Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has admitted responsibility over the ‘dumba**’ travel plans before their NFL season opener in Melbourne, Australia.
At the start of the month, the Rams were thoroughly dominated by their NFC West rivals, San Francisco 49ers, as LA scored only once during a 27-7 defeat.
Afterwards, much was made about the Rams’ decision to fly across the Pacific Ocean only 28 hours prior to the game, as opposed to the 49ers’ choice to arrive in Australia a week prior in order to get acclimated.
On the day, San Francisco looked far more prepared – and better rested – as they put up nearly 100 more yards and held Matthew Stafford to just 155 yards passing.
Now, following the Rams’ 28-6 win over the Giants in Week 2, McVay has finally admitted to overlooking the team’s travel plans before their season-opening loss.
He said: ‘Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. Sometimes you have a dumba** coach that makes travel plans that puts you in a bad spot. So, there you go.’
Rams head coach Sean McVay has lamented his ‘dumba**’ travel plans before their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia earlier this month
San Francisco, who arrived over a week prior, looked the better prepared team in the 27-7 win
The 49ers took the early-bird approach by flying out on Wednesday, September 2 before landing on Friday morning in Melbourne, prior to the game on September 10.
Whereas the Rams instead waited to leave for Australia on Tuesday, September 8 – which gave them roughly 28 hours preparation before their season opener.
Speaking at the time, the Rams head coach defended the decision with reporters.
‘It doesn´t mean that we think we´re right and a different approach is wrong,’ McVay said Sunday. ‘It´s just what we think is best based on the things that we´ve done and what we´ve learned over our time here.’
However, following the loss, McVay’s tune quickly changed.
He said: ‘I didn’t do a good enough job getting us ready to go. There were some opportunities where maybe the game could have flipped, but they deserve the win.’
McVay continued: ‘Sometimes sports can humble you and today was one of those days. I make no excuses. Whether you want to say it’s about travel, whatever, we just weren’t good enough in that window.
‘I didn’t coach good enough and we’ll look at it and we’ll move forward and that’s where we’re at right now.’
He said: ‘Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. Sometimes you have a dumba** coach that makes travel plans that puts you in a bad spot. So, there you go.’
Aaron Donald finally made his highly-anticipated NFL return on Monday night with the Rams
Thankfully, McVay and the Rams were able to get back to winning ways in Week 2, cruising past the New York Giants in a 28-6 victory at SoFi Stadium.
During which, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald got his first NFL game action in 32 months after skipping last week’s loss to the 49ers.
Donald was introduced last in the Rams’ pregame starting lineup, setting off roars throughout the SoFi Stadium stands as he sprinted onto the field through a corridor of teammates.
The 35-year-old took the field for the Giants’ first offensive play, dropping into his familiar three-point stance as he officially completed his return.
Donald finished the night with three tackles as the Rams picked up their first victory of the season with a 28-6 win over the Giants, who lost star quarterback Jaxson Dart to a knee injury in the first quarter.
