Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff
(On what he takes away from playing the Vikings last year and what he sees on film)
”Yeah, they’re obviously a great defense, have been for a long time. The stuff they do presents challenges and gave us a lot of fits last year when we went to their place and had to deal with that. They brought back a lot of the same guys and are going to bring the same type of stuff defensively, so we’re going to have to deal with it again. It’s a challenge for us and every team they play, it really is challenging and we’re going to be ready for it.”
(On what it feels like when everything starts to click offensively and if he’s ever been a part of anything like it before)
”Yeah, it’s a lot of fun. I think whenever you can prepare the right way and do everything the right way in practice and then see it carry over into the game is always so satisfying. We’ve been able to do that in the first three games – just moving the ball and finishing drives. Still with that being said, though, there’s so much stuff that we can improve on and be better at, as far as taking care of the ball and like I said, finishing drives. But, it’s been great, and no, I don’t think I’ve been a part of a team that’s so good on all three phases this early in the season. Like I said, we’ve been doing a lot of great things, but lot of work to do. Lot of good teams coming our way and by no means are we at our peak or satisfied with anything that’s going on.”
(On cramming everything into the short week for Thursday night)
”Yeah, we’ve obviously adjusted practice a little bit and changed some of the things we’re doing, as I’m sure they are and every team that plays on Thursday night. So, we’ve got to do a little bit of adjusting there. But, we’re getting ready and preparing just like we would in a regular week. Just trying to shorten everything up and get it all crammed in, like you said. Feel like we’ll be ready.”
(On if he thought they would be where they are as the only team undefeated in the NFC and what he thinks they can still improve on)
”Yeah, of course you always expect to win. I don’t think we came in thinking we’d be 0-3. Yeah, we expect to win and do our best to try to put our best foot forward every week. At this point, we are 3-0 and feel good about what we’ve done, but like I said, we’ve got a lot of stuff we can work on – myself, taking care of the football little bit better. Just continuing to finish drives, like I’ve talked about in the red zone and a bunch of other things that we can always work on or continue to work on.”
(On how he would attribute finding a rhythm in the game and only having one three-and-out this season)
”Yeah, just executing the play call. I think (Head Coach) Sean (McVay) has been doing a great job getting the plays in and having a great plan. A lot of good design, but just executing and being out there and staying on schedule. You don’t want to be in second-and-long too often. We’ve converted some third downs – some crucial third downs. But, I think just staying on schedule, staying in good play calls and just continuing to execute.”
(On what he learned after losing on the road to the Vikings last season, but then winning all other road games the rest of the season)
”Yeah, well I think you learn so much about their defense by just playing them in their stadium where it is so loud. We won’t have to deal with that this week being in the Coliseum, but they’ll still present the same challenges defensively with what they do and all their different packages and everything they can do with their safeties and their blitzes and everything. They obviously can do so much and are such a great defense for so long. That defense is still coming even though the noise and the crowd isn’t, their defense and everything they do still comes.”
(On how much more comfortable he has gotten going off schedule since his experience in the NFL)
”Yeah, feel good. Continuing to get comfortable with that. I think that’s just part of growing and getting better – just getting better at throwing the ball on the run and being more comfortable in the pocket when things break down. Just trying to keep my eyes downfield.”
(On if it’s exciting playing in the national spotlight and what he wants the country to take away from getting a close look at the Rams)
”Yeah, it’s exciting. I think any time you play in a national televised game, you get a chance to showcase yourself in front of the whole league. It’s exciting. What do I want people to take away? I don’t know. Hopefully, we got out there and play well and hopefully win the game and continue to execute and do the right things on all three phases. But, we’ll see how it goes.”
RB Todd Gurley
(On it being a short week and how he’s feeling)
”I’m good, my body’s feeling good. I’m ready to go in two days.”
(On losing CB Aqib Talib for this game and how it impacts the team to lose a player like him)
”It has a lot of impact but, I mean football, when one person goes down you don’t even really think about it honestly. It’s just part of the game and that’s just how it is. One man got to step up whether whoever goes down. Just kind of got to move forward.”
(On if there’s anything based off last year’s game against Minnesota that he learned personally that he wanted to do differently or better)
”You know, we just got to go out there and execute. Obviously, (Head) Coach (Sean) McVay is are going to put us in some good situations and we just got to go out there and play our game, honestly.”
(On starting out the season 3-0 and if he’s happy with his performance through the first quarter of the season and how he keeps going)
”Just keep doing what we’ve been doing every week. Keep stacking them and try to get a win every week and just go from there. Don’t think too far ahead. Just focus day-by-day and week-by-week.”