How Rams Coach Justin Lovett's national honors will aid postseason effort

One of the most important roles on any NFL team is that of the Strength and Conditioning Coaching Staff. Keeping NFL players healthy is a bit of artwork, as it takes both Herculean effort, as well as combining effort and a lot of luck, to get the job done. But getting players who have been injured back on their feet and competing once more takes a master craftsman. Thankfully, that is the case for LA Rams Director of Strength and Conditioning, Justin Lovett.

Injuries can decimate a team. The LA Rams and Rams fans understand that all too well, as the Rams roster was decimated by injuries in 2019 and 2022. But injuries happen, unfortunately. The key to attaining and sustaining a competitive NFL roster has a little bit to do with avoiding injuries, and a great deal to do with recovering from injuries as quickly but as effectively as possible. That falls on LA Rams Director of Strength and Conditioning, Justin Lovett.

For 2023, Justin Lovett was named as the Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by NSCA:

The honors of Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year being bestowed to LA Rams Director of Strength and Conditioning, Justin Lovett, may be a month old. But the role that Justin Lovett fills in the Rams organization has never been more vital and impactful.

No role on an NFL team is so overlooked, misunderstood, and even overestimated than a Director of Strength and Conditioning. The role is not a mystical faith healer, a shaman who can shake sticks, burn incense, and magically heal players in record periods of time. Rather, the role is a strict discipline that merges nutrition, hydration, muscle toning, rest, and flexibility into a regimen that allows professional athletes to optimize game day performance.

That role is vital for the Rams playoffs picture. No position on the LA Rams coaching staff has more insight into the debate over who should and should not sit in Week 18. Coach Lovett knows as much about each player as anyone and likely has better insight as to that player's situation than they have themselves.

As a result, the Rams decisions over who to sit in Week 18 may come down to Lovett's input, or at least will be impacted by how he sees the matter. So far, the Rams have had remarkable resiliency, even when banged up week-to-week.

We can talk about talent and passion all day. But if not for the Rams players remaining healthy enough to compete each week, it would not matter. The Rams have stayed relatively healthy all season long, and as a result, have surged into the NFL Playoffs with a 6-1 run to finish off the season.

Now, the LA Rams merely have to play in Week 18, and then show up for the NFL Playoffs. Stay tuned.