{"id":55067,"date":"2016-09-09T08:11:50","date_gmt":"2016-09-09T15:11:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/?p=55067"},"modified":"2016-09-09T08:11:50","modified_gmt":"2016-09-09T15:11:50","slug":"los-angeles-rams-notes-09082016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/?p=55067","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles Rams Notes: 09\/08\/2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Rams\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher \u2013 Post-Practice Press Conference \u2013 September 8, 2016<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

(Opening Remarks):<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cGood first day. Actually, because of the schedule and the Monday<\/span> night (game day), we got two solid days in prior to today, which is officially the first gameplan day. You\u2019re typically on a three-day week from a gameplan standpoint. Today\u2019s Thursday<\/span>, we kind of look at it as a Wednesday<\/span>. Got a good session tomorrow<\/span>, start backing down a little bit, Saturday<\/span>, then travel Sunday<\/span>. But we\u2019re in good shape health-wise, and guys were eager this morning. We\u2019re starting to settle down in the building and all their focus is on our opponent\u2014that\u2019s a week-to-week deal. There weren\u2019t any speeches about what we\u2019re going to do this year or anything\u2014it was let\u2019s get to the practice, lets get to the walk-thru, lets get to the first meeting, and then just take one thing at a time. If you do that right, then it gives you a chance to win.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On whether emotions are heighted because it\u2019s the first game of the 2016 season)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no they\u2019re focused on their work. You have to kind of redirect the younger players \u2014 we had all of those players who haven\u2019t played in a regular season NFL game stand up in the meeting room today and there were quite a few of them. You have to explain to them how you get there, and you get there just one day at a time as you push through the week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On preparing for the 49ers changes since their last meeting in the final game of the 2015 season)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re watching a lot of stuff right, now, as I imagine they are as well. But that\u2019s part of the intrigue of the first game \u2014 people hold things back through camp, through preseason and they have a lot of things that they like that they put in the first game. So yeah, we\u2019re looking at Cleveland\u2019s defense and Philly\u2019s (Philadelphia) offense \u2014 that\u2019s what the coaches are here for \u2014 to turn over every stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On expectations of QB Case Keenum)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew (QB) Case (Keenum), we saw what he can do, we saw how he finished the year (2015), we traded for Case \u2014 people forget that because of his ability. He\u2019s done a great job this offseason, Preseason games, not exhibition games, preseason games \u2014 he\u2019s ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On QB Case Keenum\u2019s emotions going into Week 1 of the 2016 season\u2014whether he has \u201cany jitters\u201d for his first regular season start in the NFL)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not at all his personality is such that, no, he\u2019s fine. He\u2019s going to be different Monday<\/span> night than he was in Seattle, or when he had his first start with us \u2014 no different\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On QB Case Keenum\u2019s growth since the end of the 2015 season)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEvery week seeing just more and more command of the offense, which is comforting. He\u2019s going to get up there and make the right decision. The position itself is hard to play, but he\u2019s going to give us a chance with checking in and out of run stuff, changing protections, getting the ball down the field, making plays, extending plays with his legs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On linebacker depth chart)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe like the young guys, the young guys are coming on, both of them. It\u2019s just a matter of time before they\u2019ll see live defensive snaps. In the meantime, as you know, we face a lot of three wide receiver offenses, so it\u2019s two linebackers and five DBs or six DBs. Teams aren\u2019t normally starting with that group. What teams like to do us, is spread us out and get rid of the football. But we\u2019re happy with both the young guys, both (LB) Josh (Forrest) and (LB) Cory (Littleton).