Sean McVay – Rams-Raiders Scrimmage Media Availability
(Opening Remarks)
“It was a good day today. Really similar format that we’ll follow tomorrow, but I thought it was really competitive for both sides. Two good teams being able to get some great work in. A lot of different situations and looking forward to looking at this tape and then coming back with a similar format tomorrow.”
(On how he would assess how QB Jared Goff played today)
“I thought he played really well. There’s always going to be some things that we can learn from. Especially in some of those periods where you’re not seeing a rush. Whether it be seven-on-seven, really it is just a seven-on-seven, but I thought in general, I thought he did a great job getting the guys in and out of the huddle, great command. I thought overall, it was a much sharper day just in terms of the communication, the urgency that is expected and really what the standards that those guys have set and Jared’s certainly the one leading the way.”
(On an off-schedule throw to TE Gerald Everett in the endzone)
“It was good. There was a lot of traffic in there. Had to be a perfect throw.”
(On if he is starting to see Goff working outside the program)
“We talk about it all the time – the ownership that we want and the extension of the coaching staff. He certainly has demonstrated that where he’s able to really command a lot where he’s kind of just taking it, running with it. He understands the intent, what we want to get done and then I think the natural off-schedule plays, those are just a guy being a great playmaker. Certainly, as coaches, you try to stay within the timing and rhythm, but it’s an imperfect game with 22 moving parts on every single snap. I think the guys that really separate themselves are the guys that have the ability to create outside the timing and rhythm of sometimes what it’s drawn up to do. I think that’s naturally happened. He’s been a guy that’s always done that. I thought he made a handful of plays last year and if the opportunity presents itself, whether it be creating with your legs, buying time, big eyes down the field. That’s a collaborative effort, but certainly Jared made some big time plays. First play of the team period, really when he found (WR) Robert (Woods), he got flushed from the pocket on a play-action. There’s a handful that felt like they were great plays by him and guys working off-schedule.”
(On if those plays feel good in a practice setting)
“Absolutely. This is a great chance to really get another look from a different defensive structure. Same thing for our defense, going against another offense. These are invaluable opportunities and a little bit more of a controlled setting, like you’ve heard us talk about. I thought it was good work for both sides. But, yeah, those are fun plays. It’s just good to get out here and see these guys compete and get some work in and something that we can all learn from.”
(On what his comment was to RB Todd Gurley II and if his pass protection is an underrated part of his game)
“Absolutely. It was great eye progression by him and then you talk about an outstanding job stepping up. It was when (Oakland S) Lamarcus (Joyner) came off, he had a handful of good pickups, but the one where we ended up hitting (WR Cooper) Kupp down the left sideline, just big-time recognition. I think those are the things that the people that are really studying day-in and day-out. You have such an appreciation for what Todd does without the ball. Certainly, he gets a lot of credit for the production with the ball, whether it be scoring touchdowns, rush yards or receiving yards. What I think really puts him in that upper echelon in that top-tier level is the ability to play without the ball. Those are things that might go unnoticed outside, but certainly don’t go unnoticed in our building. Guys appreciate that and I know his teammates do. That’s a huge point of emphasis and something we never take for granted.”
(On if Gurley will practice tomorrow)
“That’s a good question. I think we’ll probably keep with the same deal, every other day off. I would say more likely than not, I’ll find out exactly how he’s feeling, what that work load looks like, but the plan going in was to get today and then rest him tomorrow.”
(On what kind of presence Oakland S Lamarcus Joyner will bring to the Raiders locker room and what he’s going to bring as a playmaker in the secondary)
“He’s a playmaker in the secondary. I think when you talk about, ‘I see better than I hear.’ Watching the way that Lamarcus Joyner competes every single snap is what you love about him. He’s got a contagious enthusiasm and a juice with just the way he goes about his business. When you’ve got some of your top-tier players that you just say, ‘This is what it looks like. Watch (No.) 29. Watch Lamarcus Joyner playing the nickel spot at a high level.’ That can’t help but become the new standard. I’m a big fan of Lamarcus. He was instrumental in a lot of the success we had over the last couple years and I wish him nothing but the best. They’ve got a good one here in him.”
(On how he’s feeling about the schedule for Gurley)
“Todd is the only one that can appropriately answer that. He’s feeling good. He’s making steady progressions. It’s been a slow build, not necessarily a slow build, but it’s been a progressive build, if you will. It’s all still geared towards that opener against the Panthers, but he hasn’t had any sort of setbacks. He’s feeling great and that’s important. The biggest thing, too, is when you have Todd out here, the positive influence that he has on his team, on his teammates and really just kind of like what I was saying about Lamarcus. Todd has that same infectious personality and that contagious enthusiasm. The way he goes about snap-in and snap-out. It’s great to have Todd out here with us.”
(On what he’s looking forward to seeing at the preseason game coming up and what message he has to say to some of the younger players)
“I’s about let’s have another great practice tomorrow. We want to just stay in the moment, make sure we’re maximizing every single opportunity. We just finished our seventh practice that we’ve had of training camp where you’re doing some things full speed. We’re still really in the early stages, even though this has been the third practice we’ve had against another opponent. Tomorrow represents another chance to take a step in the right direction to accumulate some different things that we’re going against defensively and offensively and special teams. Once we get to the game, it is going to represent an opportunity for some of our younger players to compete, get a chance to do their thing. That’s why it’s good for us, outside of some of the scripted practice settings, to be able to get some of our younger players the developmental work that they need so that they can play to the best of they’re ability because it’s very important to those guys. We want to try to help them succeed on Saturday.”
