Sports

Logan Paulsen recognized the mastery, despite Sean McVay’s youth.

Jordan Reed immediately tapped into the positivity of the then-20-something assistant coach.

So the former NFL tight ends, who were tutored by McVay in Washington, are happy that the Rams’ ninth-year coach has utilized a quartet of tight ends this season — a sizable shift in an offense that has helped fuel a four-game winning streak entering Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium.

McVay is among coaches who recognize “how much of a matchup nightmare tight ends can be and how vital they are to an offense,” Reed said, “so it’s awesome to see the position grow.”

McVay was an offensive assistant in Washington for one season before he was elevated to tight ends coach in 2011, and then offensive coordinator in 2014.

“He was so young,” said Paulsen, who played in Washington from 2010 to 2015. “He never played tight end before, he didn’t have any background there ... and here he comes as a quality-control guy with this level of mastery.

“And I think that just speaks to how special he was then, and how special he is now.”

McVay, 39, acknowledges that the Rams' deployment of multiple tight ends harks to his start as an NFL position coach.

“This does bring back some good memories,” he said.

The Rams have scored at least 34 points in each of their past three games. All have featured at least one touchdown by a tight end — veteran Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, Colby Parkinson and/or rookie Terrance Ferguson.

The group has thrived under tight ends coach Scott Huff, with plays designed by offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and McVay, who doubles as the Rams’ playcaller.

“The only reason you can do it is because you have four players that are capable of doing it,” McVay said.

During McVay’s first eight seasons, the Rams' offense operated almost exclusively out of 11 personnel, which featured a running back, a tight end and three receivers. But this season, McVay has used as many as three tight ends at a time for added blocking and receiving targets.

Higbee, Allen, Parkinson and Ferguson have combined for 50 catches and seven touchdowns.

“They all bring their own edge to the game,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “Their play style is relentless. I think of so many plays in games where guys are fighting that extra inch and those guys epitomize that.”

Read more:Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks: How to watch, start time and prediction

The tight ends are thrilled with their expanded role.

“The plate’s a lot fuller,” said Allen, who has three touchdown catches.

And all players are involved, Parkinson noted.

“You can see the joy on everyone’s faces, but especially this tight ends group,” he said. “It’s fun to be able to impact the game.”

Ferguson has provided the biggest wrinkle.

The Rams selected the former Oregon star with their first pick in the 2025 draft, and he impressed during offseason workouts. But a groin injury suffered during training camp slowed Ferguson’s development at one of the NFL’s most complicated positions.

On Oct. 19 in London, Ferguson showed his route-running and separation skills in a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has continued to evolve the past two games.

“Just blessed that they have the trust to put me in those opportunities to showcase my athleticism, to be able to stretch the field and run some special routes and do some cool things,” said Ferguson, who trained with Paulsen before the draft.

Paulsen, who played eight NFL seasons, said McVay’s ability to create a “safe space” for players to learn exactly what he is looking for in a play was “freeing.”

“I know it sounds like he’s putting you in a box,” Paulsen said, “but when you know exactly what is expected of you, it’s easier for you to meet that expectation.”

While playing for McVay, Reed made the NFL All-Rookie team in 2013 and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2016.

McVay’s “positivity,” his ability to make complicated concepts understandable and his knack for creating mismatches, helped fuel Reed’s development.

“He made you feel like you were the best,” Reed said. “That’s what it was like playing for him.”

Read more:Sam Darnold reflects on when his NFL odyssey became a $100-million breakthrough

Then and, apparently, now.

Rams tight ends said they always enjoy when McVay stops by their meeting room to “chop it up,” about their position.

“He’s always had a love for it,” Higbee said. “I know he misses it a little bit.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Cooper Kupp played eight seasons for the Rams, highlighted by his 2021 performance, when he was the NFL’s offensive player of year and the most valuable player of Super Bowl LVI.

On Sunday, the Rams will play against Kupp for the first time when the Seattle Seahawks visit SoFi Stadium for a game that will determine first place in the NFC West.

Kupp, released by the Rams last March after they could not find a trade partner, is a complementary piece of a Seahawks offense that features quarterback Sam Darnold and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is on pace to break the NFL season record for yards receiving.

But Kupp, who has 26 catches for 367 yards and a touchdown, is still on the minds of Rams players and coaches.

