Head Coach Sean McVay – November 2, 2017

(On if being on the road again this weekend)

“I think we’ve gotten comfortable being on the road. In a short amount of time early on in the season there’s been a lot of experiences that we can draw from and so far they’ve been good ones. But, we’ve got to continue with that same approach. It’s been a good week, we know that we’ve got to continue on with that theme and we’ll travel tomorrow – expect to kind of get the game plan finalized and then Saturday will serve as a chance to kind of wrap everything up, get the final touches on that, make sure from a mental standpoint guys feel good and then be ready to go on Sunday. But, I think just from having traveled in a short amount of time you go to Dallas, you’re in Jacksonville and then going to London, guys feel comfortable, it’s something that we’re getting used to doing and anytime you can find a rhythm and a routine, I think players feel comfortable with that. Just having to travel on Fridays is part of our routine almost – it’s why we build the schedule the way we do on Fridays, whether it’s at a home game or away. We’re trying to keep some regularity in it and (Director of Sports Medicine/Performance) Reggie (Scott) and (Head of Strength and Conditioning) Ted (Rath) do an excellent job of helping those players get adjusted to an Eastern Time Zone and that’s why we leave two days early.”

(On if he’s talked with Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden about this game)

“Yeah. Obviously I have a lot of respect for Jay, he’s a close friend of mine. They play Seattle this week, they play, Dallas the previous week, so now that we start to have some common opponents, different things like that – they haven’t played New York yet this year, they still have two games against them. I think just being able to share with somebody else that maybe has a different perspective as opposed to inside the building and he’s such a great resource having been in the head coaching role and all that entails. So, to be able to have a close friend like that most importantly, but then also somebody that you can confide in that might be outside of the building. With all the good resources we have in here you don’t really need it, but he provides that as well.”

(On if he’s open to doing that or would he only do that with Jay)

“Yeah and it’s not like we’re sharing every secret or anything like that, it’s just you can feel like you can talk football and not give away anything from a competitive advantage standpoint is more along the lines of what it is. We still talked, even leading up to our game, it’s just you don’t talk about football. So, you feel like you can talk about football and see how things are going. They’ve had some unfortunate injuries there and that’s something that they’re having to work through that hopefully those guys recover fast and they get their guys back on the field.”

(On if there is anything he wants to see from RB Todd Gurley II that he hasn’t seen in the first part of the season)

“I think it’s kind of a broken record, but I think just that consistency. If there’s one thing that you can point to that he’s done a better job of the last couple games is making sure that we take great care of the football. The thing that says as much as anything about Todd is you look at any time you can use one of your premier players as an example to teach from and he responds the right way when you go back to the Seattle game – we don’t want to reach out in that situation and (Seahawks S) Earl (Thomas) makes a great play. Similar type situation comes up against Arizona and he does exactly what we want going through the pylon and you can see that’s why he’s able to secure that finish, there was no question about it. But, I think he’s so conscientious – he’s done a great job of correcting those little things, he’s playing at a really high level, but it’s always going to be about the ball for us. Just seeing him consistently play the way he has in the pass game and the run game, if he can do that, that’s why he’s playing as good as anybody at that position in this league right now.”

(On the Giants struggles to stop tight ends and how he’s felt about the development of TEs Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett)

“Yeah, I think they’ve done a good job. I think (TE) Derek Carrier offers a nice, versatile player at the position as well and really that’s what we’re looking for from all three of those guys. I think it’s been good for Tyler because you’ve seen a mix of making some plays in the pass game and then I think he’s playing really well in the run game. I thought the Jacksonville game was probably one of his best games where he might not have had the stats that show up, but competing inline, making a lot of plays that don’t go unnoticed by our coaching staff and by his teammates. So, I think he’s continuing to develop as a complete tight end, which is exactly what we want, really from that position as a whole. Gerald is making improvements – go back to the Jacksonville game, that was a huge touchdown that he made against an excellent defense where we needed every point that we could get. So, we’re always looking for that improvement. I think (Tight Ends Coach) Shane Waldron’s doing an excellent job helping those guys develop and that’s going to continue to be the theme moving forward for us.”

(On if he draws from his prior experiences against New York heading into this matchup)

“Well, you do. You draw on the experience just from having gone against the scheme and (Giants Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve) Spagnuolo – I think he does a great job of being able to put his players in great spots, presenting a variety of looks. You can see that he’s really in tune situationally with the things that he’s done, because he does mix it so well, but he still stays in the framework of their system. He puts his players in good spots consistently, so that’s going to be a challenge for us. But, they’ve evolved as the years have progressed, they’re doing some different things, but there still is a similar foundation in terms of how they want to operate. So, anytime that you have a history against a specific team or a specific coordinator, you want to draw from those experiences and make sure that you’re aware of it, but you also want to realize what good coaches do, like Coach Spagnuolo has done – is you evolve and you adapt to each given year and they’re doing some really good stuff on tape that presents our offense with a variety of problems.”

(On if he has WR Robert Woods in the back of his mind as a play-caller to get the ball into his hands in the end zone considering he hasn’t scored a touchdown despite his production)

“I think you obviously want to be able to get your good play makers the ball in their hands no matter where you are on the field. You know that Dallas play, he had a touchdown for about a minute until they overturned it, but hopefully we’ll find a way to do that. Yes, ultimately it’s about once we get down in that red zone what are the plays that we think are going to be best and certainly finding a way to get Robert involved. And try to get him in the end zone is something that as a coach, you want to try to do while still making sure that what’s important is what’s going to be best for our team to come away with points and scoring touchdowns. But, with the production that he’s had and it’s why he’s such a great guy, he’s made a lot of plays for us and I think eventually it’s going to happen for him, but you definitely want to reward those guys and try to give them the opportunities and get them a chance to score so certainly, yeah.”

(On how he sees the Giants offense minus WR Brandon Marshall and WR Odell Beckham Jr.)

“Those are two great players, but they’ve had some guys that have stepped up. I have a lot of respect for (Giants WR) Sterling Shepard and what he’s done when he’s been available this year. You look at the long touchdown that he’s creates against Philly to allow them to take the lead when they’re coming back from behind and they played them extremely well. Philly’s playing as well as anybody in this league, so you see what a very good competitive team this is that we’re going against. I think (Giants TE) Evan Ingram has done a nice job as a rookie tight end. They’re continuing to find ways to get the ball in his hands, but those are some special players and then (Giants Head) Coach (Ben) McAdoo’s always done a nice job of being able to spread the ball around. (Giants QB) Eli (Manning) does a good job of recognizing the coverage and how that dictates where he wants to go with the football. But, without Odell and without Brandon those are two great players that they do have, but you see some of these other guys stepping up and there’s a lot of good challenges for us moving forward into this week for our defense.”

(On how he hopes to get WR Sammy Watkins more involved after self-scouting and self-evaluating the team during the bye week)

“I think you want to continue to try to find those opportunities. He did a great job against Arizona. From a receiver position you’re looking at, ‘Alright, what did I do within the framework of my route? What’s the coverage and how did that dictate where the football went?’ Because a lot of times you can’t control it. But what he did a great job was, was competing without the ball. He made the most of the opportunities that he did have in the pass game. You look at each given play and there’s some opportunities where we had a chance to get him down the field and whether it’s protection or some different things or maybe I called a play in a bad situation versus the coverages. It isn’t just exclusive to, ‘Alright it’s as simple as here’s how we call a play and now he’s going to have 10 touches all of the sudden.’ But what I’ve been really pleased with, with Sammy is all he’s done is just continue to work. He’s playing every snap with great effort and you see the talent that he does have. You certainly do, as a play-caller, which is my responsibility to try to get him involved. If it were quite as easy as saying, ‘Alright let’s get this ball right to him and now here’s seven and eight catches’ then I should start letting you call the plays, because that would be a good way to answer a lot of these questions. But all jokes aside, I think Sammy’s really done a nice job and there’s a lot of things involved. We expect to continue to try to give him those opportunities whether it be short, intermediate or down the field. Really been pleased with the way he’s competed without the ball in his hands. Makes a couple key blocks, one that sprung a touchdown to (WR) Cooper Kupp on the screen at the end of the game. So, that to me is indicative of good team football and when you’ve got good players doing that, we feel good about that and want to certainly try to keep getting him more touches.”

***

Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips – November 2, 2017

(Opening remarks)

“I’ve had a long relationship – I guess you’d say with the Manning family. Archie (Manning) was with us at New Orleans. I know him, that’s a great family. Peyton (Manning), obviously, was with us at Denver and then Eli (Manning) was with us at San Diego – for about two minutes (laughs). I thought I was with him. But, what a great career he’s had and he’s a tremendous player. We all know two Super Bowl wins and what they can do. You can say 1-6, but this guy is a great quarterback, so we have all the respect in the world for him and what they can do. They had a week off like we did and I know we feel rejuvenated. I think you got to expect the other team to feel the same way. I expect it to be a heck of a game.”

(On what things he still sees now from QB Eli Manning that he saw earlier on Eli’s career)

“Unfortunately, we saw him three times one year and we beat them twice during the regular season then they beat us in the playoffs and won the Super Bowl. But yeah, the talent is there and plus he’s obviously more experienced now. He’s one of those quarterbacks that, he knows what coverage you’re in even if you disguise things. He knows when you’re blitzing – those kind of guys are hard to blitz. They know where to go to and quickly to do it. He’s a complete quarterback, he wouldn’t have all of the rings and the championships he’s had without being a great player.”

(On if a part of him wishes he could put off the bye week to continue playing good football)

“Well, the game itself, obviously we played really well. There was a lot of talk about us not being able to stop the run and their running back had a great game the previous game and all of those things. We had a really good game against the running game and the pass obviously. But I think we’re playing well and I think we’ve had a stretch here that we seem to be all on the same page and doing well. Each game is its’ own entity. Would I like to play this last week? Sometimes, certainly you get in a groove and you want to stay there. The other part – I think the hard part is the timing and so forth coming back and playing football again and getting that same timing and things that you’re doing well that keep doing well. It’s not easy, it happens in the playoffs when you have a bye. A lot of teams don’t play quite as well, at least it seems to me. But A lot of it has to do with the focus of your team. I think we’ve had good practices and hopefully we’ll have a real good one tomorrow like we did the previous weeks going into the other games. I think we’re back on track, but you worry about it as a coach, but it’s the players focusing back again. Then getting rested I still think helps you.”

(On if anything stands out about teams that play well on the road)

“I always tell our guys it’s an opportunity to pump each other up rather than having the crowd do it for you. I think if you play well on the road, I think your team is well – knitted together that, yeah, the crowd is hollering anything bad happens and when they do something well, they all pull together and pull for each other and high-five or low-five, or whatever we do these days. So, sometimes it brings you closer together if you play on the road.”

(On if he’s found himself scheming up new ways for DT Aaron Donald to rush the passer)

“We kind of use the old ways that we used for (Former DE) Bruce Smith or (Former DE) Reggie White or some of the guys I’ve had. (Texans DE) J.J. Watt, (Broncos OLB) Von Miller – I mean, I can go on and on. You try to match him up one-on-one. Some people scheme to get blitzes and you get a guy free, it’s not going to be a lineman it’s going to be a defensive back or linebacker. But in his case and the real great defensive linemen, you try to get them one-on-one. I will say that the Cardinals did a good job of trying to double him all the time in the game, but he overcame some of those. If he can get in one-on-one, he’s going to make plays. He’s going to pressure the quarterback. He’s going to make plays in the backfield, he’s a great player and that’s what we have to do as coaches is make sure that they can’t double him all the time.”

