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SPORTS Friday 21 december 2018

Goff, Rams offense

not panicking

after consecutive losses

By DAN GREENSPAN Goff said. "I don't think
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. there's one singular thing.
(AP) — The Los Angeles You look at the last game,
Rams insist there is no panic just made a couple of
internally after losing con- dumb plays that hurt us
secutive games for the first and can't do that."
time under coach Sean Goff said there is an extra
McVay. determination to avoid
Convincing those outside similar mistakes against the
the team that everything is Cardinals (3-11), which Mc-
fine is another matter. Vay said reflects the team's
"My wife got vitamins out in commitment to getting
the morning when we lose back on track over the final
two games," cornerback two weeks of the regular
Aqib Talib said Wednes- season. Though he always
day. "You got to just get stresses process over out-
back to the basics and come, McVay admitted
play football." there is a different level of
Quarterback Jared Goff, intensity this week because
who has been receiving of the two losses.
the most scrutiny for his per- "I'd like to think that regard-
formances in losses at Chi- less of what the outcome
cago and against Philadel- is, it's the same, but hu-
phia, was emphasizing that man nature doesn't really
message. Goff's production allow that," McVay said. "I
has dropped off during the know there's an increased
past three games, throw- sense of urgency from us as
ing one touchdown pass coaches. I sense that from
and six interceptions in that the players."
span after posting a 26-to-6 McVay said nothing
touchdown to interception changes in terms of the
ratio over the first 11 games Rams' preparations going
of the season. into their final road game
Goff had another inter- of the regular season,
ception against the Eagles which includes the hand Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff passes against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first
changed to a lost fumble gestures and verbal cues half in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
by league statisticians, not the offense uses at the line Associated Press
that it offered any solace. of scrimmage to make ad-
"Doesn't matter," Goff said. justments, even after Arizo- those things have been about Goff, provided it was a much different
"It was a turnover." na claimed wide receiver the same since 15 years his quarterback uses the conversation," Goff said.
Cutting down on give- and return specialist Phar- moving forward," Waldron handful of plays that have "We need to fix some things
aways is the priority for the oh Cooper on Wednesday said. "Some of those things, hindered the Rams the and get some things ironed
Rams (11-3) before fac- after the Rams placed him I think, are overvalued. You past two weeks to improve. out and we will. I expect to
ing Arizona on the road on waivers. got to go out there and "Unfortunately, in him, we do that this week."
Sunday. Everything else Passing game coordinator play football and execute keep talking about two NOTES: RB Todd Gurley
brought up as the reason Shane Waldron said there at a high level. If you start plays, and that's the na- (knee) and Justin Davis
for the downturn in his pro- was no need to change worrying too much about ture of the quarterback (shoulder) did not partici-
ductivity, from wide receiv- signals despite the under- hand signals or codewords position," McVay said. "But pate in the team's walk-
er Cooper Kupp's season- standing Cooper would be you're not allowing your- I would say this, we'll con- through Wednesday. Mc-
ending knee injury to strug- giving his new team de- self to play fast, so we still tinue to learn from it." Vay expects Gurley will be
gles in pass protection, tailed information on au- feel we can operate as we Goff has no doubts he and available to play Sunday.
does not matter nearly as dibles and other aspects of have been operating." the Rams offense will reap ... McVay has not decid-
much as playing turnover- the offense. As confident as Waldron is the benefits, no vitamins ed whether WR JoJo Nat-
free football, Goff said. "I mean, there are some in the mechanics of oper- necessary. "Again, we're son or DB Blake Countess
"I think each game is inde- teams in the league where ating the offense, McVay talking about things going will return kicks in place of
pendent of each other," those signals or some of remains just as enthused bad when two weeks ago Cooper.q