LA Rams lastly arrive in Melbourne, nonetheless assured of their uncommon journey plan for 49ers conflict

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Los Angeles Rams lastly touched down in Australia simply earlier than daybreak on Thursday, and so they hope to go residence earlier than the solar units Friday.

They’ll have solely about 36 hours in Melbourne between their 15-hour flights, however coach Sean McVay stays assured this uncommon itinerary offers the Rams’ greatest likelihood to open the common season with a tough win over the San Francisco 49ers.

“We’re well-rested. We feel good,” McVay stated Thursday after the Rams’ transient follow at Marvel Stadium, the retractable-roof venue simply 3 1/2 kilometers from the sport venue, the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

McVay added that a lot of his gamers “got to sleep through the night” on their journey from Los Angeles. “Guys were comfortable, and they seemed fresh. Get a good rest tonight, and be ready to rock tomorrow.”

Before the Rams face the 49ers on the 100,000-seat MCG in a recreation that kicks off at 10:35 a.m. native time, they spent their sole off-day in Melbourne resting, going by a light-weight exercise and making an attempt to get a slight taste of the cosmopolitan metropolis internet hosting the NFL’s first regular-season recreation in Australia.

It’s solely a fraction of the expertise loved by the Niners, who’ve been in Australia for over every week. But the Rams determined months in the past to eschew the enjoyable components of a world journey to concentrate on continuity, holding their physique clocks on California time and minimizing the distractions of worldwide journey.

“Obviously, we would love to have the opportunity to connect with the fans out here a little bit more, but we did what we could (today), getting out and trying some coffee and getting out on the streets,” receiver Davante Adams stated. “We had a chance to meet and see some of the fans, so we did as much as we could with our travel schedule.”

The Rams’ technique hasn’t been well-received in Australia, the place many followers anticipated extra face time with a staff making an attempt to construct a help base as one of many NFL golf equipment designated for promotion within the nation. McVay and the Rams’ entrance workplace have heard the criticism, but it surely hasn’t affected their perception in a journey technique they first used final season for a recreation in London – albeit a a lot shorter journey from the U.S. East Coast than this journey throughout the Pacific.

“We wouldn’t do anything if we didn’t think it was best for our players,” McVay stated. “I’m not saying we have all the answers, but we wanted to keep our guys in a normal rhythm and routine as long as possible, and we feel like (the plan) is going to be something that suits us well.”

Stafford is aware of the Rams’ knowledge will probably be retroactively judged by how properly they play towards their NFC West archrivals. San Francisco has gained 11 of the golf equipment’ 19 conferences through the parallel teaching careers of McVay and Kyle Shanahan – and though the Rams have gained 4 of the final 5, that loss was an embarrassing residence upset handed out by a Niners roster lacking most of its greatest gamers.

“It’s going to boil down to, how good do we feel tomorrow? I think we’re all going to feel really good. We’re excited to start a new season with a bunch of new guys, and go out there and attack the game. … I think guys will be tired at the right time, and be ready to rock and roll in the morning.”

And if the Rams win once more with their late journey technique, Adams will not be shocked if different groups copy McVay’s innovation sooner or later – simply as they’ve accomplished with so many facets of his offensive schemes.

“They probably should,” Adams stated. “If it works, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s what they say.”