(On if he knew that S John Johnson III and DT Tanzel Smart would be contributors this early in their careers)

“No. I didn’t know. You like guys in the draft certainly and you try to evaluate the team when you come in and say, ‘Hey, these areas would help us, can we get a guy in that area?’ Of course our scouts and (General Manager) Les (Snead) and those guys have done a great job of picking the right people – those two guys in particular. Both of them have played and started for us. It’s them proving what they can do and both of them have come in the game and done from ‘OK’ to ‘real good’. They’re not going to be perfect all the time, but both of them have different skillsets that have helped us. John Johnson, he’s got a knack, he’s got a real nose for the football, he really does and that’s shown, once we started letting him play a little bit. We saw it in practice with both those guys, we saw it in training camp with both those guys, but you still got to go out in the game and be able to do it against other teams. They were able to do that and compete. So we’re glad of that and hope they keep improving.”

(On how he evaluates the Giants offense after injuries to WR Odell Beckham Jr. and WR Brandon Marshall)

They still have skilled players and (WR Sterling) Shepard’s coming back, the tight end has been outstanding, so they still have weapons and they’ve got running backs. (RB Shane) Vereen who we played against when he was in New England quite a bit is a really good receiver out of the backfield. So they’ve got skilled players and they’ve got a quarterback that can throw the ball really well. They have a big, big, huge offensive line, so that’ll be the challenge.”

(Closing remarks)

“Cooper Manning, I didn’t coach at all, but he’s the funniest one of the group (laughs).”

***

Rams RB Todd Gurley – November 2, 2017

(On how his bye week went)

“It was cool. I didn’t do much. I was going to go to the Georgia game, but good thing I didn’t because they beat them boys up pretty bad, so I just stayed here in L.A.”

(On what needs to happen for them to draw a bigger crowd of if that’s something they even pay attention to when they’re playing)

“Yeah, 100,000 people can fit in that stadium. You can definitely tell the difference when there’s not that many people. But, just like any other team, we just got to win. Obviously, we’re new back in L.A. so we just got to win and establish that fan base again.”

(On if they are going to pick up where they left off offensively before the bye week)

“I hope so, man. Yeah, I was saying that to coach, I wish we could’ve just kept playing maybe a game or two then had a bye, but it’s cool. Everybody got a chance to go back home or do whatever they did, rest their bodies and we just got to get ready. They had a bye week just like we did, so hopefully we can go out there and pick up right where we left off.”

(On if there is anything he wants to improve on in the second half of the season)

“Obviously, always get better. My main thing is just to make sure I’m just doing my same routines, not slacking off. Just making sure I still get my massages or my extra lifts ect., ect. So, just making sure I’m doing the exact same thing I was doing in the beginning of the season, towards the end.”

(On how much gratification he takes from being among league leaders in statistical categories)

“It means a lot. Obviously, if you’re winning you hope you have somebody at the top. I’ve been able to be up there in rushing. Like I said, the O-line has been doing a great job of giving me room, the receivers out there blocking. Everybody just out there doing their job. So, I told (QB Jared) Goff to give me the ball so all these fantasy people want their points, so got to make them happy (laughs).”

(On how confident he was going into the year that he could get back to being a league leader)

“Like I said, when coach came in, man, and just going through that install, that first weekend. Just seeing the plays he had, just seeing what he had done in Washington and we were looking at each other and getting excited. We’ve been playing ball our whole life. The good come with the bad, the bad come with the good – so you just have to bounce back after a rough year, a rough start – whatever it is. Like I said, we play ball, so I know what I’m capable of doing. You just not going to be able to do it every game or every season. That’s just how it works.”

(On how his body feels with the high quantity of touches he’s had every game)

“The bye kind of messed me up a little bit actually. But, it’s cool though man. My body’s been great like I said. (Head Strength and Conditioning) Coach Ted (Rath) and (Director of Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie (Scott) and them, they’ve been doing a great job of just checking numbers, making sure we’re doing the right things in the weight room, recovery-wise. So, I’ve been feeling pretty good.”

(On what he means when he said the bye week messed him up and if he was referring to his routine)

“Yeah. That messed me up for sure. (laughs) Just being lazy. Four to five days can make a difference. Didn’t know it could make such a difference, but it definitely makes a difference.”

(On Head Coach Sean McVay’s comments regarding his ability to correct mistakes and whether he was conscientious during the Arizona game of the mistake he made in the Seattle game of turning the ball over on his way to the end zone)

“Oh yeah, most definitely. I just saw two big guys running at me, so I was like, ‘Dang, they’re about to hit me.’ But, they didn’t. But, it did, it came to my brain. Then, on the 10-yard line, I was like, ‘Got to run through this, got to run through this.’ That’s the good thing about messing up. No one wants to make mistakes or try to mess up, but it’s just like life. You learn from your mistakes and if you don’t then something’s wrong. But that is the good thing about messing up, because you know that you’re not going to let that happen again or you know the look that just happened. Like I said, the bad comes with the good. The good comes with the bad.”

(On how he thinks the team is handling the hype from their success)

“It’s cool. Obviously we’re a very close team – offense, defense – everybody’s pretty cool. We’re just excited just to be winning. It’s the first half the season, man. It doesn’t mean anything until you keep winning, keep winning. So we just have to take one game at a time. Not try to focus on playing Seattle next or whatever, so just focus on the task at hand. Getting better every day and just worry about taking care of the ball during the game.”

(On the production of Rams rookies WR Cooper Kupp and TE Gerald Everett and whether it is hard to break your way into the NFL and if he talks to them about being patient)

“Not really. Obviously, those guys have been pretty healthy. Especially when you’re healthy and able to get those reps, especially during OTAs and mini-camp. They had another mini camp. So the more reps you get, the better you feel. They always say, what’s this about half the year, they aren’t rookies no more. So they’ve been able to get a hold of the game, learn how fast it is, be able to adjust. But, they’re smart players. Like I said, if they have a mistake, they’re able to fix it. That’s one thing about this team – we’re very coachable and everyone responds well to getting coached.”

(On if he has a favorite play he’s made thus far in the season)

“Not really, no. I guess the Washington touchdown. It was cool, but we lost so I don’t really want to put that up as number one. But, I don’t know. My thing is to go out there and try to make one or two of those plays a game. Everything’s not going to be perfect. That’s what separates you from being great and being good. You just have to go out there and try to make those plays every week.”

RT:https://www.rt.com/usa/408615-brazile-clinton-cancer-dnc/

Former DNC Chair Donna Brazile, caught passing debate questions to the Clinton campaign, has turned on the Democratic party in a shocking revelation which details the extent of the Clintons’ hold on the DNC and includes severe criticism of her predecessor.

In an excerpt from her upcoming book published by Politico Thursday, Brazile presents an apparent 180 from her previously staunch support for the DNC and Hillary Clinton, and reveals she found proof of a deal in which Hillary would “control the party’s finances, strategy, and all the money raised,” in exchange for raising money to be invested in the DNC

I’ve completed my review of the DNC and I did find the cancer,” Brazile said she told Bernie Sanders in September 2016, referring to Clinton’s takeover of the DNC. “I will not kill the patient,” she added.

“I explained that the cancer was that [Clinton] had exerted this control of the party long before she became its nominee,” Brazile wrote.
HILLARY VICTORY FUND

Brazile says Gary Gensler, the Clinton campaign financial manager, told her in August 2016 that Clinton camp officials had saved the party from debt through Hillary for America and the Hillary Victory Fund (a joint fundraising apparatus with the DNC), and that the party was “fully under the control of Hillary’s campaign.”

Gensler told Brazile the deal was struck between Clinton’s campaign manager Robby Mook and then-DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Brazile explained that meant Clinton “expected to wield control of its operations.”

Brazile said she later found the Joint Fund-Raising Agreement from August 2015, which said the campaign would make final decisions on staff hired by the DNC.

“That victory fund was supposed to be for whoever was the nominee, and the state party races. You’re telling me that Hillary has been controlling it since before she got the nomination?” Brazile says she asked Gesler.

However, in April, Politico reported a large proportion of money raised had gone straight to the Clinton campaign, months before Brazile says she discovered this fact.

The article quoted a state party official saying those who entered the arrangement were “doing it because they were asked to, not because there are immediately clear benefits.” It also said state party fundraisers felt they were “essentially acting as money laundering conduits.”

The Washington Post also reported on the deal in February 2016, and detailed how the fund was run by Clinton staff and that its treasurer was her campaign’s chief operating officer, Beth Jones.The article even featured comments by Sanders’ advisor Mark Longabaugh, who said: “It looks like the Clinton campaign is using the joint fundraising committee to the benefit of their presidential committee, using major donors and now lobbyist money in ways they should not.”

RT also reported on the fund in April, and the Sanders campaign wrote to Wasserman Schultz expressing concern for the Victory Fund.

The April letter cited the Fund’s FEC disclosure report indicating “all of the joint fundraising committee’s $2.6 million in spending… so far has been in the form of reimbursement the HFA,” and suggested joint “committee funds are being used to impermissibly subsidize HFA through an over-reimbursement for campaign staffers and resources.”

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Brazile had nothing but criticism for Wasserman-Schultz, whom she said “was not a good manager” and let Clinton’s campaign “do as it desired.”

Brazile claims Wasserman Schultz informed people about the DNC hack only “minutes before the Washington Post broke the news,” on June 14, which was two months after Crowdstrike was hired by the DNC.

Brazile also said Wasserman Schultz had “stuck lots of consultants on the DNC payroll, and Obama’s consultants were being financed by the DNC, too.”

BRAZILE’S GUILTY PAST

Brazile’s revelations are at odds with her past support for the DNC, and her denials that the party favored Clinton over Sanders.
DNC emails released by WikiLeaks before the Democratic National Convention in July 2016 revealed the organization worked against Sanders during the primaries in an effort to ensure Clinton was named the Democratic candidate for president.

The revelations forced then-DNC chair Wasserman Schultz to resign, and Brazile was named interim chair.

“Who knew if some of the [emails] might have been forged?” Brazile wrote about the leaked DNC emails. However, the DNC leak featured emails sent from Brazile’s own address, suggesting she would have known the emails were authentic when they were released.

Brazile was a commentator on CNN before taking over as DNC chief. In October 2016, WikiLeaks’ release of Clinton Campaign Chair John Podesta’s emails revealed Brazile had passed debate questions on to Clinton before taking the DNC head position.

The Podesta emails also revealed Brazile had disclosed Sanders’ campaign strategy aimed at black Americans to the Clinton camp in January 2016, when she was DNC’s vice-chair.

Brazile writes that when she told Sanders what she had discovered, she urged him to get behind Clinton for the good of the country, which he did. Brazile ends her piece by saying she cried after getting off the phone, but “not out of guilt, but out of anger.”

Despite Brazile’s apparent shock at the corruption, she went on to deny the authenticity of her emails published by WIkiLeaks, telling Fox News in October that the emails were altered.

“As a Christian woman, I understand persecution. Your information is false,” she siad, adding she would not “validate falsified information.”

In March 2017, she finally admitted she sent Clinton the debate questions, saying it was a mistake she will “forever regret.”

“DNC staff worked to be scrupulously fair and beyond reproach,” Brazile wrote in the article in which she described the organization as a party “dedicated in part to defending free and fair elections.” This was six months after she discovered the “heartbreaking” truth of the Clintons’ control over the DNC.

Head Coach Sean McVay –– October 19, 2017

(On if he’s happy with the way that everything happened in Jacksonville during their week of practice)

“Yeah, I thought it was a great setup. Guys did a great job of handling the situation and we were able to get really ahead on our game plan install and we’ll keep the same Friday practice routine tomorrow. But, just because of the travel and some of the different things and having had the experience last year leaving on a Thursday going to London, we felt like just from an above the neck standpoint that was going to be the best way to go about getting our game plan well. Guys handled it really well and then tomorrow we’ll be able to kind of use as a cleanup day and everything then we will be geared towards peaking on Sunday.”

