WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Los Angeles is half a game back of first place in a wide open NFC West in the midst of a three-game win streak. And reinforcements are on the way. Offensive linemen Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila had their 21-day practice windows opened this week and could return from Injured Reserve (IR) ahead of this week's Monday Night Football game against Miami.
On Thursday, head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford spoke with the media about the team's offensive execution, the impact of the team's improving health and their upcoming matchup with the Dolphins.
Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from the press conferences, which can be viewed below:
"There's a definite difference in terms of when (quarterback Tua Tagovailoa) is in there (versus when he's not). You still see some parts of their offense and some of the things that (Dolphins head coach) Mike (McDaniel) will activate, but there's a difference when they've got their guy at the switch in there and so you're aware of that, but you can't ignore the other things that are part of the evaluation process... It's a different vibe, without a doubt, when he's in there." - McVay
The Dolphins' 2-6 record isn't a reflection of the team's talent. Tagovailoa has only played in four games this season, and exited one of them early with a concussion. Miami has scored at least 20 points in three of those four games, and McVay acknowledged that this offense presents a much more real threat with Tagovailoa under center.
On the other side of the ball, some of the longer-tenured Rams players and coaches will go against a familiar face in star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who was with the team from mid-2019 through 2022. McVay said that he is "one of those players that's so disruptive" that can impact the game as a blitzer, in man coverage and in zone coverage. His physicality and versatility also make him "a great player" who still has many of the traits that McVay prized in him as a Ram.
After watching the offensive film from last week's nail-biter in Seattle, McVay said their biggest issue right now is execution. He said "our best runs all got called back by things that didn't need to occur." McVay acknowledged that they were correct calls, but those actions didn't affect the play in a meaningful way and were unnecessary. McVay knows the team is "better than that," and will show that once they are able to address those controllable aspects of offensive execution.
"I have so much respect for who (Ramsey) is as a player, teammate, he affects the game in so many different ways even if, you know, like a lot of times guys are staying away from him, that's basically a one-for-one that he's taking away out there. So, he's doing a heck of a job like he always does... He's doing all the things you want from Jalen Ramsey... (I) had an amazing time playing with him as a teammate." - Stafford
Ramsey's athleticism still "jumps off the tape" at 30 years old, Stafford said. He can make an impact at any level of the defense and Stafford thinks "he's still got all the tools you want in a corner," and will be a challenge to prepare for.
Stafford said it was "great to have" Jackson and Avila back at practice, adding that "any time you get more really good football players out on our field in our offensive group, the better." Avila (knee) has been on IR since Week 2, while Jackson (shoulder) joined him after Week 2. Both interior linemen returned to practice this week and could be ready to play against the Dolphins on Monday.
Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who has caught four touchdowns from Stafford over the past two weeks, also received some high praise from his quarterback. Stafford said "for a guy his size, (Robinson) is sudden and explosive." Stafford said he "has a great feel for what's going to get him open," and that's been on display recently.
