FEED GURLEY!

Hat trick for @TG3II 🤗 pic.twitter.com/d2F2IECZlQ

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 22, 2017

Another one for @sammywatkins! 👏#LAvsSF | #TNF pic.twitter.com/wNs5FiHJP5

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 22, 2017

Goff, 22 of 28, 78.57%, 292 yards, an unreal 10.4 YPA, 3 TDs, O Int, + a qb rating of 145.833.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 11 months ago by zn.

Why a Jared Goff breakout could actually happen

Dan Graziano

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20766712/why-jared-goff-los-angeles-rams-breakout-2017-nfl-season-actually-happen

I don’t know whether Jared Goff will end up being a good NFL quarterback. The Los Angeles Rams don’t know that yet, either. And it might be awhile before anyone does.

What we do know is that circumstances matter to success. And so far, it looks as if Goff’s 2017 circumstances are a lot more favorable for success than his 2016 circumstances were.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Jared Goff learning to simplify approach and trust 49ers teammates
Jared Goff finally realized he doesn’t have to do it all and the result was 306 yards passing and a touchdown in the Rams’ 46-9 opening win.

Can Sean McVay do for Jared Goff what he did for Kirk Cousins?
The Rams hired Redskins offensive mind Sean McVay hoping he could develop their young QB as he did in Washington. The early results are encouraging.
How so? Glad you asked.

There’s a lot to be said for the way the Rams added pieces in key spots for Goff. Veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth was a shrewd signing and, along with veteran center John Sullivan, has helped stabilize things a bit on the offensive line. The training camp trade for Sammy Watkins brought Goff a true No. 1-type wideout, and the Rams might have stolen receiver Cooper Kupp in the third round of the 2017 draft. Los Angeles has constructed a roster that should help the new coaching staff make a truer, fuller evaluation of its young quarterback when this season is over.

But the more important circumstantial change is that new coaching staff and the coherent offensive philosophy that came with it.

“I would like to think that we have a pretty quarterback-friendly system,” offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur said last week.

LaFleur was answering a question about coach Sean McVay’s methods of game plan strategy and playcalling and the positive effect they’ve had on the Rams’ offense. He pointed to the success McVay had as offensive coordinator in Washington, where Kirk Cousins blossomed as a starting quarterback the past two years, helping McVay become a hot head-coaching candidate at the age of 30. (He has turned 31 since the Rams hired him.)

McVay’s system helps the quarterback with deceptive route concepts, with first-down play-action and with tight formations from which running plays and passing plays can originate without giving away which is coming. The system simplifies the quarterback’s reads, tying them to pre-snap defensive coverage recognition and shifting more of the responsibility to the receivers as they get off the ball and go downfield.

Moreover, the whole thing is well-defined and well-communicated. McVay and LaFleur know what they want to do because they’ve done it. Both came up under current San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan in Washington, and LaFleur was with Shanahan the past two years in Atlanta before joining McVay in Los Angeles this offseason. (LaFleur’s brother, Mike, was on that staff as well and is currently Shanahan’s wide receivers coach/passing game specialist in San Francisco.)

The Rams’ offense is the same one McVay was running in Washington — a derivation of Shanahan’s system that LaFleur knows well because of his experience with both. Everyone on the Rams’ offensive staff is on the same page, preaching and communicating stuff they’ve taught before with a confidence born of having seen it work.

The 2016 Rams were a different — and more complicated — story.

Jared Goff completed only 54.6 percent of his passes as a rookie, but he’s at 66.7 percent through two games in 2017. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
After the Rams drafted Goff No. 1 overall in 2016, he found himself plunged into a strange amalgamation of coaches and philosophy that never came together. Jeff Fisher was the head coach, but he came from a defensive background, so the offensive staff was more directly responsible for Goff’s initial development. That staff included holdover offensive coordinator Rob Boras, who had assumed the job when the team fired Frank Cignetti Jr. in December 2015. But the 2016 Rams also added Mike Groh as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, and retained Chris Weinke as quarterbacks coach. Weinke had never coached in the NFL before joining the Rams’ staff in 2015, and Groh came from Chicago, where he’d worked under offensive coordinator Adam Gase. So the Rams were trying to put together a hybrid offense that featured some of what they’d been doing under Cignetti and Boras, but also incorporated some of what Groh brought with him from Chicago. Meanwhile, Goff’s position coach was inexperienced at the NFL level.

