolm Brown has done a great job setting an example for that room. I think (RB) Darrell Henderson has taken a lot of good steps in the right direction, where you can see he’s really grasping a lot of the things that we’re doing offensively whether it’s the run or the pass game. You see where (RB) Cam (Akers) is and (RB) John Kelly is a solid player.”

(On if he’s seen any improvement with QB Jared Goff)
“Yeah, I think he’s just continuing to grow. (Offensive Coordinator Coach) Kevin O’Connell done a phenomenal job with him. I think those two have a great rapport. Just every little thing, fundamentals, details, snap in and snap out. There’s so much that the QB position entails, above the neck, physically. I think those two being able to work together is going to be a huge benefit to Jared. I think he’s really receptive to him. I think (Assistant Quarter Backs Coach) Liam Coen has also done a really nice job. I’ve been very pleased with Jared. I thought today he had his best day yet.”

(On what he was able to see Goff do in practice today)
“Made completions, took what the defense gave him, made good decisions consistently. I thought we got in and out the huddle the right way. It was on track for doing things with the standards that we have set and I though it started with his performance today.”

(On if any rookies made an impression during training camp)
“You know, I’ve been really impressed with all these guys, but those two young safeties, when you look at (S Terrell) Burgess and (S Jordan) Fuller have really been standouts the last couple of days and (WR) Van Jefferson has really done an excellent job these last few days. He’s made a lot of plays. He’s got great ability to be able to work edges on people, separate, good aggressive hands, he’s physical, but Burgess and Fuller. Its been good getting (OLB) Terrell Lewis back out on the field. We’ve talked about what a special player Cam Akers is. I think when you look at those guys that we’re really counting on to contribute from that draft class, we’ve been very pleased. They got a long way to go but they’re certainly doing things the right way and I think that’s a credit to them and also the leadership from their coaches.”

(On what he saw from the O-line and D-line during practice)
“I think it’s good to be able to, you know, when you’re fitting it and when you’re hitting blocks up front, you can hear those collisions and it sounds good. I think it’s more realistic for those guys. It was just an overall smart but physical day. I think we try to mix it up where we get a lot of the competitive work where we’re going ones-on-ones. But then also, kind of getting some of our ones versus some of the younger guys. But when we really do ramp it up in those competitive periods, that’s when you can really feel those fronts are going to make each other better. I mean clearly when you look at the way (DT) Aaron (Donald) performs day in and day out. I’ve been really pleased with (OLB) Leonard Floyd, (DL) Michael Brockers continues to be a great leader. So, I’ve been pleased with our defensive front and then the leadership from (OL Andrew) Whitworth, (OL Rob) Havenstein, and (OL Austin) Blythe and seeing a couple of our young guards, those guys are making steps in the right direction.”

(On his reaction after viewing the first episode of Hard Knocks this season)
“I just wanted to make sure that I didn’t come off as a total tool with my shirt off at my house in the pool. That was my biggest concern. As soon as I did that with them, I said ‘I cannot believe I was that dumb to do that.’ If you can believe, it was actually worse before we cut a couple of those scenes out. So, I came away scathed, but not as scarred as I would have been otherwise.”

(On LB Terrell Lewis)
“Yeah, he certainly looks like you’re supposed to. I mean, he is exactly what you want when you draw up a Madden player, in terms of what that outside edge player looks like. (Linebackers Coach) Chris Shula has done great with him. It’s been good just getting him back into the building and getting into the flow. You forget when he missed a few of those days with the COVID-IR. He’s feeling good. He’s looked good the last three days in practice and has got a long way to go. But, you definitely see the flashes and we’re encouraged with what we’ve seen with Terrell so far.”

(On Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley)
“It’s been great. I’ve been so impressed with (Defensive Coordinator) Brandon (Staley) from the first time I met him. I think his ability to collaborate with our defensive coaches that have already been in place, his big picture understanding. When we talk football with this guy, I’m sure you can tell in the few times that you’ve spent a little time with him in these media sessions, he’s an impressive person. He’s a great human being. His capacity for football is as good as I’ve been around. He has a big picture understanding for offense and defense. He knows how to attack protections. He knows how to manipulate route combinations with coverage principles. He knows how to get guys freed up, up front. I’m very excited about the leadership that he’s provided and most importantly, he’s established a great rapport with the coaches and the players. I think they feel really good. Knowing we have a long way to go, but I couldn’t be happier with what Brandon’s done so far.”

