McVay & Goff, + other players, post-game … 10/8 … vids & transcripts

JackPMiller wrote:

It’s not letting me in. So, I don’t know what he is saying. I hope he is saying. We are the better team. My our blocking sucked, play calling in situations sucked. Seattle didn’t beat us, we beat ourselves. That’s what I hope he said.

Well if he did say those things I would think he was a very poor coach.

Fortunately…he didn’t.

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay – – October 8, 2017

(On if the Seahawks did anything to throw off the Rams offense)
“They’re a great defense. They do excellent job. Early on to start the game, when we get the first possession we turn the football over on a touchback and those are things that you can’t do against a great opponent. As a whole, you have two interceptions, you have a couple fumbles and then some missed opportunities that we had. Anytime that you turn the football over five times against a great opponent like the Seattle Seahawks, you’re going to put yourself in a tough position. To our players’ credit, they continue to fight and battle all the way to the end. That’s one of the things that I feel like it starting to become one of our identities and we make no excuses – we didn’t get it done today. Starting with me, we can all look at ourselves critically and figure out what we can do to be a part of the solution, but give credit to the Seahawks, they got it done today.”

(On QB Jared Goff being so poised in previous games and what the difference was today)
“I think there was a couple uncharacteristic decisions that he did make. Again, when you play an excellent front like that, they cause some disruption, got to him and they forced some of those errant throws and got some turnovers. But, that’s what great defenses do. They made enough plays. Certainly what I respect about Jared is he made a couple big time throws at the end, gave ourselves a chance to try to tie that game up and then see if we kick the extra point to win. But, we didn’t get it done, they did and we make no excuses.”

(On RB Todd Gurley’s decrease in touches today, particularly on third downs and if there is a reason for that)
“The flow of the game kind of dictates and determines whatever plays we feel like are going to work best. Obviously we know what a special player Todd is, but given some of the things that they were presenting, we felt like there were some other chances with some different things, but nothing that Todd wasn’t doing. It was just more of matter of some of the decisions that we made and that I made as far as the play selection.”

(On what prompted the decision to go back to WR Tavon Austin on punt return)
“Tavon is a guy that is our punt returner and he’s going to be better than that. He’ll be the first to tell you that. But again, they forced some of those – some of those punts had some good trajectory on it and a lot of movement and those are tough to field.”

(On if Austin will see be his punt returner)
“We will go back after this game and evaluate some of those things moving forward.”

(On if he thinks the last ball to WR Cooper Kupp was catchable)
“It’s hard until you go back and look at the tape. But however it plays out when you go back and look at it, I know that we have a whole lot of confidence in Cooper Kupp. He’s a great football player. He’s going to continue to be a focal point of our offense and whether it was a catch he could have made or not, there was a handful of plays throughout the course of the game that we didn’t get done as a team that led to even having to be in that situation. Until I go back and truly look at the tape it’s hard to say.”

(On how much of a difference he thinks that Gurley fumble for the touchback was)
“Maybe it does and we always talk about it, other than points there is no greater indicator of the history of this game of winning and losing football games than turnovers. We turned the ball over five times today and that’s not a recipe for winning football. That’s not something that we can afford to do if we expect to win games moving forward. That was one of many plays that didn’t help the outcome for the game for the Rams today.”

(On WR Sammy Watkins pulling up on the deep route)
“I think it was probably one of those plays that didn’t expect it and I’d have to talk to Sammy about that. Until you go back and truly look at it, I can’t say and I haven’t had a chance to specifically talk to Sammy about that one individual play.”

