Browns next: practice reports & set up for the ps game on 8/23

From the Podium: OC Mike LaFleur and DC Chris Shula discuss Matthew Stafford, offensive line depth and defensive cohesion

Wyatt Miller

https://www.therams.com/news/from-the-podium-oc-mike-lafleur-and-dc-chris-shula-discuss-matthew-stafford-offensive-line-depth-and-defensive-cohesion

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – The Rams’ jog through on Wednesday served as the third-straight practice for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is returning from a back injury that held him out of training camp.

Afterward, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and defensive coordinator Chris Shula spoke with local media about Stafford, offensive line depth and defensive cohesion. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences.

“In my three years here, I can’t speak before that, but it definitely is the deepest offensive line that we have had. There’s lot of NFL football players there that are competing for those last spots.” – LaFleur

For a Rams team that endured injuries and/or turnover at four of the five starting offensive line positions last season, depth up front is extremely important. L.A. signed veteran tackles David Quessenberry and D.J. Humphries this offseason, and brought back center Coleman Shelton after he spent a year in Chicago. However, that will leave some difficult decisions for head coach Sean McVay, general manager Les Snead and company when roster cuts are made next week.

“There will be some difficult decisions, and that’s what you want,” LaFleur said.

He added that, while those choices are above his pay grade, having to make tough personnel calls at premium positions is a good thing, because it means they have depth. If those three offseason additions make the 53-man roster alongside all five of last year’s starters who returned (Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer, Kevin Dotson and Rob Havenstein), that may leave just one more roster spot in the position group, as McVay said earlier this offseason that they would probably end up with nine offensive linemen.

LaFleur praised Warren McClendon Jr.’s progress on Wednesday, saying he’s “pleased with where (McClendon’s) at” and “he knows he belongs.” McClendon, Justin Dedich and A.J. Arcuri all saw regular season playing time last season, while undrafted free agent signing Willie Lampkin IV (who is currently injured) has impressed in the preseason. There will be a very competitive battle to make the roster at offensive line.

“He looks like Matthew Stafford to me. The coolest part is, he’s just back out there with the guys, doing stuff he loves, operating at a world-class level.” – LaFleur
He may not know exactly how Stafford’s back feels, but LaFleur said Stafford looks like himself. He added that Stafford’s reintegration into practice and the offensive structure is “much harder than riding a bike, but it sure looks like riding a bike for him.”

In terms of how the offense may evolve in 2025, LaFleur said it will happen “organically.”

“Obviously, you’ve got your foundation set, there’s a few different pieces, whether it be rookies, obviously bringing in (wide receiver) Davante (Adams) right there, but from the naked eye, there’s going to be a lot of similarities, but then there’s little nuances and little differences that we’ll sprinkle in there.”

“We feel really comfortable with those guys (in the defensive backfield). We feel like we have a really cohesive unit and you kind of add (cornerback Emmanuel) Forbes (Jr.) into the mix, and we were fortunate enough that those guys stayed healthy the whole back half of (last) year, those guys really started to get better… Those guys really started to gel. So we really want to continue to build on the cohesiveness of those guys.” – Shula

When asked about the decision not to add to the defensive backfield this offseason, Shula expressed confidence in the group as a unit. The Rams allowed the 13th most passing yards per game in the regular season (223.1), but that number dropped by nearly 50% (114.0) in two playoff games, the lowest of any team in the postseason. Shula is banking on the continuity created throughout last season to carry over and increase in 2025.

Shula’s own approach as a second-year defensive coordinator is “night and day” compared to this time last season. He said the coaching staff is more connected and his confidence in the players and system have increased with experience. Shula isn’t just learning what works as a coach and play-caller, he and his staff are fine-tuning things and game-planning to their players’ strengths.

“Those guys rush as a unit. So we talk about, you’re not rushing as four isolated guys just trying to beat your guy. When you’re in a four-man rush, there’s certain guys that are going to have the tough down. There’s certain guys that are going to have the opportunity to go win, and those guys understand when it’s their opportunity, when it’s their turn to win.” – Shula

At the beginning of last season, the Rams were getting lots of pressure but often failed to finish plays. By the end of the year, they were communicating with subtle head nods in order to play off each other’s rushing attacks. A year of experience playing together has brought a young Rams front to another level, where they are rushing with their teammates, not just alongside each other.

Defensive end Tyler Davis is one of the young players who benefitted from increasing cohesion throughout his rookie year and a full NFL offseason. He was praised by teammates and coaches consistently throughout training camp, and Shula did so again on Wednesday.

“We really liked him and trusted him last year,” Shula said. “… I just think of him like a starter. If I see him out there, I never think twice about it, and I felt that way last year… And I think this year what he’s done is he’s kind of upped his level of communication.”