Coach Sean McVay feeling super about Rams despite unanswered questions

Coach Sean McVay feeling super about Rams despite unanswered questions

Rams are projected as Super Bowl contenders, but are they really? Sean McVay likes what he sees, but there are questions that need answering, especially after so many departures on defense.

www.latimes.com

Coach Sean McVay feeling super about Rams despite unanswered questions​

His team’s offseason program complete, Rams coach Sean McVay plans to vacation in New York, Greece and Monaco before training camp begins.

“I’ll be able to live a little, enjoy myself — and then I’ll come back stressed and ready to roll,” McVay joked.

When the Rams report to UC Irvine in late July, the pressure will be on McVay.

The Rams ended the Jared Goff era by trading the quarterback — and two first-round draft picks — to the Detroit Lions for quarterback Matthew Stafford. General manager Les Snead gave Stafford the potential deep threat the team denied Goff last season by signing veteran receiver DeSean Jackson.

Those additions, combined with players such as receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, and defensive stars Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, could make the Rams one of the favorites to contend for a berth in Super Bowl LVI, which will be played Feb. 13, 2022 in SoFi Stadium.

McVay said he embraces expectations.

“This job is about pressure day in and day out,” he said. “I think that’s what you want. If you start avoiding pressure, if you don’t like it, this is not for you.”

The Rams have made the playoffs three times in four seasons under McVay. They lost in the NFC wild-card round in 2017, advanced to the Super Bowl in 2018, missed the postseason the next year and advanced to the divisional-round last season.

McVay and Snead are banking that Stafford, a 12-year veteran, will provide the missing piece for another Super Bowl run.

“He’s one of those guys that I think is a true igniter,” McVay said of Stafford. “He makes everybody around him better.

“I feel like I’ve become a better coach in the few months that we’ve been able to spend together and we’re looking forward to do a lot of good things together.”

Throughout offseason workouts, Rams players said they were embracing high expectations.

“Last time we were picked to go to the Super Bowl, we went,” Woods said. “So, I think that’s a good thing. ... We’re a loaded team. We have all the parts. We have all the pieces to get where we need to go.”

Stafford, the receiving corps and the continuing emergence of second-year running back Cam Akers are reason for optimism about the offense. But the line is in flux after the departure of coach Aaron Kromer and center Austin Blythe. Kevin Carberry replaced Kromer. Austin Corbett could move from guard to center to replace Blythe. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth will turn 40 during the season.

Donald and Ramsey anchor a defense now under the direction of coordinator Raheem Morris, who replaced Brandon Staley. Can lineman A’Shawn Robinson fill the void left the departure of Michael Brockers? Who steps up to replace the talent and leadership of safety John Johnson, now earning millions from the Cleveland Browns?

Those are just a few of the questions that might be answered during training camp when the Rams begin preparing for their Sept. 12 opener against the Chicago Bears.

McVay will continue to hold out starters from preseason games. The Rams might add depth to the roster this summer in preparation for joint practices with the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders, and preseason games against the Chargers, Raiders and Denver Broncos.

Whitworth, a 15-year veteran, said big expectations are “a good thing” for a team accustomed to winning. Whitworth pointed to last season’s wild-card playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks as a “culture-type win.”

“We didn’t go into that game with any expectation other than win, and it really didn’t matter whether it was the playoffs or the next game on the schedule,” he said. “And I think that’s where you really started to see a culture and franchise that just expects to win.

“And, hopefully, we can keep that mentality and that culture strong.”

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

There is no question McVay is a micro-manager to a certain degree. It's his way of assuming ownership which isn't a bad thing per se. He did allow both Phillips and Staley to "do their thing". But it was different for both. With Staley, he was directly involved with the innovation of the scheme. After that point, he pretty much allowed Staley the space to play it.

He micro-managed Goff until he broke him instead of simply coaching him up and allowing him to take the next step himself. Sean is best when he allows himself to delegate. To trust the people he hires to do what they do best.

I think Sean has finally struck a balance where he can do what he does best which is innovate. He has a DC in Morris with whom he has a long-standing friendship but most of all trusts. It's obvious Sean now has a QB he can simply plug n play and whom he trusts to execute his offense. I suppose the crucial element with McVay is having his trust.

But perhaps one of Sean's biggest contributions is the one least talked about. As head coach, he's the one who creates the culture of the team. This is where being young has worked to his advantage. He more easily relates to young athletes and has a created a culture that invests in his players. The team culture in LA is what makes players want to come to LA and to stay here. It's become an integral part of why this team is headed for tremendous success.

All head coaches mold their team in their image to a large degree. McVay is happier now because he understands he has the pieces to have the team to be what he wants it to be....a winner. It's not just having Stafford, it's much larger than that. He has the coaches and the players with their skill set to set this team up for success, not simply for winning now, but over the long term.

