Sean McVay is a talented coach in the National Football League, and with that job comes motivating players during difficult times. The Los Angeles Rams (3-6) are in the midst of some of those difficult times, and they are emerging out of a bye week at the midway point of the season that could have allowed those negative experiences from the first nine games to fester. That’s not the plan if the head coach has anything to say about it, however. McVay recently stressed the importance of “looking ahead” for the Rams this season instead of dwelling on the past, something that will be necessary if the second half of the season is to be better than the first. “I think it’s a lot of the same, attack the opportunity with enthusiasm and excitement about what’s ahead,” McVay said. “Not looking backwards, but how can we learn from the first nine weeks, both positive and things that we can improve upon and let’s focus on those things and let’s go attack it.
“Let’s love this challenge that the NFL brings every single week and love the opportunity to welcome some guys back and love coaching and love playing as well as we possibly can. And let’s see what the heck happens.”
Part coach, part therapist. Maybe that’s what makes McVay one of the most successful young coaches in the league today.
Still, his mindset can’t hurt. What do the Rams have to lose? They have been dealt blow after blow with injuries in the early portions of this season, so, in McVay’s mind, the only place to go is up, and the perfect storm for that may come this week. Franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to return from injury and start this weekend’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Stafford’s injury against the Dallas Cowboys earlier this season was the latest of blows to the Rams offense, but his return could help make the team tick again. “Let’s see what the heck happens”? If the cards are played right, that gambler mentality might give the Rams the break they need to right the ship in 2023.
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