1 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:06,040 Speaker 1: Welcome to another edition of the Official Jets Podcast powered 2 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: by Amazon Web Services. The Opponent Preview series stays out 3 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,440 Speaker 1: West as the Jets take on the l A Rams 4 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:16,280 Speaker 1: in Week fifteen, just one week after another West Coast 5 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:19,120 Speaker 1: trip against this Seattle Seahawks, and e A and I 6 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:22,120 Speaker 1: caught up with Rams team reporter Serena Morales. We talked 7 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 1: Jets Rams and before we do that, I just want 8 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 1: to circle back to what I just alluded to. This 9 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:30,160 Speaker 1: is the second trip of a back to back West 10 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 1: coaster late in the season, yeah, the second half, and 11 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:36,840 Speaker 1: it's going to be interesting when we get to that 12 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: point if the Jets do indeed stay out in the 13 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:44,959 Speaker 1: West Coast following their matchup with the Seattle Seahawks on December, 14 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 1: because then ensuing game is in l A against the Rams, 15 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:54,800 Speaker 1: and it will be the Jets second appearance in the 16 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 1: new l A Stadium in two thousand and twenty, and 17 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 1: it's there, I know, matchups of the year against the 18 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: NFC West. And in terms of dal A Rams, where 19 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:10,800 Speaker 1: do they fit in the West right now? Because it 20 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 1: feels like a team in transition. We've talked about the 21 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,480 Speaker 1: forty Niners, who the Jets open up the season against 22 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 1: at home in a week two, and how complete they are. 23 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:27,760 Speaker 1: They just narrowly missed winning the world's title last year. 24 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 1: The Seattle Seahawks, who the Jets see the week prior 25 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 1: to this matchup. As I just said, they have Russell Wilson, 26 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: so they're going to be a threat no matter anytime 27 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:42,560 Speaker 1: they take the field. The Arizona Cardinals. A lot of 28 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 1: people believe that the Cardinals are an off swing with 29 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 1: Cliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray of course, and is you 30 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 1: mentioned before your Syracuse along Chandler Jones on the defensive 31 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 1: side of the ball, plus Patrick Peterson, they had DeAndre 32 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 1: Hopkins to the mix. So with all that being said 33 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: about the NFC West, where did the Rams fit in now? Yeah? 34 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: I almost feel like people forget about the Rams. I 35 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 1: think it surprises people, at least when you look back 36 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: on it that the Rams were nine and seven last year. 37 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:18,359 Speaker 1: It feels like people almost write them off because they 38 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:20,839 Speaker 1: missed the playoffs, even though the year before they went 39 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:22,920 Speaker 1: three and thirteen, well nine and seven in the a 40 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:25,360 Speaker 1: f C probably would have gotten them in, or at 41 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 1: least they would have had a chance. Like the Tennessee Titans, 42 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: And this is a different Rams team than I think 43 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 1: a lot of fans are accustomed to seeing, at least 44 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 1: in the past couple of years, with a new defensive 45 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:41,880 Speaker 1: coordinator and no Brandon Cooks, a kind of refurbished offensive line. 46 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: I just personally, e a, I don't know what to 47 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:48,640 Speaker 1: think of the Rams because on one hand, they're not 48 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,440 Speaker 1: far removed from a Super Bowl run, and on the 49 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 1: other hand, they just feel very different from that run. 50 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 1: And you'll hear from Serena Moraley shortly like I didn't 51 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: realize the Rams had a top ten defense last season. Yeah, well, 52 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 1: they do have a couple of studs on the defensive 53 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 1: side of the ball and Aaron Donald, who still might 54 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 1: be the top interior defensive alignment in the league. Guys, 55 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: is an absolute, uh crazed medicine there. And then Jalen 56 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 1: Ramsey is a top five quarter cornerback easily in the 57 