Rams Head Coach Sean McVay – Media Availability – November 7, 2021
Rams Head Coach Sean McVay – Media Availability – November 7, 2021
(Opening Statement)
“First of all, congratulations to the Titans. (Titans Head) Coach (Mike) Vrabel and those guys did a good job. I didn’t do nearly a good enough job for our football team tonight. We were uncharacteristic with the penalties, the turnovers. I really think the defense started off, they were giving us a chance. It was a big-time interception by (CB) Jalen (Ramsey). Then ultimately, really just the momentum and the flow of the game, I didn’t do nearly a good enough job of helping our players establish that, particularly on offense. You go back, you look at yourself critically. We get these things corrected. That’s all I know how to do. That’s what we’ll do. I trust the character of this locker room to be able to respond the right way. Not nearly good enough and it starts with me.”
(On QB Matthew Stafford’s ankle)
“I’m not sure. He came back, played. Did a good job leading the touchdown drive. He got it rolled up pretty good on a bad play call, bad situation I put him in right there. But I’m not really sure other than that.”
(On Stafford’s two interceptions)
“Not really giving him much of a chance. I got to help our players out a little bit more. They did a good job of being able to make some plays and that’s really what it boils down to.”
(On if the offensive line was losing one-on-one battles)
“There was a couple times where they did a good job being able to win some ISOs (isolations). There were a couple where some late movements ended up coming free. Again, I think it goes back to the feel, the flow for a game, being able to allow our players to get into a rhythm and establish that and really I don’t think I did nearly a good enough job of helping us do that. And then also I think some of the penalties. We’re playing behind the sticks. They did a good job. They had some players that were able to win some one on ones and we were uncharacteristic. But I think overall, you look at yourself and say what can I do to make sure we establish a little bit better rhythm and routine. That’s where I’m very bothered at myself for that.”
(On the penalties committed today)
“I think you go back and you say, ‘All right, we’re not going to allow one game to define us. I don’t think that’s reflective of the type of football team we are. We had a rough night. It really seemed like that was kind of the narrative for the night. A lot of those things that occurred are uncharacteristic. I choose to believe that tonight was not a reflection of who we are. We can look at it, correct it, and we’ll keep it moving.”
(On the last drive and getting into the end zone)
“Oh, yeah. I mean, they’re playing softer coverages, things like that, too. You do have to be mindful of that.
But I did like the way our guys competed untill the end, found enough way to make plays. I thought (QB) Matthew (Stafford) showed his guts and his resilience. You certainly want to ride with guys like that.”
(On if Stafford not practicing this week led to issues on the field during the game)
“Yeah, I don’t want to use that as a crutch. I really think it boils down to, ultimately, did you really put yourself — did I really put our team in positions to make plays and have a rhythm and routine like I keep talking about. I didn’t. Did Matthew make some uncharacteristic plays? Yeah, he did. But I’m not going to say that’s a result of what occurred.”
(On if physicality up front on the offensive line can be an issue sometimes)
“Yeah, I don’t think so. I think tonight they did a great job in some isolated instances. If it was one matchup that you felt like continued to show itself, then you’d say, ‘Alright, maybe that’s a concern right there.’ Again, when you’re playing behind the sticks you become one-dimensional like we were. I think that’s tough versus any defensive front, especially a really good team like they are. We’ll go back, we’ll look at it, we’ll clean it up. I trust that we’ll play better moving forward.”
(On the timeframe for OLB Von Miller’s return)
“We’ll see. We’ll take it a day at a time with (OLB) Von (Miller) right now.”
(On if they are being especially careful with Miller)
“Yeah, we are. We’re going to be smart with Von. He’s doing everything in his power to be ready to go. Hopefully he’s ready to go next week. I can’t give you that answer right now.”
(On what happened on third-and-longs offensively)
“Third-and-long? You’re talking about defensively or offensively? We didn’t convert tonight. But if you look at it over the season, I bet you we’re as good as anybody in the league. We just weren’t very good as a whole offensively at all tonight. I don’t think that’s reflective of the type of unit, the operation that we want to have. Looking forward to the opportunity to respond.”
(On if he was close to going for it on fourth down after the TE Tyler Higbee touchdown was called back)
““Yeah, I mean, I think when you look at how early that was in the second half, you felt like that was the smart decision. I thought our defense was playing really well and kind of was able to maybe say let’s capitalize on this momentum. That was a play that didn’t go in our favor.”
(On what he learned about his team tonight)
“Well, I learned that we’ve got to play cleaner football. I’ve learned that I didn’t do a good enough job for this team. I’m looking forward to seeing what we learn from our response. That’s where I think we can learn the most. The last time we had a setback with this group, loved the way they responded on a short week coming off that Arizona loss against Seattle. Now we’ll get an opportunity to respond this week. Okay, thank you.”