McVay, Goff, Mannion, Reynolds, & Davis … 8/26 … vids & transcripts

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay – – August 26, 2017

(On the decision to sit some of the starters)

“Well, I think with a handful of those guys, there’s a lot of injuries that have taken place or little nicks and things here or there. We made a decision as a coaching staff, what we felt like was best and I thought it gave a lot of guys an opportunity to compete against an excellent team overall. It’s something that you always want to be mindful of because you have such an appreciation for what the preseason represents and how important it is to be able to continue to just try to shape up your game so that by the time the regular season starts you feel good about that. That’s why we put a premium of the way that we practice and doing different things like that, but that was kind of the decision – just being mindful of everything involved in it.”

(On if there is concern that the players who have gotten rest during preseason games will not be ready for the start of the regular season)

“There is and that’s why it’s very important for us, over the next couple weeks to make sure that we can try to get those situations, practice, where you limit the risk of injuries that sometimes you have in some of these preseason games. Guys have to understand how to practice and for the most part, we’ve been really pleased with when we do put the pads on and ramp up the tempo, that we’ve been able to get a lot out of it, while also kind of being mindful of minimizing the risk for injury. Those are decisions that we make collectively as a staff and we’re always trying to do things that we think are best for this football team and having that date in mind against the Colts.”

(On how he thought QB Jared Goff played tonight and if he thinks there is any chance that Goff plays in the final preseason game at Green Bay)

“Those are things that we’ll discuss. Clearly when you look at the body of work – I thought the first drive made a couple off-schedule plays and then you go down and on the third down and goal in the red zone, we get the sack-fumble. We have to do a good job of protecting, but we also have to be ready to step up, hold on to the football and certainly we talk about the importance of turnovers and we have to do a better job collectively taking care of it. Then when you come back the second series, we have a play-action pass on the third play and the ball just sailed on him a little bit and they ended up making a pick. But, I think that what you like about Jared is he is unfazed by that. I think when you look at the sample size, those are the two plays that everybody will talk about. Over the course of a full game, you get a chance to really redeem yourself a little bit more than he did just based on the amount of plays that he played. I think everybody is going to point to those two plays, which clearly we want to try to avoid. But there were some good things. He made a great off-schedule play where he finds (Rcool smiley Malcolm Brown on the wide route and ends up going for a big gain, so there are some positives. We’ve got to do a better job collectively taking care of the football and I’ve got to do a better job of putting our offense in better situations.”

(On what his assessment is of Goff going into the regular season)

“My take is, is I think he’s done a lot of good things. I think he’s improved a lot. I think the sample size is the thing that I’ll continue to go back with. He got a chance to play 35 snaps against Oakland where you can really get into a real rhythm. Even after the turnover with the interception, we ran the football a lot on that drive, had a couple throws. But, I think when you get a chance to kind of really fight your way back from some adversity that you’ve faced throughout the course of a game, those are where you get the best indicators of how a guy responds. I thought his demeanor, the way that he handled it was good and we’re going to continue to grow every single day. Just like I was saying, it’s going to be very important for us to maximize practice if that’s the direction where we go where he doesn’t play against Green Bay next week.”

(On if he thinks that Goff and WR Sammy Watkins were off on the interception)

“I think it was a combination of both. We’ve got to continue to tighten up the timing and rhythm in some of those play actions where you’ve got your three level throws. He was coming on the intermediate crossing route, which we felt like we had a window there and I think the ball just sailed on him a little bit. But everyone has a role that they could have done a little bit better job on and credit them for making the play.”

(On how tough it is going to be to make the decision of which wide receivers make the final roster)
“Yeah, it’s going to be really tough. Those are things that we’re going to discuss over the next handful of weeks. But, those are good problems to have – a lot of guys that can make plays with the ball in their hands and I think you start to see guys show up. (WR) Josh Reynolds and (WR) Pharoh Cooper, you certainly felt them tonight. We know with some of the other guys that we have on this roster and haven’t even had a chance to see (WR) Tavon Austin play. Those are certainly good problems and that’s going to be something that we’re going to be evaluating over the next couple of weeks before we have to cut down to that 53.”

(On how impressed he was with WR Josh Reynolds’ touchdown catch and that overall drive)

“It says a lot about Josh because I think there was a couple plays at the end of the first half that he’d like to have back. But, to Josh’s credit, he came back, he made a great catch on the crossing route off of the play action where the safety came downhill and he didn’t flinch, held on to the football and then he comes back and responds by finishing it off with a great route. It was a great ball by (Qcool smiley Sean Mannion with those two connecting again with a big play that almost ended up being the difference in us winning and losing that football game. I thought it showed a lot from Josh in terms of his toughness, both mentally and physically with a couple of those plays.”

