Check out what the Seahawks are saying about the Rams leading up to the Week 5 game at L.A. Coliseum.
Head Coach Pete Carroll
(On how much of what they are doing offensively is Jared Goff getting better or is it their new offensive coaches and schemes…) "The schemes don't look so much different but the production is just there. Their tempo is really good. Really good. It seems to have played into Jared's strengths. He had a great off season. He had one of the great freshman sophomore jumps that you can have. There is a lot of things clicking and they have added some really good players too to the receiving corps, up front and they just look much improved."
(On Gurley's ability to run and catch the ball and being a well-rounded back…) "He is just that. He is a terrific player. He really can do everything. He runs good routes. He makes plays down field. He can shake and make you miss in the short routes passing game. He is an in-depth runner. He is tough, he is creative. He is off his feet a lot, jumping over guys and doing a lot of creative stuff. And he is obviously really durable. He is a stud. He can really hang in there and take all the load. He has been playing a lot."
(On what have you noticed about Goff since the last time you saw him…) "He is really sure of himself. The ball is coming out quick. He is utilizing the calls really well and that quick game, ball's out. He is doing a great job checking the balls down evidence by Todd's [Gurley] catches. He has 20 catches, leading the team in receptions already. More efficient, they have only been sacked four times. So everything is working really well and it's fitting together. He is a quick decision guy. He gets the ball out. That is playing right into, I'm sure, the way they are talking in their style."
(On how difficult is to plan against Aaron Donald…)"Yeah, he is a really really problematic. Yeah, there is just nobody like him. Quickness wise. For a guy that doesn't have a big stature, he's got extraordinary strength and explosion and ability to disengage and get off. He makes remarkable plays that other guys can't make. You don't know when it is going to happen, so he is really a challenge to play against."
(On what kind of weapon is Johnny Hekker…)"He is a fantastic weapon. We know him. We have seen him for years. This guy can do all kinds of stuff. You have to be ready every snap he is on the field because he is a terrific thrower. He is a good athlete. He can run. He's got all kinds of creativity to him. He gives them all kinds of options. Fortunately, we've seen a lot that they have done and we've been able to learn from it and all. But we are really on alert when he was on the field. He is a fantastic weapon for them. And he is terrific punter too."
Cornerback Richard Sherman
(On how much different the L.A. Rams look offensively this year…) "Honestly, they look a lot the same. They're just executing, the o-line is blocking better, [Todd] Gurley's got a lot more room to run, they're using him more than they did in the past, and they're playing with purpose. I think they were 3-1 at this point last year, so they've been looking good. They have a lot of talent."
(On how he's seen Rams QB Jared Goff develop in the last year…) "He's a lot more comfortable this year. Obviously, there's going to be growth from the first year to the second year, and he's seen that. [Head Coach Sean] McVay's done a great job of just putting him in places that he's comfortable, and giving him plays that he knows that he's comfortable with every read that are in his skill-set and in his realm. He's just executing."
(On when he's on the sidelines watching Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and what sticks out in his mind about Donald…) "He's disruptive. He's always either back there, or at the center of a lot of chaos. He plays with great hands, great pad-level, great technique, and just know he's going to be something to deal with and someone that the offense has to face, and they have to figure out where he is at all times."
(On if he likes playing in the Los Angeles Coliseum…) "I do; it's a great stadium to play in, it's historic for a number of reasons, but I've always had a great time playing there. Growing up, seeing it, hearing it, it's in the middle of South-Central L.A., so you have to go there from time to time. When we went, we didn't have the greatest seats, but it's a great venue, and my family gets to come."
(On how Todd Gurley has 20 receptions already through four games and leads the team in receptions so far…) "Yeah, the quarterback checks the ball down a substantial amount, and they get him out there on the edge, and they find creative ways to get him the ball. That's not a big surprise. He had a lot of receptions last year on check-downs and things of that nature. It's part of their quick-game package."
Quarterback Russell Wilson
(On how different they look in a 3-4 front on defense as opposed to a 4-3 they have been in years past when they've played them…) "Yeah, it's definitely different. Being in the 3-4 front, they're always rushing five pretty much. Before, they were rushing four, sometimes three, sometimes six, sometimes seven, so they mix it up a bunch. Now, they're really just trying to rush five because they can because they have great rushers; they have guys that can really make a lot of plays. [Connor] Barwin's another good player too as well, you think about him and all of the success that he's had over his career, so it definitely is a little bit different in terms of what they're doing. They still have a lot of great players and how they're doing it, and they've been very, very successful doing it this year so far."
(On whether you have developed an acquaintanceship with Aaron Donald or do you give him a wide berth when you see him…) "Yeah I have been fortunate to be around Aaron Donald. I mean you are talking about a guy who is super focused. It seems like he enjoys himself but also has a determination that is relentless. You definitely recognize that. You recognize that on the field. He is always poised and calm on the field too. You really respect how he plays the game. He is a guy who plays the game the right way. He is going to be a Hall of Famer, I really believe that. You watch him play and the things that he can do. He is really special. You think back to the days where guys like Warren Sapp and certain defensive linemen really changed the game and interior linemen, he is one of those guys. He has a lot of ability, physical, strong, fast, quick, smart, really knows the game, knows what you are trying to do, so I have tons of respect for how he does it and how he plays."