(On if the organization gives him leeway to make travels decisions)

“Absolutely. Well, we always make decisions as an organization, but yeah I think every decision that we make is geared towards what we feel like it best for our players and best for our team. That’s where we’re all on the same page with those kind of things and these were decisions that take long discussions in figuring out because there’s a lot of different options that you could utilize in this situation. I think the players have handled it really well and having somebody like (Director of Sports Medicine/Performance) Reggie Scott and (Head of Strength and Conditioning) Ted Rath to really be able to lean on mainly for the players in terms of how they’re getting adjusted to the time zone was the main reason that we felt like this was going to be best and then having experience having gone for a week last year and kind of weighing the pros and cons is ultimately what went into staying here and the leaving on a Thursday.”

(On if this is the Todd Gurley that he envisioned)

“Yeah, I think the thing that we’ve been so impressed with Todd Gurley is since day one of even OTAs (Organized Team Activates), even just watching the way he handled himself in the meetings. He’s been the epitome of what it looks like. To say that you’re surprised by his production, I don’t think you’d be surprised, but you’re happy for him and you’re happy for the team because he’s playing so well and it’s leading to some good results. But, these are the things that we all felt he was capable of and we expect him to continue to play at a high level and those are the expectations for a guy that we think is one of the best backs in this league.”

(On Gurley getting to meet Griff who was the fan that went viral with his reaction to getting to see Gurley play in Jacksonville)

“Yeah, it was nice. We got a chance to talk to them and what you realize is what a blessing it is to be able to do this for a living and the impact that you can have on guys. I know that Todd got a chance to speak with him and that’s when you kind of look back and when you’re able to step away, sometimes you’re so involved in it, you can’t appreciate what a special, unique opportunity we have to be able to coach in this league and that people enjoy that and look up to guys like Todd. I thought it was great for him to be able to have those guys here today.”

***

Rams RB Todd Gurley – – October 19, 2017

(On the young Rams fan, Griffin Sumner, coming out to practice today)

“Griffin came through with this family to practice. It was a good day. Happy that he got a chance to come up here with his family. His mom is an Auburn fan, but we’ll give her a pass (laughs). ”

(On what perspective it provides to see Griff’s video on social media)

“A lot. It just makes everything a lot better – whether the wins or losses. When you see stuff like that, it means a lot. You don’t really see it until you get a video like that and you’re like, ‘Oh snap, kids really do look up to you.’ So, you know, it’s a cool thing.”

(On his comments on social media regarding Arizona RB Adrian Peterson still playing at a high level)

“Oh yeah, he ain’t never going no where, man. Y’all better stop being disrespectful to ‘AP.’ That’s all I’m going to say (laughs).”

(On if he studied Peterson’s game)

“He’s the top of the food chain. Like I said, he’s the best of the best. He’s been doing this a while. Nothing but respect for him.”

(On if he tries to play similarly to Peterson)

“Everybody tries to be a physical runner like him. I mean it doesn’t really get much better than him, just being aggressive, attacking downhill. He did all that the Vikings and they probably made the playoffs one or two times, so that’s incredible.”

(On being a student of other running backs in the league)

“Yeah, I mean I more of like a fan though. Just like everybody. Respect everybody’s game. Seeing everybody in college, seeing guys that are in pros now balling out. But most definitely, I study everybody’s game honestly.”

(On if he thinks he’s a more patient runner this year)

“I wouldn’t say all of that.”

(On if he gave Griff any words of encouragement)

“I didn’t give him any words of encouragement. I was just like, ‘What’s up man.’ I really didn’t do all that.”

Hekker is incredible.. he just attempted a punt that folks only do in practice #RespectTheArt pic.twitter.com/PYjrn3y8P9

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 10, 2017

==

Rams punter Johnny Hekker kicks with a new spin

Lindsey Thiry

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-rams-johnny-hekker-20170915-story.html

Johnny Hekker is punting with a new deal, and a new spin.

The Rams punter, ranked first in the NFL in punting yards the last two seasons, spent the last year perfecting a technique introduced to him by Australian Nick Porebski, who punts for Hekkers’ alma mater, Oregon State.

“Nick said, ‘Check out this kick, mate,’” Hekker recalled. “And it was amazing.”

Porebski taught Hekker to hold the ball perpendicular over his foot, instead of parallel, to create a sideways spin in the air.

“It’s really effective, as far as being able to kind of show you’re going one way and then getting it to curve and go the other way,” Hekker said.

Hekker, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, tested the technique during the preseason before he booted a 38-yard punt in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. The punt went out of bounds at the Colts’ seven-yard line — and it also went viral on Twitter.

“It was a fun one,” Hekker said, adding that he wouldn’t hesitate to attempt the kick again if the situation called for it. “I also like to just boom it, hit it the regular way.”

The Rams signed Hekker to a two-year contract extension through the 2022 season. The two-year extension includes $10 million in guarantees, according to several reports.

“I didn’t know that we were close on getting more years added on to that deal,” Hekker said, adding, “It was a deal where I was patient with it, I was very happy with the situation I was in, but to get the numbers bumped up is great.”

Said coach Sean McVay: “He’s a special person, he’s a special player, he’s been very productive, an all-pro player the last couple years and then what he brings to the locker room matches up with the production you see on the field.”

Teammates voted Hekker among six team captains this season.

Last Sunday, Hekker punted five times in a 46-9 victory over the Colts. All of his punts were inside the 20-yard line.

Los Angeles Rams HC Sean McVay

(Opening statement)

“Fortunately for us, no injuries to report and that was kind of the goal going into this, is being as healthy as we could going into our first game. Fortunately, we’ve got a lot of guys back that have not played on the defensive side, they were flying around. It was a good start to our game plan. First and second down emphasis today, so that’s kind of where we’re at.”

(On how the defense looks as a group)

“It looks good. I mean, guys had a great energy, great enthusiasm, they flew around. Great communication on the back end with some of the formation adjustments that we think their offense will require us to do. I think it was a good start to the week. We know we’re taking it one day at a time right now, but I think in terms of starting off the week (the way) that we wanted to as a team, it was a positive step in the right direction for us.”

(On if it has sunk in yet that his first game as a head coach is quickly approaching)

“I think we’ve got a lot of great people around me that can kind of help guide – you look at guys on this staff that have been a head coach. You look at (defensive coordinator) Wade Phillips, (special teams coordinator) Coach (John) Fassel did it for a handful of games last year. So, having those guys as mentors to be able to kind of guide along the way has been great. And then, really, I think until you get out there in the game, it probably won’t set in, but I think we want to do everything in terms of our approach and our preparation to be smart with it, to try to put our players in the best situations to have success. But, it certainly has a different feeling this week. I know I’m excited about it. I certainly feel it from our players and our coaching staff and I think by the time Sunday at one o’clock rolls around, it will be a fun time and it will probably set in how humbling and what a blessing it is to be able to do this.”

(On where he is confidence wise with QB Jared Goff heading into Sunday’s game against the Colts)

I think we’re very confident in our team as a whole and our offense. I think with Jared leading the way, we feel good about it. We know it’s going to be about making good decisions, distributing the ball to the playmakers that we do have. Want to maintain a certain level of balance because of the confidence we have in our back that has done a lot of good things. So, as long as we just take it one play at a time, we expect him to make good decisions, throw with accuracy, timing and rhythm and if he does that, then I think he’ll give himself a chance to play good football for us.”

(On how he would compare where Goff was when he arrived versus where Goff is now)

“I think unless you’re with a guy, it’s always hard to truly evaluate him. What you see on tape from Jared before you ever get a chance to work with him and know the person – natural thrower of the football, he’s tough where he’ll stand in there and keep his eyes down the field. And then, in terms of building and developing a relationship with him, he’s been a joy to coach – very coachable, understands that it’s about correction not criticism and he takes things in stride really well. One of the things I like the most about him is, when things don’t go as we planned, he doesn’t flinch. I think that’s something that you see in a lot of good quarterbacks, their ability to respond from a bad play, because inevitably there will be some that occur at some point. You want to try to minimize those as much as possible. But, the more that I get to know him, the more that I’ve enjoyed being around him and looking forward to seeing him compete on Sunday.”

(On any specific areas that he’s seen improvement from Goff)

“I think any time that you get guys in the games, that’s where you get a chance to really evaluate them. I think we’ve been really pleased with what we’ve seen in practice – the pocket movement, the ability to work through progressions. The best test is when you can truly get tackled and I think in spurts, he’s showed some really good positive signs of going in the right direction with what he did in the preseason. Certainly this game on Sunday will offer a great opportunity for us to see if what we feel like the confidence that we have in him and that we expect to see. Looking forward to seeing him deliver and we have a lot of confidence in Jared that he’ll do that.”

(On where Goff was mentally when he arrived as head coach to where Goff is now)

“The thing that I really like is, when I got a chance to interview for the job, you talk to him about how he processed last year. Clearly, it didn’t go the way that we wanted it to go, but I sensed a guy that was motivated in the right ways. He didn’t lose any of his confidence, but I think it was something that has driven him to work harder moving into this year, motivated for the right reasons. I think that’s what you want from your quarterback. I’ve been impressed, like I was just saying, with his mental toughness and I think that’s going to serve him well for a long time to come.”

(On if he’s disappointed that Colts QB Andrew Luck isn’t playing and how he plans to attack QB Scott Tolzien)

“Well, I’ve got a lot of respect for Andrew Luck. To say that I’m disappointed not to see him, I probably wouldn’t say that (laughs). But, what I would say is that, a lot of respect for them as a team, for Scott Tolzien. And we know that it’s going to be a great challenge. I think they’ve got great players on that offense when you look at (WR) T.Y. Hilton, leading the league in receiving yards last year, (RB) Frank Gore’s got over 13,000 yards in his career. You know, (TE) Jack Doyle I think is one of the more underrated tight ends in this league, so they’ve got guys that have made plays. They’re tough up front. I think (offensive coordinator) Coach (Rob) Chudzinski does an excellent job in terms of the way that he attacks people, so it’s going to be a great challenge for us and looking forward to seeing how things go on Sunday.”

(On what keeps Colts RB Frank Gore on top of his game at age 34)

“I think he’s a pro’s pro. I don’t know Frank personally, but I’ve been around a lot of people that have been around Frank and it sounds like he’s all about the right things. He’s one of the more patient runners. I think he’s got a great feel for when he squares his shoulders off downhill. He’s able to just feel the way that a defense pursues and he always seems to get the ball in the right place based on the way that the plays blocked. Works edges on people, great ball security. He’s a guy that, he had a bunch of carries last year – only lost one fumble. So I think when you look at over the course of his career, when you see 13,000 yards, that production speaks for itself. Just watching the way that he competes he seems like he’s all about the right kind of stuff and you respect that as a coach.”

(On what he’s seen out of DT Tanzel Smart thus far and whether he’s a natural fit for the three-technique spot)

“I think Tanzel is one of those players that he’s a natural fit for anything, because all he does is exactly what you want him to do and he continues to get better every single day. I think it’s a huge credit to (Defensive Line) Coach (Bill) Johnson and (Defensive Quality Control) Coach (Thad) Bogardus with the work that they’ve done with him – obviously (Defensive Coordinator) Coach Wade (Phillips). But, I think he’s one of the more contentious players that we do have. What he’s supposed to do…you see, ‘Hey, there’s Smart again showing up doing exactly what he’s supposed to do – making a play, affecting the offense.’ Everybody wants to probably make a point about that he’s short, but he seems to be a guy who tips the ball as much as anybody. You feel him as an offensive coach, can’t say enough about how please we’ve been with what Tanzel’s done. Especially in (DT) Aaron’s (Donald) absence having him step up get some more opportunities that he wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. It’s been a great chance for him to take advantage of those reps and that’s exactly what he’s done.”