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On the evolution of offensive coordinator Rob Boras)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cPut him in a really difficult position last year, because he hadn\u2019t called plays. But we all thought he did a really great job. He\u2019s had that experience, not only last year, but throughout the offseason program, at camp and preseason games. We put the coaches in stressful situations on purpose on the practice field, and he\u2019s handles them very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On the effect of the transition from St. Louis to Los Angeles and looking back at the 2015 season opener versus 2016)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA year ago we were getting ready to play the Seahawks and we had success in that game. We had a productive preseason and we were able to win that game. It\u2019s just a matter of communicating to your players and to the staff for that matter, what the goals are, and where you need to focus your attention. That\u2019s what they\u2019ve done. I had a conversation with one of the assistants, \u2018can you imagine what we\u2019ve gone through since we had the first meeting in Manhattan Beach with the players in March and how many times we\u2019ve moved and how many places we\u2019ve gone\u2019, and they\u2019ve just done a great job with it \u2013 it\u2019s nice to finally be settled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On conversations with the rookies regarding their first NFL game)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThose conversations take place throughout the week with them, probably settle them down a little bit. Monday<\/span> afternoon, in the meetings before kickoff. But they\u2019re going to be excited, and, to me that\u2019s the biggest challenge when you play in the \u2018spotlight,\u2019 if you will, of Monday<\/span> Night Football, to keep everybody calm and relaxed and keep their pose \u2013 they adjust real quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On the team\u2019s response to the gameplan following the preseason camp)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve done a great job, I mean we\u2019ve practiced these things, like everybody else has. Like you\u2019ll see tonight<\/span> (Broncos vs. Panthers), everybody practices things they just don\u2019t use them in the regular season. Now it\u2019s just a matter of carrying over what we\u2019ve practiced in to the game. On a weekly basis there\u2019s new concepts that go in as you gameplan. This is not an unusual process for us to put things in for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On QB Jared Goff\u2019s role moving forward)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the challenges for the younger players this week, as I told all of them this morning, is to prepare yourself to play without getting (practice) reps. They all come in here from college programs where they got all the reps and now they\u2019ve found themselves in the positions, where they don\u2019t get reps. It\u2019s harder to backup than it is to start. That\u2019s the nature of the National Football League. But Jared has good feel for where we\u2019re at. He wants to play, and I want him to play, but we\u2019re not there yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On the history of the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams rivalry and what it means to him)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been on both sides of it. 1991, here (Los Angeles) playing the 49ers, they were than we were at that time. The following year I was on the other side (49ers) playing the Rams, so I\u2019ve seen both sides of it. As I mentioned to them, (49ers) earlier today on the conference call, the 49ers and the Rams are chasing the Cardinals and the Seahawks right now. It\u2019s a great rivalry. We\u2019ll rekindle it from our fans standpoint, but until we get to that point, which we hope personally that it\u2019s very soon. We have some work to do. But both fanbases, I think the older fanbases, understand the rich tradition and the history with respect to both organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rams QB Case Keenum \u2013 Post-Practice Press Conference \u2013 September 8, 2016<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

(On his first career Week 1 start)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s exciting, it\u2019s Monday<\/span> Night Football. It\u2019s a divisional opponent. First time for it to be my show starting out and not just taking over like, \u2018Oh crap, send out Case now.\u2019 It\u2019s been something we\u2019ve been prepared for for a long time. I\u2019m excited, I really am. The first time putting on a jersey with \u2018Los Angeles\u2019 on the front of it. I get to represent our city and our team. It\u2019s going to be great. It\u2019s going to be a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On what the difference is being the starter throughout the entire offseason)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of differences. When I go to talk to receivers now it\u2019s like \u2018Hey, this is how we should do this.