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: National Football League. But like many teams out there, you 58 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:28,920 Speaker 1: see definite strength. But yeah, that definitely caught my eye. 59 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 1: Went Wade Phillips was dismissed in the off season and 60 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 1: the Rams decided to go in another direction. And then 61 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: the offensive side of the ball, we thought about Todd 62 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:42,600 Speaker 1: Gurley for years, and now he is in Atlanta. He's 63 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:44,120 Speaker 1: gonna be playing for the fall, and so he got 64 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 1: a changing backfield behind golf. They really didn't protect while 65 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 1: last offseason and didn't get things moving in the run game, 66 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:56,280 Speaker 1: and a lot had to do with injuries. I do 67 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 1: like the receivers and some of their pieces at tight end, 68 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 1: but it's like for every strength you have with the Rams, 69 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 1: then somebody can counter and talk about a weakness. So 70 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 1: I don't know greens as we look at the Rams 71 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 1: right now if this is a playoff team in two 72 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 1: thousand twenty. But you gotta give a lot of credit 73 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 1: to Sean McVeigh and what he's done there. It's just 74 00:04:21,080 --> 00:04:24,039 Speaker 1: it seems like they're just going through a lot of 75 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:27,280 Speaker 1: change right now, and some of it's positive, but some 76 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:30,880 Speaker 1: of it is going to require some time. Did you 77 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:35,800 Speaker 1: see recently that Aaron Donald posted a video asking essentially 78 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: Sean McVeigh to put him in on goal line situations 79 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:42,040 Speaker 1: on offense. And not only that, it wasn't even as 80 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: a running back. He was lining up as a receiver 81 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,359 Speaker 1: outside of his pool. And then he showed off his 82 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:50,719 Speaker 1: hands on a little nor football three or freaking athletes 83 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 1: doesn't surprise me. Right, we saw j J. Walt Watt 84 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 1: catch a touchdown pass against the Jets relatively recently. Right, 85 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:01,480 Speaker 1: we saw a what do that? And hey, if you're 86 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 1: Aaron Donald, why the hell not? You can do everything 87 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 1: on the defensive side up. Also, why not get some 88 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:10,320 Speaker 1: touches offensively? Exactly? All right, Well, let's hear from Serena 89 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 1: Morales real quick to learn a little bit more about 90 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: this Rams team in I want to start off with 91 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 1: a broad question. I feel like a lot of the 92 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:23,039 Speaker 1: external media view the Rams are taking a step back 93 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:26,479 Speaker 1: last year after a thirteen and three Super Bowl run season. 94 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,560 Speaker 1: So from your angle, what do you think the biggest 95 00:05:29,560 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: difference was between last year's team and the team that 96 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 1: made it to the Super Bowl. A lovely strong offensive 97 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: line that had no injuries at all. You know, we 98 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,039 Speaker 1: have had like a lot of criticism towards Jared Goff 99 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:46,760 Speaker 1: last season because it was like, wow, that's a very 100 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: Unjared like year, But we didn't look at the guys 101 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 1: who were protecting Jared Goff that old line. You had 102 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: your center injured, you had both cards injured, you had 103 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: a taco injured. Really the only man that was consistent 104 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 1: on at O line was the oldest person in the league, 105 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 1: Andrew Whitworth, who was like the guy on the sidelines 106 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:11,279 Speaker 1: and in that line, keeping everything as consistent as possible. 