player interviews, post-Colts game (9/10)… vids & transcripts

Cooper Kupp Postgame Interview

WR Cooper Kupp meets with the media following the Rams’ season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts.

http://www.therams.com/videos/videos/Cooper_Kupp_Postgame_Interview/bfd14c93-bc73-438f-a972-953afb1723a6

Sammy Watkins Postgame Interview

Dani Klupenger chats with WR Sammy Watkins following the Rams’ season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts.

http://www.therams.com/videos/videos/Sammy_Watkins_Postgame_Interview/d01ca180-73a1-46e4-98bd-5d53fa499ea3

Jared Goff Postgame Press Conference 9-10

QB Jared Goff meets with the media following the Rams’ season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts.

http://www.therams.com/videos/videos/Jared-Goff-Postgame-Press-Conference-9-10/1346d80c-049b-41b0-88be-081a448f0053

Rams QB Jared Goff – – September 10, 2017

(On whether today’s win came as a surprise to him or did he expect it)
“I thought we came out and executed well. I thought there was a lot of things that we can definitely clean up, but for the most part (we are) 1-0 and 1-0 is always better than 0-1. I thought we played well as an offense and as a defense.”

(On his performance in today’s game)
“Yeah, I was happy. You know, like I always say, I just try to get the ball out, distribute it to the guys that make the plays – and thought I was able to do that pretty well.”

(On if he went into this year with confidence in the offense and if so, what gave him that confidence)
“Well of course, I mean it is a new offense and (Head Coach) Sean (McVay) has had the success he’s had in the past not by accident and so you know that coming in. Then just through the offseason, seeing what we’ve done and seeing all the stuff we’ve put in and how it does work. Today getting in the live game and seeing it actually come to fruition a little bit is definitely helpful.”

(On his favorite part of today’s game)
“I think the way we scored at the end, because we didn’t score in the second half for so long there, we were getting stuffed and couldn’t get anything going in the run game. Then at the end, there on that last drive that we scored on we were able to finish and put one in the end zone and it count. What we’re trying to do in the second half was run the ball and work on the clock a little bit, worked and we were able to move the ball and get in the end zone.”

(On it looking like they were having fun out on the field)
“Yeah, when you get two defensive touchdowns that’s fun and getting ‘Tru’ (CB Trumaine Johnson) out there and (CB) Lamarcus (Joyner) make those plays is fun for us, it helps us – takes a little load off us and then ultimately we have fun as a group. We preach that, we preach execute and have fun and enjoy it and today we did.”

(On if he feels like he has a lot of offensive targets to work with compared to last season)
“Yeah, I think so. I think with the additions we’ve made and everything we’ve done in the offseason, that’s how it’s set up. There should be playmakers on the outside and there was today. I’m very proud of those guys and the way they played – continued to get open and continued to run good routes and be friendly and catch everything.”

(On having a lot of time to throw the ball today)
“Yeah, I’d love to say the O-line great job today – just keeping me upright. I think I got sacked once and maybe hit twice. It was a great day for them and ultimately just keeping the pressure off and when they can do that it opens up a lot of things and it all starts with them.”

(On what T Andrew Whitworth has meant to him and offense line)
“Yeah, just consistency. I think he brings it every day. Every day you see him come out there and he is older, in the back end of his career, but he comes out every day and the effort he has – holds everyone to that standard and that helps us and helps ultimately the whole O-line and keeps that standard high.”

(On how pleasing today’s win was given the performance)
“Yeah it’s good. Like I said, I think 1-0 is always better than 0-1 and the way we were able to execute on a lot of things today was great. But with that being said, I think we know better than anybody how much stuff we did miss, how much stuff didn’t go the way that we wanted to and how much stuff we can improve on – ultimately if we’re able to do that we should continue to climb and get better.”

(On what he thinks they can improve on)
“A lot of things. I think there was a lot of just missed assignments and various things across the board, but it’s all easy fixes. It’s an easy thing, it’s all easy fixes – mostly mental stuff and stuff we can fix in practice and stay on top of. I think I speak for everyone offensively when I say we know we can do better than that.”

