Van Jefferson learned from rookie mistakes and is 'a lot more comfortable' in Rams offense now

Van Jefferson learned from rookie mistakes and is 'a lot more comfortable' in Rams offense now

After a quiet rookie season, Van Jefferson’s comfort in the Rams’ offense has grown heading into Year 2.

theramswire.usatoday.com

Van Jefferson learned from rookie mistakes and is 'a lot more comfortable' in Rams offense now​

Van Jefferson generated a ton of buzz during training camp last year as a rookie. The second-round pick appeared to be on track to unseat Josh Reynolds as the No. 3 receiver, but that leap never happened.

Instead, he was the fourth option at wideout, seeing just 31 passes thrown his way in the 16 games he played. He caught 19 of those targets for 220 yards with one touchdown before adding another six catches for 46 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs.

Jefferson may not have lived up to the hype as a rookie, but he could be poised to make a much bigger impact in Year 2 now that he has a full season in the NFL under his belt. Jefferson told reporters Wednesday that he’s much more comfortable in the Rams offense now than he was last year, having studied the playbook more and developed his craft as a receiver.

“I would say I’m more comfortable now. If I had to be honest, last year I was a rookie coming in and my head spinning and stuff like that, but I think I’m more comfortable now,” he said. “Last year was a lot of learning steps that I needed to learn, a lot of things I needed to know about the offense. But this offseason, me just honing in on the playbook, I’m a lot more comfortable. Like I said, rookie year, it was just a lot of things thrown at me but I handled it well, but I think this year, I’m really better at it and more comfortable in the offense.”

What hurt Jefferson and every other rookie in the NFL last season was the absence of a spring workout program. There were no OTAs, no minicamp and no real on-boarding process before training camp in July due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, Jefferson has had a full offseason to work through, which he sees as a major help in his development.

“I think it’s very beneficial,” he said of having a normal offseason this year. “I think last year with the Zoom – the Zoom helped – but I think for me, I would rather do it. That’s the kind of learner I am. So I think now being here is kind of beneficial, being on the field and actually going through the plays and stuff like that. I think it’s helping me out more. I’m glad that the rookies get to experience this, as well. They can come in and learn things a lot quicker and do it themselves, so I think it’s very beneficial.”

Considering Jefferson’s dad, Shawn Jefferson, also played in the NFL and was the Jets’ wide receivers coach last year, Van Jefferson knew a little bit of what to expect in the pros. However, there was still a lot for him to learn, which he realized upon finally making it to the NFL.

He admitted he had some rookie growing pains but those will actually help him learn and become a better receiver.

“I knew it was going to be challenging. From the background that I come from with my dad and everything, he kind of told me things that would be happening, so I kind of knew coming in what to expect but I think you really don’t know until you come experience it for yourself,” he siad. “I think I had some rookie ups and downs and I learned from those things and they were beneficial toward me because I feel like life is about learning and learning from your mistakes and those mistakes helped me out a lot and I can learn from those this year.”

Jefferson will be competing with DeSean Jackson and Tutu Atwell for snaps at wide receiver, both of whom were brought in by the Rams this offseason. Jefferson is taking their arrivals in stride and is going to handle his business as he attempts to carve out a bigger role in his second season.

 

[leoram]

I don't see Jefferson as competing for snaps with Atwell and Jackson. I believe his role is to insert behind Kupp and Woods. While his numbers won't be significant if Woods and Kupp remain healthy, he is terrific insurance if they don't and a long ranged replacement for either down the road. I think McVay recognized how different the offense was when Kupp was injured and thought depth was essential for another run at the title.

 

[So Ram]

Big Van Jefferson fan.

He got humbled more than he already was.He felt bad though he did not get in.It was a Teammate that I saw telling him he would’ve(should’ve) made that catch.

Jefferson is actually a core Special Teams guy right now as well.It helps make him a more of a complete player. These articles don’t tell you that. On punts he is one of the first guys down field.I believe he comes from an inside position? Against GB he was doing his thing. You can tell he is taking on a little leadership there.

—Robert Woods is still a DAWG!! He wasn’t going to miss yesterday either.
It’s Super Cool to see a Player getting the Day Off & in street clothes.Then he does an interview,gets dressed into his uniform.Doesn’t interrupt a meeting.Comes straight onto the Field & gives Trishton Jackson some one on one on field mentoring.He was showing how to run a route.When you make a cut & your foot work.