107 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:13,920 Speaker 1: And mind you, there were a lot of great things 108 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,040 Speaker 1: that came out of that from learnings. I mean, I 109 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 1: think you know, you stall Jared worked through a very 110 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:22,120 Speaker 1: difficult time. If you don't have guys that are protecting you, 111 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:24,600 Speaker 1: and you know that Jared Goff's strength is to throw 112 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:28,039 Speaker 1: the ball down the field with his arm um and 113 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 1: you're not protected, that's gonna be a problem for you. 114 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 1: So I think you saw a difference there a lot. 115 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:36,120 Speaker 1: I think there were some injuries that outside of the 116 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,039 Speaker 1: old line that also affected that. Gerald Everett was injured 117 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: our tight end, when you later on saw someone like 118 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:44,919 Speaker 1: Tyler Bigby step up and have an incredible season and 119 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:47,599 Speaker 1: you like had uh four games in a row of 120 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: a hundred yards. So I mean there were guys that 121 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 1: certainly stepped up as the as the season progressed. But 122 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 1: that O line, the injuries of Note Bloom and Allen 123 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:59,840 Speaker 1: and Rob Havenstein were critical, and I think this year now, 124 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,479 Speaker 1: with a lot of rests, we're gonna see that old 125 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 1: line come back way more consistent, way more ready. I 126 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:08,880 Speaker 1: get props to Austin Blythe who stepped in and went 127 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 1: from a guard position to center and really like, calm 128 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 1: down the madness, because if you think about it, you 129 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 1: had guys who had never had NFL experience come in 130 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 1: and they were thinking, you're a rookie coming into the league. 131 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 1: All right, well, I've got a little time to work 132 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: into this position. Nope, you are going in right now, buddy. 133 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 1: Good luck. So I think those things we just kind 134 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 1: of look past because we're like, we're an NFL player, 135 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 1: you know how to play football, that's it, and and 136 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: that's not actually how it works. So I give a 137 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 1: lot of props to the old line and give a 138 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:41,679 Speaker 1: lot of props to, you know, just the entire offense 139 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 1: that really worked with a lot of those injuries. So 140 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 1: that was to me, that was the biggest difference that 141 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: took place outside of some smaller, you know, like individual 142 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 1: injuries like a Gerald Everett. But then that opened up 143 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 1: opportunities for Tyler Higbee to have an incredible end of 144 00:07:56,840 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 1: the season where the Rams fit in the NFC West. 145 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 1: A lot of people would say the San Francisco forty 146 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: Miners are the most complete team in football. Russell Wilson 147 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 1: is one of the most valuable performers in the NFL, 148 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 1: so you're gonna be dealing with him for a while. 149 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 1: And a lot of folks are high in the Arizona 150 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 1: Cardinals this year and their young coach Cliff Kingsbury and 151 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 1: their young quarterback Kyler Murray. I mean, Cliff Kingsbury really 152 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 1: put them on the market after he showed off his 153 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:30,360 Speaker 1: backyard to all of us during the draft. I think there, 154 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 1: so it's like, oh wait, we gotta put the Cardinals 155 00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 1: up there in the NFC West. I think that the 156 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:39,480 Speaker 1: nfacy West in general is just an unfair place to 157 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 1: be because they're so good and I'm sure all of 158 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: them have very nice backyards like Cliffs. However, we really 159 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:50,680 Speaker 1: saw an improvement with all of the teams in the draft, 160 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 1: and so really what I think the Rams, what I 161 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 1: think that the Rams are really gonna have to prove 162 00:08:56,120 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 1: in the NFC West is an improvement of the up 163 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,320 Speaker 1: the run game. Because you have the Seahawks who love 164 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:05,679 Speaker 1: running the ball, You've got the forty Niners who love 165 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 1: running the ball, and you've got the Cardinals, You've got 166 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: Kyler Murray's gonna run the ball himself. So I think 167 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: really and I think the Rams have done that this offseason. 