Head Coach Ben McAdoo
October 19, 2016
Q: The last time you guys played the Rams, it got pretty chippy with Odell Beckham Jr. and some of their players. Are you concerned about that at all?
A: No. We're just focused on playing a solid game of football overseas right now.
Q: How is Odell's hip?
A: He didn't practice today; he was out today. He's pretty sore.
Q: Are you concerned he'll miss the game?
A: I'll take it day-by-day.
Q: Do you have to do anything on the flight over as far as the guys who are injured stiffening up?
A: They'll have plenty of room. We're going to move them up as far as we can on the plane and give them plenty of room to get their rest.
Q: With a guy like Odell, when he's battling something, do you have to make different game plans depending on whether or not he's playing?
A: We have a plan for the opponent and there's always contingency plans if someone can't go.
Q: How did Eli Apple do today?
A: He moved around well, he was limited but he moved around well in the work he got.
Q: What about Nat Berhe?
A: Berhe, not so well, we had to pull him early.
Q: So that would make Sunday?
A: He was limited.
Q: So he's back in the protocol?
A: He was limited, and yes, he's still in the protocol.
Q: He left early...
A: He never got to a contact practice.
Q: What made him leave early, was it headaches?
A: He was still in the protocol.
Q: Zak DeOssie?
A: Zak did not practice.
Q: When you decide to fly there on Thursday (night), why did you make that choice rather than earlier in the week?
A: We wanted to get our heavy lifting done early. Get on a normal week at the beginning of the week. Get plenty of rest in and give them an opportunity to get ahead of the game as far as that goes and then battle through our fresh Friday over there.
Q: Do you have concerns about jet lag?
A: No.
Q: Concerning the NFL in London, how do you feel the game has grown internationally over the years and do you believe we'll ever see a day where there's a full-time team in London?
A: You never say never. You hear talk about it. I'm sure there are plans in place if it ever does get to that, but it's still early for that.
Q: In the first six games, what are your thoughts on Janoris Jenkins and how he’s played? Jeff Fisher says he is playing as well as any corner in the league.
A: He's playing good football; he's aggressive, he's a competitor. Everything as advertised. The thing that surprises you is that you really don't know what a guy is like until you get him in here and he's a tremendous leader. Tremendous example for the young players.
Q: With some of the injuries you've had with the secondary, how important is he?
A: He's playing great football right now, so he's been important for the whole team.
Q: What kind of problems can Aaron Donald create for an offensive line?
A: He's very quick, athletic, his first step is hard to find in another three technique in the league. He's very twitchy. You have to account for him in the pass game.
Q: As someone who's seen a lot of quarterbacks over the years, what can you say about the play of Case Keenum this season?
A: He looks like he found his rhythm.
Q: How much is Donald someone who gets double and triple teamed from what you've seen?
A: Usually three techniques. He's a guy that in pass protection, he's on the guard pretty much one-on-one. You'll see you the centers or tackles drag him to try to get three hands on him quite a bit.
Q: I know you said that you want to stay committed to the run, but at some point do you have to move away from it due to the lack of success?
A: Never.
Q: What do you think has been the issue with it?
A: We just need to improve. We've had a couple of down weeks. Confident in the guys to step it up this week. Again, it's not just the offensive line, it's a combination of everything, play caller included, and we all have to get it going.
Q: You've run a lot even on the goal line with three wide receivers. What's your thinking with doing that by the goal line?
A: Just create extra gaps.
Q: Wouldn't it be better to create extra gaps with bigger guys?
A: We try to get the best players on the field to create the best matchups we can, it's a matchup league.
Q: You still have Rashad Jennings on the injury report, what have you seen from him?
A: We're just taking it slow with him. We want to be smart and limit his exposure.
Q: I don't think Orleans Darkwa played a snap last week, is that a game-by-game thing, his playing time?
A: Yes.
Q: He wasn't a huge part of special teams, which he was beforehand. What went into that decision?
A: Take it game-by-game.
Q: On Todd Gurley.
A: He's a very talented back. He's a guy that you definitely don't want to get a full head of steam going. He can lower the shoulder, lower the boom on you. He can also make you miss. Very talented player.
Q: Is Odell's hip pointer injury the same thing from the game or did something else happen?
A: Same thing from the game.
Q: The Rams do have a reputation for being kind of chippy, have you seen that in the tapes this year?
A: No, they look like a sound football team. I don't see any extracurricular on tape.
Q: With Odell, you say he's really sore. Is there a concern that it's going to linger?
A: We'll take it day-by-day. He's with the trainers today and we'll see how he responds when he gets up in the morning tomorrow.
Q: Does he need to practice to be able to play in the game?
A: If he's ready to play in the game, he'll play in the game.
Q: With the London trip, what do you think is the biggest adjustment for the players, the mental or physical?
A: I think it's focus. I think we have to make sure that we dial in on the work that we're doing here and not think about the trip ahead. Make sure we get our normal down and distance work done today and our situational football done tomorrow. That's the biggest thing, our focus and to make sure we're in the moment.
Q: And by the time they actually get to London and they actually kick it off, is all of that planned out?
A: The plan is in, it'll be a mental day. A focus and concentration day on Friday and then we'll get some speed work and launch on Saturday.
Q: Will you do full pads tomorrow like usual or a lighter day because of the travel?
A: No, we'll pull the pads off tomorrow. We'll be smart with our repetitions and our time on the field.
Q: A guy like Coty Sensabaugh, who was just there, can you learn anything from him?
A: He's doing a nice job adjusting to what we're asking to do and that's our focus.
