(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: The Rams have officially started their 2023 Organized Team Actvities (OTA) Off-season Workouts with the regular use of their training facilities as well as offering media availabilities for its personnel interested in getting a good start on the new season. Here are the Rams’ dates as listed by NFL Operations: OTA Off-season Workouts / May 22-23, May 25, May 30-May 31, June 2, June 5-8. After the OTA workout period, there will be a Mandatory Mini-camp from June 13-15.

On 5/23, at the Ram’s Training Facility, located on the campus of Cal Lutheran University, interviews were held with Head Coach, Sean McVay and returning starting QB, Matthew Stafford. Here is the very important transcript that covers a wide-range of questions from the media as well as many topics of great interest to their fan-base. 

Head Coach Sean McVay & QB Matthew Stafford Transcripts – 5/23

[Head Coach Sean McVay]

(On being careful with OL Joe Noteboom and OL Logan Bruss)…“Yeah so Logan was out here yesterday just being careful like you mentioned, and then Joe’s making good progress. We kind of always knew that he would just take part in some individual, do some stuff with (Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie (Scott) and those guys off to the side and hopefully he’ll be ready to roll for training camp.”

(On how OL AJ Arcuri and OL Tremayne Anchrum Jr. have looked…“They’ve done good. It’s been just a couple days. AJ had a little stomach flu yesterday, so this was his first day. Just from the outside looking in, I thought he did a good job, had a good demeanor. It seemed like it was just an overall sharper day in general, really from both sides. There’s so many guys out here doing stuff for the first time, but it’s definitely been enjoyable. Guys are doing a great job coaching, providing that clarity and we just want to be able to continue to take steps, but there’s a lot of fresh energy and I feel like we can practice a lot more with this group.”

(On if he feels a renewed sense of importance with culture because of all the new coaches and players)…“I think so, and I think in a lot of instances those are things that when you just reflect back, you take for granted and you never want to do that again. And so, these guys have brought the right energy, both players and coaches every single day with that work ethic, the enthusiasm, the ability to be present and they’re bringing the right vibe and that excites me. It’s fun just being able to see the amount of guys that have the right kind of bounce in their step and you can see, whether it was from phase one to phase two, looking at a couple days of being out here on the grass with these guys being able to do some real football-related stuff. We want to be able to maximize every single day and enjoy being out here.”

(On DL Aaron Donald and WR Cooper Kupp being absent)…“They had some family stuff that they’re taking care of. This has been consistent. We knew about this for a long time. These guys are engaged. Aaron was here for the first parts of it, but this was always part of the plan to be able to be with his family a little bit and some of the things that he’s got to handle. And then hopefully sooner rather than later, Cooper and Anna will be expecting their third (child). But those guys have done a great job communicating, staying engaged, and they know everything that’s going on, so (I) feel good about that dialogue that’s existed.”

(On if he expects Kupp to participate at all in OTAs)…“I think we’ll just take that a day at a time. Whenever he does come back, we’ll be smart with how we kind of onboard him and get him back up to speed. He’s the kind of guy, he’s doing a lot of stuff, keeping himself ready to go. But in his absence, taking care of number one priority which is obviously incredibly important, you’re getting a lot of these younger guys or some of these guys to be able to establish a rapport with (QB) Matthew (Stafford). We’re talking about whether it’s (WR) Van (Jefferson), whether it’s (WR) Tutu (Atwell), (WR) Puka (Nacua), (WR) Ben (Skowronek), guys are getting opportunities, with some of the new tight ends that we have, to just get a feel and for Matthew to be able to establish and develop a rapport that we didn’t get a chance to do last year and those are always chances to be able to improve. So those guys will be ready to go, (I) know that they’re doing the right stuff on their own and when they’re back with us, we’ll obviously be excited about that as well.”

