'Love This Group!' Rams Coach Raheem Morris Reflects on Defensive Success
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is a hot name in NFL coaching searches this offseason, but he still has a postseason to navigate with his current team, one that he has grown proud of this year.
After a 3-6 start to the season, the Rams righted the ship and finished at 10-7, earning an NFC wild card berth in the process. There was an offensive revival in L.A., but a large credit for this improvement also goes to Morris' defense, a unit he had an opportunity to praise on Thursday.
"It's really less about me," Morris said. "It's more about being proud of the group in total. Our coaching staff and what we went through and what we did, what we set out to do and what you say you do when you go out and do it. It's a big deal."
Morris believes that this playoff push was a group effort, beginning at the top of the coaching staff and permeating its way through the roster.
"You have to start with (head coach) Sean (McVay) right up top from the leadership and how we went about our process," Morris said. "How we hit the reset button and talked about how he wanted to go about the process. To be able to go out and accomplish those things, I think it's a big deal for all of us.
"I think it's for our younger coaches. I think it's for myself as well, and then I think the steady leadership that I was able to provide and present. I'm really proud of that from a selfish standpoint."
At the end of the day, however, the players are the ones who make the plays, and Morris greatly enjoys being around them day-in and day-out.
"I told those guys, man, I love this group," Morris said. "I love what this group's been able to accomplish. I love what this group's been able to do, and they're not done yet. I love what we have in store. I love the opportunity that we have this weekend.”
This weekend's opportunity comes in the form of a road trip to the Detroit Lions, marking a return for quarterback Matthew Stafford to his former city in an opening round wild card bout. Kickoff on Sunday between Los Angeles and Detroit is set for 5 p.m. PT, and the game will be televised on NBC.
