Skip to main content
Advertising

Rams News | Los Angeles Rams - therams.com

From the Podium: Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, Mike LaFleur, Raheem Morris, Chase Blackburn and Cooper Kupp preview Wild Card Round playoff game at Lions

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Rams head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford each held press conferences with local media Wednesday, discussing Stafford playing the Lions in Detroit for the first time, Stafford's time there, and more.

On Thursday, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn and wide receiver Cooper Kupp met with the media and discussed Jared Goff and the Lions offense, Detroit's defense, and more. 

Here are some of the highlights and key takeaways from those conversations.

"We're just taking it a day at a time (with Jordan Fuller). We'll use all the time that we have." – McVay

  • There's no change in the status of of Fuller (ankle), as McVay reiterated Monday that Fuller is still day-to-day and that they will still use all the time available to them to make a determination on his availability for Sunday.
  • Fuller did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

"I was asked this question a couple times just by friends and family, and I think the biggest thing for me is just go experience whatever that experience is gonna be." – Stafford

  • Asked what kind of reception he's expecting in Detroit, Stafford said "he's not expecting anything, to be honest with you," and taking the above approach to whatever it may look like. 
  • "I understand what the people of Detroit and what the city of Detroit meant to me and my time and my career, what they meant to my family. I hope they feel that back," Stafford said. "But at the same time, I'm not a stranger to the situation in understanding that I'm the bad guy coming to town. I'm on the other team, and they don't want success for me. So whatever happens, happens."

"Reached out to him and told him I'm proud of him." – Donald

  • Donald said he and Goff "have a good relationship," and that he reached out to Goff to tell him how proud of him he was based on the growth he's observed.
  • Goff has completed a career-best 67.3% of his pass attempts for 4,575 yards with 30 touchdowns against 12 interceptions this season.

"When nine's dressed, everyone that's a Ram knows you got a shot in the fight." – LaFleur

  • Beyond the numbers, what best speaks to the impact Stafford has had in getting Los Angeles to this point is the confidence he instills in everyone in the building.
  • "It's not any extra pressure, it's just him being him," LaFleur said.

"(The offensive line), it looks like their head coach." – Morris

  • The toughness and physicality of Detroit's offensive line embodies its head coach Dan Campbell, according to Morris.
  • "Built from the trenches," Morris said. "They've got some special players up there."

"He's a pro. He's been through this before. But I think at the same point, he was so excited to come back." – Blackburn

  • Blackburn said the phone call bringing Maher back was "awesome" because of how excited and encouraged Maher was to return to the Rams for a second stint.
  • Blackburn also said that what helped is the "real conversations" they had after Maher's first stint ended and how they both saw things from the same perspective.

"He's having a great year." – Kupp

  • Kupp said Goff is still making some big-time throws, which is consistent with what he's done throughout his career, and also stayed in the pocket to deliver balls to "some spots that you just don't think they're gonna go get here, and he does it." 
  • Kupp also noted Goff's command of Detroit's offense, the way he's leading teammates and how he's managing the game have been "pretty special."

Related Content

Advertising