LOS ANGELES – Both the Rams' offense and defense had standout performances on Day 8 of Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union. Wide receivers Puka Nacua and Konata Mumpfield snagged some tough catches on offense, while cornerback Derion Kendrick and safety Kam Kinchens secured interceptions.
Afterward, head coach Sean McVay and inside linebacker Nate Landman spoke with local media about the day's work along with impressions from camp at large. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences.
"People that look at stats, usually are probably worried about the wrong stuff... I have a lot of respect and appreciation for the different metrics, but what I'm interested in is as much consistent football as we can play. How do we progress throughout the season? I thought we continued to figure out and find our identity as the season progressed. Last year's over with. What I do like is I think we have a clear-cut idea of what we want to be." - McVay
It wasn't the idiom that former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris made famous: "Stats are for losers," but when McVay got some of the Rams' defensive ranks from last year thrown at him, he wasn't concerned. McVay is focused on what the film says, and it told him that the Rams improved against the run and the pass throughout last season while featuring an extremely young front that is only getting better.
Defensive end Kobie Turner is the lynchpin of that front, and McVay said they are "able to do things" that they frequent on the defensive line because of Turner's understanding and leadership. McVay said they were playing as well as anybody defensively near the tail-end of last season, and believes that can be built upon. That included an NFL playoff-record nine sacks against the Vikings in a wildcard win.
"Omar Speights has been outstanding. You can see he's really taken leaps in his second year, has real good ownership of what we're trying to get done." - McVay
There has been so much talk about the impact of Landman that last season's rookie standout at inside linebacker has been slightly overlooked. Speights has been sharp both mentally and physically. During OTAs, inside linebackers coach Greg Williams told theRams.com that Speights is "the definition of preparation and professionalism," and he's been just that during camp.
Wide receiver Davante Adams got the day off on Thursday, which McVay said was them simply "being smart" with the veteran going into his 12th season. However, Nacua was on the field stealing the show once again. McVay has been impressed with Nacua's eagerness to learn, especially from Adams. "Anybody that's great at their craft, they're continuous learners," he said, and that describes the Rams' star wideout to a tee.
Meanwhile, backup quarterback Stetson Bennett seems to have improved in a variety of areas, most importantly his confidence, McVay said. He's slinging the ball decisively and smiling, that enjoyment is an indication of his growth.
"I was born in Zimbabwe in Africa, moved here in 2002. And so it's a culture that I'm super proud of. A lot of my family still lives in Zimbabwe. So my tattoos represent that culture and it's something I hold near and dear to my heart." - Landman
Landman has worn the flag of Zimbabwe on his helmet since he entered the league in 2021. In the offseason, he said he'd like to continue that tradition to pay tribute to his family and culture. His dad, Shaun Landman, played professional rugby and has been a massive influence throughout his career – he told Landman to play "his game" and instilled discipline in him and his siblings.
This offseason, Landman has just tried to bring his on-field strengths to a team that already has an established culture. He's not trying to change anything, "because the culture here is amazing," but rather to add his personality and skill set into the team's foundation.
"I've always grown up in the defense where the... middle linebacker is kind of the quarterback of the defense directing traffic, and that's the place where I feel comfortable in. I think it elevates my game, allows me to know what the front's in, where the DBs are coming down, if this safety is coming down here on this motion." - Landman
Landman brings clear communication, leadership and controlled aggression to the middle of L.A.'s defense, along with a proclivity for forcing fumbles. He said finding opportunities to jar the ball loose without sacrificing the tackle itself is the key to that skill. "When you're tracking the hip on the tackle, it shows up right there, and there's your (opportunity)," Landman said.
He also gave props to the Rams' defensive front, saying "Those guys are insanely smart. They play super hard, they're running out of the stack, they're playmakers, they're talking, just guys that I can trust, guys that are elevating my game."