McVay didn’t break Goff. That’s a bs narrative.

 

[majrleaged]

I don't think Goff gave the same effort and time after the 2018 season. He got paid and got himself engaged and relaxed a bit. That didn't sit well with McVay and he voiced this after the Miami game. He said that they had game planned for what miami did and had a plan to combat it in place, but Jerod didn't execute like he could have if he had done his home work. It seemed to me to be the first time McVay showed his frustration with Goff and didn't protect him. It was the last straw for the coach and from that point on you could see him call plays differently. Especially on 3rd and long type plays. He didn't micro manage. He has expectations for his players. If you don't do what ever it takes to keep your level of play where he thinks it should be and he looses trust in you that is the end.

 

[Malibu]

I too like McVay. I like the chances he takes to correct what he perceives as a problem, but there is one nagging issue that bothers me which has hurt the team.

That is his management of evaluation skills in terms of the teams finances. He didn't need to resign Goff if not sold. He didn't draft him he inherited him. That mistake cost us resigning JJ3, Fox etc. Letting Cooks walk after 2 concussions not sure on that one. Not recognising the value of olmen specifically Saffold even if we couldn't afford him he is relying on what we have which I think could be the downfall of the team. Even Russell Wilson couldn't escape away from his bad online play.

Every team can't be perfect but we have no 1st for a 4+ yr stretch and no money to resign players that develop into good to great players. This is a problem. I didn't bring up Gurley bc that was a surprise.

This problem gets shuffled under the rug until free agency/draft time then goes back into the rug. Make no mistake this is a way bigger issue than most think. We praise McVay for his innovation, staff, draft and free agent thoughts and most of all his results and rightly so I said imo he is the 2nd or 3rd best coach in the NFL, but with better evaluation in terms of our finances we would dominate even more. And to prove I am right ask yourself if we did not have a 21m dead money off of Goff alone what would that mean to the Rams. Throw in Gurley, Cooks etc and what could we do to elevate the team. Especially not needing to restructure contracts.

So far I give him an A for not restructuring Stafford's contract he is waiting and seeing. If he is as good as advertised we can restructure next year and free up more $.

 

[dang]

The Miami and NYJ games surely caused McVay to lose some sleep and pull some hair out. There is no excuse for the Rams (with their roster) losing to either of those teams. Shit happens and it did early in both those games. The Rams had plenty of time and ammo to calm the storm and take care of business. They were both team vs individual player losses but Goff’s inability to complete comebacks in 2020 was a glaring hole in the offense’s performance. They actually completed a major comeback against the Bills (but were denied by a tough PI call) but to my recollection that was their only real comeback. It was important to note that the Rams have NEVER lost a game under Mcvay when they are leading at halftime so their failures are predominantly first half failures. I really like Goff and was happy we have a good QB but over time my confidence in him was deteriorating rapidly. He just didn’t seem able (or perhaps willing) to improve year after year. It’s almost as if he was satisfied with a 10-6 season with just making the playoffs.

 

[Merlin]

Interesting. Those player HATED Vermeil until he was basically forced to change his style and ease up on them. Also, Vermeil had exactly one good season with the Rams..... and I have always been of the mind that Martz (with the obvious addition of Faulk, Warner and Holt) were the real catalysts for that season.

That was a common take I never subscribed to. He won at UCLA. He won at Philly. And he won at STL. The fact it took him a few years to get rid of the quitters and was second guessed by a shit front office makes what he did more impressive to me.

I give Martz a lot of cred. But the talent assembled under Vermiel gave him a full toolbox. And the Rams went right back to shit drafts when Vermiel retired.

 

[majrleaged]

That was a common take I never subscribed to. He won at UCLA. He won at Philly. And he won at STL. The fact it took him a few years to get rid of the quitters and was second guessed by a shit front office makes what he did more impressive to me.

I give Martz a lot of cred. But the talent assembled under Vermiel gave him a full toolbox. And the Rams went right back to shit drafts when Vermiel retired.

I agree. Vermiel was a CEO and was in charge of football operation. He did what it took to make the Rams right. When he left, he left a huge leadership void. And when we lost the SB Martz lost his power which left Zygmat the book keeper an opening that put the Rams back in obscurity. Vermeil new how to build a team and adjust as he went.

 

[tomas]

How the Rams-winning organization has changed since the heady days of Steve Spagnuolo and his 4 pillars era.​

 

[CoachAllred]

McVay didn’t break Goff. That’s a bs narrative.

Come to find out the actual pile of BULLSHIT that is associated with this narrative is so large
that it has declared for statehood within the union.
Apparently neighboring areas are under martial law as the enormous pile of
BULLSHIT continues to grow from Michael Silver’s anus.
More at 6
Back to you Elmgrove.

