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SPORTS Thursday 7 February 2019

McVay, Goff begin shaking off Rams’ loss, focusing on future

By GREG BEACHAM hits in the upcoming season
AP Sports Writer include defensive tackle
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. Michael Brockers, lineback-
(AP) — The Los Angeles er Mark Barron and corner-
Rams have plenty of off- back Marcus Peters.
season work to do. Thanks Suh’s $14 million contract
to their run to the Super is up, and the 32-year-old
Bowl, they have a relatively veteran gets to choose his
short amount of time to do career’s direction again
it. after he gambled on the
Sean McVay professes to Rams’ prospects for pro-
love few things more than viding his first career play-
his next challenge, and the off success. Aaron Don-
coach is already hitting ald wants Suh back next
the Rams’ offseason tasks to him, but while Suh ap-
with extra motivation from peared to thoroughly enjoy
the humbling experience playing in LA, he probably
of Los Angeles’ 13-3 loss to could make bigger money
the New England Patriots in elsewhere.
Atlanta. Fowler improved his stock
“If you can’t handle getting with solid play after his mid-
gut-punched and respond- Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks to reporters at the team’s training camp season arrival from Jack-
ing, this business probably Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. sonville. He wants to stay,
isn’t for you,” a typically Associated Press but could be targeted with
energized McVay said next month. it’ll be definitely something Saffold said. “Sean McVay multiyear offers due to the
Tuesday at the Rams’ train- “When you do go this late that will motivate us, and did an unbelievable job valuable nature of his posi-
ing complex. “That’s the into the season, which is something that we’ll use. being able to turn this team tion.
only way that I know how certainly a blessing, we’re It’s hard saying this when around from a 4-12 team to Joyner played this season
to respond as a coach. I really far behind with a lot we know, had we won, a 13-3 team with a chance on the franchise tag, and
know our coaching staff of the things that typically right now we would prob- to win the Super Bowl. You the Rams’ hesitance to
feels that way. I know our take place,” McVay said. ably be in the parade, and can’t ask for anything bet- give him a top-dollar, mul-
players feel that way, and The NFC champions were how fun that would be, and ter than that. It hurts right tiyear deal could be fore-
that’s what’s powerful. ... If mostly upbeat while they how many different things now, but these guys are shadowing.
things are always easy, you cleaned out their lock- go along with winning the resilient. These guys show Cornerback Sam Shields
never get a chance to get ers Tuesday, but the Super Super Bowl. It’s hard to put great poise. I expect every- played in every game after
tested and find out.” Bowl defeat will take weeks that in perspective, really, body to come back and missing the past two sea-
McVay said he isn’t ready to fade. but there was a lot of good have another victorious sons while recovering from
for a vacation, and he al- Andrew Whitworth is con- things that came out of this season, whether it’s with repeated concussions.
ready has a lengthy to-do templating retirement, season.” me or without me.” Shields said he “most defi-
list. yet the left tackle was in With McVay and defensive With that final phrase, Saf- nitely” wants to play foot-
The Rams must replace the Rams’ training com- coordinator Wade Phillips fold underlined the un- ball again next season.
quarterbacks coach Zac plex working out on a bike still leading a roster stacked certain nature of any NFL “I beat all odds, and I feel
Taylor, who took over as within hours after the team with elite talent, the Rams offseason. The stalwart of- like myself again,” Shields
head coach of the Cincin- returned home. Jared Goff appear to have a founda- fensive lineman is among said.
nati Bengals on Monday. had already watched film tion for a prolonged stretch several Rams whose futures Running back C.J. Ander-
McVay is heading to the of the Super Bowl, taking a of championship conten- are undecided. son provided an enormous
NFL scouting combine in close look at his offense’s tion. Veterans of the Rams’ Defensive tackle Ndamu- late-season boost, and the
three weeks, and he will numerous failings. bad old days don’t take kong Suh, edge rusher Rams could be interested
play a role in general man- “It definitely stings,” said this success for granted, Dante Fowler and safety in keeping him longer than
ager Les Snead’s numerous Goff, who will have his even if the ending currently Lamarcus Joyner all were five games. Backup run-
roster decisions to be made fourth position coach in stings. not available Tuesday to ning back Malcolm Brown,
within the compressed four seasons. “It’s hard. You “This season is a truly great discuss their futures as un- whose injury led to Ander-
timeframe of evaluation can’t ever really get over it, accomplishment by this restricted free agents. Vet- son’s arrival, is also a free
before free agency opens maybe. It’ll be tough, but team,” left guard Rodger erans with hefty salary cap agent.q