(On any update on DT Aaron Donald)

“No.”

(On if he has ruled out Donald for the game against the Colts Sunday at this point)

“No, I wouldn’t rule him out. We’re still in the same place. I know I kind of sound monotonous where, ‘Hey we’re trying to find a solution’, which is exactly the truth. There’s no update right now. Right now we had a great practice on a Wednesday and a lot of guys…you know you look at the Tanzel Smarts, (DE) Ethan Westbrooks. It’s offered an opportunity for (DE) Morgan Fox and some of those guys to get reps that they wouldn’t. You bring (DT) Tyrunn Walker back and I think they’ve capitalized on it. I think it’s allowed us to develop some depth that maybe we didn’t realize we had, so if you want to put a positive light on that. And then again, I’ll continue to praise our players for…we know they love and respect Aaron – want him to be here, but they haven’t let it be a distraction going into what we know is an extremely important game for us.”

(On if he reacts to a quarterback’s mistake differently as a head coach than he did previously as an offensive coordinator)

“No, I think especially being involved in the offense like you are. I think you always want to be mindful of how you communicate with your players. But, there’s a certainly level of expectation that we have in terms of the decision making, especially when it involves taking care of the football that we expect everybody to have. And that really goes anybody that has the football, but especially those quarterbacks because they touch it every single snap. I think the guys…I think you want to make sure that you’re firm with these guys, but it’s always in a positive way, where it’s about us figuring out how can we get better together. And like I mentioned earlier, it’s not about criticizing, it’s about correcting. You want to try to minimize that as much as possible. But I think when you’re able to develop and build a relationship like you’d like to think you had with the guys that I’ve worked with in Washington like I’m continuing to do with Jared (Goff) and Sean (Mannion). It enables you to coach them in a way where they know you have a high standard for them and you expect big time results. So that allows you to coach them hard and I think they respond in the right way and that’s what I’ve felt from those guys.”

(On if there’s anything during the week he’s been thinking about going into his first regular season game as a head coach)

“I think the biggest thing is, let’s just follow our preparation and our approach the right way to put ourselves in a position to try to play at an efficient level. Especially when you look at what you’re responsible for offensively – want to kind of keep that same rhythm that you had in Washington. I don’t want to try to do anything different. I don’t want…I think it’s just about us continuing to trust our process. You hear us talk about that all the time. We feel like we’ve established a good one in terms of our weekly rhythm leading up to the game. Certainly there’s a level of excitement that’s definitely different than what it’s been, but we want to go about it where it’s a very important game to us – just like any another game will be – and we’ll try to do the best that we can.”

(On if there’s anyone from his past that he will call to lean on for advice going into his first game as head coach)

“From a family standpoint, my dad and my grandpa have been some of the biggest influences in my life. My grandfather’s history in this business he’s just got such a great perspective on things where he’s seen it from the personnel side and the coaching side. And then, when I first got a chance to get into coaching in this league, working for (former Buccaneers Head Coach) Jon Gruden and then being around (Redskins Head Coach) Jay (Gruden) – those are two guys that I’m extremely close with, with the Gruden family as a whole. I know that I can always call them. I’ve talked quite frequently with Jay throughout the course of the preseason when things come up. He’s a great resource for me and I think we’ll even feel more comfortable sharing things with each other after Week 2.”

***

QB Jared Goff

(On the similarities between his first season at Cal and his first season with the Rams and the similarities between moving into the second season both at Cal and with the Rams)

“In some ways sure, but I think it’s completely different situations. There are some things that I definitely learned from that year, my freshman year, that I can carry over in how I approach this season. But yeah, I think as a whole we’ve really improved everywhere – not only offensively, but defensively, special teams, everywhere we’ve improved. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say we feel really good where we’re at.”

(On where he feels he’s improved the most since last year)

“I think just understanding the intent of stuff that we do and understanding what the defense is trying to do and what the intent of their calls are and different ways to attack it. With that, the game just begins to slow down a little bit. I think that’s what you ultimately feel. I felt it from year one to year two, at every level you’re at, you get that slowdown effect a little bit from those two years and I think it continues to slow down as time goes on.”

(On how he defines the difference from today compared to where he stood a year ago)

“Yeah, I’ve felt like I’ve answered this question many times, but yeah I feel good, I feel confident compared to last year. I think that obviously getting all the reps through the offseason has been huge and understanding what we’re trying to do and like I just kind of said, understanding so much more about the game and about what everyone’s intent is on the field. Ultimately, just comfortability and just being where I want to be mentally, physically, emotionally, everything.”

(On if he is going to have to work at all with keeping some of that in check initially going into the first game)

“Maybe a little bit. The first game of every season there is always a lot of jitters and a lot of excitement and I think you even saw it in the first preseason game – it tends to happen and it even gets more so for the first regular season game. Yeah, there will be some of that, but I’ve never really had many issues with being able to stay calm, so I’ll just continue to do what I do.”

(On if he every puts pressure on himself because he was a No. 1 overall pick)

“I don’t think so. I think I’ve always just tried to be the best player that I can be, day in and day out. Try to be the best teammate I can be, day in and day out and let the rest speak for itself. Don’t try to do more than you can do, do what you can do every day and that’s all that you can do.”

(On if it’s easy to have that mindset when everyone else on the outside keeps adding pressure)

“I think you have to. I don’t think you can pay attention to anything and put too much unneeded pressure on yourself. Like I said, everyday come in here and do the best you can and continue to be the best person, player, teammate you can be and ultimately at the end of the day it should be enough.”

(On how he will look to attack the Colts defense in the first game)

“I think we’ve done a good job so far up to this point game planning and getting a good sense of what they do defensively. They do a lot of things well and they do have a lot of good players there, so we’re excited to get a chance to see them this Sunday and get a chance to show off what we’ve worked on the last six to nine months.”

(On if that’s important for him)

“Very, yes. Very important.”

(On what is different from this coaching staff compared to last years’)

“I think they’ve done a great job. Since the moment I met (head coach) Sean (McVay) and the rest of the staff, I think they’ve done a great job not only getting myself ready, but getting (QB) Sean (Mannion) ready and getting the whole offense ready as a whole. I’ve felt like they’ve done an incredible job just changing the culture around here and doing a great job with not only the offense, but Sean peeks in on the defense at times and has done a great job just keeping everything in line.”

(On the overall vibe with Coach McVay compared to former Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher)

“Like I said, I just think he’s done a great job since he got in the building. Just getting everyone on the same page and continues to teach us and get us ready.”

(On how he will define success this season from a personal standpoint)

“You always want to win and that’s always the main point, but I think as long as we continue to keep getting better and continue to improve, I think the rest will take care of itself. You don’t want to say too much or say too little, but I think we’re happy with where we are right now and excited about the future and excited to go into this season and hopefully make some noise.”

(On if there is any disappointment with Colts QB Andrew Luck not playing in this game)

“I don’t think so. I think you go into the game, you’re playing the defense. I haven’t looked at a snap of their offensive film. It is cool to play some of the guys that I grew up watching sometimes. Like last year I got a chance to play against (Patriots QB Tom) Brady and (Saints QB Drew) Brees and that can be cool for the first series and then you kind of settle in and start doing your thing. But no, I think most of the time you’re playing against the defense.”

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay – September 2, 2017

(On the trade for Redskins TE Derek Carrier)
“Derek is a great guy. He brings some versatility to the position. He’s familiar with a lot of the verbiage, the terminology – he can play the ‘F’ position, he can play ‘Y’ in-line. So he can do a lot of things that will complement that group. Good athlete – he will be able to contribute for (special teams coordinator John Fassel) ‘Bones’. When you lose a (TE) Temarrick Hemingway, who was going to be a big part of what we wanted to do, (Carrier) was a guy that we had potentially targeted knowing the depth that the Redskins had at that position. We feel fortunate to be able to acquire Derek. He is going to be a big help to us.”

(On if there is an update on DT Aaron Donald)
“It’s the same. The dialogue’s been good and it’s where we kind of left it off the last time that we discussed that.”

(On if he is expecting Donald at practice on Monday)
“Like I said, we’re in a situation right now where the dialogue is ongoing. I still remain very optimistic. I’m always going to maintain that positive approach and that’s where we’re at. I know that our guys are working relentlessly to try to come to this solution and like we said, the level of urgency is certainly raised as we get closer and closer to our first regular season game. But, right now there is no update – kind of still where we’re at and the dialogue is back and forth with us and Aaron’s representation.”

(On how difficult cut day can be and how the process was his first time as a head coach)
“Yeah, I felt really good about just the way that we were able to come to decisions on our entire team, both with our offensive and defensive staffs, with (GM) Les (Snead) and his staff. I feel like the communication on all levels has been very good where we’ve kind of all been on the same page. Certainly the decisions weren’t easy, but I feel like because you have some many people that are good at what they do, are able to give their insight with their previous experience, it makes it as seamless as possible. But, with regards to some of those decisions in dealing with a lot of these players, it’s tough. I couldn’t say enough about just what a class act all the guys that we dealt with where you’re delivering unfortunate information, but what a joy these guys have been to be around – I speak for all of our coaches when I say that. I think it’s a representation of the type of guys that we have in this building, both that are still here and guys that were here. It was a special group of 90 men. I thank them for what they did and it was a great opportunity to be able to work with those guys. Unfortunately, with a lot of them we had to move in different directions and then a handful of them we’ll bring back to the practice squad, but it’s never fun. I think certainly being in this role for the first time where you’re kind of the first one delivering that information, it definitely has a different feeling to it. But, as long as you deal with these guys openly and honestly and when you’re dealing with good people like we were fortunate enough to do – an unfortunate and a tough day went as well as it could of I guess is the best way to put it.”

(On if he anticipates any changes with the roster between now and Monday)
“Yeah, that’s a good question. I think really when you look at it, as we continue to get all the guys that have been waived in and Les and his staff have done a nice job kind of sorting through those things. We’ve had an eye on a handful of guys that could be subject to being released that might potentially upgrade us. We haven’t gone through that. Those are discussions that we’ll have after this and kind of watching that waiver wire and see how things shape up. Then when everything kind of gets finalized tomorrow, we’ll be able to make the decisions if we stick with the guys we do have or if we decide to kind of make some swaps. You want to be smart about it, especially kind of being mindful of having that fifth spot where you’re at in the claim order where you might be able to potentially upgrade if we feel like a guy does give us that upgrade spot at one of those positions that we’re looking at.”

(On if offensive line is a position that can potentially be upgraded)
“Really you’re looking at all positions or spots that you can potentially upgrade and it depends on who becomes available. With us right now, currently keeping eight guys on the O-line because (T) Darrell (Williams) and (T) Andrew (Donnal) – Andrew is a guy that’s played both guard and tackle. I haven’t had a chance to evaluate a lot of him, but with (C) Austin Blythe being a center, I think we feel good about those eight right now. We’ll look at the waiver wire, but certainly it’s not a knock on the eight that we do have. Really, when you look at what Andrew does provide, he hasn’t been able to practice, but this is a guy that’s played all over the line. Darrell has done a nice job at tackle and then we feel good about what Austin has done at the center position.”

(On Donnal’s status)
“He was out there today. He was able to do some team work for the first time since the injury occurred. He’s a guy that it was tough because you’d like to see him out there and get acclimated and accustomed to a lot of the new techniques that we’re implementing, different than what they had done before. I feel like right when he was kind of hitting his stride at the end of the offseason program, you started to see him get comfortable with that and then unfortunately, the knee injury occurs right at the beginning of camp. But, Andrew is a guy that’s played a lot of football. A very smart player and that versatility is valuable, especially when you are talking about typically having seven guys active on game day and when you’ve got a guy that can fill a lot of needs they bring value to the team for sure.”