(On how he thinks the offense can perform better in the redzone)
“Certainly, yeah. I think you’ve got to first of all look at, it starts with me and I’ve got to make sure that I’m looking at myself critically. Are we running plays that are conducive for giving our players a chance to have success? So, those are things that after wins or loses you’ve got to look at yourself first and then we’ve got to evaluate some of the things that we’re doing. But, also give credit to Seattle. They’re an excellent redzone defense. I thought it really hurt our ability when we were not efficient on first down and then you get yourself in some second-and-longs and it’s going to be tough to be able to convert in the third-and-longs against an excellent front and then when they play such good, tight coverage. We didn’t help ourselves today, but anytime that we’re not successful as a team, but specifically offensively when you’re the play-caller, it starts with me and I’ve got to do a good job of going and evaluating myself and some of the spots I’m putting our players in.”

(On how frustrating it is as a play-caller when the other team is stopping you on early downs)
“Yeah, it’s absolutely frustrating. Those are one of those things that you’ve got to try to find a solution. The nice thing about the NFL is you don’t have very long to feel sorry for yourself, whether things are good or bad and right now, we didn’t get the result that we wanted. I’m sick about it, but I give credit to Seattle. But, we will move forward and I can’t wait to get back to work, look at this film and find a way to get ready for a good Jacksonville team this week.”

(On why S Maurice Alexander wasn’t active today)
“We’ve got a lot of confidence in the depth that we do have at the safety positions. We wanted to get another corner up because of some of the situations that we have with the injuries. I thought you saw (S) John Johnson (III), (S) Cody (Davis) did a nice job today. But that was the decision there.”

(On if Alexander didn’t start because of a disciplinary reason)
“No, it was nothing disciplinary. It wasn’t anything like that. We’re always evaluating our personnel and trying to figure out how we can get the best 46 up and that is not exclusive to defense, that involves the special teams and that was the decision that we made. But, absolutely nothing to do with anything that Mo didn’t do in terms of handling his business off the field.”

(On if there is something that S John Johnson III can do that Alexander can’t)
“Until you go back and you look at the way that John played today – I know just when you’re able to look at it from afar, he made a couple splash plays, was in a position as a middle safety to get over the top on some deep balls, obviously makes the pick. I think John’s a player that since he’s got here, he’s continued to grow. He’s a player that we have a lot of confidence in and expecting him to continue to improve. But, until we always go back and evaluate that tape, it’s difficult to say.”

(On what he learned about Seahawks QB Russell Wilson’s ability to extend plays)
“I think that’s one of the traits that makes him unique. He’s one of the best players in this league and it’s because of that ability to be able to extend plays with his feet, keep his eyes down the field, make some off-schedule throws, but then he can also create with his legs as a runner. I think that’s one of the things that makes him special. From what I saw, it looked like our guys were flying around pretty good defensively. It was a great, hard fought battle and I was pretty pleased with the defensive effort that we gave as a whole today.”

(On what he told Goff before the last drive)
“No, just we’ve got confidence, let’s go execute to the best of our ability and let’s give ourselves a chance to go win this football game. To his credit, he makes a big time throw to (TE Tyler) Higbee on the first play. He then ends up hitting (WR) Robert Woods. Anytime that you get it with those type of circumstances where you don’t have any timeouts left and you’re really getting a few shots at the end of the game to go to the end zone, I thought it was a credit to Jared to get us in that position and our offense as a whole. But again, we make no excuses. We didn’t get it done today.”

(On how concerned he is about the five turnovers today and how he will fix it)
“Extremely concerned. If we don’t fix that, it’s going to be really tough to win football games. We’ve got to continue to look at ourselves critically, keep making more of an emphasis on taking care of the football, making good decisions – especially when we get around the end zone, whether we’re reaching it out, especially on a first down play and then some of the decisions that are uncharacteristic based on the first quarter of the season that Jared made. But, those are things that everybody has a hand in and we’ve got to do a better job.”

(On if a quarterback can learn how to be better in game-winning drive situations and if he thinks Goff will improve in that regard)
“Yeah, I think it is. I think you look at the last time we were in that situation – on the first play we turn the football over. Then this one, on the first play, he hits a big time route down the field to Tyler and he gave us a chance. I thought he made a couple great throws down the stretch right there. Whether we were able to get it done or not, he put us in a position to be able to do that, so I think that was definitely an improvement. But again, anytime you don’t get the result, it’s disappointing for our team. But, what I love about that locker room is we’ve got a bunch of high character people that will look at themselves critically, figure out how they can improve, be a part of the solution and continue to stay connected as a team.”