(On Stafford working with Offensive Coordinator Mike LaFleur and Quarterbacks Coach/Pass Game Coordinator Zac Robinson working with the young players)…“I think they’ve both done a great job. Both Zac and Mike have been instrumental really in a lot of the young guys, not exclusive to just the quarterback position. Mike sees the game through a great lens. He’s super smart. You can feel when you’ve led and you’ve been in the situations that he’s been in, whether it be in San Francisco, Atlanta prior to that, even Cleveland or with the Jets. He’s got a great ability to understand the game from an all-22 perspective. He’s a great communicator. He and Matthew established a real quick rapport. Mike’s a hard guy not to like. He loves what he does and Zac’s a lot of the same. Zac has a real familiarity with what we’ve been doing the last couple years. I think Mike came in and it’s a lot of the same foundational principles but little tweaks here and there that can only help us be better offensively. And so those guys have done a great job with both Matthew, but also the younger quarterbacks. I’ve been really impressed with (QB) Stetson (Bennett) and (QB) Dresser (Winn), but also (QB) Brett Rypien came in and he’s done an excellent job. You can see a guy that’s been in a similar system, has a good command, just great demeanor in the huddle and it’s been fun. I’ve been enjoying watching those guys do their thing.”

(On where OL Logan Bruss is in his development)…“Well, he’s done a good job physically getting himself ready to go. I think early on in camp, never really got a chance to get his feet wet appropriately. Had some good things that occurred in the preseason games and then he ends up hurting his knee. So that rehab process took a while, but physically he looks good. There were some good things that he did out there yesterday that was encouraging. A little sore, which we kind of expected and so we were smart with him. So I think the big thing for him is just keep taking steps. Don’t get discouraged in the least bit if you have to be able to take a day and let’s control the things that we can control. I like where he’s at. I think our strength staff and really Reggie and his group have done a good job of physically getting him ready to go and then we’re looking forward to continuing to evaluate him and him go cut it loose and have fun.”

(On if having so many young and new players makes a difference to the approach of the coaching staff)…“Significant. It’s a lot different because we get a chance to practice a lot more. There’s a real importance on…When we’ve had the continuity that we’ve had in years past, you can really say, ‘Hey, these guys have played a lot of snaps let’s make sure that we’re smart and cognizant of, alright, we just finished up in the middle of February. How do we get them ready to go by the time training camp and what’s the best way to supplement that?’ Whereas, hey, you get better at football by being able to play it and especially with a lot of guys that haven’t done that. So really this is the closest thing since 2018 in terms of actually doing some real team work. You still want to be smart just based on the parameters that are set around OTAs and things like that, but it’s very different and it’s refreshing. You got a lot of guys that are eager and excited about their opportunities. I think there was a handful of guys that played last year that could develop some confidence, (and) say, ‘Okay, I’ve been here,’ and then we were able to really reestablish how do we want to operate? What are the ways that we’re teaching these things to make it as digestible as possible for the players? What are the solves? How can you get a little bit ahead of it? And I can’t say enough about the job our coaching staff has done and we know we want to continue to do that every single day from here on out.”

(On transitioning Bennett from college to the NFL and if that gives him any perspective)…“It has, and really, it’s a little bit different, but he’s really smart. Both he and Dresser are really conscientious guys. It’s a totally different vernacular and so in a lot of instances, sometimes you’re getting plays communicated with just flashing a card in college. I do think once you get comfortable with it, that’s an advantage that we have and that’s why it’s so important to be able to make sure that you’re building the foundations. It’s not just, alright, let’s just memorize a script, but I have really no idea what I’m saying in terms of the formations, the way I’m setting the protection, where’s the concept? What type of read is it based on whatever the defense presents? And so, there is a ton of information. You don’t take that for granted. I think you want to just be able to build in bite-size increments, but there is an element too where you get out there and even in some of the seven-on-sevens today, the guy sees space, has a feel for it, can throw the ball with accuracy and anticipation, but that will be a steeper learning curve. Yeah, that’s definitely something that we haven’t had to do in a while, but the guys that we have had to do it with, whether it was a (QB) John Wolford or (QB) Baker (Mayfield), those guys were really quick studies and they had at least accumulated some experience so it is a little bit different than anything we’ve done.”

[Quarterback Matthew Stafford]

(On what it feels like to be back on the field and throwing again)…“It’s been good. It’s been fun. Obviously, a lot of new faces. A lot of young guys out here, so it’s been a lot of fun getting to work with some of those guys and just getting out here playing a little bit of football.”