(On if CB Michael Jordan did not make the active roster because of the numbers at that position)
“I think so. I think really when you look at our secondary as a whole, both the corner and the safety position, it’s as deep a group as I’ve ever been around where you feel really good about the room from top to bottom. When you keep six safeties on the active roster and five corners, not to mention that when (CB) Troy Hill gets back you’re talking about potentially 12 DBs. But ‘Mike J’ is a guy that did a lot of good things. He got his hands on the ball, made some plays, closed a couple games out, but I think he’s a guy that can play in this league. I think it was more of a situation where we had such good depth at that positon and it became more of a numbers game, but I think Michael Jordan is definitely capable and I think he’ll get a shot somewhere.”

(On how the conversation went with TE Cory Harkey being released)
“Well, I think you guys know what a class act he is, what he’s meant to this organization. That was certainly a difficult discussion because of the type of player, the type of person he is, but like you guys would expect, what a class act, what a great human being. A good leader, kind of stands for all the right types of things in terms of what you’re looking for, for a guy to represent the organization the right way. That’s what he’s done over the last handful of years. He would still be on this team right now if it weren’t for the Derek Carrier trade where we were able to acquire Derek. So, it certainly wasn’t an easy discussion, but I wish nothing but the best for Cory and can’t say enough things about what he represents in terms of the toughness, the leadership, the character, all those good things that you want your players to embody, that’s what Cory Harkey is and that’s what he stands for. I think very highly of Cory.”

(On if he feels like he ever really got a chance to get a look at WR Nelson Spruce due to his injuries)
“It’s one of those situations when you talk to Nelson today, you say it’s unfortunate because he’s a good football player, he’s got great instincts, good, aggressive hands. Unfortunately, the injuries really kept him out of chances to really compete for a roster spot and it’s unfortunate. We’re hopeful that Nelson will get a spot and get a chance to compete somewhere else. We wish him nothing but the best, but again, that’s another position like you talk about the secondary with looking at some of the guys that we were able to acquire through free agency or a trade and then the two guys we added through the draft. We feel really good about the depth at the receiver positon. Just like at corner, you’re going to get (WR) Mike Thomas back after Week 4 and potentially some tough decisions to be made there, but we have six guys going into this season that you feel really good about where you have a chance to keep guys fresh because they’re interchangeable because you truly have confidence in all six of those guys if they’re targeted to be able to make the play.”

(On if he is committed to just going with QB Jared Goff and QB Sean Mannion and letting go of QB Dan Orlovsky)
“I think Dan – the value that Dan had for those guys especially being aware of how young Jared and Sean both are, I thought Dan was a great example of kind of providing a mentorship role for them. Being around some great players and then him having the experience that he’s had. I thought he was really helpful to those guys. Dan’s definitely a possible guy that we’ll bring back on this roster, so by no means does that mean that we couldn’t see him Week 2. I think very highly of Dan. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Dan from other people in the coaching world that have been with him and he certainly lived up to that reputation. He’s definitely a guy that could be a possibility for us to bring back in Week 2.”

(On what RB Justin Davis showed him to earn a spot on the active roster)
“I think, probably, the same things you guys noticed. He’s an explosive back that, I think he got better as the preseason progressed, really a conscientious player – was really impressed with just the maturity and growth in a short amount of time. I saw some things that improved in terms of his technique in the protection element. Obviously, when the ball’s in his hands and he puts his foot in the ground and decides to get vertical – you see an explosion and I think he’s a nice change-of-pace back. And when you look at really, I think (RB) Todd’s (Gurley) kind of that complete all-around back that can do a little bit of everything. You guys know how highly I think about Todd. Then I think (RB) Malcolm (Brown) is a nice guy that can kind of provide some carries in the first and second-down role. Then, really, when you look at what Justin does bring, if you’re looking for that change of pace back, very similar to the reason that we liked (RB) Lance Dunbar so much – that’s kind of what Justin has provided. We’re excited about Justin. We know that as a rookie some of the things that we’re going to ask him to do, it’ll be something that we’ll just take little steps at a time. Justin definitely earned his spot on this roster and we’ve been pleased with what he’s done throughout the preseason.”

(On if WR Tavon Austin will be ready for Week 1)
“He is, that’s the plan. Unless something changes, he’ll be our punt returner. He’s going to be a guy…not sure if you guys saw him moving around before the Green Bay game just getting a workout in. I asked him, “How he felt today? Yeah, I feel okay.’ I said, ‘Well if that’s how okay feels that’s great news for us, man.’ He looked pretty good. He looks healthy. He looks explosive and he looks like the Tavon Austin that we’re accustomed to seeing.”

(On how he feels about the defensive line outside of DTs Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers)
“I think (Defensive Line) coach (Bill) Johnson’s done a nice job developing some depth. I think when you really look at it – having those guys that you feel good about provides an opportunity to move guys around in a variety of roles based on the package that we’re playing. We’ll do some different things with our rush packages. When you’ve got guys that you feel like you can play, it allows them to be interchangeable and keep those guys fresh. We know what kind of special rusher (OLB) Robert Quinn is. You feel really good about (OLB) Connor Barwin. But what I think what’s been nice is you see the emergence of the (DT) Tanzel Smart. You know what ‘Lou’ (DT Louis Trinca-Pasat) brings inside as a solid player. I think (DE) Morgan Fox has done some good things and then bringing back (DT Tyrunn) Walker – all of those guys can do a little bit of everything. Like you already mentioned with ‘Brock’ (Michael Brockers) and I think the more guys that you can have that you feel like can fill a variety of roles – the fresher you can allow those guys to be where you’ve got a healthy rotation. That’s when those guys have a chance to be at their best.”

(On if he feels like this year was a strong draft class despite not having a first-round pick and considering so many made the final roster)
“I think (General Manager) Les (Snead) and his staff did a great job of kind of prioritizing that board and then allowing, when our coaches got involved in it, for us all to be on the same page and kind of come to a conclusion – especially with those guys early on. So far, we know that the season’s going to really give us a good idea of kind of where we’re at with those players. But from what we’ve seen with the offseason program going into training camp and the preseason – I think that there’s a lot of draft picks that we’re going to rely heavily on. I think you look at some of those guys especially offensively with the skill players that we drafted. (OLB) Samson’s (Ebukam) a guy that has flashed. And then you look at (OLB) Ejuan Price in the limited time that he’s had, you see why he was such a productive player at Pitt, (DT) Tanzel Smart. So, when you go back and you really look at it, you do feel good about what we were able to do through the draft and these are guys that we’re going to be counting on and looking forward to seeing these guys progress each and every day.”

(On what went into TE Johnny Mundt making the active roster)
“I think when you really look at it, John did a nice job the other night. He’s been a guy that…very smart, contentious player. I think he’s a guy that we’re really looking forward to developing. He’s a guy that…I don’t necessarily know how things will shape out, but when you do go get a (TE) Derek Carrier then it allows you to feel comfortable with that fourth tight end to go the route of where you’re going to be patient with a guy and allow him to develop, knowing that he had the ankle injury in the rookie minicamp – so he’s missed some time. But when he’s gotten out there and when you look at what he was able to do at Oregon, he’s got some ability. He’s got some talent – really contentious, smart. He has the ability to move around the formation a little bit. Then I think (Tight Ends Coach) Shane’s (Waldron) done a good job of getting him more comfortable playing in-line. It was good for John to make a couple plays the other night for his confidence. I think you see a little bit of flashes with him and he’s a guy that we’re looking forward to kind of just seeing how he progresses.”

(On if he expects most of his starters to practice this week)
“Yeah we are. Unless something changes, everybody’s going to be ready to go. That was kind of what we had out there today as well. So, with the exception of obviously (DT) Aaron (Donald) not being there, we had kind of all hands on deck and that was good. You know, you’ve got (LB Mark) Barron out there, you’ve got (OLB Robert) Quinn, (CB) Kayvon Webster is back and healthy. So, everybody that has missed some time was back out there and they did a nice job. It was good to see them move around.”

(On if Monday will be a full practice)
“It’ll be modified. I think what it is, is we want to be aware of using it to be able to get ahead on the Colts, but also want to be fresh. So, that when we do get into that normal game week preparation, because Tuesday will be a day off and then we’ll get right into our normal weekly rhythm that we’ll have throughout the course of the season. So, Monday will be a bonus day. I thought today was good for these guys to get out there, get a good sweat in, but really didn’t want to push it too much. We got some good competitive work. There’s a little bit of carryover kind of what we do offensively and defensively, where even when you’re going against each other, you’re seeing some similarities to what we’ll see from Indy offensively and defensively and it’s going to be a great challenge. We’re excited to get going and Monday will really represent the first day of true preparation for our team and for the Colts.”

(On if he is still hopeful that he will see Donald at practice on Monday)
“Oh yeah, I’m an optimistic guy. You know, I’m always going to take the positive approach, so nothing’s changed on my end. I know that with what I can do is try to help with that situation, I had some conversations with Aaron. Aaron’s a very special player to us and we want him here and we want him to be a part of this. I think with what these players have started to create, I think it would be special to have Aaron be a part of that, because of what we’ve talked about and some of the things that we want our players to represent and the way they go about their daily work. Everything that I’ve heard and in the short exposure that I’ve had to Aaron, he kind of personifies what we’re looking for. And I think the players have a huge amount of respect for him. We already know what the production that he’s had, that kind of speaks for itself. That’s why he’s an important part of what we’re trying to do. We’re going to try to come to a solution and a conclusion to this. I can’t tell you how happy I’ll be, hopefully, if I don’t have to answer any more of these questions about it (laughs).”

(On the tone of his conversations with Donald)
“I think the one thing that I would reiterate – (Executive Vice President of Football Operations/Chief Operating Officer) Kevin (Demoff), (General Manager) Les (Snead) and (Senior Assistant) Tony (Pastoors) have done a great job of kind of keeping me out of those discussions when it comes to the money and the specifics of it. And, Aaron and I’s discussions have been exclusive to you know, player/coach relationship types of things – what he’s missed out on, how much we can’t wait to get him back here. And Aaron loves football. He wants to be here. We respect their approach and where they’re at, their stance, kind of based on kind of what they want to get accomplished out of these things. But, with regards to mine and Aaron’s dialog, it’s been exclusively kind of player/coach football related stuff. And, that’s where I think it can be – that’s what you want it to be and that’s where I think it’s helpful and healthy for my role to be. That’s why you appreciate Les, Tony and Kevin taking that approach and kind of looking out. Let’s keep it about business with them and let them kind of get those things handled with the agents and you keep it about football with your players and that’s very helpful for me.”

(On who initiates those conversations with Donald)
“I’m kind of chasing him around like I’m chasing a girl in high school again right now (laughs). So, I reach out to Aaron, just like anything else. We’ve had a back-and-forth dialog. I’ve reached out to Aaron, but it’s kind of been a back-and-forth. He’s a guy that I enjoy talking to and I’ll enjoy it a lot more when I see him in person.”

(On if he thinks Donald will be ready to go once he gets back)
Yeah, well I think it’s going to be predicated on when he does get back. Aaron’s a special player. I know he’s taking good care of himself. Certainly there’s no substitute for actual practice and the stress that you get on your body when you’re putting pads on and the time in between plays. If there’s anybody that you feel like can try to mimic and emulate those things when he’s working out on his own, Aaron is one of those guys. But, we do definitely want to be aware of getting him back and being smart about it. While knowing that, if we do get it solved and come to a solution, he’s one of our best players – want to have him out there with his teammates, but not at the expense of not having a smart plan in place to where you rush him back and then it results in not having him for a couple weeks. So, hopefully those are things that we’ll have to figure out a plan sooner than later, but that’s definitely something based on when he comes back, we’ll have those discussions and that will involve (Director/Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie (Scott), (Strength and Conditioning coach) Ted (Rath), Aaron, our coaching staff and a lot of people involved in that conversation with how we feel like its best for our team and for him moving forward into the season.