***

Rams QB Jared Goff – October 8, 2017

(On why the offense struggled today)
“I thought we moved the ball pretty well for the most part a lot of the game. Early on, we definitely did hit a lull in the middle and started moving again and had a 12-play drive and 13-play drive that went for no points. It wasn’t so much we weren’t moving the ball, we just weren’t finishing drives. That’s what it came down to, we just weren’t finishing drives. We got into the red zone and we didn’t do a very good job. And that’s what shows up. I think if you see why Seattle’s been so good for so long with what they do defensively and gave us issues all day.”

(On if it feels like they gave this game up or let the game get away more than Seattle taking the game from them)
“Yeah, like I said, they’re really good for a reason they’ve been really good for a long time for a reason. But. we really beat ourselves today we did. We beat ourselves all day, offensively. The defense did a great job for us, caused a couple turnovers and held them to some field goals and did a great job. We didn’t do our part.”

(On how narrow the margin for error is for the offense when the opposing defense is performing at a high level)
“Big. Like I said, they’ve been doing what they do for a long time and are really, really good. That back half with (FS) Earl Thomas and (SS) Kam (Chancellor) and (CB Richard) Sherman and (CB Shaquill) Griffin over there it’s tough and they’re good. But, so are we and we can be better than we were today. I can be a lot better than I was today. I think if we do that we do that we’ve got a better chance the next time we see them.”

(On what the offense needs to do to correct the problems in the red zone)
“A lot of things. We need to be sharper. I can do a better job understanding what they’re going to do better, I think, coming into it. And getting the ball out of my hands probably a little bit quicker would probably help and then we need to make plays. We need to make plays all over the field. But, we have. I don’t want to fret on this game too much you know obviously we’re not happy with it. But, we have made plays, but today we didn’t. But ultimately that’s why we lost the game.”

(On if he can pull any positives from today’s game)
“For sure. I think the resiliency you see is in our team offensively, defensively, and special teams. We made so many mistakes today, especially offensively, and to be with however many seconds there were a chance to win the game there in the end says something about the guys in the room we have. By no means are we satisfied with scoring 10 points ever. We’re not happy about the way it finished and the way it went all day but I think you can look at the resiliency and the perseverance of the guys in that room.”

(On Head Coach Sean McVay’s comment regarding him making uncharacteristic decisions today and if he agrees)
“I think so, I think I can be a lot better. There’s some things that I wasn’t seeing very well early on, – started to see a little bit better toward the end, but early on wasn’t seeing things great. They were doing a great job and, like I said, defensively, doing their thing. Like I said, the interception over (RB) Todd’s (Gurley) head – a play I can’t make. You know you put that ball on him and then the one to (FS) Earl (Thomas) the same thing. It kind of came out high on me hit him right in the chest and that’s something we can’t do.”

(On WR Sammy Watkins and RB Todd Gurley not getting involved as much as he would like)
“I think like I said, I’ll say it again what they do defensively is tremendous and they did a good job shutting us down offensively. I’ll say it again – we know we’re good too though. We’re not by any means saying they’re too good or anything like that. We’re good too and we can be a lot better than that and can get Todd and Sammy the ball a lot more than that.”

(On if he thinks it’s more important to get Gurley and Watkins the ball no matter what the defense is doing or react based on what the defense it doing)
“I think just continue to keep reacting. I think guys that get the ball are most of the time, some of your best players and those two definitely are. I would say for the most part, they’re guys I’m thinking the back of my head I want to get the ball to a lot. But, by no means do I want to force them the ball, just continue to let them get open in the framework of the play and work the ball to them.”