(On what he’s seen from younger guys such a WR Puka Nacua…“Yeah, it’s been good exposure for those guys. I know it’s probably a lot for those guys right now, but it’s a lot of fun to kind of try to teach them on the fly and they’re doing a great job of trying to grasp what they can grasp and lean on the vets to kind of help them out along the way. Puka has done a nice job. He’s gotten some reps really in all three groups. Every time I look up, he’s running around somewhere. So, he’s done a nice job, made some catches for us. But it’s really just trying to develop all these guys. Let them see what an NFL practice looks like, what it feels like, how to stay off the ground, all those kinds of things. And that’s what this time is for and then just trying to get out there and execute our offense.”

(On how it feels to be able to throw during OTAs in comparison to last year)…“Yeah, it’s great. It’s nice to be able to go out there and throw and get work with the guys. At this point last year, I wasn’t throwing at all. I wasn’t really doing much, so I love playing. I love being out here so it’s nice to be able to be out here with the guys.”

(On his reaction to the team drafting offensive linemen)…“Yeah, I mean it’s great. I think the biggest thing for me is just I want, like everybody here wants, is just all of these guys to succeed. I want all of them to succeed as best they possibly can. I think coaches, myself, veterans on the team, we have a big part in that and then those guys got to want to do it and do all that. But just want to try and help those guys succeed because the more those guys that are successful in their own right, the better we’re going to be as a team.”

(On how the other quarterbacks have been doing)…“It’s been great. I think all three of those guys have come in and done a nice job just being themselves. Obviously, the two young guys learning what it’s like to be in an NFL locker room. Out there on the practice field I think they’re doing a great job holding their own and just going out there and learning and executing. And ‘Rip’ (QB Brett Rypien) has done a nice job of stepping in and taking some of those reps and throw it great.”

(On OL Alaric Jackson’s personality and his presence on the left side of the offensive line)…“Yeah, I think he’s a competitive guy. I think it comes out in his attitude probably when you guys talk to him, but also when he plays. Typical nasty offensive lineman and it’s fun to be around. He’s definitely a competitive guy that wants to get out there and play physical. It’s up to all those guys to go earn their spots, like it is everybody on our team. But just as much competition as we can possibly have at all the positions is a good thing for us.”

(On if he’s compared his time at Georgia with QB Stetson Bennett’s time at Georgia)…“No, they had it rolling better than I did (laughs). So, he did a nice job when he was there.”

(On if he thinks it’s weird that he was Georgia’s honorary captain in February, and now he and Bennett are teammates)…“Oh, not really. I’m weirder when people come up and say, ‘Oh, I watched you growing up and all that.’ I got six-year-old daughters and I think to myself, ‘Some of these guys were six when I started playing in the NFL,’ so it’s kind of hard to sit there and think about that.”

(On if Bennett told him that he grew up watching him)…“No, not him actually. Some other guys on the team, but I don’t know. It’s fun and I’m having a blast. All these young guys bring a lot of energy to the practice field and to the locker room.”

(On his thoughts on rookie RB Zach Evans)…“Yeah, it’s so difficult. It’s probably one of the toughest positions this time of year to really evaluate just considering nobody’s getting tackled and those guys make their money breaking tackles, so it’s hard to see. I know that he is doing a great job just trying to learn as much as he possibly can. This is a complex system that a lot of people come in from college step into and go, ‘Holy cow this is a lot.’ So you’re just doing everything you can to work hard, be here, and try to soak it up.”

(On why he’s now wearing a leg sleeve)…“I’m just going to keep putting more sleeves on my body as years ago, so just get used to it (laughs). No, I’m fine. I’m out here. I’m good.”

(On what his culture goal is for the young players at this time of the year)…“Yeah, I think just get out here and lead the way. I think so many of them are first time on a practice field in the NFL, first time in a meeting room and first time doing a lot of stuff. (I’m) just trying to do everything I can to help those guys, like I said earlier, succeed. Enjoy being around them because they bring great energy. I mean, this is such an exciting thing for them to be out here on a practice field in May. It’s my 15th time doing it, so it’s just a little bit different. I love feeding off their energy and then just try to lead the way any way I can.”        –RAMS–