168 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 1: They picked up guys like a Sean Robinson, they brought 169 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:18,839 Speaker 1: back Michael Brocker's. You know, they're trying to figure out 170 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:22,199 Speaker 1: and mean, who's gonna work at the linebacker's position, because 171 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 1: there's been a lot of changes there with the departure 172 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:28,439 Speaker 1: of Clay Matthews. But I think overall, Leonard Floyd, another 173 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:31,199 Speaker 1: guy they brought in a new DC, Brandon Staley, who 174 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 1: I've heard amazing things from the players in general that 175 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:38,960 Speaker 1: this guy is energetic, he has the respect of the players. 176 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:43,040 Speaker 1: So if you're gonna now focus on this this particular spot, 177 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 1: which actually was a top ten defense already last season, 178 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 1: and you're gonna improve and make sure that you're keeping 179 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:53,600 Speaker 1: that there so that way, when Aaron Donald is double teams, 180 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 1: you're still gonna be able to stop a run game. 181 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 1: I think that's the key. And then in addition to that, 182 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:02,800 Speaker 1: obviously to bringing back Jalen Ramsey, I saw a lot 183 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:05,920 Speaker 1: of great things from Troy Hill, a guy like a 184 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 1: safety like um John Johnson coming back from an injury 185 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 1: will be significant to the defense as a whole. But honestly, 186 00:10:12,559 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 1: I know we talked a lot about the difference between 187 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:17,360 Speaker 1: last year and the year before that. When the Rams 188 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 1: went to the Super Bowl was offense, but now we're not. 189 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 1: We're gonna be able to also focus on defense, which 190 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:25,680 Speaker 1: is pretty key if you're gonna rank anywhere in the 191 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,720 Speaker 1: NFC West. I could see all of the NFC West 192 00:10:28,760 --> 00:10:32,319 Speaker 1: teams somehow making you know, playoff run. It's it's kind 193 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 1: of ridiculous that the Rams are in a predicament to 194 00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:38,720 Speaker 1: play all these teams twice. Like good for us? All right, 195 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 1: So quick follow up there from Afar. It was a 196 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: surprise that Wave Phillips was dismissed one of the Rams, 197 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 1: specifically coach McVeigh. They're seeing Staley and how is that 198 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 1: defense going to change in terms of how they attack. 199 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:56,559 Speaker 1: So they're trying to keep it as consistent as possible 200 00:10:56,640 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 1: from the Wade Phillips regime to the Brandon Staley regime. 201 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:02,680 Speaker 1: I haven't heard of any changes on the three four 202 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:06,400 Speaker 1: defense teams, so I mean, really they love The only 203 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:09,600 Speaker 1: thing that was significant over from last season to moving 204 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: into this season is they lost the corner like Nickel 205 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:15,199 Speaker 1: will be Coleman, who was a very significant corner. I 206 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 1: mean he was nicknames alot about. But I think again, 207 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:20,440 Speaker 1: we've got a lot of players that can step up. 208 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 1: They've they've drafted a couple of guys who could be 209 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:27,199 Speaker 1: working either safety and or a corner, which will be significant. Um. 210 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 1: The Rams this offseason drafted from a lot of top 211 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: tier schools like most of the time, and I give 212 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:36,080 Speaker 1: it to the the props to the scouts, but you know, 213 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 1: you're got getting guys like Eastern Washington, like a Cooper 214 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 1: Cup or a Sanson a become who are like, oh, 215 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:44,120 Speaker 1: I think I've heard of this guy and maybe didn't 216 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 1: splash at the draft or the combine the way that 217 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 1: you would normally see guys splash. But then obviously Cooper 218 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 1: Cup becomes one of the best whiteouts in the NFL. 219 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:55,800 Speaker 1: So they've been very good at, you know, finding those guys. 220 00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 1: But I think this year in particular, they're looking for 221 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:02,040 Speaker 1: guys to step in and go in and play. And again, 222 00:12:02,080 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 1: I think they've had some learnings from maybe you know, 223 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 1: some of the injuries that they experienced from the old 224 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:10,880 