#puka-nacua

#puka-nacua

When we last checked in with Ross he was hanging out in what was surely a crazy-smelling room with then-Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, who decided that a live broadcast was a good place to say, "I'm gonna be honest, like no funny weird shit, y'all run the world." He was talking to Ross, who is Jewish, and who did not take offense because his whole brand is built around moronic provocation. You may also remember him as the guy who bought Donald Trump a Cybertruck.

"Oh, a hundred percent," Nacua answered matter-of-factly. "Yes, the refs are the worst." These guys are lawyers, and like really they want to be on TV, too, bro," Nacua said. "You don't think he's texting his friends in the group chat like, 'Yo, you guys just saw me on "Sunday Night Football." Like, that wasn't [pass interference], but I called it.' "I mean, these guys are normal human beings, too."

Watch Puka Nacua on the sideline before each offensive possession, and you'll see the Los Angeles receiver ask a teammate to hit his pads. Hard. Players from tight end Tyler Higbee to left guard Steve Avila, tackle AJ Arcuri and former Rams center Brian Allen have participated in the ritual over Nacua's three years in the league. Nacua said he has a "mixture of guys" who have done it, but he's picky: "I want somebody who's got a good slap in them," Nacua said. "I don't want them to baby me, for sure."

Los Angeles (2-0) have been just as efficient. The Rams started the year with a hard-fought 14-9 victory over the Houston Texans before flexing their offensive firepower in a 33-19 win over the Tennessee Titans. Matthew Stafford has looked sharp, and second-year receiver Puka Nacua has quickly emerged as one of the breakout stars of the league.