(On what he said to WR Cooper Kupp after the last incompletion of the game)
“I told him there’s a reason that…I could’ve picked anyone to throw to there, I picked you and there’s a reason we threw it to you there, because you’re a good player and a guy that we trust and a guy that we believe in. Don’t let him get too down on himself. He’s a very serious kid and a very good player and someone who knows he wants to make that play. I know it’s a tough, tough catch. It was a really tough catch, it would’ve been an incredible catch if he came up with it. But, to him his standards are so high and that’s the type of play he likes to make. Just told him don’t worry about it. It’s a long season and we’re going to have so many more situations, you know hopefully throughout our career together, just like that.”

(On what he saw during those last two passes of the game)
“We had two big plays there and were able to move the ball down the field and took a couple chances and came up on our side. Moved the ball on a couple plays there. The last two plays, they played man coverage on the first one – saw Cooper one-on-one like I talked about. He ran an incredible route. I wish I could’ve put it just that much closer to him to him. The last one I think they played a two-deep safety look and it was tough look.”

(On TE Tyler Higbee’s performance today and if he wants to get the ball to him more)
“Tyler’s done a great job of just being unselfish and continuing to become a big part of our offense and someone who we want to continue to work the ball to. Like I said, I think today was a good day for him to shine a little bit and show what he can do.”

(On what was going through his mind in today’s final drive and if the previous drive was on his mind)
“I think so. I think I came into this one knowing that we had the dudes to do it and knowing that we got everything we want. Just read the play out and make plays and try to get the balls to the playmakers. Like I said, the two long completions we had were great routes and was able to get them the ball. It builds a little bit of confidence for sure, but by no means are we satisfied with the way that it ended. You know, would’ve love to have more. But with that being said, think we’re in an okay spot now. We go on the road to Jacksonville and hopefully come out there with a win.”

(On if he talked with Sammy regarding the play were he pulled up midway during his route on a deep thrown ball)
“Yeah. Yeah I did. We talked about it. He was little bit confused on it. But we’re good and it’s nothing that can’t be fixed overnight. It’s uncharacteristic – don’t expect that to happen.”

***

Rams RB Todd Gurley II –– October 8, 2017

(On if this game feels like a self-inflicted loss)
“Most definitely. I’ve got to do a better job of taking care of the ball. Like I said, take care of the ball first and the rest of it will take care of itself.”

(On if he feels like this is a game that the Rams gave away rather than they won)
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to give credit to those guys. We didn’t get the job done, but obviously, yeah for sure. We’ll watch the film and we’ll get better. It was a tough one though – tough one to swallow.”

(On if he was surprised by the fumble call on the fumble on the first possession)
“The game is going so fast – you can’t really remember. Obviously, I’ve got to do a good job of taking care of the ball. No ifs, ands or buts about it. I should’ve just lowered my shoulder. Good thing that did happen, so won’t let it to happen again.”

(On if the outcome of the game was more on the Rams giving the game away than Seattle winning it)
“Most deficiently. Like I said, just take care of the ball and the rest takes care of itself. We just weren’t able to do that, but it’s stuff we can fix for sure. Taking care of the ball, we will definitely get that fixed for sure.”

(On if he was surprised that the gameplan went away from him a little bit throughout the game)
“It kind of wasn’t it. You can’t get the ball every time. We have a lot of great playmakers. Even though I didn’t get the ball, you see the situation we were still in. I’ve just got to do a better job of just going out there and making plays. If I make plays, then I get the ball.”

(On if the silver lining can be that the Rams were still just one play away from winning even after the five turnovers)
“Yeah. It just says a lot about this team. We go through these situations all the time at practice, obviously fell short. Like I said, a lot of stuff is correctable. We’ll get it fixed and we’ll definitely come back ready for Jacksonville.”

(On if he said anything to QB Jared Goff before the final drive to get Goff’s mind off of the turnovers)
“Not really. At the end of the day, we’re all players. It is what it is. I don’t really like to talk to people too much after they mess up. They don’t need – if you write a bad article – there’s no reason for 20 people to come tell you. Nobody turns the ball over on (purpose), so we’ll bounce back. He still had a pretty good game and we’ve just got to do a good job of getting open and protecting him.”