Speaker 1: line last season. So I could see, you know, them 225 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 1: kind of switching things up. But right now, because we're 226 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: in a situation where we haven't really been able to 227 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:18,079 Speaker 1: get on the field field and go into training camp, 228 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: that is still to be to be seen. But Brandon 229 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 1: Staley a lot of respect I've heard from multiple players 230 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:27,559 Speaker 1: like Jalen Ramsey in particular, is just like I love 231 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 1: his energy. Other cornerback Troy Hill loves his energy, and 232 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:34,439 Speaker 1: so I'm excited to see what he can do. He 233 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:38,240 Speaker 1: comes from a great background. So let's go. Let's bring 234 00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: this on. I want to keep things on the defense 235 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 1: because I feel like when a lot of people think 236 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 1: about the Rams, you think about Sean McVeigh and this offense, 237 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 1: and I'm just curious how you would evaluate the Rams 238 00:12:51,640 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 1: defense based on strength and weaknesses. Obviously you think of 239 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:58,199 Speaker 1: guys like you mentioned Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. But 240 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 1: if you're the Jets when you traveled to l A 241 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 1: and you face this defense I finished top ten last year, 242 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:06,959 Speaker 1: where do you go about attacking them? Well? I mean 243 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 1: I I really do think that the Rams took a 244 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:13,040 Speaker 1: significant step this offseason to make sure that their run 245 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 1: game was strong and that was more focused. Obviously, again, 246 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 1: we I joke. But it's like, the Rams have to 247 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:21,679 Speaker 1: play three other teams that have great run games, so 248 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 1: they've got to focus on that, right, And that's what 249 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:26,679 Speaker 1: they did with a Sean Robinson and Leonard Floyd. They 250 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: brought back Michael Brocker's I will tell anybody in the 251 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 1: universe that I don't know what bottles were popped, but 252 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:36,680 Speaker 1: I know Aaron Donald was so happy when they brought 253 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:39,960 Speaker 1: back Michael brocker Is to play on that d line. Um, 254 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:43,080 Speaker 1: I don't think people realize Also when you have a 255 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:46,120 Speaker 1: guy like Aaron Donald, well maybe people do realize it 256 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: because it's Aaron Donald, but Aaron Donald opens up a 257 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 1: lot of the game on the other end. So if 258 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 1: you have an edge raction's like doing well, they don't 259 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 1: have to face the same amount of pressure if Aaron 260 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 1: Donald's there. Because we've seen table their tape game after game, 261 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:04,439 Speaker 1: Ara Donald will go through a wall and it's okay, 262 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 1: and somehow he's like, oh, yeah, I just made it through, 263 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: no problem. I found this small, little inch gap and 264 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 1: I made my way through an attack the quarterback. So 265 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:15,200 Speaker 1: I think, um that we don't realize that he opens 266 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 1: up the rest of this side of the of the game. 267 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 1: And so the run game I think will be a 268 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:24,520 Speaker 1: huge improvement consistent from last season, if not more. Um, 269 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:26,960 Speaker 1: but I think a significant part of that was Michael Proper. 270 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:30,120 Speaker 1: So if you're trying to beat the Rams, you know, 271 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 1: I really do think that the run game has already improved, 272 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 1: but the past game obviously has a guy like Jalen Ramsey. 