\nThis is how I want it, how do you want it?\u2019 Instead of, \u2018Let me go ask somebody else and we\u2019ll see how they want it.\u2019 So it\u2019s good. I think communication is good, chemistry is good. We had a good day at practice today, and I\u2019m going to go watch it and look forward to another day tomorrow<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On the challenges they face preparing for the 49ers considering their new coaching staff)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is different. It\u2019s a different team than the two games we played against them last year. A lot of the same players, but different schemes. So, that does make it a little bit of a challenge \u2013 to go back and maybe watch a different coordinators, defense. You don\u2019t look at personnel, but you maybe look at schemes and what they\u2019re trying to do defensively. It\u2019s like any first game, they can throw anything at you. We\u2019re going to trust on our rules and preparation and go out and play.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if he has to do anything to calm his nerves and not get too excited prior to this game)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to get excited no matter what. That\u2019s who I am. Honestly, the first time I get hit is a good time to (say) \u2018Okay, here we go.\u2019 I\u2019m not planning on getting hit, and my big guys are not planning on me getting hit (laughs). Maybe I\u2019ll just let them slap me or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if he understands the magnitude of rekindling the San Francisco-Los Angeles rivalry)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I do. I\u2019m new to the area. I don\u2019t have the, I don\u2019t know what you call it, the \u2018southern state\u2019 pride that a lot of people have. I think I\u2019ll grow into it and learn. For me, I want to represent the city. The other day, we went up and looked at the Hollywood sign, that\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve been there. I haven\u2019t done a lot of stuff around the city. I have to admit, I haven\u2019t been to Roscoe\u2019s yet and had chicken and waffles. I know, it\u2019s terrible of me. I\u2019m going to have to do that. I\u2019m going to have to grow into being a Los Angelino \u2013 I had to learn that, too. It\u2019s been fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if he has been to Tito\u2019s Tacos or Tommy\u2019s restaurants yet)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t. I\u2019ve stayed out here and been in Irvine. We\u2019ve been working a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if they\u2019ll rely heavily on the run against San Francisco considering the 49ers run defense last season)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c(RB) Todd (Gurley) is obviously a special weapon to have. I know it\u2019s a different day, different team than last year. They do a great job, they\u2019ve got a great front \u2013 they\u2019ve got some new guys up there and some guys that are veteran guys, (49ers LB NaVorro) Bowman, (49ers LB Ahmad) Brooks that are game-wreckers, that we call them, and we\u2019ve got to know where they\u2019re at at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if there\u2019s been any discussion on the National Anthem prior to this game)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we haven\u2019t talked about that at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On what they key was for him to deal with all the questions he receives about QB Jared Goff)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still batting 1.000 \u2013 every interview I\u2019ve ever done, somebody has asked. So congratulations to you (laughs). It is what it is. I compartmentalize it, the interviews and stuff, people are going to ask what they want to ask. He\u2019s the first pick of the draft, obviously some attention there. I\u2019m just coming out and doing my job and my job is to be the quarterback of this team and get the ball in the right people\u2019s hands and convert on third downs and score points. That\u2019s my job. I\u2019m going to come in every day and work on doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if he\u2019s excited about having the potential to change the Rams\u2019 offense overall by elevating play at the quarterback position)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI think if you look at any team and, and as the quarterback goes, the team goes. That\u2019s why I love playing quarterback. I love having the ball in my hands. I\u2019ve prided myself in working hard and knowing that I\u2019ve put everything I can into it. If it doesn\u2019t work out, it\u2019s something I did, and I can go back and work on it, fix it and do it better next time. That\u2019s my mindset. That\u2019s why I play quarterback, I love the ball in my hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rams QB Jared Goff \u2013 Post-Practice Press Conference \u2013 September 8, 2016<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On his thoughts about not being active this week against San Francisco)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s something that we talked about. There\u2019s a multitude of reasons for it. I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s for one thing in particular, but it\u2019s just what they decided to do this week. I\u2019m just going to be patient, wait until my number is called, and continue to get ready out on the field, and continue to practice as hard as I can. When my number is called, be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On how difficult it is to know he won\u2019t be taking reps with the starters)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never done that, yeah. So, it is different. My whole life, I\u2019ve been the starter. So I\u2019m used to taking those reps. But at the same time, through OTAs and through training camp, I\u2019ve learned to take mental reps and watch (QB) Case (Keenum) and (QB) Sean (Mannion), and see what they do well, and try to replicate