What if Sean McVay is really an asshole?

[AvengerRam]

Our impression of Sean McVay is dictated by the public image that has been cultivated by the Rams and the media. He's a young, enthusiastic, smart, football prodigy who has taken the league by storm, rejuvenated a long-suffering franchise, come within a whisker of a championship, and launched the career of several of his deputies.

But is that really who Sean McVay is?

For the record, my personal answer is I DON'T KNOW.

That said... are there asshole indicators we're overlooking. We've seen, for example, some Belichickian subterfuge and misdirection when it comes to the status of injured players and, when questioned about it... Sean has been less than forthcoming.

Did I say less than forthcoming? Hell, he outright lied. He told us there was nothing wrong with Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald, respectively, as they sat on the sideline for much of the 2018 NFC Championship game and this year's divisional round matchup. Does he think we're idiots? That's kind of an asshole move, if you think about it.

And what about all those departures? Sure, most of them can be filed under "career advancement," but maybe some of them just didn't much care for working under McVay?

And what about that fiance of his? Stringing her along... not committing... I mean, her biological clock is ticking (THUMP, THUMP, THUMP) and if she has to wait until Sean wins a Super Bowl, she maybe ain't never gonna get married!

I'm, of course, being a bit facetious here, but you never know. Maybe Sean's not such a nice guy. Maybe he's an asshole.

Of course, that's not necessarily a bad thing for the team. Belichick is an asshole. A lot of great coaches are.

Maybe Sean is one too.

 

[WarnerToBruce]

I actually have been thinking about this as well. Maybe not "asshole" as much as "hard to work with".

We've all had hard driving bosses, but there is a difference between pushing you hard, and being stubborn or not taking advice or not making valuable use of all the OT you put in, or any other management 101 stuff that can make you seek greener pastures...

 

[Mackeyser]

True enough.

Like many offensive minded HCs, they all have one thing in common: they are very hard on their QBs with very few exceptions. Andy Reid may be one, but most are hard on their QBs, almost notoriously so. It sure seems McVay has HIGH standards for the position.

That said, we've not heard even the slightest hint of him being hard to work with and if anything, he's praised for supporting his staff and paying it forward with respect to promotions.

It's always possible he is, but I seriously doubt it.

 

[ramsplaya16]

Honestly, I don’t care if he is. He can say to the media whatever he wants. His players LOVE playing for him, much like Belichik, and that’s what matters. As long as the players buy in, I’m good with it.

but I really don’t think he is, based off comments and indications of how others have spoken about him.

also, meant to ask, same AR from that old CR forum back in the day?

 

[AvengerRam]

Honestly, I don’t care if he is. He can say to the media whatever he wants. His players LOVE playing for him, much like Belichik, and that’s what matters. As long as the players buy in, I’m good with it.

but I really don’t think he is, based off comments and indications of how others have spoken about him.

also, meant to ask, same AR from that old CR forum back in the day?

One and the same asshole from ClanRam that everyone knew and loved!

 

[ramsplaya16]

One and the same asshole from ClanRam that everyone knew and loved!

You seem more mellow now haha good to see you again old friend.

 

[ottoman89]

Maybe he holds people accountable and has standards?

I'm not arguing because I know, just devil's advocate.. but that's my argument back.

 

[AvengerRam]

Maybe he holds people accountable and has standards?

I'm not arguing because I know, just devil's advocate.. but that's my argument back.

I think you make a good point in that, as a leader, sometimes you have to do things that might make individuals think you are an asshole when, in fact, you’re looking out for the good of the collective.

 

[thirteen28]

I don't really care if he's an asshole or not. Asshole-ishness or the lack thereof doesn't seem to be the determining factor in which a coach is successful.

What I do care about is stubbornness and willing to hold himself accountable before blaming others. Over the last two years, at press conference after press conference he has blamed himself and said he's got to do better. And yet we have seen little actual action to support those words. We've spent the bulk of our resources in the past two offseasons to upgrading the defense while the OL took a big step backwards. McVay has added few new innovations to the offense, and instead seems to be designing it mostly to cover up the OL weakness. His playcalling has often times been predictable enough for a casual fan to see, much less other teams. It took him a long time to finally move somewhat away from the constant 11 personnel formations after it was figured out in late 2018 (and that played a significant role in costing us a Super Bowl).

In short, he has showed little if anything to indicate that he really needs to change some things up if he wants his offense to get back to being a high performing unit. And now it appears that he and Snead want to scapegoat Goff while taking little action to acknowledge his own role in the offense's struggles. Not a good look at all.

 

[ottoman89]

I think you make a good point in that, as a leader, sometimes you have to do things that might make individuals think you are an asshole when, in fact, you’re looking out for the good of the collective.

I'm not saying he is it isn't, but I've heard Snead and other coaches day that he has certain standards and expectations and to me, if people aren't meeting them or performing at them whether it be coaches or players, he probably has a problem with it and can be an asshole. But in this league you probably have too. You have such a small chance of being a real good, successful coach, and I'm sure you have to hold people accountable or it makes you look bad.

 

[Deac]

Expectations and holding people accountable are different than being an asshole, but if you hold true to those 2 tenants, you will always be an asshole to somebody....

 

[OldSchool]

The rah rah we not me has certainly either evolved or been dropped from his shtick.

 

[Merlin]

You don't get to head coach in the NFL at 31 by being a nice guy. But that aside I think his high expectations are part of the package.

 

[Loyal]

When Dan Orlovsky was released after being with the Rams for a couple of months and then was realesed by Sean McVay's Rams. He was supposed to mentor Jared Goff...

"When people go back on their word, that's all you need to know about them.#integrity
Actions>Words

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) September 5, 2017 "

This was during the "We, Not Me" phase

 

[Rambitious1]

Is McVay an asshole?

Don’t know, don’t care.

 

[Angry Ram]

If the asshole way means 4 straight winning seasons, be an asshole.

 

[dang]

Rather he be a successful asshole than a unsuccessful nice guy.

 

[Deac]

If we want a nice guy I'm sure Scott Linehan is available

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Unless there is a report..even 1 report of him being difficult to work with, we shouldn't even be considering this. His assistant coaches are getting promotions elsewhere every year. These guys aren't leaving because he's difficult, they're leaving because other teams want to quickly hire them for higher level positions after they work with McVay. There are coaches in or heading to the Hall of Fame who McVay's "coaching tree" is well on its way of surpassing. It speaks for itself.

We lose assistant coaches...due to promotions with other teams...every year. It speaks to the quality of our head coach and our front office.

People are acting like this is something new, when its literally been happening every year since McVay has been the head coach.

 

[Loyal]

If we want a nice guy I'm sure Scott Linehan is available

I'd hire him ~ Billy Devaney