LOS ANGELES -- The genesis of Sean McVay's renowned clairvoyance dates back to December of 2003, near the goal line of a state quarterfinal game, on third down, his high school team trailing by five with only a couple of minutes remaining. McVay, now the Los Angeles Rams' head coach, was a short, stocky triple-option quarterback for Marist School in Atlanta, which on this night continued to get stuffed by a powerful Shaw team while trying to punch it in on a power formation they called "Wham."
Timeout was called.
McVay, who had spent most of that week poring over film of his upcoming opponent, huddled the coaches together.