Chris Shula saying all the right things to ensure Rams survive hype tsunami

Naturally, expectations for the new-look Los Angeles Rams defense are through the roof. It's to the point that the hype train is hurtling off the rails. 

As he always does, however, defensive coordinator Chris Shula said all the right things when asked for his thoughts on the unit's potential. He has his guys in the right state of mind to weather the giddy firestorm raging around them. Of course he does.

"You know, I'm not gonna get into what the ceiling is, what it's not," Shula said at Monday's press conference. "We're just focused right now. All my mind is [on] right now is some of the plays we gave up here just going against the offense in OTAs, and just focusing on putting these guys in the best position, being connected, and just stacking days. Day by day by day. If we do that, and stay inside out, that's all going to handle itself."

Rams fans can rest assured. While LA faithful should feel free to bask in optimism, Shula won't let his defense be distracted by the noise.

Shula has Rams defense focused amid external noise

The follow-up question to Shula's response is, also naturally, which of Sean McVay's plays did the defense get burned by? You already know that offense-defense rivalry is picking up steam. And this is only OTAs, when physical contact is prohibited. Just imagine when the real practice kicks off.

Everyone is eager to see what the new arrivals look like. Not since Jalen Ramsey have the Rams had a No. 1 corner of Trent McDuffie's caliber. Arguably, they have a No. 1B in Jaylen Watson. 

Myles Garrett's resume, which includes two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and the single-season sacks record, speaks for itself. 

It's no wonder Shula is fielding questions about how far this group can rise. Already slight favorites atop the Super Bowl odds leaderboard, the Horns became Vegas darlings after adding Garrett. 

There should be little doubt that the offense, led by McVay and Matthew Stafford, will be great once again. But it's the defense that has garnered all the eyeballs this offseason with those three headline acquisitions.

Of course, no one in the Rams' building is scrolling an odds screen. Shula has them too busy and focused to do that. In the press conference, he made a point of emphasizing the work ethic and culture that pervades the organization. It sticks out if players aren't putting in overtime after practice. 

That same head-down, nose-to-the-grindstone attitude should help the team stay even-keeled while talk shows hand the Rams the Lombardi Trophy and rattle off 17-0 predictions. LA has no laurels to rest on after a wet-paper secondary cost them a championship last season. Hopes are high, and for good reason, but no one even knows what the overhauled group will look like in action. For now, it's all projection.

Shula's job is fitting together all the new pieces to get the most out of everyone. That, and stopping McVay from shredding him in practice. 

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