***

Rams WR Cooper Kupp – – October 8, 2017

(On the degree of difficulty of the catch on third down at the end of the game)
“It is what it is. We’re playing in the NFL. You’re expected to make those plays and my expectations are no different. I expect to make that play. I can’t say anything about whether it was behind me or a one-handed catch, if I’m putting my hands on the ball, I’ve got to make the play.”

(On if Seattle’s defense was the reason the Rams had struggles offensively)
“Yeah, you want to give a bunch of credit to Seattle. They flew around, they made some good plays. As an offense, we just need to get in a rhythm, get things going a little bit and they did a good job of keeping that from happening. At the same time, we lost and if we can clean up our end to make sure we are putting ourselves in better positions and executing better. We’re going to go back and watch film, learn from that and like I said, we’re going to move on to Jacksonville.”

(On guys coming over to him and sharing a word with him after the game)
“I’ve got the best teammates in the world. These guys, they put their heart and soul into this and to see the blood, sweat and tears that they put into this game and how badly they want to win. That’s what – in a way it makes it tough just knowing that I feel like I let these guys down and I was in position to make that play. But to have these kind of teammates around you, it’s pretty special.”

***

Rams LB Alec Ogletree – – October 8, 2017

(On if the defense started to figure things out especially against the run)
“Guys just running their blocks and playing their gaps and just getting over the top. We knew they like to run the ball and we had to stop the run first and defend the pass second. Like I said, we did a good job stopping the run. Wish we could have came out a little different, but definitely proud as a defense for sure.”

(On if they were tired on the field late in the first half and into the second half)
“When it’s your time to go out there, you have to go out there with a mindset of get on and get off. Sometimes drives tend to be longer than others, but you have to fight all the way until the end. I felt like we did that.”
(On if he was surprised they were able to get to Russell Wilson)
“No, I know we have the guys that are able to get to him. Being able to hold up it he back end and put pressure on them up front, I just feel like we have a great chance against any quarterback.”

(On the defense forcing turnovers)
“Yeah, turnovers helped for sure. When you can take the ball away, change the momentum, it gives the offense a chance, an extra possession to go and score. We definitely try to do that each and every time we step out on the field, take the ball away or at least go three-and-out.

(On John Johnson III making his first start)
“I thought he did a tremendous job. I told him before the game it was going to be his game to come out and let people know who you are. I’m definitely proud of him. He’s got to continue to work and get better and I think he will do that.”

***

Rams S John Johnson III – – October 8, 2017

(On when he found out he was going to get the starting role)
“Like I told her, I prepare like a starter every week so when game time came around – we have a really talented group so anybody can start at any time.”

(On if he was told today if he’ll be the starter)
“I had no idea. I prepared, like I said, like a starter. I was out there in practice getting a lot of reps so it just fell into place.”

(On if he thought he was going to take that interception to the end zone)
“I should’ve. I’ll get it right and I will take them to the house. But it was great to finally get an interception. I feel like the first one is always harder to get. I hope that there’s a lot more coming.”

(On if he jumped the route on the interception or if he saw the play on film)
“Absolutely. You know the tight ends, we try not to let them catch the ball on us. I gave one up to Jimmy Graham, but the tight ends shouldn’t catch the ball and I broke on it as quick as I could and caught it.”

(On if he saw Russell Wilson out of the corner of his eye on the interception return)
“I did. I was peaking over at him. I probably should have just kept my head to the end zone and I probably could have outrun him. But yeah, I saw him.”

(On Russell Wilson taking a good angle on the return)
“He did. Quarterbacks usually make the tackle like 80% of the time on interceptions so I have to beat him.”

(On how comfortable he felt today)
“I felt real comfortable. I believe the whole team and the coaching staff has a whole lot of trust in me. I have got to come in and play. I have got to prepare like a starter like I said and I felt really good out there.”