 

[CoachAllred]

I don't think Goff gave the same effort and time after the 2018 season. He got paid and got himself engaged and relaxed a bit. That didn't sit well with McVay and he voiced this after the Miami game.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[CoachAllred]

Sort of easy to imagine McVay as our coach for years and years.

Then again, he’s reached a high point in his profession at a young age… I worry as young as he is he will want a new challenge at some point.

Knowing our HC's insatiable passion for the game, I am going to give the odds of him
ever doing anything other than coaching football for the next 20 years at about the same ratio as
Belecheat coming out and admitting he filmed Rams practices prior to the Super Bowl.

 

[XXXIVwin]

I could see McVay burning out, but I don't see him allowing himself to burn out until after he's won a Lombardi. He seems ambitious to the point where he'd be obsessed with his legacy.

 

[bluecoconuts]

I don't think Goff gave the same effort and time after the 2018 season. He got paid and got himself engaged and relaxed a bit.

Goff isn't engaged, and he spent each summer specifically working on things with various camps and coaches. He didn't work out, but let's not make claims that aren't true indicating that it was a lack of effort on his part.

 

[majrleaged]

Goff isn't engaged, and he spent each summer specifically working on things with various camps and coaches. He didn't work out, but let's not make claims that aren't true indicating that it was a lack of effort on his part.

The coach stated as much after the miami game. It was in his after game press conference. His girl friend has been introduced as his fiance more than once. I believe on hard knocks when he was golfing in his back yard for one.

 

[Allen2McVay]

The coach stated as much after the miami game. It was in his after game press conference. His girl friend has been introduced as his fiance more than once. I believe on hard knocks when he was golfing in his back yard for one.

That’s not my recollection.

After Miami, McVay did the usual ‘it’s on me’.

It was afer the Niners’ game that McVay called out Goff; and it had nothing to do with effort. It was all about protecting the ball and making better decisions.

 

[oldnotdead]

Name one coach that keeps his QB in the huddle for the first 15 seconds then expects him to properly read the defense. How many unnecessary timeouts were called because of McVay yet it's blamed on Goff? Too many, yet he never complained or pointed fingers. The bottom line is Sean did not trust Goff as he wasn't his QB. He inherited Goff.

Now he's talking to Stafford asking for input on how he wants to play, i.e. he's investing the QB in the game plan. He never did that with Goff. Sean got rid of the experienced linemen and played Blythe and a bunch of poorly coached young guys and blamed all the turnovers on Goff. Yet if you simply go back and look at the film, a lot of those turnovers were caused by poor OL play. Goff got pummelled but he never pointed fingers. Case in point, they traded for Austin Corbett in Oct 2019. But only now are they playing him at center for Stafford. Why did Goff get stuck with Blythe in front of him?

Personally, I'm glad Goff is gone. It's the best thing that can happen for him. I'm happy for the Rams and McVay who now have the QB they want and need. I meant it when I said that the Stafford trade was totally win-win for all parties. As long as the Rams stay relatively healthy there are no more excuses.

 

[FarNorth]

I don't think Goff gave the same effort and time after the 2018 season. He got paid and got himself engaged and relaxed a bit. That didn't sit well with McVay and he voiced this after the Miami game. He said that they had game planned for what miami did and had a plan to combat it in place, but Jerod didn't execute like he could have if he had done his home work. It seemed to me to be the first time McVay showed his frustration with Goff and didn't protect him. It was the last straw for the coach and from that point on you could see him call plays differently. Especially on 3rd and long type plays. He didn't micro manage. He has expectations for his players. If you don't do what ever it takes to keep your level of play where he thinks it should be and he looses trust in you that is the end.

You may recall that Miami was the 4th trip for the Rams to the East Coast in the first 8 weeks of the season and a really hot day. McVay was continuing his experiment with late afternoon before game day flights across the country, straight from hotel to game the next day, with no adjustment time for the team.

In the first half McVay repeatedly called aggressive, no back passing formations against one of the best blitzing defenses the Rams faced and who were overloading the attack on the front. This strategy elicited outright amazement and disbelief from the national broadcast announcers. And from me-- I was screaming at the tv at what seemed like the obvious stupidity of the strategy, especially in the trap scenario of cross country games in the east coast time zone where NFC west teams notoriously perform poorly.

Goff was hit 8 times and 13 passes were broken up. Goff didn't play well in the first half. But imo-- at the time, watching live-- it was a poor approach to the game by McVay and the Rams, who could and should have easily beaten the punchless Dolphins with a more conservative game strategy.

 

[majrleaged]

You may recall that Miami was the 4th trip for the Rams to the East Coast in the first 8 weeks of the season and a really hot day. McVay was continuing his experiment with late afternoon before game day flights across the country, straight from hotel to game the next day, with no adjustment time for the team.