“It was messy,” said one member of the 2016 Rams staff, who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity out of concern that his comments might be taken as criticism. “Not that these weren’t smart guys or good coaches, but there were definitely a lot of voices talking at once. And for a young quarterback, you can see where that might not be what you want.”

It’s well-known that Goff didn’t even get to start until the 10th game of his rookie season. He began the season as backup to Case Keenum while working to learn the NFL game and the complex system so many coaches were trying to teach him at once. He had to learn to operate from under center and manage a huddle — things he didn’t have to do at Cal. It was a lot to learn in a short period of time, so it’s no surprise that Goff struggled once he got the chance to play. In seven games, he completed 54.6 percent of his passes, threw five touchdown passes and seven interceptions, and finished with a QBR of 18.9, which would have ranked last in the league — by far — if he had enough snaps to qualify.

The new staff found a 22-year-old quarterback who had been picked first in the draft but had endured something close to a lost rookie season. Some benefit, sure, to being around and learning the NFL life, but as a player, Goff did not enjoy the same kind of success or development as fellow rookies Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott did in Philadelphia and Dallas. LaFleur said during camp that the Rams felt they almost had to treat Goff like a rookie as they prepared him for his second NFL season.

So far, though, so decent. Goff fired up 306 yards and a touchdown pass in the season-opening victory over the hobbled Colts. He didn’t play as well in a Game 2 loss against Washington, whose coach obviously knew what McVay’s offense would be trying to do, and the Rams could have a similar problem Thursday night against Shanahan’s 49ers. (Not that San Francisco has Washington’s personnel, but the staff knows McVay and his tendencies well.)

The Rams aren’t asking Goff to work miracles just yet. They just want to see improvement.

“From day one, he’s had the right mindset, and he’s prepared the right way each and every day,” LaFleur said. “It starts with his footwork. He seems much more balanced and comfortable in the pocket, and he’s grasped our concepts and what we’re asking him to do.”

It helps to start simple. And the improved simplicity and focus of Goff’s support system this season puts him in a much stronger position to succeed.

Even in a losing effort, these are award-winning productions. #LARams

Week 2 Rewind:https://t.co/df5RvVP0zg

— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) September 20, 2017

Bonsignore: Rams will get a big early-season litmus test Thursday against the 49ers

VINCENT BONSIGNORE

link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/09/20/bonsignore-rams-will-get-a-big-early-season-litmus-test-thursday-against-the-49ers/

SANTA CLARA – It’s much too early in the season to start talking about must-wins for the Rams. Conventional wisdom suggests no matter what happens when they play the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night, it won’t make or break their season in the grand scheme of things.

But viewed through the smaller lens of a young team and a young head coach trying to plant one sturdy footstep after another on their way to convocation, the 49ers offer a fascinating litmus test.

Two weeks into the season, it’s fair to presume the Rams are a better team than they were last year. It’s also fair to assume they know that better than anyone.

That was the prevailing sense upon observing them digest their disappointing loss to Washington on Sunday when, frankly, it was mostly self-inflicted wounds that caused their demise.

This wasn’t like last year when, deep down, the Rams understood losing was primarily the result of a talent and coaching disadvantage against most opponents. They’ve clearly narrowed the talent gap issue, and Sean McVay and his staff seem to have elevated the Rams’ scheme, adjustment and motivation game as well.

To the point they could honestly say Sunday that had they simply done – or avoided – X, Y and Z they could have easily beaten Washington. Which is a whole lot better than also having to add: “… and had a better left tackle and better wide receivers and a better designed offense and on and on and on.”

Which, let’s be honest, was far too often the case last year.

“We’ve got the weapons out there to make the plays – to make big plays and we get ourselves back in the game. I think it’s drastically improved,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “We now know that we’re never out of the fight and continue to keep going. As long as we execute and take care of the ball – good things will happen.”

You could sense that conviction just watching and listening to the Rams in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s loss.

“I think the guys feel it,” tackle Andrew Whitworth said.

But here’s the thing.

While it’s certainly empowering that the Rams know they are a more talented and better-coached team, there’s also no denying those two improved dynamics shift the burden of winning from the tangible to the intangible.

The Rams will take the field with most opponents as their peers.

That means success, most weeks, will rely on precision and execution and composure.

Which brings us to the litmus test being presented by the 49ers on Thursday at Levi Stadium.

