Sounds like McVay is still inclined to take an "optimistic" approach with Havirisik. Below is a transcript of McVay's comments earlier today about the kicker situation:
(On his evaluation of K Lucas Havrisik yesterday and if he has concerns
moving forward)
“Obviously the one that stands out. I thought because of the magnitude of that
kick, especially given the circumstances where you are inside of 45, you got a
chance to really go up where it's a three-possession game there. 31 points in
that situation would have made it a totally different feel towards the latter part of
the game. I think you want to be careful to overreact to one kick, but it was a
big kick. I do know that this guy has shown the ability to respond. We saw that
against Baltimore so I'm optimistic that is what we will see this Thursday.â€
(On if he would change his process of determining who the full-time
kicker is going to be)
“Yeah, here is what I would say, and you know this as well, I've been really
spoiled since I ‘ve been here where you get here and you have got (former
Rams K) Greg Zuerlein, who is awesome, ends up winning Special Teams
Player of the Year in 2018. Then we went through a similar transition before we
ended up getting (former Rams K) Matt Gay in the middle of the year a couple
years ago. We have had two really good kickers that I think have spoiled us in
terms of their consistent production and ability to deliver. I do know this, when
you look at a lot of these really successful kickers, especially the young ones,
there are some growing pains that you go through and usually you end up
working through it. A lot of these guys that are having a huge amount of
success experience some form of adversity early on in their careers, but it is
about how do you respond and that's why there is a confidence and an
optimistic approach as it relates to Lucas. I think he’s shown some good things
and I just think you always evaluate your process. But the kicker position in
general is a very fickle one. I think there are a lot of instances too, especially
with (former Rams K) Brett (Maher) and even with Lucas where you are asking
him to attempt some longer kicks where I have to be accountable for that as
well. Those ones that are 45 and in we expect to be consistent on.â€
EDIT: Here's a video link to McVays comments on Lucas (at about the 5:00 mark). Sounds like Lucas for sure will be the kicker vs the Saints.
Rams HC Sean McVay discusses injury updates on DB Ahkello Witherspoon, OT Rob Havenstein, WR Tutu Atwell and DB Tre Tomlinson and what he's seen from the Saints so far this season.
www.therams.com