(On how he makes an assessment on the defense against a quarterback like Philip Rivers)

“I think they’re a great offense. I have a whole lot of respect for Philip Rivers and what he represents from the quarterback position. We’re certainly not going to make excuses based on not having certain guys available, so I thought it offered a unique opportunity for a lot of guys to play against a high caliber offense. Until you really go back and look at the film, it’s always a little bit more difficult to say, but what you do like is that after a couple early scores they had, they tightened up and I thought they did a nice job responding.”

(On if there is any update on TE Temarrick Hemingway)

“Right now we don’t. He got his ankle rolled up on and we’re going to find out a little later on with what’s going on with Temarrick.”

(On why he had Assistant to the Head Coach Bill Nayes throw the challenge flag instead of him)

“Billy Nayes, who does an excellent job – he’s kind of held that for previous coaches that he’s worked with and he’s my right hand guy. He was quick, ready to roll and he got that thing out there in enough time and I make the joke that my pants are a little bit too tight to fit that flag in there.”

(On if it’s typical that the head coach actually doesn’t have the flag on him)

“I think it’s dependent upon each guy. When I’ve worked with (former Buccaneers Head Coach) Coach Gruden in the past, Jon Gruden – he didn’t hold his own flag. Billy has done that for a couple head coaches that he’s worked with in the past, so I’ll go with his experience on that one. And he’s one-for-one, so we’ll take it.”

(On if he thinks there are still some things unsettled with the right side of the offensive line)

“I think those guys can continue to get work. We always had a plan that we were going to get the left side of the line out and (G) Jamon Brown just had a little tweak in his hamstring. He’s fine, he could have played if it was a regular game, but we would have kept Jamon in there as well with the same amount of snaps that (T) Rob (Havenstein) ended up playing. But, it was more of a product of his hamstring tightened up trying to chase (Chargers DE Melvin) Ingram down on the return. So, that was just being smart with Jamon, but we had a plan for those two to play 20-25 snaps where we knew that we were going to get that left side of the line out a little bit earlier than them.”

(On his assessment was of how QB Sean Mannion ran the offense)

“I thought he did a good job. I thought he played each play as its own individual entity and didn’t let – when some good things happened, he kind of just stayed in the moment and when bad things happened, I liked the way that he responded. But, I think Sean did a nice job just commanding the huddle. He’s gotten a lot of good work this preseason and he’s made a lot of plays, so credit to Sean for that.”

(On how much of the decision to sit the starters was based on the news of Patriots WR Julian Edelman suffering a torn ACL in the preseason)

“Yeah, I think you always want to be careful because it’s that delicate balance between putting guys out there and if something happens and then them getting that experience, being mindful of the regular season. So, you always try to take those decisions into consideration on what’s best for the team. We discuss that as a staff and with a handful of guys, the decision is whether they were a little bit banged up or if it’s guys that have had a lot of experience where we know what they’re capable of – not taking away at all of what the preseason represents, but more getting the chance for some of these other guys to compete. Then, also knowing these guy’s bodies and how we can have them as fresh as possible for September 10th.”

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Rams QB Jared Goff – – August 26, 2017

(On how he thinks he did tonight)

“There was obviously a couple I’d like back. I felt like we moved the ball really well on that first drive and got all the way down there. Unfortunately, turned it over and they were able to take it the other way but it’s all good stuff to learn from. I think at the end of the day, it’s good to have this stuff happen in the preseason and hopefully it can be avoided in the regular season.”

(On if he thinks he’s done enough to prepare him for the regular season)

“Yeah I think so. I think, like I said, I would’ve liked to have finished the day on a little bit of a better note, but I think in all three games as a whole I feel like I did a good job and feel like I got a lot out of it – got some good work and some good situational stuff. A lot to learn from and a lot of stuff that we can get better from.”

(On if his chemistry is improving with WR Sammy Watkins)

“Yeah. I feel like it’s come a long way though since he first got here. Just communicating with him on and off the field, finding out what he likes, how he plays and how he thinks. And then just getting the reps obviously is always helpful.”

(On if the intercepted pass was a miscommunication)

“No, I just kind of came off it a little bit. I can’t do that. I can’t make that throw. Just a bad throw. I came off it.”

(On if the interception was intended for WR Robert Woods)

“It was to (WR) Sammy (Watkins). I felt someone coming down my throat a little bit and I have to stand in there and throw it.”

(On if he feels like the guys are together and ready to go heading into the regular season)

“No doubt, I think so. I think at the end of the day we’ve done so much situational stuff at practice. I know it’s not the same as a game, but we do so much situational stuff in practice and so much replicating game stuff that we are in that rhythm and that feel. Especially with (Rcool smiley Todd (Gurley) and being in my second year now, I’m in a great feel with him. All the receivers I’ve been able to work with all the way through OTAs up until now, we feel good.”