(On if he agrees with DL Michael Brockers’ sentiment of playing football offers a distraction from the pandemic and any ensuing challenges)
“I agree with what (DL Michael) Brockers is saying right there because as long as we’re smart, and everybody’s doing the right things day in and day out to keep the ecosystem right, you can go play football with a quieted mind knowing that ‘Hey, we’re getting tested every day.’ Guys are making the mature decisions outside of when we’re here and I think there is an element of there’s so many things that you want to do to risk mitigate, but when you get out on the field, there’s a little bit of a release where you can focus on playing football. You almost forgot how much you enjoy being out on the field with these guys. Competing and being able to do what we do. And that offer a nice kind of escape, if you will. While you still want to do the right things, but our goal is to make sure we’re risk mitigating and doing all the right things outside of when we’re playing football, so when everybody is taking care of their business, you know it’s just not going to create itself unless someone brings it in.”

(On any concerns about Brockers’ ankle)
“He’s a guy who’s had a lot of experience. He’s done a nice job of the rehab. I just have so much confidence in (Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie Scott and his group, that they felt good about the trajectory (Brockers) was on in terms of getting back and being back to normal. That was a significant injury he suffered against the (Arizona) Cardinals last year, but he’s done his part. I think he’s had great guidance from our medical staff and he looks like himself on the field these last few days. Very, very thankful that we didn’t lose him to the (Baltimore) Ravens.”

…

Rams QB Jared Goff

(On what it was like to finally wear pads)
“It felt good. It felt really good. I think being out there, especially on offense being able to run the ball the way we did today with real pads and being able to really move some things up front, it was really good and a fun day for us.”

(On if he watched the first episode of Hard Knocks)
“Yeah, I did.”

(On his reaction to the first episode of Hard Knocks)
“It was good. It’s so different in years past because there are two teams. So, it’s a little bit difficult for them to as in depth as I’m sure it’s been in years past, but it was good. It was fun. It’s cool to see how other teams are operating as well.”

(On if they made fun of Head Coach Sean McVay’s pool scene in Hard Knocks)
“No, no we didn’t (laughs).”

(On how different it feels this season with a new offensive coordinator)
“Yeah, (Offensive Coordinator) Kevin (O’ Connell) has been really good. It’s been a lot of fun working with him up to this point. And really, we’ve only had however many practices we’ve had in training camp actually working together. But he’s been incredible, he’s been really good and you can tell he knows what he’s doing and has done it at a high level. It always helps when you have a guy coaching you that has played the position as well and he’s done it at the highest level. It’s been a good marriage up to this point and I’ve enjoyed it.”

(On his personal goals for this season)
“I’m looking forward to everything. I’m looking forward to playing. I’m looking forward to getting back on the field and having fun with my teammates, scoring touchdowns, you know. Just having a good time doing what we love and you know, it’s coming up soon and we’re getting excited.”

(On what he thinks WR Van Jefferson has been able to contribute to the team)
“(WR) Van (Jefferson) has been really good, man. He’s been really good. I say that cautiously because you never want these young guys to get too far ahead of themselves (laughs). But he’s been really impressive and done a good job. It reminds me a lot of when (WR) Cooper (Kupp) was a rookie, and he was just so far ahead of where a rookie kind of should be. He’s done a great job. He’s really picking things up fast. He’s obviously extremely athletic, but I think his ability to be able to pick up the offense mentally and understand the little intricacies of it has been really impressive, and I’m excited to play with him.”

(On if he thinks Jefferson’s college workload on the field helped him prepare faster for this offense)
“Yeah, I’m sure that’s part of it. Just being in an offense that does, maybe, some similar things at Florida. I’m not sure how much was similar, but more than anything it’s the way he approaches it every day. The way he comes to work and is a pro. Not surprised, you know, his dad is an NFL coach and he kind of gets it. So, you can tell when those young guys are the ones that get it and he certainly up to this point is one of those guys.”

(On McVay believing this was Goff’s best day of practice and what he thinks clicked for him today)
“Oh, man. We just finally caught our rhythm offensively, I think. When we get the pads on, it’s a little bit different. I think without the pads on the pocket can be just a little bit different because we’re not able to fit up as well up front just without pads. The same thing outside, and same thing running the ball. It forces the defense to react naturally and not – truly, they’re supposed to react as if they have to tackle and that’s what changes some things for us and allows our guys to get a little bit more open and just really open up the offense.”

