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The Rams added veteran leadership, but also a new coach who empowers those leaders
Rams coach Sean McVay talks with players during warmups for Organized Team Activities on Monday, June 5, 2017, at the teamÕs practice facility at California Lutheran University. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker)
By VINCENT BONSIGNORE
It was interesting to me as I talked to people while reporting my story on new Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth how appreciative players were for the infusion of veteran players the Rams added this offseason.
While a coach can talk about a culture and try to establish a culture, that culture is only as good or strong as the players that execute it. And often times, successful execution relies on veteran players who serve as examples and role models to the rest of the team.
But it also requires a coach strong enough and savvy enough to empower those leadership-type players to execute their clout in the locker room.
The sense I get is new Rams coach Sean McVay understands and respects the inner-workings of a team, and how empowering players who want to lead to actually lead is a vital component to overseeing a successful team.
And in talking to some people, I’m not necessarily sure the Rams previous regime understood or respected or was comfortable or inclined to give willing leaders the green light to lead.
McVay seems the polar opposite of that. Not just in words, but in action. He actively sought out strong, inclined leaders through free agency and commissioned them to carry the torch he handed them.
Not surprisingly, in talking to Rams players, they are ecstatic about it. This is a very young team, and a lot of these guys are not too proud to say they appreciate older teammates setting a tone, reaching out to them, or being an example they can emulate.
Not everyone is equipped to be that kind of leader. Or is willing to be, for that matter. Some guys lead, some guys follow, some guys just show up every day, do their thing, and go home. There’s no right or wrong to it. Everyone is wired differently.
And that’s fine.
The Rams, to their credit, understood they had an example/veteran leadership void and went out and added guys like Whitworth, Robert Woods, Connor Barwin and John Sullivan, among others, to fill it.
Just as importantly, in talking to folks, they have a coaching staff in McVay and his assistants who understand the importance in allowing those leaders to lead.
And the sense I get is, holdover players who have that kind of voice and embody the message and culture will now be empowered to express themselves.
[www.ocregister.com]
Rams coach Sean McVay talks with players during warmups for Organized Team Activities on Monday, June 5, 2017, at the teamÕs practice facility at California Lutheran University. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker)
By VINCENT BONSIGNORE
It was interesting to me as I talked to people while reporting my story on new Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth how appreciative players were for the infusion of veteran players the Rams added this offseason.
While a coach can talk about a culture and try to establish a culture, that culture is only as good or strong as the players that execute it. And often times, successful execution relies on veteran players who serve as examples and role models to the rest of the team.
But it also requires a coach strong enough and savvy enough to empower those leadership-type players to execute their clout in the locker room.
The sense I get is new Rams coach Sean McVay understands and respects the inner-workings of a team, and how empowering players who want to lead to actually lead is a vital component to overseeing a successful team.
And in talking to some people, I’m not necessarily sure the Rams previous regime understood or respected or was comfortable or inclined to give willing leaders the green light to lead.
McVay seems the polar opposite of that. Not just in words, but in action. He actively sought out strong, inclined leaders through free agency and commissioned them to carry the torch he handed them.
Not surprisingly, in talking to Rams players, they are ecstatic about it. This is a very young team, and a lot of these guys are not too proud to say they appreciate older teammates setting a tone, reaching out to them, or being an example they can emulate.
Not everyone is equipped to be that kind of leader. Or is willing to be, for that matter. Some guys lead, some guys follow, some guys just show up every day, do their thing, and go home. There’s no right or wrong to it. Everyone is wired differently.
And that’s fine.
The Rams, to their credit, understood they had an example/veteran leadership void and went out and added guys like Whitworth, Robert Woods, Connor Barwin and John Sullivan, among others, to fill it.
Just as importantly, in talking to folks, they have a coaching staff in McVay and his assistants who understand the importance in allowing those leaders to lead.
And the sense I get is, holdover players who have that kind of voice and embody the message and culture will now be empowered to express themselves.
[www.ocregister.com]
