Fisher, Hill, Long, Bailey, Laurinaitis, Mason, Johnson… transcripts

Head Coach Jeff Fisher

(Opening Statement)
“Well I guess that’s what happens when everything’s working well together for you. It was a great effort. Again, I hate to go back to last week, but it was pretty impressive the way they handled that loss and put it behind them and came back and worked and accepted the next challenge and that’s what this team is about. Had a great week of practice, rested some guys. We got a lot of big plays out of a lot of players today.”

(On six scores in the first six possessions)
“Well we had a good week of practice. What happened was we had the run after catches and individual efforts. Shaun (Hill) was putting the ball where he needed to put it. I think we only had two third down attempts in the first half. They were just making the big plays. Defense was getting the third down stops and getting the ball back. The long run obviously, the two big plays from Tre (Mason) and then just big runs after catches. (WR Stedman Bailey) Sted’s huge catch over the middle with the bootleg just kept things going.”

(On Tre Mason)
“He’s been running hard. That’s how he practiced. He said he was going to have a big day. He guaranteed me that before the game and he did.”

(On how they shook off what happened last week so quickly)
“We did it as a team, together as a staff. We talked and we showed them what happened and how we had a chance to win that. Having overcome so many different things in that game, still with a shot to win it. We didn’t win and that’s disappointing, but hey let’s move on. This team can put things behind them and keep things in perspective and stay focused. We practiced with a purpose, we met with a purpose. We’ve been doing that all year long. It all just came together for us today.”

(On if they saw something in the defense that they could expose)
“No, that was Shaun doing a really good job. We had a lot of runs called and Shaun had the option to throw the ball out sideways. I think he avoided six runs in the first two or three series, but we were getting first downs. And so to say we made the adjustments and creased them on the long run.”

(On when Tre Mason told him he was going to have a big day)
“It was early in the locker room. It’s not the first time he’s said it so…he’s very confident. He loves to play.”

(On the shut out by defense)
“They’re hard to do. Great plan, went in very well. The guys, they buy into the plan every week, but they worked hard in practice. Have a great deal of respect for Derek (Carr) and what he’d done thus far. He’s hard to get down and of course we got to him a couple times and flushed him a little bit and we came up with a few turnovers. From a defensive standpoint we tackled well, pressured the quarterback, stopped the run and got the turnovers. That’s what happens.”

(On CB Trumaine Johnson)
“He’s got ball skills, you saw that against Denver. We’ve seen that before. He’s got ball skills, and he studies and prepares hard.”

(On having DE Chris Long back)
It’s good to have him back out there. He’s excited. He was a little sore at half time, came back out and said, ‘I want to get on the board.’ I said, ‘Well just keep playing see if you get a shot to do it.’ He got a sack call, so it was good to have him back.”

(On the players raising their hands during their entrance)
“I didn’t notice. I’m not aware.”

(On the organization inviting Ferguson business owners as guests today)
“The organization has been doing those type of things. Not with the intention of getting recognition, they’re just doing it to help. I’m just glad that we can put together a great win here today for all of St. Louis.”

(On winning so decisively)
“Well I never relax. Only once we got to 45 I felt a little bit better. But at halftime some of the guys were saying hey, it’s 0-0 and I said no, let’s play like we’re down 14. It’s that type of approach that you have to take. We’ll look at the first few drives of the second half. Offensively, there were some corrections to make. We stalled and we couldn’t complete screen passes and things like that. Now granted, when you’re playing a defense that knows you’re trying to run the football, especially the way they’re equipped in size, it’s difficult. But fortunately we…”

(On if he was surprised they were able to respond this way after the loss last week)
“I’m not surprised because these things can happen. I’m pleased for them because of the approach that they took this week and every week. They deserve to have a game like this. They’re a great group of guys. Talk about character of this team, (DE) Eugene Sims lost a loved one this week and (DE) Will Hayes lost one last night. You watch the tape and watch those two play, really, really impressed. Our hearts go out to their families.”

(On any update on G Rodger Saffold’s injury)
“No. Similar to what happened three or four weeks ago, he ended up playing the following week, so we’ll be optimistic.”

Rams QB Shaun Hill

(On if he had ever been a part of a game like this before)
“No, I’d have to think awfully hard to come up with another game that started off similar to the way that one did. That was certainly fun.”

(On if this is the type of performance that can be expected of Stedman Bailey)
“Yeah, absolutely. He’s really stepping up big time right now. Like I said earlier in the week, we’ve got a lot of weapons and only one ball. When ‘Quickie’ (WR Brian Quick) went down, Stedman stepped up and had a bigger role, and he’s certainly answered the bell.”

(On the heavy emphasis on the run early on)
“Well, sometimes it’s just an opportunity to get the ball in those playmakers’ hands outside, and those guys did a good job with the ball in their hands, converting first downs and getting the chains moving.”

(On his celebratory fist pump on his rushing touchdown)
“I’m not in that situation too often, so I didn’t know what was going on.”

(On RB Tre Mason’s performance)
“Tre’s done a good job, too—especially today. He’s seeing it well, he’s hitting the holes, and hitting it hard. The offensive line did a great job, and anytime you get a long run like that, you know the receivers are blocking downfield. So obviously, they think he’s going to break it on every play, because they’re downfield blocking for him. Everybody’s doing a good job in the running game.”

(On his reaction to Tre Mason predicting he would break a big run)
“I was hoping he was right.”

(On the importance of getting off to a strong start)
“It’s always important to get off to a good start. That’s our focus every week. I know how hard it is for a West Coast team to come to the Midwest and play in the central time zone. If you can get on those teams early like that, it certainly helps.”

