vid, OTAs Live Week 2 Pressers. 2017 05 30. + McVay Transcript

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay – – May 30, 2017

(Opening remarks)
“Alright guys, just finished up our fourth OTA, got some good situational work in with some red zone and two-minute. Off a four-day break, guys were out there competing with great energy. We’re excited to go back and look at the tape and see the things that we can clean up, but it seemed like there was a lot of good stuff on both sides of the ball.”

(On what he likes the most about what he’s seen from his team so far and what his biggest concern is)
“I think what you like that you see the most right now (is) guys are willing to be coached. They’re competing very hard on both offense, defense, and then when you look at (Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel) ‘Bones’ periods during special teams. We’ve got a great group of guys that everybody comes out here, they compete to the best of their ability – that’s what you feel good about. What you’re most concerned about is, really you just want to have more time with these guys, especially being in the first year, where we’re implementing new systems on offense and defense. You wish you had more time, but feel good that we’re maximizing that time right now. Every day is very valuable and we feel like we got better today, which is a good thing.”

(On if he’s heard people talking about a positive change in the environment surrounding the team)
“I think it starts with the players. Those guys are doing a great job of setting the tone. They come out and they compete and that’s all that you can ask from them. We all feel good right now. We know that when the season rolls around we will have some great challenges and that will be the real test when you go through some adversity. Can’t say enough about what our leaders have done in terms of the way that they approach meetings, on the practice field, it’s been a good thing so far.”

(On the thought on specific offensive line personnel groupings)
“When you look at it, Jamon Brown is a guy that’s competed really well. He’s done a nice job competing both at guard and at tackle. We gave him and Greg (Robinson) a chance to compete and really excited to go back and look at the tape. I think what we’ve seen from Jamon, really going back to last week, a lot of encouraging things and Greg has done some good things as well. Until I really see this practice, it’s hard for us to say exactly how it went today. But, I think it’s good to let guys compete and see how they do.”

(On if today was the first day that Brown got a lot of reps)
“Today was the first day that he got some reps with that first group and I thought he did a nice job, just from what I saw out there. But again, the tape is always kind of the best thing to look at afterwards.”

(On practicing the two-minute offense today)
“You know, I think anytime you talk about being situational masters, that’s what we want to try to do, and we’ve had a chance last week getting our first, second and third-down offense, got a little bit of two-minute at the end of the week, then introduced the red zone. But the two-minute, I thought the offense did a nice job with their tempo, getting in and out of the huddle, the communication. The defense did a good job, too. It’s always hard when you’re not playing tackle to see would a guy break a tackle, would he not. But, the tempo, the communication, was at a premium on both sides and that’s what we felt good about.”

(On TE Gerald Everett)
“I think Gerald is making strides. When you look at the tight end position, we ask those guys to move around a lot. They’re involved in the run game, the pass game, sometimes protection. I think he’s getting more comfortable with our verbiage, with the system each and every day. Did some good things. I think once he feels more comfortable with that, it’ll enable him to play a little bit faster and that’s where you can see that athleticism show up that we liked so much on tape from him in college.”

(On CB Trumaine Johnson not being at practice today)
“We feel good about the guys that were out here. We weren’t expecting him not to be here, but I’m sure that we’ll find that out. He’s done a great job communicating with us, but I’m not really sure where he was today.”

(On if there’s any update on DT Aaron Donald)
“Right now we’re keeping those things internal. There’s no new news on that front, but we’re keeping those discussions internal with Aaron and his representation.”

(On if Johnson’s level of communication on missing practice is frustrating)
“I wouldn’t say that. It is voluntary, and I think you feel good about the way the guys have been competing out here. Trumaine’s been excellent this offseason program. Certainly, it was one of those things…you get out on the field and maybe there’s something that’s happened since then. So, I don’t have my phone on me, but it is voluntary and I think that’s something that’s important for us to remember. Certainly, you like it when all of your guys are here, but I thought the guys that stepped up in his absence today, did a nice job competing. You saw good things from (CB) E.J. Gaines, (CB) Nickell (Robey-Coleman), so that’s the thing you like about your secondary with the depth that we do have.”

(On what he likes about Brown and how he has been playing so far)
“I think what you like about Jamon is his demeanor. I think he’s got a great disposition, where he’s willing to be coached. He’s got good movement for a big, physical player. When he gets his hands on people, he certainly does a nice job of securing the line of scrimmage. Whether that be in the run game or in protection when he jump sets people. What he showed last week was very encouraging. Under (offensive line) Coach (Aaron) Kromer’s guidance, we expect him to improve.”

(On competition at the center position)
“Certainly right now (C) John (Sullivan) has definitely taken a hold of that spot. He’s done a great job commanding up front, with the calls, with the communication. I think we feel very fortunate to have John, but you also want to continue to allow guys to develop. Just like on the previous question – whoever gives us the best ability to win games and play at a high level, is who we’re going to put out there. Right now, we feel like John has done that and it’s pretty clear.”

(On going after T Andrew Whitworth in free agency for his ability as well as his leadership and if he has seen those skills show up this early in the process)
“It is early but you see it right away. You get around him – even for me when you’re talking to him from a player’s perspective, on some of the things that you want to handle with the team. He’s been a great sounding board for me. Just watching the way he communicates with his teammates. How receptive he is to Coach (Aaron) Kromer’s techniques. He certainly knows what it looks like. He’s played at a Pro Bowl level the last couple years. We feel very fortunate to have him. His presence has definitely been felt on our offense.”

(On Johnson not participating in today’s OTA)
“It’s a situation where I continue to remind people that it is voluntary. We’re not sure where Trumaine was today, but it is voluntary. Guys that stepped up in his absence did an excellent job. I’m sure we’ll find out specifically because he’s done a great job this offseason communicating and being here every day. I’m sure we’ll find out a little bit more moving forward.”

(On if there is a sense that Johnson’s absence is contract-related)
“I don’t think so. But, again, those are things that we’re keeping in-house. Not sure about that, to answer your question. Haven’t heard anything of that nature, right now.”