that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On how he gets positive reps without starting)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJust continue to learn and take mental reps. I\u2019ve never done it before, so I am learning how to do that as well. Just trying to try to learn from what they do well, and then learn from their mistakes. Case has been in the league form for a long time now. I just pick his brain and ask him as much as I can, and get to know as much as I can before my number is called, so I can be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On how he maintains a positive attitude)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI know there\u2019s plan in place, and I know this is all a part of it. And there\u2019s a process. You just going to trust the process, and know that it\u2019s all going to work out. Just continue to work hard and just do the best I can every day, and continue to learn. Like I said, just be ready when my number is called, is the best thing I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if Jeff Fisher has mention that sitting out, not starting, and learning is the best way to develop as a quarterback; similar to what he did with QB Steve McNair in Tennessee)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, not particularly. I have talked to him, back in April when we went on my visit. I kind of had an idea that they were going to take me. He talked about if that was the case, there will be no rushing. Whenever it\u2019s time, it\u2019s time. If it needs to happen early, it happens early. If it needs to happen a little bit later, it happens later. I\u2019m just going to continue to him and to trust the process, and know that they have a really well thought-out plan in place, and I\u2019m still a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if he can get reps after practice if he\u2019s no getting enough during practice)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, you can always stay after and grab some receivers to throw or continue to get mental reps during practice.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On what he can get from scout team reps)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of stuff that we\u2019ll do in scout team that is similar to stuff we run. We get out there and go, \u2018Okay, this is like this,\u2019 and that way, you can get reps as well. It\u2019s been a good experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if it was any disappointing to know he\u2019s not going to dress for a game in his hometown)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll play in San Francisco more than once, so no, I\u2019ll be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if he\u2019s been in contact with Eagles QB Carson Wentz at all)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I haven\u2019t. We have the same agent, so we talked about it and I\u2019m excited for him, excited to see what he can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

49ers Head Coach Chip Kelly\u2013 Conference Call \u2013 September 8, 2016<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On his expectations for Blaine Gabbert going into the 2016 season)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Blaine\u2019s work ethic is just outstanding. That was very evident when we first got here. The amount of time he puts into the game he obviously has a very good skill set. He\u2019s big, 6-4, 230-plus lbs., can run, got a strong arm. I think he\u2019s worked very hard at the quarterback position. We\u2019re excited to see him finally play in his first game here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On Gabbert\u2019s ability to run)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI think any coach will tell you that if the quarterback on the other side has the ability to hurt you with his feet. That\u2019s just another dimension to what they can do offensively. We\u2019re not a quarterback-run team by any stretch of the imagination, but he can get out of harm\u2019s way when the rush is coming. Sometimes you may be in man-coverage and your guys have their backs turned down the field, now the quarterbacks running\u2014it just adds another dimension that defenses have to be aware of.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On whether or not quarterbacks should be thrown \u201cinto the fire\u201d right away in their careers)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s all based on the individual player. Not only that play, but what the team that he has around him. Some guys get thrown in, but they don\u2019t have a great offensive line and it becomes a difficult deal. Other times guys will get thrown in and there\u2019s a good, solid defense on the other side, they have a good o-line, and the guy is in a great situation. There is a set way to do it, I think it\u2019s all based on the individual circumstances of that player.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On how important 49ers QB Blaine Gabbert\u2019s mobility will help him against NFC West defenses)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOur sole focus is on the Rams. So, don\u2019t make me sick and make me think about the other teams. We\u2019re concerned with (DE) Robert Quinn, and (DT) Aaron Donald, and (DT Michael) Brockers, and (DE William) Hayes. That\u2019s enough for me to stay up at night, before I have to think about the other two teams in the league (NFC West). It\u2019s as good as a front we\u2019ll face all year long. The pressure that Aaron Donald can generate from the inside; and then you have the push of Brockers and two outstanding defensive ends in Quinn and Hayes. That\u2019s enough to keep you up at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On what makes DT Aaron Donald and DE Robert Quinn so effective)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI just think their athleticism, how quick Aaron Donald is off the ball, his ability to disrupt and get into the backfield. He\u2019s so sudden and explosive in his movements that you obviously have got to be very aware of him wherever, and they do line him up, he\u2019s just not on the right side, or just on the left side, they move him around. They\u2019ve taken advantage of where he is. They get into their odd package and sometime he\u2019s the nose (guard). I think his ability, from an athletic standpoint, just how quick and fast he is, to go along with being stout in there. It\u2019s not like he\u2019s just a small guy. So you say \u2018hey, we can run the ball on him.