(On if this game had a different feel because so many guys were out from the start)

“No I don’t think so. I think we came out and again, like I said, we moved the ball right down the field on them on that first drive just like we had in the previous couple of games on the first drives, moved it down the field. Felt good and then ultimately snow balled there on us early, but no, I don’t think so.”

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Rams QB Sean Mannion – – August 26, 2017

(On if he feels like he has a luxury with so many receiver weapons to go to and if he’s able to find his rhythm with all of them)

“Yeah, no question I think that’s been a big emphasis and really with the scheme to it’s getting everybody involved where everybody has plays or formations where they can be a guide and make a one-on-one play for you. For instance, (WR) Josh (Reynolds), he caught the long go ball down the sideline and I’d taken a couple of shots to him prior to that even. So, I think that’s just evident of this offense puts guys in a position, where they can make a play. It’s my job to try to find the right match up and try to find the right look and no one can take that shot.”

(On what WR Josh Reynolds is like as a player and what can he do well)

“He’s a great, great player. I mean really huge catch radius I mean I think that was evident he made an awesome, awesome play going over the middle, just played with awesome toughness and then that same drive came back and caught the touchdown, so that speaks volumes of him to take a shot like that and hop right up and go make another play. But, I think skillset wise, he’s tall he’s lanky. He’s a real fast runner, so I think for catch radius, he’s the kind of guy who goes out and gets the ball with his arms and had the height and the speed to be a vertical threat.”

(On preseason game thre, what he thinks he learned about the team and if he’s making the progressions and finding the consistency needed to start the season)

“Yeah, I think so. I think really through all three of our preseason games so far. I think offensively we’ve done some good stuff. I think we’ve just tried to be consistent and if we run into some adversity just try to over come it and put together another drive – I think that happened a couple times today, where maybe we had a drive where things didn’t go quite right, but we came right back out and we’re able to move the ball. I think it’s been balanced. I think back to week 1 (Rcool smiley Justin Davis ran the ball great. And then we were really efficient in Oakland and then today we were able to put together some sustain drives. You know five plus play drives, like I was saying. So, I think that a good display of a balanced attack which is something we’re trying to achieve.”

(On tonight’s game if he had fun against the rivalry)

“Yeah it was fun – it was a little different in the sense that we had already practiced against them a couple times. Outside of that, we haven’t… its not like we bump into them or anything so everyone ‘fight for LA’ and all that. I guess for the fans that’s probably more evident than us, because we don’t really cross paths with them other than preseason games and practices – but it was cool too, because got to know a good number of those players when we were out there practicing with them and then they came to us. So, some more familiarity and getting to know the guys and they’re some good dudes over there. But, it was fun just to get out there and play in front of that crowd and it was a fun atmosphere.”

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Rams WR Josh Reynolds – – August 26, 2017

(On him getting more comfortable on the field)

“Yeah, just being able to kind of play the game like I used to in college – just at a more, like higher tempo. So, I’m much more comfortable out there.”

(On how he feels after taking a big hit)

“I was for a little bit, but I mean, just got to shake it off, go to the next play.”

(On if he was surprised that he was able to jump up from the hit as quickly as he did)

“Yeah, oh yeah. (Wide Receivers) Coach (Eric) Yarber always talks about pop-up game. So, hopefully I got the best pop-up game so far.”

(On the touchdown pass from QB Sean Mannion)

“Well, earlier on in the game, he tried a couple attempts, tried getting it to me. I just kind of assured him like, ‘Hey, let’s keep trying to take that shot.’ And then (Head) Coach (Sean McVay) called that play and (Qcool smiley Sean (Mannion) took the shot, threw a great ball and then I was able to haul it in.”

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Rams RB Justin Davis – – August 26, 2017

(On if he feels he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster)

“Well, the thing about it – I’m never going to be satisfied. Whether or not, I’m going to try to make it my responsibility, so it’s not a hard decision. I’m going to just do everything they tell me to do, day-in, day-out. Come to practice ready, work hard, do everything they say and it’s up to them.”

(On anything specifically that he needs to work on with the time left in the preseason)

“Well, definitely just getting a more mastery of the playbook. There’s some plays I’m still slow on. But yeah, just once I wrap my head around the playbook, get some technique things right with pass protection and ball security. Yeah, those are all things I’m working on every day.”

(On if he gets a sense of what coaches are looking for that will get him a roster spot)

“Yeah, you think of things like that sometimes. Like they say, ‘Oh they want me to be a change of pace,’ or whatever. But, at the end of the day, it just comes down – whatever the coach asks you to do, you can go out there and do it with flying colors. That’s the thing, you just want to be able to get the coach’s trust enough where they can put you in the game without a blink, so I’m just coming in day-in, day-out just making sure I’m on top of my stuff so they can’t, won’t second guess putting me in.”