The Rams wrapped up their first full-padded practice of the week on Wednesday afternoon at Cal Lutheran. On Saturday, the team will return to the Coliseum to face the Chargers in Week 3 of preseason action.
*WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM GOFF? *
More of the same.
Goff has been steadily improving on field throughout the preseason, becoming a more vocal leader and a strong presence at the line of scrimmage. Over the two exhibition contests, he has completed 19-of-24 passes for 194 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
On Wednesday, McVay expressed his satisfaction with Goff's progress thus far and said he will continue to look for steady improvement from the quarterback this weekend.
"I think you want to see consistency," McVay said. "If you can string together good decisions, throw the ball with great timing, rhythm, and accuracy, that's going to give you the chance to play the quarterback position at a high level [and] I thought he did a good job of that last week….I want to see the same type of thing this week moving onto an excellent defense with the Chargers."
After leading the Rams to three scoring drives against the Raiders, Goff said he and the rest of the team have gained confidence moving forward. But the development of the offense as a whole, from last year to this year, has been anything but surprising for its starting quarterback.
"It wasn't like it was shocking," Goff said of the offensive production against the Raiders. "It's something that we expected to do. We expected to play like that, we expect to play well and we expect to move the football."
JUST ANOTHER STEP ON THE LADDER
At least that's what wide receiver Robert Woods had to say when asked about the Rams' progress heading into Saturday's game.
"Everybody is excited by our play in Oakland, but it's just a preseason game, it's early," Woods said after practice. "It's really just one step up the ladder."
Week 3, he says, will present the team with another one.
"We looked good this past game, but it's just consistency. That's the biggest thing we want is every time we hit the field [to] have a consistent drive and put up points," Woods added.
This week the Rams' will face the team across town in the Chargers. And though there has been much made of a growing rivalry between both L.A. teams, McVay doesn't quite see it that way.
"What it does, is it offers a great opportunity for two teams, in a great market, to try to put a sound product out there," McVay said. "I think it'd be a little different if we were both in the NFC."
And while the teams' two joint practices did feature a few intense moments between the players, Woods said he hopes his team will "handle [themselves], just go out there and play [their] game."
"We have our own goals, our own purpose — just going out there and running our plays, to execute, to put up points," he said. "And our main objective is to win the game."
PARTICIPATION REPORT
Before Wednesday's practice, the Rams signed defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker, waiving defensive tackle A.J. Jefferson as a corresponding move. The addition of Walker further boosts the Rams' depth on defense.
Cornerbacks Kevin Peterson, Michael Jordan, and Troy Hill did not participate in today's session along with linebackers Mark Barron and Robert Quinn. Joining them on the sidelines this afternoon was wide receiver Nelson Spruce.
Spruce has been set back this preseason with mild injuries, similar to his situation last year when he went down with a knee injury after a standout performance in Week 1. McVay said the staff "feels good about the receiver depth" that they do have — calling Spruce "a conscientious football player, [who] has a good feel for the game" when he's been available.
The receiver will continue to rehab in the hopes of making the 53-man roster come the regular season.
PRESS POINTS
After practice McVay was asked about the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight happening directly after the Ram's matchup with the Chargers. Catch up on who he believes will take the fight and watch his full interview below.
On who he is picking in the Floyd Mayweather - Connor McGregor fight: "It's going to be an interesting fight. I have a lot of respect for both of those guys. I think McGregor has been excellent as a UFC fighter. Mayweather is one of the best fighters of all-time, in terms of boxing. I think I'll have to go with my guy that's the boxer.
