The Rams shocked the world last season as the #7 seed. With a young team that just came off of being at the bottom of the league, the Rams came into the season as an underdog. If you live under a rock, the Rams won their way to the Super Bowl. And although they did not win it, they were one half away from beating the eventual 2-time Champs Titans. So coming into this season, expectations are extremely high for this team. They just picked up Chris Jones in Free Agency so their aggressive defense will be even scarier for teams to go up against. I got to talk to their Head Coach a couple of days after their tough loss and here is how it went:
This Interview Was Before The Start Of Free Agency:
Interviewer: Wow, nice to meet the Coach behind the rising Rams! First off coach, congratulations! What you have done to transform the whole identity of this team is unbelievable. I have to ask, did you see it coming together this fast?
Coach: When I was hired by the team, I was expecting a solid roster. Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald to lead my team. When I joined and saw I had no Aaron Donald, I knew I had my work cut out for me. As you know, he signed a big deal to join the Titans. I knew I had to make some moves. Starting with getting Mac Jones off the field. No offense to Mac, but we had a different vision of what we wanted at the position. Once we traded for Bo Nix I knew we had our guy and could beat anybody in the league. Our team peaked right at the right moment.
Interviewer: Speaking of peaking at the right moment, towards the end of the season we saw some cracks with this team. None bigger than the loss to the Seahawks in week 18. A game that could have stopped this run from even starting? How were you able to maintain confidence in your team after that loss?
Coach: Week 18 was a fluke. All the mistakes that were made were our faults. To say it lightly, the Rams beat the Rams in week 18. The Seahawks simply did not. The game was in our control and we did not execute. So how did I maintain my confidence in my team after the loss? Well, my confidence in my guys never changes. I know what we have here. I see the potential regardless of what other people think even after a tough loss. As you saw, we can win with this team.
Interviewer: I definitely agree. That night you guys did not look like yourselves. But this playoff run, wow. In my opinion, this team changed once the offensive scheme changed. How were you able to come up with a new scheme midseason? And were you worried that your guys would not be able to buy into it?
Coach: We tried to attack through the air early. But honestly, Mac Jones just didn’t understand the concepts and couldn’t make the throws. Like I said, no offense to him, but we had a vision. Bo Nix was our guy and when we were able to secure him in that trade, I knew we had something going.
Interviewer: I know it might sting a little, but talk to me about the Superbowl. You were a half away from shocking the world. The fact that you guys put up a fight against the two-time champs is incredible.
Coach: The Titans have an incredible roster. Much better than what we have here in LA. Also, he has been coaching this team at a successful rate for 2+ years now. I’m not saying I made the right play on the 1-yard line, but we all know that Cody Barton wasn’t making that game-sealing interception. No disrespect to my team, his, or the Titans coach. I just believe that we are up next. No questions asked. If you didn’t know, now you know. We can compete with the best.
Interviewer: What is next for this team? You have tasted what it is like. How do you plan on getting back? I mean let’s be real here. There are 15 other teams in the NFC trying to be where you guys were.
Coach: The next step is to sign some ballers in free agency. We are targeting some key players that will help our team drastically if we can land them. Then we go and hit the draft extremely hard. After that, we go ahead and start the grind for my second season as Head Coach.
Interviewer: Last couple of questions. Talk to me about your offense. Guys like Sanders. Like Puka. Harrison Jr., How do those guys give u a chance week in and week out?
Coach: They’re just playmakers. Sanders has been my guy since day one. I told him we can’t rely on Mac right now so we need you heavily and he delivered. He carried our team early on. Puka is Mr. ‘ol reliable. Any ball going to him I know I can rely on him to come down with it. And I still feel like he hasn’t hit his ceiling. And Harrison is a once-in-a-generation type of player. His speed as a receiver with excellent route-running capabilities is incredible. This team’s future is brighter than what we saw last season.
Interviewer: Absolutely! Last question. What is your message to the league for next season?
Coach: We are coming back stronger!
This Is The End Of The Interview
The Rams Head Coach did not lie when he said that they were going to go big in Free Agency. They were able to get the wrecking ball, Chris Jones. Wow! This makes this defense even better than last season. We saw how they had quarterbacks running for their lives. Now imagine you add a beast like Jones. Yikes. As he said, the Rams are coming back stronger. Will this be the season they take the trophy home?
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