Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher – Training Camp Post-Practice – August 17, 2016
(Opening Remarks)
“We just finished our second day of back-to-back padded practices and I thought, for the most part, it was pretty good. The temperature is up a little bit and we got some work done – it was kind of spirited – we had another nine-on-seven drill where we were focusing on the run game. So I thought things looked pretty well. As you know, once you get to tomorrow, then we start kind of getting focused and prepping for the preseason game. All in all, I think we’re in a good situation; we’ve had a few guys that did not practice today. ‘Higgs’ (TE Tyler Higbee) didn’t practice, (RB Aaron) Green didn’t practice – they’ve not been ruled out for the game by any means, but they needed a break. (T) Isaiah Battle went in, he had an issue in the pass rush over here – they took him in (to the locker room). He’s been dealing with a little knee issue and some swelling and I think it kind of buckled on him. It doesn’t look like there’s anything serious. We still have not ruled him out for the game. (DE) Rob Quinn will be on his way back (from the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro) – I just got a text, I can’t verify it, but I think she (Quinn’s sister Jasmine Camacho-Quinn) hit the hurdle. She was winning and she – did you guys know, is that what you heard? He was excited, she was in position and then she stumbled over the hurdle. Anyway, too bad for her, but what a great experience for Rob to get down there and to see here. So he’ll be back with us, hopefully tomorrow.”
(On the feistiness at the end of practice)
“It’s going to happen. Guys were pushing and shoving, but the important thing they have to realize is that at that point in the drive, we had to hurry up to kill the ball, so we could get the points. It was a before the half drive and the offensive linemen got a little feisty and they were pushing and they weren’t paying attention to get up and kill the ball. A penalty will kill you – a 10-second run off and you don’t get a chance for points. Plus, sometimes you don’t get a chance to get the ball off. That’s where practice is so valuable, because of the learning experience and we’ll discuss those things with them tonight.”
(On if he ever tells a defensive player to try to bait an offensive player into doing that during practice to see how the offense handles it)
“No, we don’t do anything like that. We discuss those things in meetings and we prepare them in the event that that will happen. To me, I think it’s unethical. Right now, with the emphasis in the league being on sportsmanship and taunting – if an official hears something that he may not have heard, that penalty can go either way. You can’t risk that at all.”
(On QB Jared Goff getting reps with the first team offense today)
“He got reps in the walk-thru and he got reps in one period. We’re trying to give him reps with the 1s in one period per day.”
(On how he thinks Goff looked today)
“I thought he was fine. I need a card to hold up that says ‘Jared was fine,’ and put it back down.”
(On if there’s anything that reveals itself that he hasn’t seen as Goff is getting incrementally better)
“Every day there’s something that he does better and different, especially in the huddle and his understanding – a check here or a check there and a ball out quick. He’s progressing.”
(On if the progress that he’s seeing from the team is ‘slowly but surely’ or incremental)
“The defense may gain an advantage in one period and the offense may gain an advantage an advantage in another period. As long as one of the two are gaining advantages, we’re moving forward. It’s that simple philosophy of if one of those guys on that field got better today, then our team got better today.”
(On how he likes the competitiveness from both sides)
“They’re competing. The only thing we remind them and you’re mindful of is the chirping and the talking back-and-forth, if it becomes a distraction, it becomes an issue. So can you focus through it? There is a lot of talking that goes on on the field on Sundays. Our guys are just having fun out there, they’re teasing each other and all of that, but they’re lining up and executing – which is important – when the ball’s snapped.”
(On S/LB Mark Barron not practicing today)
“We just rested Mark today.”
(On if Barron is on track to play on Saturday)
“Yeah, he’s on track to play, yeah.”
(On if saying Goff will play when he’s ready to play is a threshold of the things he’s able to do and how much is relative to how QB Case Keenum is performing)
“Well Case is still clearly ahead and Jared’s getting better. Again, I keep talking about it, there’s no timetable, it’s patience, things are moving along in a good fashion right now and we’re pleased with that.”
(On if he measures Goff’s progression on a scale independent of Keenum or if it’s tied to how Keenum performs)
“No, his progress is independent of Case’s, but we have to be realistic because who is going to eventually give us the best chance to win and when is that going to be? So that’s kind of the way we look at it.”
(On the importance of stocking up on quarterbacks with how much the team has invested in its top three quarterbacks)
“It’s very important. I traded for Case as well, so it’s very, very important. It’s been a point of emphasis for us since I got here. Right now, the position itself is improving, which is good.”
(On if it’s difficult to find playing time for Keenum, Goff and QB Sean Mannion)
“It’s not a problem. Everybody’s going through the same thing. When you talk about playing time, are you talking about preseason games or practice, because we combine them both. Our evaluation process involves not only the preseason game itself, but the practice session, the walk-thru session, the meeting sessions and everything. There are a lot of reps to go around; you just have to find ways of getting them.”