“I'm glad he's feeling good and ready to rock and roll,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “He’s a lifelong friend of mine. Obviously, we'll be competing against him this weekend, but it’ll be good to see him.”

Kupp played “an instrumental role” in building the Rams' culture, coach Sean McVay said.

“He modeled the way,” McVay said, adding, “He's elevated a lot of people in this building.”

Receiver Puka Nacua benefited from Kupp’s tutelage.

“A foreign feeling for sure,” Nacua said when asked what it would be like playing against Kupp for the first time. “I know I'm excited to see him.”

Is there a postgame jersey swap planned?

“Honestly, I'm hoping that he doesn't take it off because if I see him take it off for somebody else, I might hit somebody on our team, respectfully,” Nacua said, laughing.

Key injuries

Rams: WR Davante Adams (oblique, questionable but expected to play), DE Kobie Turner (back, questionable but expected to play).

Seahawks: C Jalen Sundell (knee, out); WR Tory Horton (groin/shin, out)

How to watch and listen to Rams vs. Seahawks

The Rams (7-2) and the Seattle Seahawks (7-2) will play at 1:05 p.m. PST Sunday at SoFi Stadium. The game will be shown on Fox throughout Southern California and will be available nationally via a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. In Southern California, fans can listen to the game on 710 AM, 93.1 FM and 1330 AM (Español).

Betting lines and odds for Rams vs. Seahawks

Who will win Rams vs. Seahawks?

Gary Klein's pick: The Rams might not score at least 34 points as they did in their past three games, but they will outlast the Seahawks and extend their winning streak to five games.

Rams 24, Seahawks 21

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

R.J. Mickens feels as if the blueprint is right in front of him. Across the Chargers locker room, he sees No. 3 and immediately knows of the possibilities.

The rookie safety has played a leading role in sparking a Chargers defense that has helped lift the team to a three-game winning streak heading into Sunday's game against Jacksonville. Before getting the chance to prove himself, Mickens learned from the secondary corps around him: Tony Jefferson, Elijah Molden, Donte Jackson — and No. 3, Derwin James Jr.

“[James has been] willing to pour into me and help me get to where he's at and surpass him,” said Mickens, who secured his second-career interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. “And he's willing to help me. I'm really willing to go to him."

Mickens isn’t the only Chargers rookie who has built a name for himself within the secondary, as injuries have led to opportunities for players lower on the depth chart. Nikko Reed, whom the Chargers signed as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon, got his “feet wet” two weeks ago against the Tennessee Titans before being thrust into action against Aaron Rodgers and Steelers.

During that game, Rodgers threw a pass that seemed destined to drop into the hands of wide receiver Calvin Austin III. Flying through the air, Reed stretched out his left arm toward Austin and recorded his first pass breakup, helping the Chargers hold a nine-point halftime lead en route to a 25-10 victory.

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who has guided the Chargers to an NFL-best 64.5 opponent passer rating, credits Reed’s development, in part, to defending against Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston in practice.

“When you get out there, and it's DK Metcalf or Roman Wilson ... and it's Aaron Rodgers, you're ready for that because you've taken advantage of the opportunity and practice with the guys that we have,” Minter said of Reed, who played a career-high 40% of snaps against the Steelers.

Said Reed: “Knowing that you're going against the best players every day at practice and once you get into the game, it’s easy — it’s way easier than practice. I feel like that’s the mentality.”

It's a similar mindset that has helped Mickens hold opposing quarterbacks to an 8.3 passer rating on targeted receivers, the best mark in the NFL since Week 6, according to Pro Football Focus.

Mickens tries to keep things in perspective. The sixth-round pick recalled how he made a mistake on his first NFL play, taking a bad angle on a tackle attempt against the Miami Dolphins last month, resulting in a big gain. Still, he felt his interceptions against the Minnesota Vikings and Steelers also provided a learning experience.

Read more:Sam Darnold reflects on when his NFL odyssey became a $100-million breakthrough

His takeaway? Any NFL player can make a game-changing play, Mickens said.

James likes what he sees from his younger counterparts. Although Mickens and Reed are learning from watching James every day, the four-time Pro Bowler is also keeping a close eye on the rookies as the Chargers prepare for their playoff push.

“It’s being a sponge,” James said. “[Mickens and Reed] ask questions all day, every day. Man, they work. They work like they ain't got nothing. Every day. And it's showing.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.