On the surface, the Rams are the superior team. It’s debatable by how much, but from purely a talent standpoint, they are better.

But there are boxes the Rams have to check off if they are to leave the field with a win. And they go beyond just being the better team.

How do the Rams respond to their first loss of the season, especially one that was more their doing than Washington’s?

It’s a quick turnaround and a short work week going from a game on Sunday to one on Thursday.

It’s their first road game.

It’s a Thursday night, which often presents trouble for good teams with a veteran presence, let alone a young team trying to find its way like the Rams.

And it’s against a division rival that has beaten them three times in a row.

Those are a lot of dynamics to manage.

The Rams’ ability to command them will go a long way toward determining whether they head to Dallas next week to play the Cowboys with a 2-1 record rather than facing them with the prospect of falling into the sort of 1-3 hole that dooms football seasons.

“You can either fight the adversity and come back on a short week this week, go up Thursday night to San Francisco and play the way we know we can, or you can lay down,” Goff said. “Knowing the guys in that room, it’ll be the first. I think that we’re excited to face some adversity and get a chance to respond.”

It’s much too early to talk about must-wins for the Rams.

But when it comes to litmus tests, they face a big one Thursday.

aeneas1 of RFU wrote this:

through week 2 goff ranks 4th best in qb rating while throwing under pressure, which puts him among some impressive company… the average overall qb rating (act qb rtg column) for the guys who rank in the top 10 in qb rating while throwing under pressure is 103.7 while the average for the bottom 10 is 78.1… goff also ranks 3rd best in qb rating on deep passes – the average overall qb rating for the guys who rank in the top 10 in deep pass qb rating is 103.0 while the average for the bottom 10 is 78.1.

InvaderRam wrote:

whereas with mcvay you don’t know if it’ll be run or pass or where the qb will go with the ball. there’s more deception. that’s my guess anyway.

IF that’s what he means.

And even if he means that, is that even true? You would have to show me.

btw I don’t think that’s what he means.

Highest Passer Rating on 20+ yard passes (min. 9 attempts):

Goff – 146.8
Stafford – 125.0
Brady – 113.7
Wentz – 92.9
Brees – 89.9

— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_LARams) September 20, 2017

Head Coach Sean McVay – September 19, 2017

(Opening Remarks)

“Today on the injuries, (TE) Gerald Everett was limited, (CB) Kayvon Webster and (RB) Malcolm Brown did not participate.”

(On if it is more of a physical or mental challenge on a short week)

“I think it’s a combination of both because we’ve got to make sure that while we’re going to be an above the neck approach in terms of that mental, making sure that guys are on the screws with that, taking care of their bodies with the short turnaround. Today was really just all mental reps, things like that and then tomorrow what we’ll do is it’ll be a walk-thru and then we’ll also have a couple things, just a jog-thru type deal where you get a little bit of a blood flow and some different things going like that, so that hopefully these guys will be ready to roll at 5:30 or 5:25 on Thursday.”

(On how difficult it is to judge if the players will be ready to go)

“I think it’s really based on how they feel and making sure they get their rest, proper nutrition leading up to the game and then feeling how they are from a mental standpoint just with that communication, whether it’s in the meeting room, out there in the walk-thrus. I think it’s a combination of both. Both are very important, but it’s very important that our guys feel their best on Thursday, knowing that everything is condensed down into such a short week. Want to try to get these guys as fresh as possible, so that they can perform at their best.”

(On how he thinks the players responded after the loss)

“I think they were great. They responded exactly like you would want them to. Clearly we didn’t get the outcome that we wanted, there’s a lot of things we can clean up, but now, whether you win or lose its time to put that one away, learn from the mistakes, continue to try to do some of the good things as we move forward in San Francisco. But, what you love in the NFL is you can’t dwell on a win or loss too long – it’s got to be that next up mindset and mentality and that’s what our team has right now.”

(On what he personally likes about 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan)

“As a person, I think he’s a great guy. He’s one of my closest friends where you get to know him and really, just have enjoyed spending time with him, getting to know what’s important to him as far as the family, the football, he’s a great dad, great husband, all those different things. But, in terms of a football coach, he sees the game excellent. He’s got a great way about being able to scheme things up, understands football from a 22-man perspective where he understands all the little nuances both offensively and defensively and how to manipulate certain schemes that people are running. Really, he’s had a huge influence on some of the things that we believe in here, philosophically on the offensive side of the football and I think he’s a great coach.”