273 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:39,560 Speaker 1: I think Troy Hill is someone who's been very underrated 274 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 1: over the years. Um. You know, last year you saw 275 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 1: changes like a key to Leaves departure and Marcus Peters departure, 276 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: and there were changes just overall, but Troy Hill really 277 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 1: stepped up. And a person that you really lacked on 278 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 1: that past run game was a guy like John Johnson, 279 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: who had a shoulder injury. Has I've seen him training 280 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:01,560 Speaker 1: this offseason and he looked strong and his main focus 281 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 1: is He's told many time and time again, he's just 282 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:05,760 Speaker 1: like screen, I just want to get back. A guy 283 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:08,240 Speaker 1: like Taylor Rap has done a great job stepping into 284 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 1: that safety linebacker position. So I mean, right now i'd 285 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:16,000 Speaker 1: say just you know, maybe don't play offense and just 286 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 1: go straight to you know, trying to stop the Rams. 287 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 1: But I'm really excited to see you know, just the 288 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:27,560 Speaker 1: Rams overall focused on all the little minute parts that 289 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 1: maybe we don't think about. In addition to Sean McVey, 290 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:33,320 Speaker 1: we'll say this time and time again, in order for 291 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,560 Speaker 1: us to win games, it's offense, defense, and special teams. 292 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 1: The Rams have a new special teams coordinator, a job 293 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 1: bon Amigo. Um, they're keeping a guy like Johnny Hecker. 294 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 1: John bon Amigo has already said, I know that Johnny Hecker, 295 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 1: can you know fake punt, be a quarterback, be a punter, 296 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,240 Speaker 1: be a kicker. So you've gotta go like that, who's 297 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 1: consistently been with the Rams since he was drafted. Um, 298 00:15:57,120 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 1: so that'll be That's the one nugget that I'm like, Oh, 299 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 1: I'm interested to see how this team kind of gets 300 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:05,320 Speaker 1: pulled together because right now they also have three kickers 301 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 1: that are going to compete for the job, which will 302 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 1: I mean competition breed success. So it'll be an interesting spot. 303 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:14,440 Speaker 1: But I really don't know. I could give the Jets 304 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: anything if it comes to whether you're gonna beat him 305 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,080 Speaker 1: on the run of the pass game. What is in 306 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 1: store for the Rams offense this year? You mentioned mcbaby before. 307 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 1: Jared Goff, a veteran in the National Football League. That's 308 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 1: a changing backfield behind him. No more Todd Gurley cam 309 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 1: Akers was drafted. I know they like the receivers. You 310 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: mentioned the old line being a weakness last year because 311 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:39,120 Speaker 1: of health. There doesn't seem to be a lot of 312 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:43,360 Speaker 1: changes up front though, in addition to better health. How 313 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:47,720 Speaker 1: much of this is their success? The Rams offensively going 314 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 1: to be on golf this year, so Robert Wood said 315 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 1: maybe a couple of weeks ago he was just like, 316 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 1: I would love to see this Rams offense go back 317 00:16:57,600 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 1: in the air again. I think, Um, there's a lot 318 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:04,199 Speaker 1: of obviously eyeballs on Cooper Cup and Robert Woods. And 319 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:06,879 Speaker 1: again with the departure of a guy like Brandon Cooks, 320 00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 1: you saw, those three guys are like WHOA. The Rams 321 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:12,119 Speaker 1: drafted a guy like Van Jefferson, who I have heard 322 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 1: is pretty much the same as a Cooper Cup and 323 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:19,240 Speaker 1: Robert Woods. He is a smart wide receiver. Um, he 324 00:17:19,359 --> 00:17:22,840 Speaker 1: will find his open spaces, he maximizes on those parts, 325 00:17:22,880 --> 00:17:27,680 Speaker 1: and he's consistent with Sean McVeigh loves consistency. This wide 326 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:29,960 Speaker 1: out group in particular is a group that does not 327 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:33,320 Speaker 1: drop the ball. Josh Reynolds is another guy I think 328 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 1: is underrated who would be constantly asked to step in 329 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:39,760 Speaker 1: at times and he would be like, okay, like I've 330 00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:41,840 Speaker 1: got to jump in for a Brandon Cooks or Robert 331 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:43,960 Speaker 1: Woods or Cooper Cup, which is not easy to do. 332 00:17:44,119 --> 00:17:46,920 Speaker 1: So I really do think that the RAMS wide out 333 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:50,119 Speaker 1: group is only getting better with a guy like Van Jefferson, 334 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:52,840 Speaker 1: who's a coach his son, so I mean, you guys 335 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:56,840 