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The Los Angeles Rams have been THE surprise team in the NFL this season. So much so that heading into this offseason, teams are drawing parallels to what the Rams did to right the ship so quickly.
It’s been a long, long time since NFL teams have wanted to emulate the Rams. But what exactly is McVay doing with his team that has been successful? I see two things: they are having a lot of fun and McVay is instilling a culture of accountability.
The Rams have clearly showed their inexperience at times this season, but they always hold themselves accountable - especially McVay.
McVay said he should’ve called a better play on the 1st-down play that ended up as Goff’s sack/fumble. McVay said he should’ve been more situationally aware with Williams in for second play at RT.
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) December 11, 2017
When Goff was informed McVay said that in the QB’s own presser, Goff said, “He shouldn’t do that. … Once the play comes it, we have to execute it.”
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) December 11, 2017
I need a GIF of two people simultaneously trying to fall on the same sword. https://t.co/4IOogwcstl
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) December 11, 2017
Trust the fellas on Twitter to poke a bit of fun at the situation, but the contrast to recent years is stark. Jeff Fisher would have never, ever, ever said something like this - much less his players. McVay took is a bit further later when addressing whether Todd Gurley should have gotten more touches against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I look at it myself and say, ‘You’ve got to make sure that you’re cognizant of giving the runs a chance and trying to stay balanced,’" McVay said. "And that’s something that I haven’t done. You can’t keep standing up here and saying the same things; you’ve just got to get it fixed. That’s something that I’ve got to be mindful of."
Normally I’m not a fan of coachspeak, but this shows the maturity of McVay. He knows his weakness and taking complete ownership of the consequences of them.
Regardless of what happens on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, the culture of accountability that McVay has instilled will continue to pay dividends - and will also combat the effects of inexperience.