(On what the communication was like between him and Shanahan during the process of interviewing for head coaching positions)

“He was so busy at the time going through the playoffs and then getting ready for a Super Bowl that I think that’s where his singular focus was and then it kind of came about where it looked like things were going to work out with San Francisco. But, we keep in touch throughout the course of the regular season with texts and things like that, but it’s so difficult once the season rolls to be able to really talk to people on the phone. That’s where the Combine, the Senior Bowl, different things that take place throughout the course of the offseason really offer a unique opportunity to catch up with guys and we’ve done that.”

(On if it’s easier not having a close relationship with coaches that he goes up against)

“I think it’s always fun when you go against people that you know, but it’s about trying to put our players in good spots, making sure that we’re smart and sound with the schemes that we’re implementing. I think there’s a competiveness that comes into play. You look at some of the things from last week’s game and then leading into it, it makes it fun. But, really once that things kicks off, it’s just another game and we have got to try to do a good job of coming away with the win.”

(On if there’s a major turnaround with his playbook because of the short turnaround)

“You try to scale it back. You want to make sure that while you don’t have a chance to get some of the physical reps with maybe new things that the guys need to feel the rhythm and timing of that – you try to be aware of not doing some of those things. But, depending upon the schemes that you’re going against, there might be some carryover, there might not be. There’s a couple of things that we’ll be able to carry over from what they were doing, but they are very different schematically just from a defensive approach to what Washington does to what we’re expecting to see against San Francisco on Thursday.”

(On what his reaction was when rewatching RB Todd Gurley’s hurdle on the touchdown reception)

“That was a great individual effort. I thought it was a great job by (QB) Jared (Goff), getting across the board – that was on the backside of his progression, found Todd and then he created afterwards with the hurdle and great awareness to be able to reach it over to get an 18-yard touchdown. Those are the kinds of plays where I think a lot of people were surprised and while you certainly don’t take for granted what a great individual effort that was, those are the things that you expect to see from Todd because of the confidence that you have in him as a player. So, to say that you’re surprised by that, I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, but you are appreciative that you have such a special player in a position to be able to make plays like that for your offense.”

(On WR Tavon Austin’s number of snaps)

“He’s been part of the gameplans. I think just the game has dictated – first of all, when you look at the Indy game, the game got a little bit where you have kind of a different approach in the second half with the lead that we did have. We had him heavily involved in that. But also that was his first week back from the hamstring, so you don’t want to overload him as he’s getting back to returning punts, doing the different things that we’ll ask him to do offensively. With last week, we had a handful of things, wanted to get involved. When you have 49 snaps you want to try to have some balance, some different things like that. Didn’t get him as involved as we would have liked to, but the flow of the game kind of dictated a different approach that we had because of that.”

(On if he second guesses himself sometimes when he coaches against people who are familiar with him)

“I think what you want to do is you want to make sure that you’re aware of what you’ve done on tape, what they’re preparing for, different things like that. But, you also don’t want to lose sight of what your identity is and what you’re staple or your core base philosophy from an offense, defense or special teams approach is because this is what your players are comfortable with – this is what you’ve done from day one starting in the offseason leading through training camp. You still want to be aware of that, but you also do want to have kind of an approach, a tactical approach that they do have some familiarity with what you’re doing from an offensive standpoint just because knowing of the influence and us working together in the past.”

(On Tavon’s role with the team going forward)

“I think it’s still feeling it out because I think clearly he’s special with the ball in his hands and doing some of the different things you guys have seen with the jet sweeps, playing the running back position and being able to take some screens. But, I think he has a lot more in him just as a complete receiver – running some great routes this past week. We haven’t gotten him those opportunities yet, so we’ve got to do a good job, I’ve got to do a good job of being able to put him in those spots and I think he’s fully capable of that, so I think that’s something that is to be determined and you’d like to see his role grow as the season progresses.”

(On if he remembers his interview with Kyle Shanahan with Washington)

“Oh, yeah. I remember it very well. It was with him and (Former Redskins Head) Coach (Mike) Shanahan and we were talking about a couple different things. I think it was a comfortable rapport that we had right away because you’re talking about football and there were some similarities in terms of our background, both having worked with (Former Tampa Bay Head Coach) Jon Gruden as a quality control coach, so we were able to speak the same verbiage right away. It worked out and it was a great experience working for him.”