—The little things count & I’m sure Mcvay called on his Veterans to reach out. If not that is just what these Veterans Rams do!! Just nice to see his Rams Pyramid working.

— I sort of wish I could be a reporter.There are a lot of questions I could come up with.Something neat to reflected on.

 

[So Ram]

I don't see Jefferson as competing for snaps with Atwell and Jackson. I believe his role is to insert behind Kupp and Woods. While his numbers won't be significant if Woods and Kupp remain healthy, he is terrific insurance if they don't and a long ranged replacement for either down the road. I think McVay recognized how different the offense was when Kupp was injured and thought depth was essential for another run at the title.

Josh Reynolds got a lot of Reps last season. He will get his chances. Still a core Special teams guy. Stafford is going to find a New Pet ? I think he is going to put in some extra work with Van Jefferson. Will see because training camp is around the corner.
—It’s amazing how little teams actually practice.There are 90 players running around in drills.

—DJ1 is fast & will get open.How many reps will he get ? The Rams run a lot of ZERO backs.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson more confident heading into Year 2

www.therams.com

Van Jefferson more confident heading into Year 2​

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Even the son of a former NFL wide receiver and current NFL wide receivers coach needs time to get adjusted to the next level.

Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson had that benefit growing up – his father, Shawn, played in the league for 13 years and is the Cardinals' wide receivers coach (his 16th overall coaching in the league) – in addition to 45 career games, 175 receptions and 2,159 receiving yards in college before he arrived in Los Angeles. But an offense as complex as Rams head coach Sean McVay's can be an adjustment for any rookie receiver, no matter how polished they are coming out of school.

"If I had to be honest, last year, I was a rookie coming in, I was kind of in my head spinning," Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson said during a video conference Wednesday. "But I think I'm more comfortable. Last year was a lot of learning steps, a lot of things I needed to learn about the offense."

Honing in on the playbook this offseason, Jefferson said he's much more comfortable in the offense heading into his second season.

That growing confidence has manifested itself through his performance during spring practices, including hauling in a couple passes from quarterback Matthew Stafford in 7-on-7 drills during organized team activities sessions open to the media.

"I think (he) does a great job of doubling people up," Stafford said during a video conference Wednesday. "He's a really good separator. Plays big as well. Has enough long speed to get down the field, and has a nice size mismatch on a lot of corners as well."

McVay noticed a difference when the team convened for its offseason program.

"You can see he's really put in the work," McVay said during a June 4 video conference. "He's come back, establishing himself as a legitimate dude, a guy we're counting on for big things."

Having a solid pair of veterans to learn from in wide receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp helps adds to an already strong work ethic. Even if there was a lot of information to process, Jefferson said his favorite thing about his rookie year was the experience, as well as learning a lot and learning from his teammates.

In that vein, Jefferson's confidence and comfort within the offense has also been helped by the return of minicamp and on-field spring workouts.

"The Zoom (video calls) helped, but for me personally, I'd rather do it," he said. "That's the kind of learner I am."

With all those good habits in place, McVay is counting on Jefferson finishing the offseason program strong, then picking up where he left off at the end of minicamp at the start of training camp in late July.

"I've been very, very pleased with Van Jefferson," McVay said. "Very excited about what he's going to do to finish up this offseason, and I know he's going to come back and hit the ground running in training camp. But we're expecting very big things from Van Jefferson. He has been a major bright spot this offseason, and somebody that I'm extremely excited about. And I know I share that feeling with the rest of the coaches."

 

[CoachAllred]

I think McVay recognized how different the offense was when Kupp was injured and thought depth was essential for another run at the title.

No doubt about that.
Unless things change, Kupp may be on a snap count or something of the sort.
So i think Van will get more reps this year and it sounds as if he will be more than ready
to ease Kupps workload.
With Harris apparently coming on, this has got to be the deepest wr/te corps McVay has had.
By the time you consider what Akers will add in the passing game, geez.
Good luck trying to cover all of these weapons. And people wonder why McVay is walking around with a smile?
It ain't just about the QB. This team is locked and loaded.