(On how it feels to get his first season opener win as a starting QB and Head Coach Sean McVay’s as a first)
“Yeah it’s exciting. Just starting off the season with the win regardless if it’s my first or Sean’s first, I think it’s exciting for everybody. It’s much better, I say it again, it much better than starting off 0-1.”

(On how throwing to WR Sammy Watkins early, helped set the tone)
“Yeah, definitely. I think Sammy’s done a great job. I think he’s doing a good job of getting himself open and he has the vertical speed that can threaten guys – something that we’ve looking for and he brings that for us. I thought he did a great job today. He’s only been in the offense for how ever long it’s been four weeks or so now and the way he’s been able to pick it up and being on the screws with everything has been great and so much more helpful for me.”

(On WR Cooper Kupp’s performance today)
“Yeah, Cooper’s great. Cooper did a great job. I keep saying the same thing. Cooper did a good job today and executed everything he needed to do and again, he’s another guy – just consistent. Every day in practice you get from him, I know no one was more upset than he was on that ball over the middle, but I told him I said, ‘We’re going to keep coming to you.’ I said, ‘You dropped one then you made a good play, you made up for it. We’re all good on that now’ – joking with him, but no he did a great job.”

(On with the amount of weapons he has now, if he feels that he’s taken on the mindset of just distributing the ball, making sound decisions or just managing the game and if so, is it different from his mindset in the past)
“Yeah, I think where I’ve played and my whole career a lot of the times it’s been if we don’t score however many, it’s not going to work. I think that’s something I’ve learned in the NFL is you don’t need to do everything yourself. Those guys get paid to and there’s a reason those guys are on your team and there’s a reason that they are who they are and are drafted and all that. So, continuing to get the ball to guys like Sammy, guys like (WR) Robert (Woods), guys like (WR) Tavon (Austin), guys like Cooper, guys like (RB) Todd (Gurley). I mean stuff like that is huge and I know I’m not going to be the one picking up the yards it’s going to be those guys.”

(On what contributed to him developing that mindset, it being him growing in the game or the personnel he has now)
“Both. I think ultimately just growing in the game. I think that’s what every quarterback wants to do, just continue to distribute, get the ball out of my hands – don’t take sacks, don’t turn it over, distribute the football and if we do that we should be pretty successful.”

(On if he feels like he has something to prove to doubters such as sports media or fans)
“No. I promise you I’m not thinking about the sports talk radio hosts when I’m playing (laughs). I’m trying to do my best for my teammates and come in every day to practice and be the best player and teammate and leader I can be and let (the media) do whatever they want to do and continue to lead this team.”

***

RB Todd Gurley – – September 10, 2017

(On what the offense looked like to him on the field compared to last year)
“We did a good job. We executed and obviously, we can get a lot better at a lot of things, but it was a great win. First game, defense did great.”

(On how he feels today’s game against the Colts went for him)
“It was good. Like I said, we scored some points on offense, trying to compete out there with the defense. Man, those guys played a heck of a game. So I like I said, we’re going to go back and look at the film tomorrow and just keep getting better and get ready for Washington next week.”

(On how different QB Jared Goff looks this year compared to last year)
“He did a good job today. We’re not worried about last year. Last year is last year. We’re just going to keep moving forward.”

(On if having more offensive weapons this year will cause opposing defenses to respect the passing game and as a result help him in the run game)
“I don’t know what they’re going to do. Like I said, we’re just going to go out there, play our game, do what the coaches tell us and just keep executing.”

***

Rams WR Cooper Kupp – – September 10, 2017

(On making some big catches in his first career NFL game)
“Yeah, it was a lot of fun. Anytime the team can put together a ‘W’ like this, collectively – offense, defense, special teams. Everyone just played lights out and it helps on offense when defense puts up 16 points for you, that’s huge. Offensively, there’s a lot of stuff that we did well, but there’s a lot of stuff we’ve got to fix. Like, I’ve got to catch that ball on third down or second down. When we’re wide open, like that thing’s open, I’ve got to make those plays. So, we’re going to go back and watch the film and learn from it, see what we can improve on.”

