Rams Brandon Staley – Media Availability – October 28, 2020

(On preparing for a first-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa) “Well, I have a lot of respect for (Dolphins QB) Tua (Tagovailoa). I know a lot of his coaches at Alabama. I am very familiar with some of the coaches there and have good relationships with them. I know the type of respect that he earned at a place like that. You know, it's difficult to become a leader at a place like that, full of future NFL players. Certainly with (Alabama Head) Coach (Nick) Saban there, I just know that he's had as much of an impact on that place as anybody probably has since Coach Saban has taken that job. So, I know what a good player this guy is. I know the type of impact he had offensively at that place, where they really became an offensive team when he was there. His ability to distribute the ball and really be the point guard of that offense, I know that this guy was as good as it gets at the college level. You have to take into consideration how he won the job over one of the most decorated players in college history in the last 10-to-15 years in (Eagles QB) Jalen Hurts, who is an outstanding player. So for him to be able to ascend to that position, this guy's made up of a lot of the right stuff. Certainly stylistically, he fits what () Chan (Gailey) and that offensive staff is trying to accomplish. A lot will be made of his first opportunity, but they wouldn't be putting him out there if they didn't feel like he was ready.”

(On if playing dime against the Eagles was just a one-off situation or did he like the personnel groupings against the Bears) “We just feel like the match-ups certainly are a big part of every game. In that game I felt like Chicago had pretty good skill players when you factor in their tight ends – both 85 (TE Cole Kmet) and 80 (TE Jimmy Graham) sort of play like receivers. Then with 84 (WR Cordarrelle Patterson) being the running back that was in the game most of the time in passing downs, we felt like that was a big factor. We feel like those six defensive backs that we have are really good players, they're really versatile players. We can do a lot of different things with those six guys. We can kind of mix and match and play the way we want to play. So, I thought it fit really well in that last game and felt like it gave us an edge.”

(On what has allowed the defense to apply more pressure) “I think first and second down. Monday night we were outstanding on first and second down against the run game and against the quick-passing game. We knew that's a big component to (Bears QB Nick) Foles’ success. You know, he has one of the quickest snap-to-throws in the NFL. So, we knew that on early downs we were going to have to contest passes in the quick passing game. Then we were going to have to get off to a really good start in the run front. I thought we were physical. I thought we established the line of scrimmage. I thought we tackled extremely well. What that did was, it set us up for second-and-long, third- and-long. Then when we were able to get the lead in that second half now, we're able to sort of dictate the pace of the game, that’s always an advantage defensively. I thought so much of rushing the passer is getting into a rhythm, just like a jump shooter. You have to get into a rhythm sometimes and I felt like our guys really established a nice rhythm in that second half. You were able to see guys really get after the passer. That's certainly the way you hope to be able to play in a game like that.”

(On does he think DL Aaron Donald is a contender for Defensive Player of the Year) “I do. I see him playing as good as anybody in the NFL. I think that he does so much to help us win in the run game, in the pass game, the way we can move him around. He's not a guy that just lines up in one spot, he can line up all over the formation. The thing about a guy like him that I think unique is he has all the individual production, but then you have to factor in the production that he creates for other players, too. I think that's really the definition of an MVP – when you are to be the most valuable player your value extends far beyond just yourself, it's how you affect others. Then the intangible part of his game is about being a leader and establishing the way that you come to work as a professional every day, there's no one that embodies competitive excellence more than (DL) Aaron Donald. So, absolutely I feel like he’s worthy of that award.”

(On what are the challenges of preparing for Tagovailoa with his lack of film and is there anything he can learn about Tagovailoa from his former college teammate OLB Terrell Lewis) “Well, I think one of the advantages of playing against a quarterback like that is if you're thorough in the draft process when we're evaluating all these defensive players in the draft. As you guys know the SEC is as good of a conference as there is in college football, I think that you become aware of some of the offensive players in the draft. (WR) Van Jefferson being a good example, you're watching all these SEC secondary players and then your eyes kind of gravitate towards who is a really good player on offense. And so, Van Jefferson is the guy that you can say, ‘Hey, (Head Coach) Sean (McVay), you know, this guy can really separate now. I mean, like this guy's going up against some really good players.’ I feel like I've been able to get a strong sense of Tua as a player because you're watching all these defensive players. Alabama was one of the first films that you're going to watch if you're watching a player from the SEC or somebody like that. So, I think that you get a good sense of their play style and what their strengths are and things of that nature. But you're still defending the offensive of the , you're still defending 10 other people and they still have an offense to defend full of weapons. Certainly, as I mentioned before, they wouldn't be putting Tua out there if they didn't feel like he really fit how they're playing now. It's not like they're just going to create a new offense in a week for him. He fits the style of play that they want and so we certainly have an inventory over this first stretch of the season. Then you kind of go back on what you know about them in college and then you put your plans together. As for (OLB) Terrell Lewis, I will reserve comment on his Mel Kipper-type scouting report for his former teammate. I'm sure there's a lot of bias that way. So we may not be asking him too many questions, we’ll keep him focused on playing outside linebacker for the Rams.”

(On his assessment of DL A’Shawn Robinson) “I see a focused player. A guy that’s trying really hard to get back, quickly. I think that his wind, that play shape that you guys often hear about, that's real. When you put pads on, there's a difference between kind of doing workouts in shorts and then getting all your gear on. I think that's a different type of shape and I think that's what we're trying to make sure – that this guy's ready to play. I think there's a difference between him being cleared and then him being ready to go out there and be his best or close to it. So, we're just making sure that he's at that point from a physical standpoint, from a mental standpoint, where he can go out there and perform to the best of his ability because we would never want to do that with a player. But we certainly feel like he's getting closer and we're just going to see how it goes this week, but certainly excited about his progress.”