In the first half McVay repeatedly called aggressive, no back passing formations against one of the best blitzing defenses the Rams faced and who were overloading the attack on the front. This strategy elicited outright amazement and disbelief from the national broadcast announcers. And from me-- I was screaming at the tv at what seemed like the obvious stupidity of the strategy, especially in the trap scenario of cross country games in the east coast time zone where NFC west teams notoriously perform poorly.

Goff was hit 8 times and 13 passes were broken up. Goff didn't play well in the first half. But imo-- at the time, watching live-- it was a poor approach to the game by McVay and the Rams, who could and should have easily beaten the punchless Dolphins with a more conservative game strategy.

Doesn't change the fact that mcvay called out Goff. Which is the point of my post. I have been a huge supporter of Goff from the beginning. I'm just stating mcvay's point of view at that time and how play calling changed after that. There is no denying mcvay wanted more out of Goff and at some point in the season, I think the Miami game lost trust in Goff

 

[GoodBadUgly]

Disagree, good new is we’ll find out soon enough this year

Personally, it’s my belief McVay over managed Goff almost criminally

Time gets to reveal so no use bickering

My personal hope is both prosper greatly. Except for when Goff has horrible games against the Rams in season or playoffs.

But that's just 'cuz I'm an amazing guy.

 

[Shuie3225]

McVay didn’t break Goff. That’s a bs narrative.

Exactly. Did anyone hear that Kirk Cousins was being micro-managed in Washington? How about RG3? How about John Wolford last year?

Maybe McVay felt he had to micro-manage Goff and play Geppetto with him because Goff couldn't figure things out on his own, and it was the best way to get the best play out of him. No one complained in '17/'18 when Gurley had 40TDs and McVay was in Goff's ear up until the 15sec mark in the play clock. Goff played well. But as soon as the running game wasn't the driving force of the team and Goff was asked to carry this offense, he immediately showed he couldn't do that. Which is why he leads the NFL in turnovers since 2018. Why his play deteriorated even further last year in 2020 is an unknown. My guess is his confidence was completely gone because his body language on the field and in post game interviews was horrible. And he regressed back to making unforgivable rookie mistakes.

Personally, it’s my belief McVay over managed Goff almost criminally

Why do this unless you HAVE to? It makes no sense that Goff could do everything on his own but McVay still chose to micro-manage him. Why would he? Everyone saw Goff before McVay arrived and how completely lost he looked. The blame McVay gets for Goff being a bad QB is the most hilarious thing about this forum. So using that thought process, that means McVay stopped micro managing in 2019/2020 right? Because Goff turned into a very below average QB.

Perhaps the kid just lost the biggest game of his life in dramatic fashion, and not only did he not improve the following year in 2019 as most hyper-competitive natured athletes would respond, but instead he regressed big time and withered away in cowardly fashion. Maybe that's why Goff is no longer on this roster. Losing the super bowl should have motivated him to work harder than ever and come back with a vengeance in 2019. Not go into a depressed shell for 2 seasons and turn the ball over more than any other NFL player. It just shows his mental weakness.

 

[OC--LeftCoast]

Exactly. Did anyone hear that Kirk Cousins was being micro-managed in Washington? How about RG3? How about John Wolford last year?

Maybe McVay felt he had to micro-manage Goff and play Geppetto with him because Goff couldn't figure things out on his own, and it was the best way to get the best play out of him. No one complained in '17/'18 when Gurley had 40TDs and McVay was in Goff's ear up until the 15sec mark in the play clock. Goff played well. But as soon as the running game wasn't the driving force of the team and Goff was asked to carry this offense, he immediately showed he couldn't do that. Which is why he leads the NFL in turnovers since 2018. Why his play deteriorated even further last year in 2020 is an unknown. My guess is his confidence was completely gone because his body language on the field and in post game interviews was horrible. And he regressed back to making unforgivable rookie mistakes.



Why do this unless you HAVE to? It makes no sense that Goff could do everything on his own but McVay still chose to micro-manage him. Why would he? Everyone saw Goff before McVay arrived and how completely lost he looked. The blame McVay gets for Goff being a bad QB is the most hilarious thing about this forum. So using that thought process, that means McVay stopped micro managing in 2019/2020 right? Because Goff turned into a very below average QB.

Perhaps the kid just lost the biggest game of his life in dramatic fashion, and not only did he not improve the following year in 2019 as most hyper-competitive natured athletes would respond, but instead he regressed big time and withered away in cowardly fashion. Maybe that's why Goff is no longer on this roster. Losing the super bowl should have motivated him to work harder than ever and come back with a vengeance in 2019. Not go into a depressed shell for 2 seasons and turn the ball over more than any other NFL player. It just shows his mental weakness.

Pretty much disagree with everything you just wrote, we’ll revisit this further down the road, say around mid season this will play out, I can wait.

Cheers