(On if there was an emphasis on keeping the momentum going after the quick start)
“Yeah, absolutely. Most games in the NFL, you have to play 60 minutes. So yeah, that’s certainly one of our focuses.”

(On his reaction to Rams players entering the stadium with their hands up)
“To be honest, I didn’t see it. I didn’t know anything about it. I was still in the tunnel.”

Rams DE Chris Long

(On playing in his first game since Week 1)
“It felt really good. It’s tough, you prepare for the season and then you’ve got to watch your buddies out there going through good and bad. I just was really happy to be a part of it. It was a great team win. Just do the little bit I could for us and being a part of the solution and being on the sideline in a uniform, that was nice.”

(On if there was anything he could point to that helped the defensive be so dominant)
“Well, it was really the offense. The offense did such a great job of giving us a lead early and then they’re (Raiders) forced to become one dimensional. I do think that they have some good backs. I think we would’ve done just fine, but you never really have to see them get committed to the run. It lightens the load on us, so, the offense was a big part of that.”

(On being able to be back on the field alongside DE Robert Quinn)
“It’s great. I mean, when you’re able to rush with one of the best in the business it’s a lot of fun coming to work every day. More than anything just playing with (DE) Will (Hayes) backing me up. I thanked Will today because William’s never played so many snaps in his life. He said he feels like he’s 40 years old all of the sudden. I just personally wanted to thank him because he’s been my guy through it all. Not only supported me, but was out there taking the reps and that extra load on game day and played well. He played well today and everybody played well. So, it was just a great team effort.”

(On getting his first sack of the season and if he heard the crowd’s response)
“Yeah, it was relief. I just felt the love from these fans that have supported me so much, supported us. We’ve got great fans here and I just appreciate them greatly. The outpouring of just support through the probably the longest 10, 11 weeks of my life has got me through in a lot of ways. So, it was just great. It was a relief. I just want to help the team win and it validates just being back out here to be able to make a play like that.”

Rams WR Stedman Bailey

(On the team win)
“It was a great week of preparation and everybody coming out doing their jobs to bring it together for a great team win.”

(On scoring on the first five possessions)
“We did a really good job of capitalizing on opportunities to score. It was a great job by everybody.”

(On his one-handed catch)
“It’s something I try to work on a lot throughout the week and it paid off today. I was able to reel it in.”

(On showing support for Ferguson during pregame introductions)
“We just understand that it’s a big tragedy and we hope something positive comes out of it.”

(On improving as a player)
“Week in and week out I’m just preparing hard and working my butt off throughout the week, doing all the little things to make sure I can come out and make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.”

(On expecting greatness)
“I definitely expect greatness. Sometimes opportunities are limited but when my number is called, I want to be there to make the catch.”

Rams LB James Laurinaitis

(On if the win will take people’s minds off of the events in Ferguson)
“I don’t really know how people are going to take the win. To me it’s winning a football game. I think regardless of the outcome today on the field, the community needs to stick together. To me it’s winning a football game.”

(On if they played a perfect game)
“Trust me, there’s a lot of things I can think of … I’m a perfectionist. I can think of a lot of things we can do better. I still think we can be better tackling in the open field. But goodness, I’m not going to nitpick right now. I’m going to enjoy it for a solid 24 hours and then it’s on to the next one. We’ve got to learn in this locker room how to stack wins.”

(On having DE Chris Long back on the field)
“With Chris, I think it just helped with emotion. He’s an emotional football player. It’s great to have his passion back out there. We obviously know what kind of football player he is and how talented and athletic and skilled he is. To have him back, as a unit, it just means a lot. I know it meant a lot for those guys in that room. He’s a leader in that room, he’s a leader on our whole team. It’s good to see him get a sack and recover a fumble and I’m just happy to have him back.”

Rams RB Tre Mason

(On the team win)
“Great team win. I couldn’t do it without those guys in front of me, and of course that man, ‘Mr. 1-4’ Shaun Hill. He came out showing his arms strength. They have to respect his arm and that opened up holes for me.”

(On playing well)
“I told myself to achieve greatness and be the best. I want to be the best player to ever touch the football. That’s a goal of mine.”

(On working hard during the week)
“We come to work and work hard everyday, and we pray. The more prayers go, up the more blessings come down. We worked hard and it was a great team win for me.”

(On if last week’s loss gave the team extra motivation this week)
“Of course, last week added a lot of fuel to our fire so we came and attacked the whole week of practice and came out here and put it on film.”

CB Trumaine Johnson

(On defensively setting the tone early in the game)
“That was our whole point, finishing the game and that’s what we did today.”

(On making plays since returning from injury)
“That’s the whole goal. It’s going out there everyday. This is my fourth game and I’m blessed. I’m glad to come out here and compete with those guys.”

(On what he saw on the two interceptions and how he was able to get into the end zone)
“How did I get into the end zone? I ran and I crossed the goal line, and I scored (laughs). We were in zone coverage both times. I was at the right place at the right time.”

(On the secondary’s ability to make big plays and if the group’s future looks bright)
“Big time, man. I go to war with those guys everyday. It’s chemistry there for sure with me, ‘Rod’ (S Rodney McCleod) and ‘Jenks’ (CB Janoris Jenkins) back there and the young guys coming up. All those guys, especially E.J. (Gaines). Marcus (Roberson) is hurt, but he’s coming back. When he was out there, he was making plays, too. (S) Mark (Barron) back there, too. We’re clicking on all cylinders.”

(On if he had a feeling when he caught the ball that it was going to be a ‘pick-six’)
“This is my first ‘pick-six’. I scored and I forgot what it was like to be in the end zone. My celebration was trash, but I’m just glad I caught it and put some points up for our team.”