(On if he will remember the drop more than he will remember all of the catches he did make)
“No, at the end of the day, you’ve got to flush it all, the good and the bad. You’ve got to flush it. You learn from it, then you move on. We’re really excited about the opportunity in front of us, going up against a pretty good Washington team. We’re really excited about preparing for them and fixing what we can this week and being better next week.”

(On if he had nerves going into the game against the Colts)
“Yeah, I always have nerves. It doesn’t matter. I’ve had nerves since I was nine years old first stepping onto the football field. It’s all the same. It’s kind of special being able to have that. I don’t think a lot of people get to feel that, so I embrace it. For me, when I’m not nervous anymore, that will be a time that I won’t be playing football anymore.”

***

Rams WR Robert Woods – – September 10, 2017

(On if he’s surprised that the Rams were able to score 46 points today considering the team’s offensive performance last year)
“That was last year’s team, whole different team. We’ve got (Head Coach Sean) McVay here. Just a whole different offensive game-plan. I think we’re trying to attack defenses a little bit more and I think it shows with the points. But, we missed out on some points, still not perfect, got an opportunity to gain on for next week. But it’s a good start, you know, Week 1, got to stay positive and enjoy it, but we’ll look at the film tomorrow and just try to capitalize on it next week.”

(On what about the game-plan was effective in allowing the ball to get spread around)
“I would say that is our game-plan – just keep the defenses on edge, hurrying up, slowing down the pace, throwing out wide, throwing inside, running the ball wide, running the ball inside. I think that’s our whole offensive game-plan and what that brings, different people touching the ball, spreading it around and allows us to put up 46 points.”

(On QB Jared Goff’s performance as a whole)
“Pretty good. Expected. Expected of him. We see it at practice. We see him making these throws, calling these plays, very poised and confident. You see him out there today, making those throws, giving receivers chances like Cooper Kupp to go up and make plays on the ball. I mean, I would say that’s confidence and you saw it here today.”

***

Rams CB Trumaine Johnson – – September 10, 2017

(On his thoughts about the early interception and fumble)
“Just trying to set the tone early coming in on defense and we did that. I was glad I was able to make a play for this team.”

(On how much Lamarcus Joyner’s pick six, the second pick six of the game does for a defense)
“Scoring on defense is big. We put emphasis on that all week. We had a couple pick sixes, a couple turnovers. It was good. It was good for our defense.”

(On what point he knew they were in control of the Colts offense)
“We came into this game playing technically sound. We knew (Colts QB) Andrew Luck wasn’t going to play. No disrespect to (Colts QB) Scott Tolzien, he’s a great quarterback. But going in, we’re playing technique football and we know what we had to do.

(On if he could sense a performance like this coming)
“Big time, man – when we went through OTA’s and camp. I’m just happy it went well in a game time situation, it was good for him.”

***

Rams OLB Robert Quinn – – September 10, 2017

(On how the Rams defense gave the Colts a little bit of everything)
“When (Head Coach Sean) McVay got here, he raised out accountability level, our standards. And I think guys are having fun. It’s a game you know, so you better have some fun. They flew around and made plays and that’s all you can really ask for. Of course we’re looking for improvements every week but it’s a good way to start.”

(On how he felt after not playing in the preseason)
“I felt good. I mean of course I was a little game rusty, not having played a game. But after a few snaps it was back into game mode, stopped thinking as much so that’s just kind of what happened. Went on to being regular me.”

(On what he thinks they can do with Aaron Donald back in the lineup)
“All we’re worried about is what we can control. We’re looking at our opponent no matter who’s available and who’s not. We’re going to expect to win, which everyone should. Again like I said, the coaches came in from day one holding us to a higher standard, so like I said, no matter who’s here and who’s not here, guys hold themselves on a different level so we’re going out there trying to win each and every week no matter who’s available and who’s not and just leave it at that.”