Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is back and ready to work with Puka Nacua before the NFL game on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Terry Pearson, Press Enterprise/SCNG)
THOUSAND OAKS — Comparisons have been rampant ever since Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua broke out early in the season. It only got stronger as he continued to put up big numbers and didn’t let down after Cooper Kupp’s return.
In the comp, Nacua plays the role of Robert Woods.
Kupp and Woods were a formidable duo early in the former’s career, each gaining over 1,000 yards in 2019 and nearly repeating that feat in 2020. Nacua will play a similar role with the Rams in 2023, providing toughness at the same position as Woods. And versatility like Woods. He also wears Woods’ number 17.
But when you compare him to coach Sean McVay, he gets serious.
“Robert Woods is one of my favorite players and one of the best competitors I’ve ever had. He’s done so many different things for us.” said McVeigh. “When you start putting players into categories like that, it’s a big mantle you can wear. But [Puka] He is a man who can play many roles. I want to continue to see him take steps in the right direction. I love what he’s done so far and he’s doing all the right things. He and Robert are a special type of player, they are few and far between. ”
Nacua also noticed similarities. When the Rams install plays, they play tape from several years ago to get a sense of how the defense will react and the timing of routes. And he sees Woods exhibiting two of the traits Nacua is known for: physicality and energy in his current role in the offense.
But he also sees someone who understands how to work with Kupp.
“He’s a player who’s been moving with Cooper Kupp, so that helps because he knows the tempo and the pace they need to move together,” Nacua said. “There is certainly an urgency.”
When you think of chemistry in football, the first thing that comes to mind is the quarterback-receiver relationship, or the offensive line and running backs working together in the running game.
But the receiving force also needs to develop its own trust relationships. They need to understand the route the other is running, the destination and the path they will take to get there, so that their routes complement and establish each other rather than interfering with each other.
Kupp is a stickler for things like that, and has worked with Nacua to understand that spacing and how it changes depending on how the defense presents itself.
For example, during practice, Kupp went through the motions as a slotback behind Nacua. He told the rookie about the coverage before the snap.
“The ability to judge before you actually go into your route, oh, the defense is playing this, you can go this route, you can just clear the way,” Nacua explained. “Cop is very diligent about alignment and making sure every yard of the ball counts before it snaps. If you need to work some kind of leverage, if you need to slide him inside. , every one of those yards matters.”
The duo will continue to evolve throughout the season after debuting against the Eagles with 15 total receptions for 189 yards.
But Kupp sees similarities between the new vice presidential candidate and the old one.
“It’s kind of cool to see 17 back on the field,” Kupp said. “I mean, their games are really similar, they have a slasher mindset, physicality, tough mentality. All that stuff is there.”
waiting game
McVay and his wife, Veronica Homin, are expecting their first child this month, and McVay admitted Friday that he plans to leave home to be by his wife’s side when the baby boy is born on game day.
“It hasn’t really clicked yet. He’s feeling good right now and seems ready to come,” McVay said. “What a blessing it is, and her wife Veronica has done a great job in handling her pregnancy. She’s a stud.”
Reporting an injury
Linebacker Ernest Jones (knee), right guard Joe Noteboom (groin) and defensive tackle Larrell Murchison (knee) are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. has been done.