(On if he is prepared for a scenario where Donald does not show up)
“Yeah. Certainly you have to. I think you always have to have those plans in place and I think that’s the one thing that you don’t want to have to do that, but I think what I would say that’s been such a breath of fresh air with our team and our players that have been here is, while they want to have Aaron back, they haven’t allowed it to be a distraction to what we’re trying to get done and guys are getting reps at the spot that you kind of project Aaron right now. I know that if that’s the case, they’ll be ready to go against Indianapolis and we got confidence in those guys to step up. Certainly, we know the type of player that Aaron is, but I think credit to the players right now that are here, they won’t allow it to be a distraction and if he does come back, everybody will welcome him back with open arms and be happy to have him.

Head Coach Sean McVay – August 28, 2017

(On why QB Jared Goff isn’t going to play at all against Green Bay)
“We’ve made the decision that we were going to get a chance to evaluate the guys that we’re not projecting as starters and get them an opportunity to compete against Green Bay. That will offer an opportunity as well for our starters to kind of start getting in the mindset of preparing for that Indianapolis game. Where, we’ll get a chance to still compete against each other like we did, but then we’ll also start moving towards what we’re going to do against the Colts on September 10th.”

(On Goff not playing against Green Bay even though he hasn’t played two full quarters in the preseason)
“Yeah, it’s something that we’ve gone back and forth with about. And, certainly not undermining how important that experience is for him. But, that’s why we’ve made a real big emphasis – especially with some of those guys that we’re really counting on that haven’t gotten that work – that, we’ve got to understand the importance of when we ramp up the tempo of practice, let’s make sure that we get something out of it. Even though nothing is quite like a game and that’s what the decision that we felt like was going to be best for our team and for our offense and some of the guys that we’ll rest on defense as well.”

(On if WR Tavon Austin was a full participant in practice today)
“He wasn’t a full participant. He might have been able to do that, but we’re going to be patient with him. He went through the individual drills. He feels good. In terms of letting him go full-speed where he’s getting into some of those competitive periods that you just saw, that might be something that we discuss about doing tomorrow with him. But, he’s in a good place right now and we feel like if we continue to take those steps, he’ll be in great shape to be ready to roll for that Indy game.”

(On if CB Kayvon Webster, LB Mark Barron and OLB Robert Quinn practiced today)
“They did. With Mark right now, we’re just being smart where, with that maintenance program like you’ve seen where we rested (T) Andrew Whitworth today, Mark’s going to be a guy that has kind of the same type of plan just based on being smart and having that September 10th date in place. Robert’s gotten a lot of rest. He did a great job today. You certainly felt him out there rushing the passer and Kayvon was a full participant and did a nice job as well today.”

(On how he envisions using WR Tavon Austin)
“Well, that’s a good question. I think we’re going to put him a quarterback actually (laughs). No, I think that’s something that’s unique about what you can do with a player like him. So that’s one of the advantages that we do have, if you’re going to look at a positive of him not having played this preseason. Haven’t put that on tape and I think that’s a competitive advantage that we’re still figuring out as a staff. But one thing that we do know is, he’s a special player and we’ve got to find a way to get him touches and get him involved because in the past, when the ball is in his hands good things have happened. That’s what we’re going to look to continue to do with him moving forward into the season.”

(On if not playing some of his key players in preseason puts the team behind the eight ball heading into the regular season)
“I think it’s certainly something that you always discuss because you have an appreciation for the importance of the preseason. But, I thought (Defensive Coordinator) Coach Wade (Phillips) said it best where, a lot of these guys that have played a lot of football, the important thing is being aware of allowing them to be at their best September 10th with their health, with everything else and trusting that they know how to prepare to the best of their ability. Not taking away from that, that’s definitely something that, in an ideal situation, we’d like to have all those guys having played together, getting ready, but just based on the circumstances that we’ve dealt with, we’ve made some of those decisions that the first time a lot of the guys will get an opportunity to play together is September 10th. We’re certainly not using that as an excuse to be rusty in any form or fashion. We just know that the level of urgency for these next 13 days has to be ramped up, especially for those guys that haven’t gotten a chance to play in the preseason.”

(On if he is going to take all 89 guys to Green Bay)
“We’ll take those guys. The only guys that we’ve left behind are guys that would be out because of an injury. So, we’ll take all those guys unless it’s something where a (TE) Temarrick Hemingwaysituation, or somebody that wouldn’t be able to play because of an injury. So, right now that’s the plan and that’s what we’re going to do.”

(On if WR Sammy Watkins is going to play against Green Bay)
“He won’t. No – he’s not going to play this week. I think when you talk about Sammy I think it’s very important for us as a coaching staff, to do a good job of getting a game plan together, so that we can start to trim his focus as well. I think that will enable him to be able to play faster, where we can detail up the assignments in a better way, to put him in a good spot. Because, as of right now, you look at the last couple weeks, he’s kind of just been thrown into the fire. We haven’t game-planned like we normally will, so in terms of the attention to detail and having more of a singular focus on a game plan as opposed to the whole playbook being up. I think it’ll make it a little bit easier for him and that’s something that we want to do sooner than later to allow him to play fast and be the best version of Sammy Watkins that we’ve all seen before.”

(On how he thinks WR Tavon Austin took the news about the Rams acquiring Watkins)
“He was great. I think the biggest thing…we always talk about clear communication with our players. Before it even happen we discussed that with the receiver room to let them know that we’re going to adding another good player to the room. That resulted in losing a great player in (CB) E.J. Gaines. I think as long as you deal with these guys upfront and honest – they’re great competitors. Tavon’s response was exactly like what you would expect. ‘I’m excited to have Sammy on this team. It makes our receiver room even better and it gives us the ability to utilize a variety of guys in a variety of ways and that’s where when you have a couple guys that can stretch the field or some intermediate underneath you always want to have complements. But, when you have guys that can do some of the same things, it gives you versatility as well.”

(On if there’s a specific area within the team that he’s going to focus on heading into the final preseason game)
“I think there’s specific players, but I think as far as just kind of looking at specific areas on the team every single position is so important. Right now, especially on offense and defense and some of those key guys that we’re trying to continue and figure out on special teams, it’s going to a great opportunity to evaluate some of those guys that fill will in those depth positions. Whether it be the inside linebacker position, some of those additional rushers that we’re looking at, guys that are going to be your back-up lineman, in addition to the five guys that we’re counting on being our starters. I think it’s going to offer a great opportunity to see a lot of players that, at some point just based on the way an NFL season goes, we’ll probably be relying on, where they’ll start out maybe providing depth but you never know what ends up happening. They’ll be a very important part of what we do so, that’s why this evaluation for us is very important over the next week.”

(On if there is anything that he needs to focus on in terms of his head coaching duties heading into the final preseason game)
“I think really the first three weeks has offered us a great opportunity to get that figured out. What you feel really good about, and you’ll continue to hear me say, is when you’ve got great leaders in (special teams coordinator) John Fassel and (defensive coordinator) Wade Phillips running your defense and your special teams – you feel very comfortable to allow them to do their job. What that frees you up to do is, really as a guy that’s going to be heavily involved in the offense calling the plays, be focused on that similarly to the way that you would approach it as an offensive coordinator. The difference is just making sure that when you get inside two minutes, John Fassel and I will be in constant communication which will mostly be relevant when we’re mostly on defense. Because, when you’re on offense calling the plays you’re more involved in some of those game-like situations. We’ve told Wade that if there’s ever a time where when the defense has the possession which has kind of naturally occurred over the first three weeks anyways – if I was talking to the quarterbacks or going through some pictures where you’re still making sure that you can transition from series to series, then his experience trusting his judgement if there’s a defense penalty – whether there’s a decision to accept or decline that has to be made right there if I’m not there, then you have a guy like him that you can empower for those decisions. We discussed all of the mechanics of you look at something as simple as the challenge. We talked about that where the reason (assistant to head coach) Billy (Nayes) has that flag and we joke about it the other day, but if for whatever reason being involved in the offense, a defensive challenge has to occur – where I’m kind of moving on to the next series. He’s got to be ready on the sideline to throw it for the ref and that’s again where you trust your defensive coaches up top to be able to say, ‘Hey definitely want to challenge it. You trust your assistants and ultimately, I’m the one that responsible for it. When you have great coaches around you, it enables you to feel comfortable with the game-day dynamics knowing that you’re going to be involved in the offense. I know that’s kind of a long-winded answer, but I think it’s been a great way to figure that out and feel very comfortable going into the regular season with kind of the way that we have it laid out.”

more statue controversies
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statues:https://theconversation.com/statues-of-medical-racist-who-experimented-on-slaves-should-also-be-taken-down-82704?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#link_time=1503679553

Confederate generals are not the only statues causing public outrage in the US. On Saturday, protesters gathered in New York City’s Central Park to call for the removal of a monument to James Marion Sims – the “father of gynaecology” – a doctor who bought, sold and experimented on slaves.

There are two other Sims statues on state-owned property. One is in Columbia, South Carolina, and the other in Montgomery, Alabama. In an interview with MSNBC, Steve Benjamin, the mayor of Columbia, recently agreed that the local Sims statue should come down “at some point”. Now the New York Academy of Medicine has reissued a statement supporting the removal of Sims’ effigy from Central Park.

Over the past five decades, a small army of academics – including social historians, feminists, African American scholars and bioethicists – have reached a consensus that Sims’ medical research on enslaved patients was dangerous, exploitative and deeply unethical – even by the standards of his times. And doctors at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Sims’ home state, have publicly acknowledged Sims’ overt medical racism.
James Marion Sims. R. O’Brien/Wikimedia Commons

The ongoing removal of statues that celebrate the Confederacy and other forms of white supremacy, is an opportunity to also correct the problem of Sims’ troubling presence on the symbolic landscape of America’s past.
Searching for victims

It is common knowledge that Sims was a slave owner during the years he practised medicine in Montgomery, Alabama. It is also well known that he performed dangerous experiments on enslaved women, men and babies. These experiments were so dangerous that even his friends and fellow doctors told him that he was going too far.

The evidence of Sims’ medical malpractice is apparent from the extensive published case notes of the procedures he performed and from his autobiography, The Story of My Life. In his autobiography, Sims revealed that the most “memorable era” of his life was between 1844 and 1849, during which he recollected that “there was never a time that I could not, at any day, have had a subject for operation”.

In same years, he doubled the size of his private hospital for enslaved patients, “ransacking country around” Montgomery for incurable cases of vesico-vaginal fistula (an abnormal tract between the bladder and vagina). Enslaved women were particularly prone to this side effect of childbirth, due to the coercive “breeding” practices of slave-owners and widespread sexual exploitation. For Sims’ fistula patients, the memory of these years would have been unbearable, as they were subject to repeated surgery, without anaesthesia.

Sims is a typical example of a slave-owning, slave-trading, racist medical researcher, of which there were an abundance in antebellum America. Medical experiments on the enslaved were commonplace throughout the era of slavery. Sims, however, proved particularly shrewd in having positioned his medical practice and backyard private hospital at the heart of Montgomery’s booming slave-trading district….see link

Goff already notices a difference with Rams’ new O-line

Alden Gonzalez

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/34995/jared-goff-already-notices-a-difference-with-rams-new-o-line

HOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams’ offense flowed better — better than it did at any point last season — during Saturday’s preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, which offered the first meaningful sample size under this new, offensive-minded coaching staff. Jared Goff was more efficient, Todd Gurley was more patient, the receivers and tight ends were more, well, open.

But there was something else: The pocket looked cleaner, a product of a new offensive line that should be a lot stronger on Goff’s blind side.

Goff himself is already noticing the difference.