(On does he have to prepare protections defiantly because Tagovailoa is a left-handed quarterback) “There is a little bit of a difference there in terms of some of the movement-passing game because, you know, people tend to want to move to their throwing hand, there's certainly an element to that. Then are they going to become more of a left-formation team because he's a left-handed passer. When the balls in the middle of the field, there’s certainly elements to that, but I think as to everything else, it’s probably going to be the same. I think that early on we'll get a sense of that. I think those are probably the specific areas where it could be different in the movement passing game. Then sometimes when the balls in the middle of the field, maybe more left formation than right formation. So those are things that we'll take look at closely and adjust as we go.”

(On is he going to change anything to keep Tagovailoa in the pocket) “I mean anytime a guy has mobility like that – it's certainly different than the quarterback we were facing last week. Your edges have to be more secure, because I think one of the strengths of Tua is his ability to create and then throw accurately down the field. I know that was something that stood out to me watching him in college. He really plays the game like a point guard – he can keep his eyes down the field and throw the ball accurately. So our edges will have to be secure within the pocket and make sure our rush plan is secure and sound and that we stay connected in coverage, because you're going to have some downs where you have to defend longer in the down with him. So, certainly those are elements that we'll be emphasizing this week.”

(On what the picture is of the safety position right now) "Well, it's a position that we're really fortunate to have some depth there. As you know, it's been a challenge these last couple of weeks with (S) Jordan (Fuller) and (S) Terrell's (Burgess) injury. First off, I want to state how well Terrell Burgess was playing for us. I think this guy has proven that he belongs in the NFL. Unfortunately, it's part of the game, but he was having a great game the other night before he got hurt. We're just wishing him a lot of prayers and well wishes. You know, this is a beginning for him now and it's a tough side of the NFL, but we know that he's going to be back better than ever. And then, Fuller, we're excited to get him back here in a few weeks – he's progressing well. I think he's feeling more and more confident in where he's at physically, so we look to get him back in due time. The other night, (S) Nick Scott stepped in and played really good football. I think from the minute I got here, personally, he's known more for special teams, but I think he's done a really good job developing as a safety and I thought that you saw that development on display on Monday night. And so, he brings us some physicality and some range back there and then we've got some young guys – (S) Juju Hughes, who has done a very good job since the minute he got here – he knows our defense, he's operated well, he's playing well on special teams, he'll be a guy that we look at. Then (S) J.R. Reed, who we got a couple of weeks ago, has done a nice job learning our defense and gives us some size, range. He was a three-year starter at Georgia and a team captain there. So, we're kind of excited about those guys and finding out about them, because that's part of the NFL. That's why we develop these guys and train them the way we do, so that when things like this happen, we're ready for those changes, because that's the NFL. (S) Taylor Rapp has been playing very, very well. He had a really good game the other night. I think he's really settling in, getting comfortable within the defense, I thought he tackled well, I thought he showed good range. Obviously, the play in the end zone on (CB) Troy Hill's tremendous coverage play, to come down with the football and that interception, I think Taylor's playing really quality football for us."

(On rotating players in the secondary and getting them ready for the games) "Yeah, I think I've talked to you guys a little bit about the way we teach. I think we feel like it's one of our winning edges, is the way we prepare and train these guys. When we install a defense, we install a concept where they're not just learning their position, they're learning the entirety of the concept. So, they would know corner, safety, star, money and that's why you're able to play the way we play. Now it's tougher on the players, because they're responsible for more, but I think it opens their eyes and then this cumulative effect sets in where they're learning a lot of football. When you understand how the other pieces are working within a play, I think it helps you perform your job better. And then when things like this happen, where you have injuries, you're able to truly put another guy in, because he knows it extremely well, and you can truly get your best combination of players on the field and I think that that's very important. You don't want to just put the next guy in, you want to put your best guys in, and that's something that we take pride in. (Cornerbacks Coach) Aubrey Pleasant, (Safeties Coach ) EJ Evero and (Defensive Quality Control Coach) Jonathan Cooley, our secondary coaches, that's why we do it the way we do it. That's why we've played so many defensive backs and have been able to do it successfully, is because of the way we teach and the way we meet and the way we train them. So, when Nick came in the game, he had an inventory of reps from training camp and during all these practices. He may have not have played in the games, but he's gotten a lot of quality practice reps, a lot of walk-thru reps since the minute training camp started. He was able to fall back on those reps and perform extremely well and it's a credit to our coaching staff and the other defensive backs around him, because what you're trying to do, is you're creating a brotherhood of accountability, where those guys are really holding themselves to a high standard of understanding football at a high level. And what that does is, when these dynamic situations occur, we're able to thrive and play our best and I thought Nick was outstanding the other night."

(On finding out the best ways to use LB Justin Hollins) "I love this guy. I was fortunate to coach him last year. When he came available, I just knew that he would fit a role for us that we really needed and I think that's what he's doing. He's playing all the right roles for us right now. He can play in any of the packages and play in them well. He's versatile. He can rush the passer. He's good against the run. He can excel in coverage, kind of like (OLB) Leonard (Floyd) does and provides us some of that same stuff that Leonard does. So, (LB) Justin (Hollins) is an important part. He really understands our defense and then he's got the athleticism. He's 6-5, 250lbs, he can run, and he gives you that athleticism that you really need in today's NFL. We’re certainly glad that we have him. I thought he played well the other night."