Speaker 1: know him, actually, so I do believe that Van Jefferson 336 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:59,679 Speaker 1: is gonna be great. They also, again you said it 337 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:03,960 Speaker 1: picked up a guy like Hamakers and Makers succeeded uh 338 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 1: in a Florida State offense who had a pretty roughed 339 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,240 Speaker 1: up OH line as well. So if we are looking 340 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 1: at like, okay, what happened last year and what were 341 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:15,200 Speaker 1: things that the Rams needed to fix, not only are 342 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:17,440 Speaker 1: we healing up our OH line, now we're gonna bring 343 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 1: in a running back they can work with the dinged 344 00:18:19,320 --> 00:18:21,120 Speaker 1: up old line and he'll still figure out a way 345 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:23,560 Speaker 1: to succeed. So I think that will be really interesting. 346 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 1: Darryl Henderson is another running back that didn't get as 347 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 1: much playtime last year. Obviously, if you got a Todd 348 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:31,680 Speaker 1: guy like Todd early out you're not going to see that. 349 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:33,840 Speaker 1: But this year, I think there's a lot more space 350 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:37,360 Speaker 1: for to see a guy like Darryl Henderson to succeed um. 351 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: And then Malcolm Brown has been sort of the steady 352 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 1: horse in this running backs group, and so I could 353 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:45,040 Speaker 1: also see you know, a mix there. I mean, you 354 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:47,200 Speaker 1: saw the year that the Rams went to the Super 355 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:50,000 Speaker 1: Bowl just two seasons ago. The Rams ran a very 356 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 1: consistent eleven personnel and that was because you know, Sean 357 00:18:53,520 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 1: McVeigh was trying to mask all the different plays that 358 00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:59,760 Speaker 1: they ran. Sometimes you saw Robert Woods blocking, sometimes you 359 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:03,239 Speaker 1: just Cooper Cup playing running back or tighten. I mean, 360 00:19:03,240 --> 00:19:06,240 Speaker 1: there were so many different changes that Sean McVeigh tried 361 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:09,240 Speaker 1: to do. Well, now you've got a new running back, 362 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 1: a new wide receiver that replicate exactly what you're kind 363 00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 1: of trying to do and hiding your your plays on 364 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:17,919 Speaker 1: offense along with the Tyler Higby who have been the 365 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 1: last four or five games of the season really showed 366 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:23,440 Speaker 1: what he can do. Let's not forget we still have 367 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:26,960 Speaker 1: Gerald every who had some injuries last season, who also 368 00:19:27,119 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: has the opportunity to do things. So while I stay, yeah, 369 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:34,040 Speaker 1: Jared Golf has to you know, didn't have a Jared 370 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:37,240 Speaker 1: golf season last year due to some of those injuries. 371 00:19:37,480 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 1: Now we've got guys who are healed up. Now we've 372 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 1: got some new pieces to this offense that Jared can 373 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:45,359 Speaker 1: use um at his disposal. What do you think about 374 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:48,720 Speaker 1: some happenings off the field for your franchise to l 375 00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:52,200 Speaker 1: A Rams moving into a new stadium and Serena will 376 00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:56,400 Speaker 1: will you will we see you on Hard Nuts. Now 377 00:19:56,480 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 1: I'm trying to figure out how to get on this show. 378 00:19:59,480 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 1: Everyone's oh the clickers that are like on Hard Knocks, 379 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 1: And I'm like your team reporter man, like, let's go. 380 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:09,480 Speaker 1: I'm just here, you know, hang now, Uh no, I am. 381 00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:12,479 Speaker 1: I'm excited. Hard Knocks cool, especially because it's the Chargers 382 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:16,480 Speaker 1: and the Rams going into Gray Stadium. Everyone's got new uniforms. 383 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 1: Are really excited about the uniforms. Actually, I love the 384 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:23,120 Speaker 1: fact that the Rams have the first off white bone coloring. 