Rams Press Conferences 9/3: McVay & Donald … + McV transcript

Coach Sean McVay – September 3, 2020

(On an update on OLB Terrell Lewis)
“I don’t have any update on that.”

(On if he’s anticipating an update on Lewis’ return)
“Hoping that I’ll have an update in the next couple of days.”

(On how CB Troy Hill’s health)
“(CB) Troy (Hill) was good. He was good.”

(On how he feels training camp went and how he would evaluate camp during COVID and if he’d like to see a similar camp next season)
“That’s really not for me to talk about. I think the guys have done a great job handling the circumstances. I’ve been really pleased with them. They’ve done everything that we’ve asked. We’ve gotten a lot of really good evaluation opportunities. Under the circumstances though, we have done a lot of good things, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. We’ve got to continue to maximize every single ‘op’ that we have on the field until we get to that (September) 13th (game). We’ve got some tough decisions to make over these next couple of days, but fortunately with the expansion of the practice squad, a lot of these guys will still be able to be here. They’ve done a great job of making it tough on us. I’m just appreciative of the way that our guys have consistently worked throughout camp.”

(On what positions he thinks he’ll spend the most time on during roster cuts)
“I think they’re all so important. You know, I think that’s a real credit to our scouting staff, our coaches working in unison to be able to bring in a bunch of a quality college free agents. The draft picks have been great, signing some guys that hadn’t been here that are veterans. So, every position is something that’s very important. There are certain spots that maybe we have a little bit more experience at with guys that have played a lot of football, but there’s going to be a lot of good dialogue over this next day and a half or so.”

(On who grabbed his attention the most out of the drafted and undrafted rookies)
“I mean, really, I would say that they’ve all stood out in their own way on, on different days. I’ve mentioned when you look at (S Jordan) Fuller and (S Terrell) Burgess have done a great job throughout camp. I think (RB) Cam Akers and (WR) Van Jefferson have also done an excellent job. So, you know, those four in particular, have really stood out from that rookie class and those guys have continued to shine really throughout camp.”

(On if he is hopeful that a contract will get done for CB Jalen Ramsey)
“We’ll see, we’ll see.”

(On where he will stand if a contract extension has not been reached for Ramsey going in to Week 1)
“He’s a very important player for us. We’re focused on getting ready, getting him ready for the football season and the (Dallas) Cowboys game.”

(On if he will be concerned if a contract has not been reached for Ramsey going into game one)
“No. He’s done a great job handling things. Those conversations, that (CB) Jalen (Ramsey) and I’ve had have been good and that’s where we’ll leave it.”

(On if the team is waiting for anything in particular in assessing Lewis)
“Yeah, it’s a unique situation, is what I would say. I’m probably not knowledgeable to be able to truly articulate, and there’s still a lot of things that we’ve got to get figured out. So, I’d rather be able to wait until I have the right information and accurate information to be able to give you guys what’s going on with him (OLB Terrell Lewis).”

(On if he is comfortable with the linebackers or if the team will search outside for upgrades this weekend)
“No. We feel comfortable. Those guys have done a nice job. The big thing for us is, you always are looking at if there’s any potential guys that do come available based on teams releasing them. So, it’s something that you feel good about the guys in house, but we’re always monitoring. If there’s a way that we feel like we can upgrade our roster, we’ll always pursue those options.”

(On how he feels about DL Aaron Donald’s mindset and the defense as a whole)
“I thought they’ve had a great camp. I love the way that we’re coming together and playing as a unit, understanding some of the intricacies of what we’re trying to get done, based on the call. But, we’ve got some work to be able to do, but I think the continuity is probably what he was speaking on and that’s something that I do feel really good about. I’ve been very pleased with them. I think the leaders, when you talk about ‘AD’ (DL Aaron Donald), he has done an excellent job. (DL Michael) Brockers, to be able to just consistently show up in and day out and inject those guys with the energy and enthusiasm to get it done. I’m looking forward to seeing that continue as we move forward.”

(On how he describes Donald’s durability)
“Second to none. He’s so unique. I mean, it seems like every single day, when you watch him closely, he does something that makes you say, ‘Holy, you know…’ He’s unique and he brings it every day. I think the best thing about Aaron is when your best player represents exactly what it looks like to compete with a relentless approach to every single snap that is so powerful. To be able to say, ‘Hey, watch what ‘AD’ does right here. Watch the way this guy brings it every single thing, everything that we do.’ That’s the epitome of what we’re looking for in guys and he’s demonstrated that to a ‘T’. I love him”

(On why Ramsey did not participate during the second half of practice and if it is because of his contract)
“No. he had participated earlier. We were working in some carded periods a little bit later on, where you’ll typically see some substitution. So, he was taking part in the earlier parts of practice, but we were kind of just spotting some of his reps.”

(Clarification on why OL Andrew Whitworth did not practice)
“Veteran day for him. Yep. He had gone a couple of days in a row in pads. So, we give the big fella one of those three days off.”

(On what was Whitworth’s message to the team during practice)
“He’s real passionate about all the right things. I’ll keep that in house, but it was just a challenge, based on where his heart is and kind of really listening to his teammates. A lot of the things that are going on and really just kind of trying to put some action in place, but kind of just keep that in-house. But it was a special, powerful message that I think was received very well from the guys.”

(On if he would like to see no preseason moving forward or for it to come back)
“I think the preseason is good. I think it’s a very helpful part of the evaluation process. I also have mentioned a bunch of times, I love being able to practice against other teams. I think that mixes up the monotony of camp. I think our guys have done a great job handling the parameters that we have in place. I think all things considered you would prefer (inaudible) to what we’ve all been accustomed to in previous years.”

(On if he feels good about where WR Cooper Kupp and RB Darrell Henderson Jr. are heading into Week 1)
“Yeah. I feel good about (WR) Cooper (Kupp). He was able to get out there today and he was full speed and he’s feeling great. (RB) Darrell (Henderson Jr.), we’re continuing to monitor. We’re optimistic, but, until he truly gets out there and is able to really open up and let it go full speed, be hard for me to say. But because of Cooper being out there today, he feels great. That was never really a true concern like we had talked about, but Darrell with an actual strain of that hamstring, that’s something that you’ve got to closely monitor.”