(On if he was hired as a quality control coach or an assistant tight end in 2010)

“Quality control. I was quality control, breaking down film, assisting the receivers. I did that really the first part of that first season in Washington and then when (49ers Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends) Jon Embree got the head coaching job at the University of Colorado, Coach Shanahan was great to him and said, ‘Why don’t you get going on that?’ So then the last four games of that season, did both that role and then also was able to coach the tight ends for him.”

(On how being the play caller and the head coach affects how much time he puts into game planning)

“It’s a little bit less sleep than you’re accustomed to, but you got to make sure that you’re more specific in the plays that you’re going to run, kind of tailor down your play list and then be aware of where the players are at from a mental standpoint, so that they can feel comfortable and just go play and not feel like they’re thinking. Everything is condensed down in these weeks. Taking on those different roles – really, what I’ve talked about over and over is that you feel so good about (Defensive Coordinator) Wade (Phillips) and (Special Teams Coordinator) John (Fassel) and really the rest of our staff to be able to alleviate some of those things when you have to take care of the necessary things as a head coach. But, it’s been a good start to the week, we’ll finish it up tomorrow and tie up any loose ends and then be ready to travel to San Francisco and hopefully have a good performance on Thursday.”

(On the keys to tightening up the run defense)

“I think it’s just making sure that we’re sound with gap integrity. Again, you look back at some of the different things and credit to Washington for making some of those plays. But, I think the thing that was encouraging, which Wade will tell you guys this as well, is as the game progressed, guys settled in. Now, what we have to do a good job of is not letting what happened at the early stages of the game happen period. Let’s settle in a little bit sooner, try to alleviate that and we know in this league there’s great players. I’ve got a lot of respect – you look at what (San Francisco RB Carlos) Hyde was able to do last week against an excellent defense in Seattle and then you look at a couple of things that Washington was able to do. The 61-yard run by (Washington RB) Chris Thompson – you’d like to say our run defense, but also, I think it’s important to take into account that was a great individual effort by a great player right there too. It’s a give and take and what we’ve got to do is just make sure that the things that are correctable that we can clean up, we address those and those are things that we’ve done already and the guys have responded the right way.”

(On if his grandfather, former 49ers Executive John McVay is going to be at the game)

“Yeah, I think so. You guys will have to ask him who he’s rooting for.”

(On if he’s still getting used to managing all aspects of the game as the head coach)

“I’ll tell you what the difference is – you always want to try to win anytime you’re part of a team. The difference is, as an offensive coordinator, whatever happens on the defense, it’s not your job to worry about that. Now, when you kind of have that ownership, you’ve got to make sure that you kind of have a command on everything that’s going on. Certainly you never want to be able to see that, but like we talk about, we’ve always got to be ready to respond the right way because whether it’s a 61-yard run that goes for a touchdown or one that goes out at the one-yard line you never know what that next play entails. You look at the previous week where Indy, they end up getting a check down, guys breaks off to the one-yard line, (S) Lamarcus Joyner makes a great effort to knock him out and it results in three instead of that touchdown. What we’re always interested in is that response after something that maybe doesn’t go our way because that’s really all that we can control.”

***

Rams QB Jared Goff – September 19, 2017

(On how the team is progressing in the short week)

“I think if there’s ever a week to have a short memory, it’s this one. Being on a short week – being in a Thursday night game, you have to move on pretty quickly and I think we have. Got some really good work in today, really good work and we were able to get ourselves ready.”

(On what it means to him to start a regular season game in San Francisco against the 49ers)

“Yeah, it will be big. It’ll be cool. it’ll be fun for myself just being home and probably seeing a lot of people, but at the same time, it’s just like any other game. I’m going to go out there and do the best I can to hopefully get a win.”

(On if people back home talked about him playing in this game against the 49ers during the offseason)

“Not really. Especially because I played in college there. I played in front of my friends and family for so long now that it’s more normal that it is not. But, it’ll be fun. It’ll be fun to be back there and be back in the Bay Area and be able to see all those people for sure.”

(On if he feels pressure any more so than normal)

“No. All the games are on national television. They’re all the same.”

(On what his mindset was last year when he was inactive against the 49ers in Week 1)

“You guys keep wanting to talk about last year, man. We’re done with that. We’re onto this year. Last year was a whole different deal and this year is exciting. We’re excited to get after it this week and excited to go play the 49ers this Thursday.”

