The Los Angeles Rams were only playing for their pride on Sunday at the Coliseum, having already been eliminated from playoff contention. However, even with not much on the line, it was still stunning to see them attempt a fake punt from their own 17-yard line in the first quarter.
The play failed as Nick Scott came up short of the sticks after taking the snap, but what transpired afterwards was just as surprising. Sean McVay went over to John Fassel, visibly upset, and said “What are you doing?”
They talked for a few seconds before going their separate ways, but on Monday, McVay explains what happened in that instance.
“I was upset. There was a little bit of a miscommunication. Those are things that we want to try to avoid. That’s kind of really where I’ll leave it. You saw, I was not happy,” McVay said.
He was asked to elaborate on the call and discuss whether it will impact the special teams staff heading into the offseason. As upset and frustrated as he was in the moment, McVay made it clear that one play won’t have a ripple effect to that magnitude.
“No. John Fassel is a great football coach. The players respond to him, I have the utmost respect and appreciation for him. One play or one miscommunication will never dictate or determine the way that I look at him or a certain player,” McVay said. “But we all care a lot about it. I know he cares too. There was just a little bit of a mix-up, miscommunication and ultimately, I’m responsible for it as much as ‘Bones’ is and those are things that we’ll get fixed.”
Fassel and the rest of the Rams’ coaches will be evaluated in the coming days and weeks as the Rams begin their offseason prep. This call won’t help his cause, but it also shouldn’t determine his future in Los Angeles.