“No doubt,” the second-year quarterback said. “I think just as a whole, they’ve really worked together. They’re starting to jell, and I think you saw that last Saturday. The Oakland defensive line is no slouch. They’ve got some dudes over there, and they did a great job keeping them away and giving me a good pocket. It wasn’t just throw it and get hit; it was clean the whole night. It was. No one really around me.”

Behind the Rams’ offensive line last season, Goff absorbed an NFL-high 25 sacks over the final six weeks and Gurley averaged 1.59 yards before first contact for the entire season, ranked 41st among 42 running backs with enough carries to qualify.

The Rams have since replaced Greg Robinson, one of the game’s worst left tackles, with Andrew Whitworth, one of the game’s best. They kept Rodger Saffold, their best offensive lineman last season, at left guard. And they brought in veteran center John Sullivan, who spent last season as a backup under Sean McVay — now the Rams head coach — with the Redskins and seems to be fully recovered from prior back injuries. On the right side are third-year players Rob Havenstein (tackle) and Jamon Brown (guard).

Gurley needed only eight carries to reach 38 rushing yards Saturday, and Goff only took one sack, courtesy of reigning defensive player of the year Khalil Mack. Through the first two preseason games, Pro Football Focus has the Rams’ first-team offensive line allowing just three pressures on 109 pass-blocking attempts.

That is stunningly low for any team, but particularly the Rams.

“It’s been a good camp,” Gurley said. “We’ve been getting better. Each game, we’ll see how we do. We just have to go out there and just compete and communicate. Even though I might have a 1-yard run, we may have done one or two things, whether it’s me or a lineman or someone back side — 1-yard runs can always be 20-yard runs. It’s just the little things, going out there and communicating. Then the next game, having the same exact look and making sure we get it right.”

The concept of schizophrenia is coming to an end – here’s why

https://theconversation.com/the-concept-of-schizophrenia-is-coming-to-an-end-heres-why-82775

The concept of schizophrenia is dying. Harried for decades by psychology, it now appears to have been fatally wounded by psychiatry, the very profession that once sustained it. Its passing will not be mourned.

Today, having a diagnosis of schizophrenia is associated with a life-expectancy reduction of nearly two decades. By some criteria, only one in seven people recover. Despite heralded advances in treatments, staggeringly, the proportion of people who recover hasn’t increased over time. Something is profoundly wrong.

Part of the problem turns out to be the concept of schizophrenia itself.

Arguments that schizophrenia is a distinct disease have been “fatally undermined”. Just as we now have the concept of autism spectrum disorder, psychosis (typically characterised by distressing hallucinations, delusions, and confused thoughts) is also argued to exist along a continuum and in degrees. Schizophrenia is the severe end of a spectrum or continuum of experiences.

Jim van Os, a professor of psychiatry at Maastricht University, has argued that we cannot shift to this new way of thinking without changing our language. As such, he proposes the term schizophrenia “should be abolished”. In its place, he suggests the concept of a psychosis spectrum disorder.

Another problem is that schizophrenia is portrayed as a “hopeless chronic brain disease”. As a result, some people given this diagnosis, and some parents, have been told cancer would have been preferable, as it would be easier to cure. Yet this view of schizophrenia is only possible by excluding people who do have positive outcomes. For example, some who recover are effectively told that “it mustn’t have been schizophrenia after all”.

Schizophrenia, when understood as a discrete, hopeless and deteriorating brain disease, argues van Os, “does not exist”.

Breaking down breakdowns

Schizophrenia may instead turn out to be many different things. The eminent psychiatrist Sir Robin Murray describes how::

I expect to see the end of the concept of schizophrenia soon … the syndrome is already beginning to breakdown, for example, into those cases caused by copy number [genetic] variations, drug abuse, social adversity, etc. Presumably this process will accelerate, and the term schizophrenia will be confined to history, like “dropsy”.
Research is now exploring the different ways people may end up with many of the experiences deemed characteristic of schizophrenia: hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking and behaviour, apathy and flat emotion.

Indeed, one past error has been to mistake a path for the path or, more commonly, to mistake a back road for a motorway. For example, based on their work on the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is transmitted to humans via cats, researchers E. Fuller Torrey and Robert Yolken have argued that “the most important etiological agent [cause of schizophrenia] may turn out to be a contagious cat”. It will not.

Toxoplasma gondii – likely a cause of ‘schizophrenia’, unlikely the most important. Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock
Evidence does suggest that exposure to Toxoplasma gondii when young can increase the odds of someone being diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, the size of this effect involves less than a twofold increase in the odds of someone being diagnosed with schizophrenia. This is, at best, comparable to other risk factors, and probably much lower.

For example, suffering childhood adversity, using cannabis, and having childhood viral infections of the central nervous system, all increase the odds of someone being diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (such as schizophrenia) by around two to threefold. More nuanced analyses reveal much higher numbers.

Compared with non-cannabis users, the daily use of high-potency, skunk-like cannabis is associated with a fivefold increase in the odds of someone developing psychosis. Compared with someone who has not suffered trauma, those who have suffered five different types of trauma (including sexual and physical abuse) see their odds of developing psychosis increase more than fiftyfold.

Smoking skunk every day increases your odds of developing a psychotic disorder fivefold. Pe3k/Shutterstock
Other routes to “schizophrenia” are also being identified. Around 1% of cases appear to stem from the deletion of a small stretch of DNA on chromosome 22, referred to as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. It is also possible that a low single digit percentage of people with a schizophrenia diagnosis may have their experiences grounded in inflammation of the brain caused by autoimmune disorders, such as anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, although this remains controversial.

All the factors above could lead to similar experiences, which we in our infancy have put into a bucket called schizophrenia. One person’s experiences may result from a brain disorder with a strong genetic basis, potentially driven by an exaggeration of the normal process of pruning connections between brain cells that happens during adolescence. Another person’s experiences may be due to a complex post-traumatic reaction. Such internal and external factors could also work in combination.

Either way, it turns out that the two extreme camps in the schizophrenia wars – those who view it as a genetically-based neurodevelopmental disorder and those who view it as a response to psychosocial factors, such as adversity – both had parts of the puzzle. The idea that schizophrenia was a single thing, reached by a single route, contributed to this conflict.

Implications for treatment

Many medical conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, can be reached by multiple routes that nevertheless impact the same biological pathways and respond to the same treatment. Schizophrenia could be like this. Indeed, it has been argued that the many different causes of schizophrenia discussed above may all have a common final effect: increased levels of dopamine.

If so, the debate about breaking schizophrenia down by factors that lead to it would be somewhat academic, as it would not guide treatment. However, there is emerging evidence that different routes to experiences currently deemed indicative of schizophrenia may need different treatments.

Preliminary evidence suggests that people with a history of childhood trauma who are diagnosed with schizophrenia are less likely to be helped by antipsychotic drugs. However, more research into this is needed and, of course, anyone taking antipsychotics should not stop taking them without medical advice. It has also been suggested that if some cases of schizophrenia are actually a form of autoimmune encephalitis, then the most effective treatment could be immunotherapy (such as corticosteroids) and plasma exchange (washing of the blood).

Not everyone diagnosed with schizophrenia is helped by antipsychotic drugs. sylv1rob1/Shutterstock
Yet the emerging picture here is unclear. Some new interventions, such as the family-therapy based Open Dialogue approach, show promise for a wide range of people with schizophrenia diagnoses. Both general interventions and specific ones, tailored to someone’s personal route to the experiences associated with schizophrenia, may be needed. This makes it critical to test for and ask people about all potentially relevant causes. This includes childhood abuse, which is still not being routinely asked about and identified.

The potential for different treatments to work for different people further explains the schizophrenia wars. The psychiatrist, patient or family who see dramatic beneficial effects of antipsychotic drugs naturally evangelically advocate for this approach. The psychiatrist, patient or family who see drugs not working, but alternative approaches appearing to help, laud these. Each group sees the other as denying an approach that they have experienced to work. Such passionate advocacy is to be applauded, up to the point where people are denied an approach that may work for them.

What comes next?

None of this is to say the concept of schizophrenia has no use. Many psychiatrists still see it as a useful clinical syndrome that helps define a group of people with clear health needs. Here it is viewed as defining a biology that is not yet understood but which shares a common and substantial genetic basis across many patients.

Some people who receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia will find it helpful. It can help them access treatment. It can enhance support from family and friends. It can give a name to the problems they have. It can indicate they are experiencing an illness and not a personal failing. Of course, many do not find this diagnosis helpful. We need to retain the benefits and discard the negatives of the term schizophrenia, as we move into a post-schizophrenia era.

What this will look like is unclear. Japan recently renamed schizophrenia as “integration disorder”. We have seen the idea of a new “psychosis spectrum disorder”. However, historically, the classification of diseases in psychiatry has been argued to be the outcome of a struggle in which “the most famous and articulate professor won”. The future must be based on evidence and a conversation which includes the perspectives of people who suffer – and cope well with – these experiences.

Whatever emerges from the ashes of schizophrenia, it must provide better ways to help those struggling with very real experi

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay – – August 12, 2017

(On if the game went by quickly)

“It did, it went by really quickly. The one thing that I’m going to have to continue to get used to is the transition in between offensive series where you’re kind of getting some thoughts together but still being involved with what’s going on with defense and special teams. But what you feel really great about is having great leaders like (defensive coordinator) Wade Phillips and (special teams coordinator) John Fassel to be able to run those units. They kind of seamlessly operate, but I think it’s still important for me to be mindful of being in control of those game situations and what’s going on and how that affects our decision making. But we’ll take the win however we can get it. Certainly there’s going to be a lot of things that we need to clean up, but I thought it was a great opportunity to get out in front of our fans and come away with a win and the atmosphere was outstanding.”

(On QB Jared Goff capitalizing on the fumbled punt)

“I think that’s huge. Really other than points, turnovers end up being the biggest indicator of wins and losses if you just look at the stats for the last handful of years. Specifically, offensively, we have to do a way better job of taking care of the ball. We only lost one tonight, but we put in on the ground way too many times. Fortunately, the red zone touchdown that we had ended up with (WR) Cooper Kupp falling on that fumble. There were some good things to take away. I thought our defense flew around and I think our special teams units continue to do a nice job. We have to be careful of avoiding the penalties both offensively and on special teams. But like I said, we’ll take the win however way we can get it.”

(On what he thought of Goff’s performance)

“I thought he did a nice job. When you really look at the limited amount of snaps and plays that he did have. The first throw of the game we came out with a quick gain and Dallas did a good job of matching it but that’s where we have to be patient and ready to sit on our back foot and let (WR) Robert Woods see that throw and get a completion play there. But did a great job on the keeper where he changed the launch point and found Cooper Kupp on the crossing route after we got the turnover from our special teams. And then really the other two completions, the one to Robert Woods on third-down in the red zone and then (RB) Todd (Gurley) on the check down where they did a good job on third-and-long playing deep to short, found his check down and with a back like Todd, you feel good about his opportunity to be able to move the chains in some of those situations.”

(On is he saw from Goff what he hoped to see)

“I think so. I think the one thing that you feel good about with him is he comes to you during the game and says, ‘I wish I had that first play back,’ where you’re able to kind of let Robert (Woods) see that throw and get a completion right off the bat. But those are the kind of expectations that we have for him and we expect him to have that for himself and he does. We know that there are always things that we can do a little bit better, myself included and I think it provides a great opportunity for us to learn and move forward to the Raiders next week.”

(On what he said to RB Justin Davis after the fumble)

“I think he was clearly disappointed. That was a big time turnover that we had down in the red zone. But you can see the explosiveness that Justin (Davis) does have. I just told him, I said, ‘Hey, let’s be mindful of taking better care of the football, we’re going to give you an opportunity and more interested now in seeing how you respond, not about what just happened.’ I thought he did a good job responding. He broke out that 30-plus yard run at the beginning of the second half. You can feel that he’s a great back with good explosion, good change of pace, he’s very productive in the receiving game as well, but we certainly have to do a better job as a running backs group as a whole taking better care of the football. I know he’ll be one of those guys that we’ll really focus on here in this next week.”