(On what he thinks he’s going to be facing when he looks at the 49ers defensive front)

“Yeah. You know, they’ve drafted really well upfront defensively and have consistently for the last few years with (DL Arik) Armstead, you know (DL DeForest) Buckner and the guy they just got with (DL Solomon) Thomas this past year, so those two guys from Oregon are big guys that I’ve played in the past. They do get their hands up and have the ability to knock passes down. It really does make it difficult at times, so it’s something that we’ve got to be aware of. But, at the same time, we’re going to treat them like any other defense and do our thing. As long as we execute, we feel pretty confident in what we can do.”

(On what he sees from the 49ers’ secondary)

“They’re good. We played them last year so I have some experience with some of the guys they’re returning. They’re good, they’re long. They’re long and have good ability to get across the field. They’ve got some big guys in the back half as well in the safeties and have the ability to come down hill pretty strong, so it’ll be a good game. You get guys that I’ve faced once in the past, so I have a little bit of experience with them, but they’ve all improved and it’ll be exciting to play them again.”

(On how the quick turnaround has impacted his preparation)

“I actually thought we got some really good work in today. We were talking about it, we almost get sometimes more mental work because we are on walk-thru and we are installing for so long and so much more mental meetings and so much slower on the field. We do get so much more mental work, so in that aspect, it’s much better. But, in the other aspect, if you want to get your timing right with the receivers and there are some new routes that you want to get with them and you can’t really do that with what we’re doing this week, that’s the downside. But I felt like we mentally we got some really, really good work in today and we were able to get a bunch of plays off.”

(On how QB Joe Montana became his idol as a child)

“Shoot, it was seven-years-old in Pop Warner and I had to pick my jersey number and it was either 12 or 16. My dad was saying, ‘Oh, Joe Montana is 16.’ I had no idea, I was seven and I was like, ‘Alright. I’ll wear 16.’ And just never left it. Then, as time went on, I obviously learned about Joe Montana and made it even more special.”

(On if he has ever had the chance to meet Joe Montana)

“No I haven’t. No.”

(On if he was expecting to be on the same page with his receiving corps this early in the season)

“Yeah, I think so. I think we do a good job of getting different guys involved. I think that’s part of the offense, is spreading it around and you don’t really have one guy that goes for 120 catches, usually, I don’t think in this offense from what I’ve seen. I think the guys have been extremely unselfish and extremely disciplined in what they’re doing, because that’s what gets themselves open and as long as they continue to get open I’ll do my best to get them the ball. So far, they’ve done a really good job and I’ve been pleased with them.”

(On the uniforms for Thursday night’s game)

“Yeah, the jerseys are cool. They’re obviously all yellow so it can be a little bit bright on the eyes, but it’ll be fun. It’ll be exciting, it’ll be my first time wearing the uniform and It’ll be cool.”

(On when the USC-Cal trash talk begins with former Trojans on the Rams roster)

“Oh, it’s began. It began Saturday night when we beat Ole Miss. We went to 3-0. We play them at home up there in Berkley and it’ll be a fun one. It’ll be a really good one. (Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers) Joe Barry, our linebackers coach and big SC guy, we talk about how much we’re going to put on it. No, it’s fun.”

(On if he’s going to make it to the USC-Cal game)

“I’m not. No.”

(On why the Joe Roth game is so important to Cal)

It’s exciting. I mean, the Joe Roth game is a really cool thing. It’s always vs the UCLA or USC team at home. And Joe Roth, obviously means so much to the school and so much to Cal Football and it’s a special game. I know the guys will be ready and they’ll have those new uniforms on, it’ll be cool.”

***

Rams RB Todd Gurley– September 19, 2017

(On how pleased he is with how quickly the team is bouncing back in such a short period of time)

“I’m not pleased with the loss we had, but that’s the good thing about a short week. You lose and you got to get ready for the other game so you know we just put that behind us. It’s more of a mental week since it’s such a short week and guy’s are still sore. Today’s usually our day off. So, I felt like we did a good job of coming in, gathering a lot of information today – long meetings. Coaches haven’t really been getting any sleep and we’ve been on the go just trying to learn San Fran, obviously we know them, but having a new defensive coordinator this year. I felt we just did a great job today, just locking in and just going out there and just doing what the coaches told us to do.”