(On what has been his biggest impression of OLBs Leonard Floyd and Terrell Lewis)
“Yeah, I mean, you can tell they’re both SEC (Southeastern Conference) guys immediately as you get on the field with them. They’re both built like they’re supposed to be and it’s fun. I think (OLB) Leonard (Floyd) has been fun to see him on my own team. I played against him a couple times and he’s always been tough for us to deal with. He’s so good, both in the run and the pass. I think that’s what separates him on the edge. You know, he’s obviously a good pass rusher and has that length, but dropping into coverage he’s actually really good with too and has done a good job. Then (OLB) Terrell Lewis, we’ve only been out there a couple days with him, but he’s done a great job as well. He’s flashed in certain areas and you can’t miss him on the field and we’ve certainly seen him.”

(On if the offense will look different this season given the new personnel)
“You’ll have to wait and see, I don’t know (laughs). We always have our wrinkles every offseason and this year is no different. We’re going to try some stuff. We’re going to do a lot of the stuff we have done, but there will be some new stuff I’m sure.”

(On TE Tyler Higbee’s sentiment about the great shape Goff is in and what he did differently this offseason)
“That was nice of Tyler (Higbee). I did a lot of things, I just worked out and ate right. At the end of the day, that’s all you can really do to further your body. I took care of it. I have a trainer, I have a nutritionist, I have the whole thing going now and I feel really good.”

(On whether he feels more mobile given his nutrition and physical shape)
“I sure hope so, I better be. I’ve been working pretty hard to be that way. So yeah, I would like to be more mobile. I think it’s definitely part of it. Up to this point, I do feel a little bit faster and we’ll see if that pays off.”

(On whether he wants to be more mobile within the pocket or taking off)
“A little bit of everything, hopefully. Hopefully, I can extend plays a little bit better than I have throughout my career and continue to be the best player I can be.”

(On RBs Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr.)
“They’ve both done a great job. Like I said about (WR) Van (Jefferson) earlier, (RB) Cam’s (Akers) the same way. He shows up every day. He’s really smart, willing to learn, willing to listen and has done a great job up until this point. Both of them, I think as much as I can – you know, obviously they’re getting their coaching points from their coaches, but as much as I can give them some shortcuts to some things and allow them to understand some things from my vantage point, how I’ve seen it work in games and seen it work in practice. I think that’s the best I can do. They’ve both done a great job and I expect them to both have really good years.”

(On any specific goals going into practice and if it changes from practice to practice)
“I wouldn’t say anything is ever statistically based in practice. I’m working on different things daily, absolutely. It changes daily and that’s really mainly between me and (Offensive Coordinator) Kevin (O’Connell). What we want to work on that day and what we’re going into the day on what we want to work on. I think he’s done a great job with me at keeping that very focused on one or two things every day to work on. Every day, it does change. Every day we work on different things. Every day we’re doing a different phase of our offense. So yeah, there have been things and it does change.”

(On if those goals help him focus mentally)
“Absolutely. Usually, we’ll put an emphasis on it in our individual drills and then hoping that carries over into the team drills, and often it does and that’s been great.”

(On how the new Rams defense has tested him)
“They’ve been really good. They’ve done a really good job. It’s been tough for us.”

(On why he thinks DL Aaron Donald is a good player)
“Why is (DL) Aaron (Donald) so good? I think the easiest answer is how hard he works. It just shows up every day how hard he works in practice, how hard he works in the weight room, how hard he studies film. It truly makes everyone else bring their level up higher when they see the best player on the field, arguably the best player in this league, working as hard as he does every day. I expect him to have another Defensive Player of the Year type of year and I know he does too.”

(On whether he notices more rotation in the Rams secondary)
“They’ve rotated guys, both 1’s and 2’s. I don’t think there’s much I could divulge that would even give anything away. But yeah, they’ve done a good job rotating guys in and out. But, it’s nothing unusual.”

(On his impressions of S Terrell Burgess and S Jordan Fuller)
“They’ve both done a good job. They’ve both done a really good job. I think both of them have interceptions at this point and picking up good. Picking up really good. Have a lot of speed, really smart and I think in that defense they’re going to really thrive.”
–