\u2019 He can do it all, and that\u2019s why he\u2019s probably one the most productive inside defensive linemen in the league.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On the role of 49ers RB Carlos Hyde)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI think the one thing about Carlos is he\u2019s an every down back. He\u2019s first, second, and third down back. He\u2019s not a guy that you have to get off the field on third down. He\u2019s great in blitz pick-up. He\u2019s also a threat to catch the ball coming out of the backfield. When you defend Carlos, you have defend everything with him. You just don\u2019t have to defend one aspect of the game. I think in a lot of systems, you got a first and second down back, but then your third down back come in, and that\u2019s the guy you worry about. With us, we\u2019re very fortunate with Carlos that\u2019s he\u2019s an every down back for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On how to defend Rams RB Todd Gurley)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it starts with team tackling. Very rarely are you going to get one person to get him on the ground. We have to do a great job in our leverage of the running back and we have to do a great job in guys running to the football, playing with great effort because he made such an impact as a rookie. He\u2019s difficult to bring down; I think he\u2019s faster than people give him credit for, maybe. But he\u2019s also such a big, physical runner \u2013 you\u2019re going to have to get a lot of guys around him and you\u2019re going to have to gang-tackle him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On his impressions of what Rams QB Case Keenum has shown on film)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really impressed with Case. You can obviously tell he has got a great command of that offense. He knows all the ins-and-outs of it, he does a lot of stuff at the line of scrimmage and when you have someone doing that, you know that he\u2019s got a real good feel for what they\u2019re doing. He can get them out of bad plays and get them into good plays. He\u2019s a very accurate passer, the ball comes out quick. Sometimes it\u2019s difficult to blitz guys like that because you don\u2019t get home in time, the ball is out very fast, he\u2019s got a real quick release. And then he throws a ball that is very accurate so that guys can catch and run \u2013 and I think that, sometimes, is an underutilized thing that people don\u2019t really realize in quarterbacks is, does he put it on the front shoulder and not make the receiver turn, therefore he can continue in his stride and continue to get up field and continue to gain yards after the catch and a lot of that has to do with his accuracy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if he goes back and looks at the Rams-49ers game in Week 17 of the 2015 season to prepare for this game)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve watched everything. Everything that\u2019s available to us, film-wise, we\u2019ve watched. We\u2019ve watched every game Case has played, we\u2019ve watched everything Jeff (Fisher) has done. We played him when I was in Philadelphia two years ago \u2013 we\u2019ve watched that game. We\u2019ve watched every game.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On how 49ers DEs Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner\u2019s developments are coming along)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cImpressive \u2013 I know the guys very well. I had the opportunity to coach them when I was in college. To continue to see them grow \u2013 both big, tall, long, athletic guys that have done a really nice job since we got back here in April with Arik working around and then after drafting DeForest and getting him in here in May for the rest of our OTAs and mini-camp. I\u2019ve been real pleased with both their progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On being the head coach of the 49ers)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a blast. A lot of fun, a great organization and a great group of guys to coach.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if he\u2019s concerned about distractions with QB Colin Kaepernick\u2019s situation over the last few weeks)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I think we addressed it and, really, our players addressed it about a week and a half ago after the Green Bay game here. Colin had a chance to talk to the team and I think our players and Colin have a great understanding of what\u2019s going on. Our concern is the Rams and football. I think a lot of credit goes to all the players on the team, I think our leaders did a great job and I think Colin has done a really good job with the players on our team, explaining his views and why he\u2019s doing what he\u2019s doing. I don\u2019t see it as a distraction at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