(On new things he’s noticed from the 49ers defense)

“I mean obviously their front seven are just big physical, you got (DL DeForest) Buckner and (No.) 99 (DL Arik) Armstead. They’re not your average D-linemen – they’re guys that are 6’7, 270, so you know, long arm guys. Have one of the best linebackers in the league in (LB) NaVorro (Bowman) and (LB) Ray-Ray (Armstrong) beside him and obviously (LB) Reuben (Foster) – I’m not sure if he’s playing or not. But they’ve been flying around to the ball this year, you can definitely tell that for sure. They played Seattle pretty tough at Seattle which is pretty damn hard to do. Obviously we haven’t beat them in the last three tries, so they’re 0-2 so they’re going to be looking for their first win and we’re going to be looking for our first road win and division win, so it’s just something we’re going to have to take care of for sure.”

(On if he anticipates the 49ers’ focus will be on stopping him, similarly to last season)

“Last year when we came up there, they stopped everything. We didn’t get it going, but it doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, everybody knows (Packers QB) Aaron Rodgers or (Lions QB) Matthew Stafford are going to throw the ball 50 times, but can you stop them from throwing touchdowns. Everybody knows Dallas (Cowboys) is going to run the ball, but can you stop them. At the end of the day, they know what we’re going to do and we know what they’re going to do. It’s about winning 1-on-1 match-ups and going out there and out-whipping your dude more than he does you.”

(On his play where he hurdled the defender in the Washington game)

“It was cool. It would’ve been better if we weren’t out there fumbling and I would’ve won. It was cool, but it’s a lot better when you win.”

(On if he credits being good at hurdling defenders to his days of running hurdlers in track)

“I don’t know. It just, I don’t know why I do it. It just happens. I don’t really plan on doing it. It just happens and guess I still got a little form left in me.”

(On what contributes to him getting into a rhythm and a flow during games)

“Just coaches. They’re doing a pretty good job and obviously last game we didn’t do a pretty good job of staying on the field and trying to get everybody in the rhythm. You know that’s the one thing, don’t really care about me. If we’re all in the rhythm together, whether they’re giving me the ball, or giving (WR) Cooper (Kupp) the ball, or giving (WR) Sammy (Watkins) the ball. So it’s still early but we’ve been improving, been able to put points on the board so that’s a start from there. And you know, we just got to care of the little things, with the penalties and turnovers to stop hurting ourselves.”

(On if he expects there to be more eyes on him in the backfield from the 49ers defense)

“I don’t think more eyes can be on me than it already is. (laughs) I don’t really know what to say about that but I’m pretty sure that coaches are going to do a good job of stopping the run. If you can stop the run, then 9 times out of 10 you’re probably going to win the game – other than the turnover battle. (Head) Coach (Sean) McVay’s been doing a great job of finding different ways to get me the ball, so I’m just doing my job and trying to go out there and execute.”

(On the Ram’s color rush uniforms)

“I love it. Last year they cheated us on the color rush, so we actually got to go back to…last time we wore those color rushes it was a good night for us. So hopefully it’ll be another good one.”

(On why he loves the color rush uniforms)

“It’s just something different. Obviously just generic jerseys every game for us anyway, because we wear the white jersey’s every game now. (laughs) So it’s like we get to wear something different other than the throwback colors, but it’s just cool man. Seeing Detroit (Lions) have it yesterday and we just like it. It just brings a little bit more swag to the game.”

(On him developing as a receiver in the backfield and if there’s anything new in terms of his expanded role)

“No. Just (Head) Coach (Sean) McVay’s philosophy is he doesn’t care if it’s me, (TE Tyler) Higbee, (WR) Tavon (Austin) – if you can do the route and you can prove that you can do it consistently or whatever that is – he’s going to find a way to get you the ball. I felt like I did pretty good job of just this off-season of just buying in and trying to learn the receiver position or just the little things. Because, like I said, if I can just play 1-on-1 with a guy instead of 11 guys trying to tackle me then, why wouldn’t I do that. So, just been trying to buy in with that and just do what the coaches tell me.”

(On if he’s aware of how his play in the Washington game where he hurdled the defender is consistently highlighted on sports talk television shows and social media)

“Oh yeah, it’s cool man. It’s just like, ‘Aw, you suck!’, you know they show that play a 1,000 times so when you finally do a good play like I did the other day, it makes you feel a lot better. (laughs) I don’t know how I did it, just did it man. But hopefully, I can just keep doing that or obviously they’re probably going to be expecting that now so, guess I got to come out with a new move now.”