(On whether you have developed an acquaintanceship with Aaron Donald or do you give him a wide berth when you see him…) "Yeah I have been fortunate to be around Aaron Donald. I mean you are talking about a guy who is super focused. It seems like he enjoys himself but also has a determination that is relentless. You definitely recognize that. You recognize that on the field. He is always poised and calm on the field too. You really respect how he plays the game. He is a guy who plays the game the right way. He is going to be a Hall of Famer, I really believe that. You watch him play and the things that he can do. He is really special. You think back to the days where guys like Warren Sapp and certain defensive linemen really changed the game and interior linemen, he is one of those guys. He has a lot of ability, physical, strong, fast, quick, smart, really knows the game, knows what you are trying to do, so I have tons of respect for how he does it and how he plays."
(On when he went to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to play the Rams and how limited was he was following the ankle injury he suffered…) "I moved like a bag of bricks. I really couldn't move last time when we played them at the Coliseum. I think I just had my ankle or my knee, I'm not sure which one it was, the ankle was pretty bad that day. I taped it up like crazy and I was just hobbling around. We still were able to find a way to get down the field and make some plays; we had a chance to win it, and they have a great football team. Whenever you're playing guys like Aaron Donald and [Robert] Quinn and all of their linebackers and everybody that they have like [Alec] Ogletree and all of those guys, you have to be able to move every once in a while, because they're going to get there and they're going to make some plays, they have great players. We're looking forward to the challenge and I'm glad I can be on my feet this time."
Linebacker Bobby Wagner
(On how different does the Rams' offense look under Sean McVay compared to years past…) "I don't think they look crazy different. I think it is still the same people. There are still doing motions with Tavon [Austin] trying to get him on screens. Obviously they are still trying to use Todd Gurley in every form and fashion whether it's in the back field or pass game. From that standpoint, not much."
(On how dangerous is Todd Gurley as leading rusher and receiver…) "You just got to know where he is at. They are handing him the ball off and now they are starting to get him out on, I think he [Jared Goff] checks down a lot to Gurley and then he [Gurley] runs seams out of the backfield. So you just have to know where he is at. Know that they try and get him the ball. He is a special player, so why wouldn't you?"
(On how much pressure does that put on you and KJ Wright to locate Gurley all game….)"I mean I feel like I always pay attention where the running back is at. But with him, you just have to know what they are trying to do, know how they are trying to attack, there are just some plays where he runs a seam out of the back field, it may not be you. It kind of depends on the defensive call and where you are at and things of that nature. But obviously I look forward to matchups like this and going against a good back like Gurley."
(On how equipped is this defense to stop Gurley from being a double threat…) "We are ready for him. I think in the years prior, to your point, what did they do differently. They didn't really get him out of the backfield like that. Most of his catches, the few that he had were when the quarterback didn't have nothing down the field, so he checked it down but now they are trying to get him out, they are trying to whether it's on screens, whether it's down the field. I think he had a touchdown off a seam against the Cowboys, so they are trying to get him out. They are trying to get him the ball anyway possible."
(On are the Rams doing something different to protect Jared Goff from pass rushers…) "I mean I don't know if they are doing anything different. It looked like they may be playing a little bit better. I'll be interested to see how our pass rush does against them. But it looks good. Goff looks confident and I think that is one thing I noticed from this year to last year, he seems more confident in the pocket, more confident in the offense and it's kind of showing in his play."
(On what is it like to go home and play in LA…) "It's fun. It's fun to come back and play in LA. I get to see all my family and friends. When I was at Utah State, we didn't really have too many California games that was that close that my family could make, so the fact that we get to kind of come back in LA and I get to play in front of them is fun."
(On how much do you look forward to a game like this with the Rams having the top scoring offense in the NFL and for the division lead and do you allow yourself to think about statements that could be made in this game…) "No, I think in our minds, we treat every game the same. Everything else will take care of itself. It's a big opportunity because it is a divisional game. One of our main goals here is to win the division so obviously the first divisional game, we want to set the tone because we want to be at the top of the division. But as far as going into the game, we don't ever necessarily treat the game bigger than what it is. We feel like if we prepare and do the things that we need to do, everything will take care of itself. It's going to be fun, hopefully it's hot. We will be good."
Defensive Coordinator Kris Richard
(On what have you seen out of the Rams compared to the last couple times you have seen them…) "Offense is very similar. The tempo is changed. Obviously, again, they are sticking with their young quarterback [Jared Goff] and do really well. I think the tempo has played to their advantage. At a faster pace, you can see some guys getting dropped in coverages and things of that nature. All in all, the offense is built around their running back [Todd Gurley]. He is a doggone good running back. We know what we are up against, so we know again we are going to have to put pads on him consistently, wrap him up and get him on the ground."
(On are you seeing that Todd Gurley is going down the field more…) "Well it's here and there. Obviously again, he had an explosive seam route in the last game but not specifically. A lot of it is on check downs and things of that nature. They are going to try and find ways to find teams in man and just utilize him on pick plays and stuff like that."
(On how have you seen Goff develop as a quarterback since last season…) "Just the overall management of the offense. He is very comfortable. Obviously, again, he is utilizing his safety valves really well. And when he has had the ability to take his shots, he has completed the passes."
(On what does Jared Goff do well…) "Well, you can say quick game, boots, again, tempo, trying to work the perimeter and then hit the check down if nothing is open. It's a good plan for them."
