WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – On Monday, head coach Sean McVay said the Rams' bye week came "at a good time" after the team started 1-4 while enduring a number of injuries. He said it was nice to spend time with the family while giving everyone a chance to relax and reflect on the successes and failures of the first five weeks.
On Wednesday, McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford spoke with the media about injury circumstances and the team's post-bye mindset heading into their Week 7 matchup with the Raiders. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and defensive coordinator Chris Shula then met with the media on Thursday.
Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from the press conferences, which can be viewed below:
"(Having Cooper Kupp changes playcalling) significantly, but it is about the players and I think that's one of the things that you have to do a good job of. I've always said, when people ask 'what do you think makes a good coach?' I think it's flexibility, adjustability and adaptability. There are certain foundational things you want to do, but ultimately, it's always about your players." - McVay
McVay said Kupp is "trending in the right direction" to possibly play against the Raiders. Kupp will go through individual workouts and they will proceed from there. That may force McVay to prepare for the Raiders multiple ways, developing plans with Kupp and without Kupp. It's all about finding ways "to put (players) in situations and circumstances that give them the best chance for success," with respect to what the opponent presents, McVay said.
The Raiders, who just traded star wide receiver Davante Adams to the Jets, are 2-4 and still finding their footing, but McVay sees "a team that plays hard on film." He said they present "a lot of issues" from a personnel perspective and are "well-coached." He called out tight end Brock Bowers in particular, saying "there isn't anything he can't do," and they are focused on solving the problems he and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers presents with their secondary play.
"I think the whole team is (embracing competition), I can't pick out one person to be honest with you. I think everybody's doing everything they can to be the best version of themself. Whether that's competing with someone else in their room or DBs trying to cover receivers, receivers trying to get open against DBs or competing with yourself, whatever it is." - Stafford
Entering the bye week, McVay said the team would "evaluate everything" and encourage competition throughout the entire team. Stafford said that everyone has taken that to heart and is coming out of the week off with a drive to compete against others and themselves.
Stafford also said that Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby "jumps off the tape" as a relentless and efficient pass rusher. He added that his motor is "as good or better" than anyone else he's watched on tape. He talks a lot of trash but "he can back it up," Stafford said.
In terms of his own health, Stafford had some back soreness after the Week 5 game, but said he feels good and the bye week "came at a decent time for me personally," echoing McVay's sentiment. He added that the feeling in the locker room is that guys are "excited to be back" with two home games on the horizon and a chance to start moving in the right direction.
"Even stuff leading up to the bye, I think you're making subtle adjustments after every game and... maybe it is changing the personnel or maybe just moving a couple guys within the scheme or doing something that they do a little bit better, putting them in a better position or maybe it is the calls... So, we're really looking at everything." - Shula
The Rams are currently allowing the most rushing yards per game in the NFL (157.6), and Shula is entertaining all possible means for improvement. He said "you always draw on your past experiences," taking the good and overcoming the bad to achieve better results in areas of need.
In terms of the passing game, Shula acknowledged that the defensive line, especially outside linebackers Byron Young and Jared Verse, have generated a lot of pressures. He said that, in general, having "tighter coverage on the backend" helps turn some of those pressures into sacks.
The Raiders' tight ends, namely Brock Bowers, "bring a lot" to the table, Shula said. He's used in a variety of ways, which makes him tough to game plan for, but he said facing 49ers tight end George Kittle twice a year has helped them prepare for Bowers, as both players line up all over the field.
"(Crosby) is a stud. He's a game-wrecker. So much respect (for him). Last year was the first year I had to go against him per se (in joint practices)... You got to see him up close and how disruptive this guy can be, so what really stands out about him and this defense is he doesn't take a play off, ever." - LaFleur
LaFleur had some high praise for Crosby, saying he plays "the way this game should be played." Crosby enters this matchup against the Rams tied for fifth in the NFL in sacks (5.5) and tied for first in tackles for loss (nine). He's the lynchpin of the Las Vegas defense and LaFleur knows that the Rams' offensive success could be dictated by his presence.
Like McVay, LaFleur commented on how hard the Raiders' defense plays, saying they will "have our hands full" on Sunday. While wide receiver Cooper Kupp's status for Week 7 is still up in the air, LaFleur knows how valuable having him back would be in a game that could help the Rams get back in the win column: "He's been there, he's done that, he's played at a high level since he's gotten in this league and so any time he's out on the field, we're going to be a better offense."