(On if he still expects Goff to play about one half in Saturday’s preseason game)
“We’re going to discuss playtime, so I’ll be available to talk about playtime tomorrow. I want to address it with the staff and players before we address it publically, which is fair, so we’ll talk about it. I’d like to get Jared; right now – as we go into the discussions – I’d like to get Jared a shot with the 1s in this game. Whether that’s a series or two series, I don’t know, we’ll try to be more specific for you.”
Rams QB Jared Goff – Training Camp Post-Practice – August 17, 2016
(On getting reps with the first team)
“Good, good. Everyday seems like, getting a few reps with them, some in walk-thru, as well, so it’s going well. I feel as comfortable with them as I do, just play football with the other guys. I just try to improve every day, and try not to make it more than it is, comfortable.”
(On how he’s getting better handling more reps)
“At this point, every day gets better. Like I’ve said a few times at this point, every day its gotten better since OTAs, all the way through, through the summer, minicamp, up until now, I feel like I’ve grown exponentially, and I’m happy with where I’m at.”
(On how smooth his rhythm was during practice)
“Yeah, I try to do every time is be as smooth as I can and try to get the rhythm like you said, and just got to keep improving, and continue to feel more comfortable.”
(On what he tries to improve on a daily basis)
“I think it’s similar to what you said right there. I want to be more comfortable every day. I feel like I am. Every day I get more comfortable and get more fluid and more in a rhythm. Stuff becomes more natural every day. So, it’s been going well.”
(On his confidence throwing the long ball)
“Against our defense it does. You don’t get, especially with seven-on-(seven); you don’t get too many chances like that to run a fly like that. They did a good job playing deep, and don’t get beat deep often. When you do get a chance to let it fly, yeah. You don’t throw many of those in camp, especially against our defense, so it’s nice.”
(On his thought going into the second game, and what he want to do different from the first)
“I think the main thing is it won’t be all new. Just like the pregame routine, what we do before the game, what we do on the sidelines, I’ll be kind of, somewhat, used to that. It won’t be brand new to me. That’ll help and hopefully make me more comfortable.”
(On the development of his three-step drop)
“Great.”
(On the one area he feels he needs to improve)
“I don’t know if I can pinpoint one thing. It’s trying to feel more comfortable every day with everything to do. It’s not one particular thing. When we’re in a certain drill, I’m working on one particular thing. Then when we to team. I’m just trying to play. Again, I just try to feel more comfortable every day.”
(On how close he feels to being the quarterback he wants to be)
“Not as close as you’d like to be. Every day, you’re trying to get better. I don’t think I’ll ever be complacent and happy with where I am, no matter what. You always want to get better. That’ll remain true throughout my career.”
(On what makes the three-step drop difficult)
“It’s just muscle memory. I don’t know if it’s difficult or tricky, it’s just muscle memory. I felt comfortable with that for a while now. Just continue to get better at it. I’ve been dropping back my whole life. It’s just that going from under center is a little different, but the footwork of it is pretty similar. It doesn’t really change. It’s something I’ve been continuing to improve on and feel good with.”
(On if it’s easy to not make football bigger than it is on the field)
“I tend to be able to do that and make it the same game it’s been for my whole life. I recognize that’s part of why I was able to be successful at Cal and in high school and before that, because I’m just trying to go out there and have fun, honestly. At the end of the day, if you’re not having fun, there’s no reason to do it. I want to have fun every time I go out there.”
(On if he is looking forward to Saturday’s game more since his first preseason game was cut short)
“Yeah, I think I’d look forward to it regardless. But I’m definitely excited to get back out there and get a chance to compete and show what I can do.”
(On if it’s difficult to be on a roster when so much has been invested in the quarterback position)
“I don’t think it’s difficult when everybody in the room is a great guy and a great person, and a great teammate and a great person. Honestly, (QB) Sean (Mannion and (QB) Case (Keenum) have been great, I’ve rooted for them and I hope nothing but the best for them.”
(On how Keenum has been helping him out)
“Every day, little tidbits; him and Sean, same thing. They’ve been really helpful and I can ask them anything and they’ll answer for me. Case gives me some veterans tips every once in a while and they’ve been helpful.”
(On if camp is moving slowly or very fast for him)
“It’s funny; it is like the dog days. You’re in camp, you’re playing games, you’re practicing like you’re in camp. I don’t know if it’s moving slowly, I’m having fun and enjoying it – I don’t know, we’re at practice No. 12? It’s been fun and it feels like it’s flown by so far, so I don’t know if it’s been moving slowly.”
Los Angeles Rams Media Release 08/17/2016
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