Rams gamers loved the day without work they acquired for Christmas, maybe no another than Puka Nacua.
The earlier week, the star receiver was fined $25,000 by the NFL after he made vital feedback about officers throughout a livestream after which once more in a social media submit instantly after the Rams’ crushing 38-37 extra time defeat by the Seattle Seahawks.
The superb capped per week throughout which Nacua additionally apologized for making an antisemitic gesture throughout the livestream — an incident that prompted the Rams and the NFL additionally to challenge statements.
So Nacua stated Friday that he was blissful to take pleasure in Christmas earlier than persevering with to arrange for Monday evening’s recreation towards the Atlanta Falcons.
“It’s been good to have fun and rejoice and prepare for what’s forward of us,” he stated after observe at SoFi Stadium.
Nacua stated the superb “undoubtedly damage” however was not sudden.
“An expertise to be taught from and, man, by no means let it occur once more,” he stated. “There’s going to be moments of frustration in a while within the profession … so simply having the ability to handle these feelings and be capable to ship that power in the best path.”
Nacua understands that he has alternatives to convey optimistic messages, quarterback Matthew Stafford stated.
“He’s clearly by no means going to be excellent, no one is,” stated Stafford, a Seventeenth-year professional. “We’ve all had issues that we want we had possibly dealt with somewhat bit otherwise, however he’s nonetheless our brother.
“We love him and we’ll proceed to help him and attempt to assist him out as finest we are able to.”
Nacua, a third-year professional, was voted to the Professional Bowl for the second time whereas producing one other stellar season that might put him within the dialog for NFL offensive participant of the yr.
He leads the NFL with 114 catches. His 1,592 yards receiving ranks second, and he has caught eight landing passes.
Former Rams receiver Cooper Kupp was the 2021 offensive participant of the yr when he claimed the so-called triple crown of receiving by main the league with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 landing catches.
Nacua and Stafford, who additionally was voted to the Professional Bowl, have been particularly in sync the final three video games.
In a Dec. 7 rout of the Cardinals, Nacua caught seven passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. The following week, he caught 9 passes for 181 yards in a victory over the Detroit Lions.
4 days later, with fellow star receiver Davante Adams sidelined due to a hamstring harm, he caught 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns within the defeat by the Seahawks.
Nacua has been notably efficient on vital third- and fourth-down performs.
“It’s been enjoyable to have these strain moments, as a result of that’s what you play sports activities for,” he stated. “You reside for the third-down the fourth-down conversions, and also you’re discovering no matter approach to convert.
“It makes it enjoyable when these alternatives come up.”
In the course of the three-game stretch, Nacua did “the identical factor he’s accomplished all season,” Stafford stated, noting that the Rams have had extra snaps the previous few video games.
“He runs nice routes,” Stafford stated, “and performs actually robust with and with out the soccer.”
The Rams (11-4) have clinched a playoff spot and are at the moment seeded sixth within the NFC. They play the Falcons (6-9), after which end the season at dwelling towards the Arizona Cardinals.
Nacua goals to proceed the latest streak of amplified success, which stems from the connection he has with Stafford and the “pleasure” that permeates the Rams’ locker room.
“There’s simply an pleasure to proceed to go on the market and show ourselves,” he stated, “and so it makes it enjoyable while you get the reward you need.”
And many others.
After working towards at SoFi Stadium on Wednesday and Friday, the Rams will return to their Woodland Hills facility for observe on Saturday. … Adams, left deal with Alaric Jackson (knee), proper guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) and defensive again Josh Wallace (ankle) didn’t observe, in keeping with the Rams’ harm report.