 

[Merlin]

I don't see Jefferson as competing for snaps with Atwell and Jackson. I believe his role is to insert behind Kupp and Woods. While his numbers won't be significant if Woods and Kupp remain healthy, he is terrific insurance if they don't and a long ranged replacement for either down the road. I think McVay recognized how different the offense was when Kupp was injured and thought depth was essential for another run at the title.

Maybe you're right but I think that's gonna come down to Jefferson and how well he plays. I think if he kills it in camp he's going to win himself a nice rotation spot and from there he might get plenty of reads on deeper routes.

I do agree he's a possession wideout. But I am hopeful maybe he can show us a little bit more than that. The guy can get deep and Stafford can put that ball deep on a rope.

 

[MachS]

After hearing what DJax and Stafford had to say about VJ, as well as McVay recently I'm excited for him to take a big step this year.

But one thing I think a lot of people forget is how truly complicated this McVay offense is. The outside media narrative is "oh its a fairly simple offense-how they make everything look the same, and merry the run and the pass together. They primarily only run 11 personel (3WR) etc." What really opened my eyes was the Wade Phillips interview on Cowherd a few months ago after the Stafford trade. Colin asked Wade what he thought about Stafford and the trade, and if McVay's system is complicated and tough to learn. Wade literally laughed at him, and said "yea very much so." This is a HOF defensive coach who has seen every offense ran the last 30 years and laughed at the question because it's obviously extremely complex.

View: https://youtu.be/hm5QgCAGsm4

My point is for Van Jefferson's dad to be a WR coach, and still for Van in his most recent media session to say his head was spinning as a rookie trying to get this offense down, really shows how complicated it is. Stafford said the same thing recently too, that there is a ton to learn and its tough but he's coming along. I think this is something we all need to keep in mind with VJ, and with Tutu this year as well. Some people seem to never be able to mentally grasp it (Tavon) and others it might take a year or two. This is also another reason to be impressed that Jacob Harris is making such a quick impact. Its not just the physical performance but McVay said he's smart and is a quick learner.

 

[fanotodd]

After reviewing last season over the last couple of weeks, I have to say reynolds was solid in his role as 3rd WR. There’s only one football and a lotta hands to feed on the Rams. That’s a good thing, though—options. Reynolds should do fine getting more targets elsewhere.

VJ now has that role. Personally, I DO want to see him shine, but with the addition of DJ, Jefferson might suffer from the same lack of targets as reynolds did.
My expectations aren’t necessarily high in #s, I just want to notice the difference when he’s out there.

I’m curious to see the various WR packages with that stable Stafford and McVay will have.

 

[Ram65]

"I think (he) does a great job of doubling people up," Stafford said during a video conference Wednesday. "He's a really good separator. Plays big as well. Has enough long speed to get down the field, and has a nice size mismatch on a lot of corners as well."

McVay noticed a difference when the team convened for its offseason program.

"You can see he's really put in the work," McVay said during a June 4 video conference. "He's come back, establishing himself as a legitimate dude, a guy we're counting on for big things."

"I've been very, very pleased with Van Jefferson," McVay said. "Very excited about what he's going to do to finish up this offseason, and I know he's going to come back and hit the ground running in training camp. But we're expecting very big things from Van Jefferson. He has been a major bright spot this offseason, and somebody that I'm extremely excited about. And I know I share that feeling with the rest of the coaches."

That's a lot of praise from McVay. Sometimes I take is positive comments with a grain of salt as it views to actually getting playing time. I don't think that's the case with Jefferson.

Unless things change, Kupp may be on a snap count or something of the sort.
So i think Van will get more reps this year and it sounds as if he will be more than ready
to ease Kupps workload.

Maybe you're right but I think that's gonna come down to Jefferson and how well he plays. I think if he kills it in camp he's going to win himself a nice rotation spot and from there he might get plenty of reads on deeper routes.

It could be smart to keep Woods and Kupp fresher by getting Jefferson more snaps. He has qualities of both Woods and Kupp plus others. He is probably faster and obviously bigger than both. I don't know what McVay will decide as far as snap percentage. By giving Jefferson more snaps CBs are going to have to make fast adjustments. Throw in Jackson and Atwell CBs will be trying to make adjustments all game long.