385 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 1: Like I feel like the players are all like, all right, 386 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:29,639 Speaker 1: like put on a new uniform. I've made this comparison before, 387 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:32,640 Speaker 1: but as someone who loves running and working out, like 388 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:35,080 Speaker 1: what is like the best part? Like sometimes you're like, oh, 389 00:20:35,119 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 1: I really don't want to work out. But if you 390 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:39,360 Speaker 1: buy those new sneakers and you buy that nice new 391 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: workout here, all of a sudden you're running seven six 392 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 1: minute miles down the street smiling, you forget all about 393 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:48,160 Speaker 1: the pain that you're actually putting your body through. So 394 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 1: I would say, the Rams have a new uniform. Yes, 395 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:54,840 Speaker 1: please start a hashtag gets Serena on hard knocks or 396 00:20:54,840 --> 00:20:57,359 Speaker 1: maybe we'll figure out something better than that. UM. But 397 00:20:57,680 --> 00:21:00,600 Speaker 1: I'm excited, and I'm I'm I mean, it's great. The 398 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:02,959 Speaker 1: fact that we're still doing hard knocks. There's two teams 399 00:21:02,960 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 1: in l a UM is going to be exciting. The 400 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:09,920 Speaker 1: Rams have a new look and and that stadium looks amazing. 401 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:12,639 Speaker 1: If you guys fly into LA because we'll see it 402 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:18,159 Speaker 1: and it's it's ready for football. He I'm curious your 403 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:21,760 Speaker 1: perspective if you're the Jets, how do you go about 404 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:24,400 Speaker 1: winning this football game? And what matchups do you think 405 00:21:24,800 --> 00:21:27,879 Speaker 1: are in favor of the Green and White. Well credit 406 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:30,680 Speaker 1: to Serena first off, because I can center myself a 407 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:35,320 Speaker 1: high energy guy. She is unbelievable energy. Uh, she's somebody 408 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:38,800 Speaker 1: who's talking about getting up early in the morning southern California, 409 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:41,639 Speaker 1: getting her workout in running miles in the six minute 410 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:44,200 Speaker 1: range and then she comes on here at like a 411 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:47,159 Speaker 1: bolt of lightning, and oh, that's the Chargers. So the 412 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 1: Jets play earlier in the year on the calendar. But 413 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 1: a couple of things that she addressed was run defense. 414 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 1: She repeatedly came back to that. So can the Jets 415 00:21:59,440 --> 00:22:03,399 Speaker 1: challenge Rams linebackers? You're gonna have to make sure you 416 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:07,080 Speaker 1: a lot of times double Aaron Donald because he's a 417 00:22:07,119 --> 00:22:10,720 Speaker 1: guy who basically is impossible a single block. We know that, 418 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:15,640 Speaker 1: But this is another game where I think this revamp 419 00:22:15,680 --> 00:22:18,119 Speaker 1: offensive line, maybe they can get some traction in the 420 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 1: run game. And then Sam Donald is gonna be making 421 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 1: a home coming back to southern California. That should open 422 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:27,560 Speaker 1: things up up top. You're probably gonna stay away from 423 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 1: Jalen Ramsey, but that's okay because they're gonna have to 424 00:22:31,560 --> 00:22:33,800 Speaker 1: to tend with a number of players on the Jet 425 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: side of the ball. But that's the first thing is 426 00:22:36,440 --> 00:22:41,280 Speaker 1: the Rams failed to be consistent stopping the run in 427 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:43,679 Speaker 1: two thousand nineteen. Can they do it in two thousand twenty? 428 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:45,879 Speaker 1: Will know a lot about this Rams team as this 429 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:49,000 Speaker 1: season progresses. On the other side of the football. To me, 430 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:52,720 Speaker 1: it's clear this team has a lot of question marks 431 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:57,280 Speaker 1: up front. They really do. So can the Jets defensive 432 00:22:57,359 --> 00:23:01,960 Speaker 1: line and front seven dominate? Because if you can, you 433 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:04,280 Speaker 1: can make it for a long day for Jared Goff, 434 00:23:04,320 --> 00:23:08,520 Speaker 1: even though what his weapons, they're talented. All right, Well, 435 00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:11,119 Speaker 1: there you have it. That's the Jets Keys to success 436 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:14,520 Speaker 1: in Week fifteen at l A for the second week 437 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 1: and the second game of a back to back West 438 00:23:17,080 --> 00:23:20,680 Speaker 1: Coast trip, first in Seattle in Week fourteen, then traveled 439 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:24,760 Speaker 1: down to southern California, wrapping their West coast trips up 440 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:27,399 Speaker 1: against the Los Angeles Rams. And that was another edition 441 00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:31,280 Speaker 1: of the Official Jets Podcast powered by Amazon Web Services. 442 00:23:31,520 --> 00:23:35,480 Speaker 1: The Opponent Preview series wraps up at MetLife Stadium with 443 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:38,919 Speaker 1: the Jets final home game of two thousand twenty against 444 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:40,000 Speaker 1: the Cleveland Browns.