WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Just days before their season opener against Houston, the Rams are fully healthy for the first time since training camp began. Head coach Sean McVay said everyone on the active roster was at practice on Wednesday, including quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) and offensive lineman Alaric Jackson (blood clots in lower leg).
McVay, Stafford, Jackson and wide receiver Davante Adams spoke with local media on Wednesday about their preparation for Houston ahead of Week 1. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences.
"I'm going to go play the game. Whatever happens, happens. I'm playing like I always play. I got no issues with a physical game. Obviously, would love to stay as clean as possible, but I'm not thinking twice about that at all. I'm out there ready to go play." - Stafford
Stafford said his back feels good and he's "ready to go" for Week 1, which means there won't be any lingering thoughts about his health or getting hit on Sunday against Houston. The Texans feature some elite pass rushers in defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., along with a secondary that's "as talented as anybody in the league," Stafford said. He added that it will be "a huge challenge" to start the season against that high-powered defense.
The connection between Stafford and Adams is something the football world is waiting to see on Sunday, and that rapport has grown stronger all offseason. "Every time we're stepping out on the grass together, we're getting better," Stafford said. "I'm learning him, he's learning me. We're talking about what we want to do on certain plays. And so all the time that we've had on the grass, and frankly off the grass, has been valuable time."
Stafford's approach to Week 1 hasn't changed much throughout his career, the biggest difference being it's the team's first game in a while. That comes with some "unknown" variables because teams can keep their schemes and game plans close to the vest. But most of all, Stafford said that Week 1 brings a heightened sense of excitement for the return of football season.
"(The Texans' defense is) good on paper and they're good on tape. (Head coach) DeMeco (Ryans) is a guy that I've always had a ton of respect for, but there's a very clear-cut philosophy. They've got the personnel to match how they want to be able to play with the way that their front rolls off the football. They've got dominant players on the second and third levels. They've got elite players on the outside." - McVay
McVay said that cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. "gets much-deserved recognition" for his outstanding play, while his opposite Kamari Lassiter is "excellent" as well. Meanwhile, safety Jalen Pitre, who also plays nickelback, is "as good as there is" at that position, as McVay highlighted his physicality and versatility. He also praised their deep pass rush rotation, led by Hunter and Anderson. "We got our work cut out for us," he said.
The Rams started preparing for the season opener a couple weeks before it, but more than anything, they're preparing "for the season as a whole," McVay said. Getting unscouted looks from teams early in the season is inevitable, and so teams have to play "rules ball" and "be careful not to chase ghosts," he added.
The Texans' offensive coordinator is former Rams tight ends coach and pass game coordinator Nick Caley, so L.A. does have some familiarity with what the scheme could look like on that side of the ball. McVay joked that he'd call up his old friend to try and find out what audibles quarterback C.J. Stroud has on-hand so they can be ready, after being asked about Stroud having the ability to do change protections and call audibles pre-snap for the first time in his career. He also praised Stroud for showing "clarity" and "ownership" over the Texans' offense and their objectives in his first two NFL seasons.
"So much of what (Stafford and I) do is what's not out here (on the practice field). So we actually got a lot of time to connect (while he was injured), and you get on the same page, and we get out here being able to time it up and go through some stuff, the live bullets obviously helps a lot too." - Adams
Both Adams and Stafford "have a really good understanding of this offense," Adams said, and that's help them sync their timing as the connection has grown stronger throughout the offseason. They've been able to note each other's tendencies, and as they start to play regular season games, "the timing will get better, but I think we're in a good place," Adams said.
In terms of Houston, Adams said they are "one of the best as far as star studded teams across the board on defense." That includes all three levels. But Adams and Stafford have a combined 27 years of experience, including some in this type of offense and against the Texans' defensive style. "We both have experience in this type of offense, so it can only help, but it doesn't do everything for you," he said.
"I was kind of in shock, honestly (after hearing about the blood clots) for a while. ... I'm in a good space now about it. " - Jackson
Jackson dealt with blood clots in 2022 as well, but this was slightly different. Back then, it was more of a "provoked clot" between two lungs. This time, it was in his lower leg, came "out of nowhere" and was "unprovoked." So, when asked if the two injuries are related, he said "it is and it isn't."
But after working off to the side throughout training camp and much of the preseason, Jackson expects to play in Week 1. He's "not surprised at all" about that, even though his status seemed to be in question for a while. Jackson credited the team doctors and specialists for helping him through the process, one that is ongoing, as he'll have to do an ultrasound after each game and continued testing.