Rams Focused on Improving Run Defense

Myles Simmons

http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Focused-on-Improving-Run-Defense/f3c0831f-d5b6-4cf3-9b11-32d801c45b5e

It’s been a constant question since the final whistle on Sunday: Why did the Rams surrender so many rushing yards to Washington?

The visitors had 229 yards rushing, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Three different Washington running backs tallied at least 67 yards on the ground. And because the ground game was so effective, Washington led time of possession 36:19 to 23:41.

In other words, the question isn’t a secret. And that’s probably why defensive coordinator Wade Phillips began his Tuesday press conference by saying, unprompted, “What’s wrong with the run defense, right?”

“We didn’t play the run very well and we’re upset about that, but we’re going to do something about it,” Phillips said. “I did think we fought back in the second half and played a lot better run defense than we did — obviously, the first quarter kind of shocked us.

“And they have a good running game,” Phillips continued. “I don’t want to take away anything from them, but that certainly hurt us.”

According to Phillips, there were a number of contributing factors to the Rams’ struggles against the run. One of them was Washington effectively running plays that have worked against teams Phillips has coached in the past — plays that Washington may not have shown on film.

“We’ve seen them — I’ve seen them — but it’s a copycat league. They tried to copy all the plays that had any success against Denver, or Texans, or Philadelphia, or New Orleans. or Houston or…where else have I been?” Phillips said with a chuckle. “They were successful on those.”

But another part of it was that in some ways, the Rams are still getting adjusted to their new defensive scheme. For instance, outside linebacker Robert Quinn has played as a down lineman in the past, which requires a different type of technique for playing against the run. Conversely, outside linebacker Connor Barwin played in Phillips’ system in Houston and doesn’t quite have to make those adjustments.

“I think just the feel of where everybody is, especially for linebackers — how to set the edge for the outside backers,” Phillips said. “Connor’s done it before, but Robert Quinn has never played outside linebacker so I’m talking about him in the running game, he’s always rushed the passer and we had him rushing the passer quite a bit.

“And the two inside guys [Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron] have played linebacker, but they haven’t played a 3-4,” Phillips added. “And even the safeties, I think, you know where to fill, those kind of things. Just took some live-action time. Unfortunately, we didn’t do as well as we wanted to, but I think we’ll do better.”

On Ogletree and Barron in particular, Phillips said he felt they got better as the game went on. But once the second half hit, Washington already had racked up 167 yards rushing in the first two quarters.

“Both of them made like over 15 tackles, so they made a lot of plays, especially as the game went along,” Phillips said. “I think you look at it now, the second half they had like five runs that were minus yards. So, like I said, we started playing better in the second half, but too little too late — got us too far behind.”

So what’s the solution? Head coach Sean McVay said one factor is keeping gap integrity.

“Again, you look back at some of the different things, credit to Washington for making some of those plays,” McVay said. “But I think the thing that was encouraging, which Wade will tell you guys as well, is that as the game progressed, guys settled in. Now what we’ve got to do a good job of is not letting what happened in the early stages of the game happen, period.

“What we’ve got to do is just make sure the things that are correctable, that we can clean up, we address those,” McVay added. “And those are things that we’ve done already and the guys have responded the right way.”

Given how well San Francisco ran it last week against Seattle, correcting the run defense is a top priority for the short week. Niners back Carlos Hyde rushed for 124 yards on 15 carries last week, as San Francisco totaled 159 yards rushing in its 12-9 loss.

“The running back is one of the top running backs in the league,” Phillips said. “What did he go for 100 and something against Seattle? And, they have a pretty good defense there, so it’s going to be a challenge for us.

”They’ve got to be licking their chops,” Phillips added. “They had 159 yards last week against Seattle and now they’re playing us who gave up 200 and something.”

And while there are challenges that come with the truncated preparation time, Phillips also sees some benefits.

“We’ve got to play better to win on defense,” he said, “so the only good thing out if it is, I think we’ll put more emphasis on the running game. And we play quickly, so we’re back into San Francisco. Last week’s gone, so that’s the only good thing about it.”

Here are the Rams' Color Rush jerseys for Thursday. Todd Gurley says they'll "bring a little more swag to the game." pic.twitter.com/9AKqoLc2lv

— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) September 20, 2017