(On if those are the instincts he has come to expect from WR Cooper Kupp)

“Yeah, I think he’s one of those players that just seems to always be in the right spot. I think that’s a credit to his football IQ and his level of urgency when he recognized what was going on and it ended up being the difference in us winning and losing that football game tonight. He’s going to continue to improve. Very smart, conscientious player like you guys have heard me say. We feel fortunate to have Cooper on our team.”

(On if the fumbles are a result of the lack of hitting in training camp)

“I think that’s a great point. You always want to be mindful of how you practice. You want to try to mimic and emulate those game-like situations as much as possible without the risk of injury. And that’s sometimes the thing that you suffer from is when you are able to get tackled with live hits, ball gets a little bit loose when you’re not as conscientious about it. Those are things that I as a coach have to do a better job of finding ways to creatively implement a more structured environment so that it can be something that we do a better job with especially offensively.”

(On if he got the chance to meet with WR Sammy Watkins today)

“I did. He just got in where his flight got in and it gave us a chance to spend a little bit of time together pregame. A really impressive person. I got a chance to talk to him. There’s a lot of similar people that we’ve crossed paths with that have reached out to me since we acquired him and can’t say enough good things about him. Was really impressed with the way that he carried himself. Can’t wait to go to work and like we’ve said, he’s a special player and we’re excited about adding him to our offense.”

(On if a month is enough time to get Watkins settled in)

“I think you don’t want to take away from the offseason program and what training camp has already entailed. But I think we just have to have a bigger level of urgency then maybe you would with somebody else when you have month to get ready for that September 10 date. I know that he’s a guy that’s excited about getting to learn it and immediately get immersed in the system. I think that you just make sure that you pay a little closer attention. We’ve got a couple receiver coaches with Eric Yarber, who does an excellent job and then we’ve got an assistant in Zac Taylor who’s a great coach too. They’ll be able to split up those duties and maybe one of them will be able to pay closer attention in trying to get Sammy up to speed. That’s going to be an important part of what we’re doing.”

(On if he expects Goff to get more reps as the exhibition season moves along)

“Yeah, typically what our plan would be is ideally 6-10 or a scoring drive which we were able to do tonight and next week we’ll probably play through a series into the second quarter and then that third preseason game will offer us an opportunity as a first team offense to play a first half and maybe a series into the third quarter. Those will be the things that we’ll discuss and monitor as a coaching staff but the goal is to get him more work through those first three weeks as we progress.”

(On why he didn’t have Goff play more)

“I think because we were mindful of getting some of the veteran offensive lineman out. We wanted to make sure we got Todd some touches but got him out. Wanted to him to play with guys that we anticipate him playing with by the time the regular season rolls around. We’re all a product of our previous experiences. My experience in Washington being with (Head) Coach (Jay) Gruden, that was the plan that we had and it seemed to work out pretty well as far as what you had with those guys that are your starters. That’s why we went about it the way we did tonight.”

(On his initial impressions about his offensive line)

“Until you get a chance to really go back and look at the film because of all five and the continuity upfront, it’s really difficult to say. We had a couple runs where it seemed like they got into our backfield, but I think when you’ve looked at that group as a whole, feel really good about some of those players and now it’s about gelling together. I think when you look at (RG) Jamon Brown and (RT) Rob Havenstein having gone back and forth between guard and tackle. I feel like Rob’s really settling in nice at that tackle position and Jamon’s will be our right guard right now unless something changes. I think it’s about those guys getting more and more comfortable. They’re talented players, but they’re still very young in terms of their experience. And then when you look at the left side, these are veteran players that have never played together. So it’s about them being able to establish that continuity with those five. We feel very good about them and we know that, like anybody else on this team, we have room for improvement but I think we have a chance to be pretty good upfront with those guys.”

***

Rams QB Jared Goff – – August 12, 2017

(On if he got a lot out of the limited snaps he had tonight)

“Yeah, I was happy with what we were able to, fortunately, do there with the muffed punt and finish off that drive. You don’t design it to go that way, but sometimes the ball bounces your way and we took advantage of it.”

(On how he thinks he handled himself in the game)

“I was happy. That first throw I would like to have back. We talked about it on the sideline, I would have had a perfect night with a four-for-four, but it’s a good one to learn from. I was happy, like I said, with the way we finished.”

(On how things went with Head Coach Sean McVay as the play caller)

“It was great. It was really good. I was talking with (QB) Dan (Orlovsky) and (QB) Sean Mannion about it all night. Just the way he verbalizes things, the way he’s able to communicate with us and give us little tips in the play call and stuff to remember, little reminders is so helpful and it was really good.”

(On his reaction to the trade for WR Sammy Watkins)

“We were in meetings and we break meetings and I look at my phone – like 50 text messages like, ‘Sammy Watkins. Sammy Watkins.’ I was like, ‘What? What happened?’ Obviously we got him and you hate to lose a guy like (Former Rams CB) E.J. (Gaines). I think E.J. is a special player and a really special teammate. I think he was a really good guy, so you hate to lose him. But, we’re excited about Sammy and excited to see what he can do.”

(On the weapons he has with the addition of Watkins)

“Yeah, absolutely. Like you said, you start stacking guys like that – you start building a pretty good roster on the perimeter there. Again, I’m excited to see what he can do along with the other guys.”

(On RB Justin Davis’ performance)

“Yeah, he had a good game. His return to the (Los Angeles Memorial) Coliseum I guess, right? I thought he ran well. I thought he ran really well and I think the best part of it was that he had that fumble and came back and kept running really, really well and that’s good to see. You want to have a guy with short memory like that and he did a good job. I thought (RB) Todd (Gurley) did a good job for the limited plays he had as well.”

(On if he views this as a building block heading into the regular season)

“Yeah, I think it’s just like any other game – you take good things from it, you take bad things from it and you just try to learn from it and get better. Especially preseason one, our first time back out there it’s a bunch of fumbles. We have to eliminate that if we want to continue to be good and be good September 10th against the Colts, but I think there was a lot of good things that we can take away from it and a lot of things to learn from for sure.”

(On what he was trying to focus on from the sidelines once his playing time was over)

“I was trying to do my best to help Sean (Mannion) and then just try to talk to the guys, keep those guys encouraged, keep their heads up and just try to do my job.”

(On if he’s happy where he is right now)

“Yeah, we went out and scored on the first drive. That’s what we’re supposed to do. Well, I guess one and a half, right? We had that punt and again, don’t like to start it that way, but the ball bounced our way, we got lucky and took advantage of it. Yeah, if my job is to take us down the field and score and we did that on our first drive today, so I was happy with it. Again, the second drive, I guess.”

(On what he thinks the process is going to be like with integrating Watkins into the offense)

“He’s obviously a weapon. His track record speaks for itself and what he’s able to do. I think he’s a guy who can stretch the field. I think that’s what we get from him, obviously right away. I also think he’s not only a really good guy, but works hard – just from what I’ve gathered so far. He’s excited to be here. He’s excited to get to work, and just briefly talking with him over the phone and on the sideline really quickly, just getting a feel for him – he seems like a really determined guy and excited about a fresh start.”

(On if building chemistry with Watkins will be a big adjustment)

“It won’t be an adjustment. It’ll take a couple days throwing to him, but it’s just like anybody else that’s a new player.”

***

RB Todd Gurley – – August 12, 2017

(On how he’s feeling at this point)

“I’m feeling good man. Obviously, it’s hard to get started with just a couple plays, but just to be out there, just get the goosebumps off and be with the offense. It was good to be out there watching guys. Just watching guys like (WR Nelson) Spruce, man everything’s good.”

(On what he was personally looking to accomplish tonight)

“Obviously, the first thing you want to go out there and execute, put some points on the board. We were able to do that, I mean, not the way we wanted to, but we’re still happy. We’re excited.”

(On if WR Sammy Watkins coming to the team takes some pressure off of him)

“Well, with him and (WR Nelson) Spruce out there, it will take a lot of pressure off of me. I’m just happy to have those additions to my team and he’s a playmaker.”

***

RB Justin Davis – – August 12, 2017

(On how playing in the Coliseum as a pro is different than when we played at USC)

“Oh man, when I walked in the locker room, it was kind of surreal at first because you’ve got everything covered up and its different colors and what not, but at the end of the day, it’s home for me. When I got out on the grass, all the memories started to come back and it just felt like home. I love to be here.”

(On what he expects this team will bring energy-wise)

“Going forward, it’s going to be a whole lot of things that we’re going to do that will break the defense down in coverage. Coach McVay, he’s a very smart guy. He knows how to take advantage of match-ups and we just listen to what he says, because it’s always going to be right. He puts us in a great position going forward and we’re going to turn a lot of heads.”

(On how he felt adjusting to the speed of the game tonight)

“Well, my first NFL game it was – I made a couple mistakes here and there, but all that matters is how I bounce back and how I can eliminate those mistakes in the future, because it’s different than college. It’s a whole lot different. It’s more intense, faster, players are smarter. That’s just me, I’ve got to adjust to that and I’ve got to do it quicker than slower. So just going forward, I’m going to look back at the mistakes and try to avoid them and just do better next time.”

***

Rams WR Cooper Kupp – – August 12, 2017

(On emotions going out there for his first game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the first drive)

“It was fun, things were moving fast. I think when you hear about the first drive, everything is kind of just moving quick and thinking about a lot of things, and knowing it would calm down a little bit. Just getting into the groove of the game. It was fun. I had a great time. You know this, but obviously, like with everything you do, there’s a lot to go back and look at. I even know before watching the film there’s a lot of stuff that I need to improve on. So, I’m excited to be able to go back and get to work on that.”

(On playing for Head Coach Sean McVay for the first time and the energy he’s been able to bring to the offense)

“It’s incredible, very smart coach one of the smartest I’ve played under and with that he just brings this sense of calming that think any head coach wants to be able to exude; just even keel. And guys what to play for him. I step on the field and I want to play for him and that’s a huge thing, I think, and very fortunate to be here.”

(On feeling like he was the only player going for the ball in the end zone and if he thought it would be called dead)

“Well afterwards, I thought that they were…I think they did review it, but I thought it was a close call. Actually, I was able to get a glimpse of it and it was just kind of a bang, bang play. If there’s any doubt you would still want to be on the ball.”

(On how he feels he’ll fit alongside WR Sammy Watkins and what was his thoughts when he heard about the trade)

“I can’t wait to get on the field with him. He’s an incredible athlete, incredible football player. Got to talk with him a little bit together on the sideline and he’s really excited about being able to step out on the field and play together. I think the mix of receivers we have in the room is awesome and there’s competition, but it’s healthy competition – challenging each other and pushing each other to be the best that we can be. I’m excited about that.”

***

Rams LB Alec Ogletree – – August 12, 2017

(On what he saw from the defense tonight)

“I thought we played pretty well. We still got a lot to learn and we always…wish we could have finished the game up with the interception but we were able to close it out. I felt pretty good about it for sure this year.”

(On facing the Cowboys in the regular season this year)

“We got a game next week that we got to worry about first and then our first game is against the Colts, so when we get to that game against the Cowboys then we’ll worry about that week. So, it’s good competition. You got a lot of young guys out there for the first time and we were able to finish out the game.”

(On when he thinks DT Aaron Donald will arrive to be with the team)

“Yeah, I mean he’ll be back when he gets back here. Like we said, we’ll welcome him back when he gets back. Until then, there’s a business side to this and he needs to take care of for him and his family, so we support him and definitely want him back for sure.”