49ers QB Blaine Gabbert\u2013 Conference Call \u2013 September 8, 2016<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On challenges faced adjusting to a new offensive scheme in 2016)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI think the biggest thing early on, you just have to learn it. The more reps you get, in practice, throughout OTAs, all the mini camps, and training camp\u2014the more comfortable you are in the system. Now were just on to mastering it now throughout the (2016) season.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On defensive fronts in the NFC West)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe defenses that we face in our (division) are tremendous, starting with the Rams this week. Their defensive line, their linebackers, their secondary\u2014play at an extremely high level and play really hard and are well coached. It\u2019s going to be a challenge for us, but we\u2019re going to prepare all week and do our best come Monday<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On whether there is a difference when preparing for the first game of the 2016 season versus other games\u2014 \u201cunique challenge\u201d with the limited game tape) <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely different because you don\u2019t have the breakdowns of previous games, so you have to go back to the preseason games with the limited work that the first team defense did get\u2014then go back to last year and do your best to game plan and prepare that way. Being familiar with the Rams, the coaching staff and the defensive staff is still the same, so from that standpoint we\u2019re preparing like its normal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On facing a defensive lineman like DT Aaron Donald and whether there is heightened awareness of him at the line of scrimmage)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAaron is a tremendous talent, and is playing at an extremely high-level. You have to be cognizant of where he\u2019s at because he is so talented up front. But at the same time we have to worry about the things that we can control as an offense and execute the plays that are called.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On the next step in his development as a quarterback, and where he thinks he needs to improve)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI think the biggest thing over the last few years is just, kind of, the maturation process any quarterback goes through early on in their career. There\u2019s ups and downs, but the way you have to look at it is, it\u2019s all a learning experiences, and how you can apply those moving forward in to your current season. Right now, just moving forward, I just want to keep consistent improvement week in and week out, day in and day out, come in, master the game plan, for each respective week, and then just go put the work in on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On whether he thinks, as a first year starting quarterback, if he should\u2019ve sat out longer and learned, rather than being \u2018thrown into the fire\u2019)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t change a thing. Being 21, coming in to the NFL, I think I started 15 games my rookie year. It was valuable learning for me. Like I said, there were some obstacles, they were some downs too, and we took some bumps along the way. But at the same time, those experiences that I had early on in my career, I\u2019m trying to apply those as I\u2019m getting older, and maturing as a quarterback for this football team. Anything that I can take from those experiences and apply them here, is a benefit for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On if he used to watch Head Coach Chip Kelly\u2019s games at Oregon)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Chip recruited my brother to Oregon, so I was familiar with what they were doing, and they\u2019re always putting up a lot of points. They were always fun to watch. It was funny just thinking back, \u2018Oh what if I could play for Chip, or what if I can be in that system? What can we do.\u2019 It\u2019s funny kind of how things panned out, and now I\u2019m here. It\u2019s been a blast to work with him and his staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On if he ever put himself into Kelly\u2019s system in his mind before he was playing for him)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you always watch \u2013 like when Dennis Dixon was (at Oregon), Darron Thomas, all those guys, when I was in college, watching them play in the system. It seemed very fun, a lot of responsibility was on the quarterback to distribute the ball, you\u2019re throwing the ball a lot. They were always a fun team to watch and to watch on tape.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(On if those concepts from college have come with Kelly to the NFL)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe concepts evolve over time and plays change and you doctor specific concepts for different coverages. I\u2019m not really too familiar with what they were specifically running there at that point in time, but from our standpoint, it\u2019s been fun to work in his system. He puts a lot on the quarterback\u2019s plate, it\u2019s a challenge coming to work every day, being on top of all your reads and all your checks. It\u2019s been a challenge to work and he\u2019s been fun to work for.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(On what he saw from 49ers WR Eric Rogers)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEric was doing a tremendous job. It was a tough deal to see him go down and get hurt the way he did. But he\u2019s a tremendous player, he\u2019s going to attack his rehab and come back even stronger because he\u2019s doing some great things on the field and I can\u2019t wait to get him back next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Los Angeles Rams Media Release 09\/08\/2016<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher \u2013 Post-Practice Press Conference \u2013 September 8, 2016<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-stories-news-notes-around-professional-football"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55067","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=55067"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55067\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55068,"href":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55067\/revisions\/55068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=55067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=55067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=55067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}