How karaoke nights, card games are building Rams chemistry

Rams coach Sean McVay has spent the better part of the last decade trying to figure out the best way to build a championship team. McVay, the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl, once believed success was measured by exhaustion. But now he believes that old-school thinking belongs in a museum. Sometimes the best way to build a team is with a little “R&R.” Rest and relaxation. McVay’s scheduled off days for veterans and starters are supposed to be about preserving legs for January and reducing the potential for injuries. They’re accomplishing all of that.But there may be an unintended byproduct from them that is even more important. They’re creating a brotherhood.  That bond that is organically forming between teammates became crystal clear when new All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie was asked about the biggest difference between his previous training camps with the Chiefs and his first one with the Rams. “I think the biggest thing over here is the recovery time that they like to give us,” McDuffie said.“My favorite thing about that has been the DBs get together and play games.

We were playing cards the other night and really getting to know each other.I think a very big aspect of being a great team is knowing who you’re playing with … we’re generally spending real time with each other, which to me is special.”Yes, you read that correctly.

One of the NFL’s premier defensive backs isn’t praising his new team’s schemes or facilities. He’s talking about a game of cards and the fact that players are given plenty of time to eat, recover and spend time together. “Here it’s come get your recovery, eat, spend time with the guys,” McDuffie said.“I think that’s really cool from a team-bonding aspect.”That philosophy has been instilled by McVay in recent years.

He has quietly built a culture where recovery isn’t viewed as the polar opposite of work, but it’s part of the work. The Rams have been ahead of the curve ...