Notebook: McVay on Cooks and Matthews' injuries, Talib trade

[CGI_Ram]

Notebook: McVay on Cooks and Matthews' injuries, Talib trade

Rams head coach Sean McVay discusses the latest on Brandin Cooks (concussion) and Clay Matthews (broken jaw) as well as what Aqib Talib meant to the team.

www.therams.com

Notebook: McVay on Cooks and Matthews' injuries, Talib trade

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke with reporters on a conference call Tuesday afternoon, discussing WR Brandin Cooksbeing in concussion protocol, LB Clay Matthews' progress ahead of his projected return and what CB Aqib Talib meant to the team, among other topics. TheRams.com compiled a quick notebook expanding on each of the three topics below.

Cooks "feeling good"

WR Brandin Cooks was placed in concussion protocol after sustaining a helmet to helmet hit on the third play of Sunday's game against the Bengals in London. As of Tuesday afternoon, Cooks is "feeling good," according to McVay.

"He’s very aware of what’s going on and he can talk about what occurred pre-concussion," McVay said.

Cooks also sustained a concussion in Week 5 against Seattle, which means the one against the Bengals gave him his second this month. The team is in the process of gathering more information by sending Cooks to a specialist in Pittsburgh and from there, they will be taking things a day at a time, per McVay.

"Anytime that you have something like this occur, you want to consider the human being first and foremost, and that’s what we are going to do, take our time. No question, it will be something that we are going to be smart with," McVay said. "I think being able to get some answers, hear some other opinions on what’s going on, and other cases that have been like this will give us some clarity to hopefully, make the best decision for Brandin Cooks the person and the football player.”

Talib thanked for positive impact during Rams tenure

The Rams traded CB Aqib Talib and an undisclosed draft pick to the Dolphins in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick on Tuesday. Though he only played 13 regular season games for Los Angeles, he left a lasting impact on its locker room.

“Aqib has meant a whole lot. He’s meant a whole lot to our team," McVay said. "I think just the confidence, the swagger, the veteran leadership that he’s brought – he’s been, really, a big part of what’s gone on since he got here and he’s been nothing but positive since he got here. Like I’ve said, I think he’s a Hall of Fame player."

Moves like this are always made in the best interest of the team both in the short-term and long-term, according to McVay. Circumstances regarding the defense in recent weeks played a part in the decision as well.

"Sometimes … (it) needs to be done," McVay said. "But again, like I said, I can’t say anything but great things about the human and what he’s meant to our locker room, the positives he’s brought to this team and what he’s meant to us the last year and a half."

Matthews "on track" to return after bye week

McVay has previously said the most realistic scenario for LB Clay Matthews returning would be after the bye week. Based on McVay's comments Tuesday, that still looks like it will be the case.

"He’s feeling good," McVay said. "I really just think it’s going to be a matter of how quickly and how comfortable does he feel as far as, ‘All right, I’m ready to go,’ and play full contact…in the absence of some of that restrictive protection that he’s had. He’s on track for that."

Matthews, who had his jaw wired shut as part of the recovery process, has had those materials removed. Once Week 10 arrives, McVay said they will be taking things day by day with Matthews.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Reynolds steps up for Cooks, Rams against Bengals

Rams WR Josh Reynolds was ready when called upon against the Bengals

www.therams.com

Reynolds steps up for Cooks, Rams against Bengals

Though Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods traditionally have seen more snaps at wide receiver for the Rams, Josh Reynolds has long been viewed as a starter by head coach Sean McVay.

On Sunday, Reynolds showed exactly why.

After Cooks was knocked out of the game with a concussion on the third play of the contest, Reynolds filled in capably with three receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown in the Rams' 24-10 win over the Bengals at Wembley Stadium.

"Just gotta be ready at any point," Reynolds said. "Try to step in without any falloff."

Indeed, there would be no drop off when Reynolds was called up early in the game.

On Los Angeles' second offensive series, QB Jared Goff connected with Reynolds for a 31-yard touchdown pass down the seam, taking advantage of a mismatch made apparent prior to the snap.

According to Goff, it looked as seamless as it did because the Rams had practiced it during the week.

"We got the look we wanted, we got him matched up with the right guy and he made a great play, ran a great route," Goff said.

Reynolds hoped Goff would be looking his way as he was running that route.

"Oh, green grass, man," said Reynolds, when asked what he saw on the play. "Soon as I passed that linebacker, I was just hoping that ball was in the air. Luckily Jared saw that and made a good ball for it, so it was awesome."

Reynolds saw eight targets by the end of Sunday's game, second only to Kupp's 10. He also played a season-high 53 snaps, more than his previous three games combined. It exceeded his previous single game best this season by 26.

Kupp, who was a draft classmate of Reynold's in 2017, said the 6-foot-3 Reynold's skillset is different from that of a typical taller receiver.

"When he sticks his foot in the ground, he's able to really accelerate out of his cuts, he's able to do some things that I think a lot of taller receivers aren't able to," Kupp said.

"And he's fearless. You saw that catch down the middle. He knows that safety is coming from that backside and fearlessly goes up and makes the play. That's a huge attribute – you can't teach that. That's what makes Josh pretty special."

Regardless of where the scope of Reynold's involvement goes from here, he'll be ready.

"You definitely never expect or hope for your guy to get hurt like that," Reynolds said. "Like I said, it's a next man up kind of thing. I'll definitely be ready. I'll be ready to step in and fill whatever role they need me to fill."

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

from my vantage point reynolds is pretty much useless as a bit player. his mind doesn't seem to be in the game and he makes careless errors when the ball comes his way.

but once he knows he's in there for heavy snaps his game picks up and he's fully locked in and ready to make plays.

.

 

[KayJay]

Reynolds is a big receiver, and actually makes this a prototypical offense. Brandin Cooks is awesome but he's small. So I wouldn't be surprised if we start scoring more in the red zone.

That being said I do agree Reynolds can sometimes lack focus, I expect him to be on point next Sunday. Any word on Micheal Thomas btw? I liked him a lot but I haven't seen him much. At some point I'd love to give him a look.

 

[dieterbrock]

.

from my vantage point reynolds is pretty much useless as a bit player. his mind doesn't seem to be in the game and he makes careless errors when the ball comes his way.

but once he knows he's in there for heavy snaps his game picks up and he's fully locked in and ready to make plays.

.

I agree with the first part wholeheartedly, but not sure about the 2nd part.
Sure Reynolds caught the TD pass but once again, it required 8 targets to get him 3 catches.
His catch rate for his career is significantly below 50% and he’s had many opportunities.
if Cooks is going to be out awhile i sure hope Reynolds picks it up a bit. Still think they need a guy who can get deep, not sure who that is on the roster