Los Angeles Rams HC Sean McVay
(On if there are any injuries to report)
”Everybody is good. It’s been a good week. We know it’s a great challenge. Really good football team that we’re going against at their place. I know our guys are excited. We’re certainly excited about the challenge, but we know it’s going to be a great challenge. (Bears Head) Coach (Matt) Nagy does an excellent job, you can just see. (Bears Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Vic) Fangio has been outstanding and, really, (Bears Special Teams Coordinator) Coach (Chris) Tabor for special teams. So, those guys, then they’ve got the players to match it. Our players know that, and we’ve got to be ready to go.”
(On what he’s seen from RBs Justin Davis and John Kelly throughout the week of practice)
”They did a nice job. You can see (RB) Todd (Gurley II) does a great job and (Running Backs) Coach (Skip) Peete really providing leadership. Really, that’s what practice is for. There were some things that, fortunately, you can learn from the mistakes and then a lot of good things, too, where the week is always a progression for us. Usually, you’re a little bit more stressed early on and then as the week builds and you get the full gameplan in and get a chance to learn from the good, the bad, continue to repeat things. That’s always the goal is to feel as comfortable as possible on Sunday, so guys can go out and play with a quieted mind. If they’ve got to step in, if Todd needs a blow, then both those guys will be ready to go.”
(On how comfortable he is with WR Robert Woods and everything he’s been able to achieve this season)
”I wouldn’t say comfortable, I would say appreciative of him. He’s an incredible player. He’s incredibly talented, but when you just match that up with how conscientious he is, how smart he is, how versatile he is, he can really do everything. I think in the absence of (WR) Cooper (Kupp) with what a huge loss that has been, what (WR) Robert (Woods) has been able to provide, in terms of his versatility, is really impressive and it’s amazing. It’s a great demonstration of a great player that’s also conscientious enough to have a great mastery and a command to be able to seamlessly transition between a variety of spots at the receiver position with the different things that we ask of those guys. (WR) Josh Reynolds has stepped up big, but what Robert has done has been – it’s really been impressive. I would say comfortable – we’re certainly comfortable – more than anything you’re appreciative of being able to work with players like him. He’s one of those guys that when you ask about certain players, you can’t help but be thankful that you’re working with him and you’re just so happy to see all the success that he’s having.”
(On if he thinks wearing gloves during a game is a big deal for a quarterback and if he lets QB Jared Goff decide on his own what he wants to do)
”Yeah, to me, that’s totally up to the quarterback. I think a lot of it is predicated on what type of weather and really, how does it feel when you’re grabbing the ball? Sometimes, I don’t even know if it’s the humidity, the moisture, whatever it is, the way that the tack sticks or if you feel like you need them or you don’t. Like he mentioned, there were some games last year where, similar weather we’re expecting, whether it be Seattle or Tennessee where he did a great job not having to wear it. Then, earlier this year against Denver (Broncos), he did wear it. So to me, the most important thing is whatever he decides that he wants to do that makes him feel most comfortable handling the football and throwing it, is what he’ll do. I trust that he can make that decision.”
(On if CB Aqib Talib is on track to play the whole game)
”He is, yeah. That was, like we mentioned earlier in the week, really, because of Detroit being a different surface, coming off just from just getting him acclimated, really, if you will, we felt like a half would be a good gauge for us and then you see how he feels. He felt great after the game. Hasn’t had any setbacks. Had a good week of practice. He’s continuing to get healthier as the days progress. It sounds like the Soldier Field is in good condition and we’re expecting to have him out there. His leadership and his production has certainly given us a boost. You just feel his presence out there on the field. That’s one of those things that we’re sure glad to have (CB) Aqib (Talib) back.”