The LA Rams have a host of people who deserve the accolades and praise for winning another thrilling preseason game. I suppose when a team is firing well on many cylinders. that can be true of almost any NFL team. Still, this is a young team, and based on many preseason projections and reports, the team was projected by many NFL analysts to be at risk of regressing.
This team rose out of nowhere to win seven of their final eight games to end the season with a record of 10-7,and a sixth-seed berth in the 2024 NFL Playoffs. But this year? Many NFL pundits, analysts, and reporters are comfortable discussing the team's chances in this season to come in with eight or nine wins.
I think it will be a season that is far improved over 2023. That could mean 12 or more victories for this team. And so far, the depth of this team has been showing up in very competitive efforts in the team's first two preseason games. This has been a team whose swarming defense has quickly become the team's trademark. But at the same time, the offense has been showing up with huge game-winning touchdown drives for two consecutive games.
Are the two related?
I cannot help but think that the team's defense knows and understands that if they can keep the team close on the scoreboard, quarterback Stetson Bennett will find some way to win. So far, he has proven that to be the case twice in two games:
I know that some fans prefer perfection. No mistakes. No mental lapses. No errors in judgment. But that is not how it works in the NFL. Preseason is not only about showcasing talents to coaches, but in testing and discovering the limits of play. This is when players discover when to make their break for daylight, how tight of a window a quarterback can push his passes, and still make completions, which pass rush moves work, and how to set up to block most effectively.
NFL preseason is a scratch pad, the NFL's version of an etch-a-sketch. You may want a Rembrandt or a Picasso, but this is only an etch-a-sketch. In two more weeks, everything is shaken up, and the preseason simply won't matter any longer.
This win had Rams Assistant HC Aubrey Pleasants fingerprints all over it
In the first preseason game, the LA Rams passed 38 times and ran 28 times. In the second preseason game, the Rams passed 31 times and ran 30 times. Hmmm, before the game, we asked How different will preseason play-calling be under Coach Pleasant, So it seems that the team was more willing to run the football in Game 2. And that is how we initially had guessed this game might turn out:
". . . he (Coach Aubrey Pleasant) will try to ground and pound the football in this one. More rushing means game clock management, and a much better scenario for the defense"
- Bret Stuter
The Rams ran a balanced offense and kept feeding them the ball with a swarming defense that created turnovers in three different ways. One interception, one fumble recovery, and one turnover on downs. That felt like a pre-game expectation of Coach Pleasant. Turnovers for this defense are one of the key foundations of success, and the group was certainly very opportunistic in Game 2.
And you can see the thrill in Coach Pleasant's face after the game:
In his post-game press conference, Assistant HC Aubrey Pleasant seemed to cherish the opportunity to serve in the capacity of acting head coach for this game. And it was a tribute to his mentorship and coaching abilities that his players, particularly from the defensive secondary, seemed to up their game for their coach.
NFL secondaries, like NFL offensive lines, are vitally dependant upon group chemistry, coordination, trust, and communication. So it's no surprise that Coach Pleasant exhibited the prinicple of 'We not me,' at the podium. That is his mantra, and you could see it from the players throughout the game.
So who got the game ball for the Rams in Game 2?
The post-game speech from Coach Pleasant strove to focus on the group achievement, and not individual accomplishment. In his post-game speech, he mentioned 'we can talk about the game balls later. Right now, this is about us.'
So did the Rams waive their tradition of handing out game balls?
Not at all. Head Coach Sean McVay stepped up, armed with a game ball awarrd, and tossed the football to Coach Pleasant. As soon as that happened, everyone in the room roared with cheers of approval, because they all understood that his victory, this game ball, was dedicated to Assistant HC Aubrey Pleasant, a coach who just had his first taste of an NFL head coaching role.
An honor that was so well-deserved.
The LA Rams entered this game pitting a squad of purely backups and depth players against a Los Angeles Chargers team that was a blend of starters and backups. On a pure 'talent' level, it's no wonder the Rams were underdogs in this one. In fact, the Rams have consistently been the underdog in both preseason games so far.
But this is football. While other teams prioritize track and field athletics in their talent assessment, the Rams prioritize football acumen, passion for the game, high morals, leadership, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win. Just compare where the team is finding surprisingly good talent? Former Texas WR Jordan Whittington is loved by Longhorn fans because he selflessly did whatever the team asked of him.
Former Clemson DT Tyler Davis was described by his former head coach as one of the best all-time Clemson Tigers players. Not just from his on-field production, but in his maturity and off-field demeanor.
Coach Pleasant got the game ball, but I am certain that he believes the honor belongs to everyone who competed in the game. I believe he may be right on that one.
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