A Michael Hoecht appreciation post

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Kupped

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Hoecht has been the subject of a lot of conversation this year, quite a bit negative, including from myself. So, I'm not calling anyone out with this, just thought we might benefit from a reset.

Hoecht has 4.5 sacks and has caused a fumble. His play, overall, continues to improve. All this from a guy who had been an interior defensive lineman and switched to edge out of necessity in the middle of last season.

He took it seriously in the offseason and, obviously, lost quite a bit of weight. He's worked for it.

His PFF grade is a less-than-stellar 55... but that's not terrible, by any means.

I think having a guy who has a "I'll do whatever it takes to get on the field" is a tremendous value for an organization.

I also wanted to contrast a little Hoecht with Byron Young.

Young has received a ton of praise and the Rams have gotten big props for getting great value out of that pick, deservedly so on both counts.
But Young's numbers really aren't that different from Hoecht.

You may want to point out the fact that Young is a rookie.. but here's the thing.. he's been playing edge a lot longer than Hoecht.

Also.. Young was a 3rd round pick and Hoecht was a UDFA.

And.. on top of all that.. guess what? Hoecht is only 6 months older than Young.

I think the Rams will have an interesting decision to make with Hoecht this offseason when it comes to his contract. He's a RFA.. they could just tender him and have right of first refusal.. that would be a contract worth more than 2.7 million, based on last year's tender levels. But they risk having someone steal him or having to match a much higher price. The Second round tender will be closer to 5 million dollars.. but it guarantees he's around.

I've already said many times on here that the Rams MUST go out and try to get someone like Danielle Hunter this offseason. Even with that.. two quality edges isn't enough in this day and age. I'd think long and hard about doing what's necessary to keep Hoecht around.
 

LARAMSinFeb.

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Our D definitely has more weak links than our O. Can’t wait until we drop some capital on edge this offseason. We could also use a more explosive kick and punt returner and return games for sure. 2017 was so awesome because of Pharoh Cooper. We had all 3 phases going on. We haven’t really had that since Bones.
 

Elmgrovegnome

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Hoecht has improved but he is not built for covering tight ends. He could easily slide back into the DLine rotation if/when the Rams find an edge rusher. Hoecht could also be another versatile inside/outside type on the DLine.
 

JimY53

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Hoecht has been the subject of a lot of conversation this year, quite a bit negative, including from myself. So, I'm not calling anyone out with this, just thought we might benefit from a reset.

Hoecht has 4.5 sacks and has caused a fumble. His play, overall, continues to improve. All this from a guy who had been an interior defensive lineman and switched to edge out of necessity in the middle of last season.

He took it seriously in the offseason and, obviously, lost quite a bit of weight. He's worked for it.

His PFF grade is a less-than-stellar 55... but that's not terrible, by any means.

I think having a guy who has a "I'll do whatever it takes to get on the field" is a tremendous value for an organization.
Fair points. He has flashed at moments. One problem he's maybe fixed is keeping contain. He, K. Thomas, Young, VVB have al lhad issues...Hoecht a lot in preseason.

Also, when teams use 12 personnel or 21 Rams use a base defense. And when the run slot to one side the SAM or WILL sometimes has a "gone" call, putting Hoecht or Young in the curl/flat area and match their guy. This has been done since 2020 but it seems teams are using 12 or 21 more this year than before so we see that some more. I think he's improving in matching, usually the #2 receiver to his side, but he also has given up some plays, too.

He's worked hard on a chop/club move ... it worked vs Dallas, but not so much as of late. He lacks the quickness to make it a devastating move.

IMO you can win with him but he's never going to be Pro Bowl level. I would like to see Mathis get more up to speed and have him matched with Young, but in meantime Rams are using him as a DT in overload fronts in between Young and Turner and they run games and stunts on that.

People who complain he shouldn't do this or that...there is no choice other than play nickel vs 21 or 12...so while that would be a better matchup vs pass, it would hurt run defense.

I have watched him and he's not a huge liability --- it's just he does not (or has not yet) made enough splash plays. Sometimes people get fixated on one or two plays and then apply that to an entire player's game as in "he can't do this" or "can't do that".

In reality, it maybe he can "do this or that" but "DIDN'T" on this occasion or that occasion. People are so quick to apply blame in today's sports culture and many don't spend the time to actually study what is going on. They watch the game on TV and that's the end of it. They make snap judgments that can be wrong.

It's good to point out the things he does well, too, like you just did. Would it be good to upgrade at some point? Sure.
Is Hoecht a disaster? No.

He's got value until we get another stud to bookend Young.
 

Merlin

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Love me some Hoecht!
~ OS
 

LA_Rams_#29

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Hoecht continues to improve week in and week out. He's played much better than a lot of people thought he would, and honestly his improvement kind of mirrors that the fact that our overall defense has improved as the season has progressed... I like Hoecht...he's been versatile for us..and he's played well wherever we've put him.

Also, as much as people say he can't guard WRs or TEs... ok... it's true that him doing that in space isn't the optimal match up for us...but a realistic look is that he hasn't gotten beaten or looked bad a lot in those situations this year...like everyone else I was concerned when he lined up on DK Metcalf in the slot...... but I'm not mad at how he played him...yeah, he got a PI...but folks are acting like Hoecht is getting torched in space and looking terrible...he's not.

He's a value to us as I think he'd be effective as a rotational edge for us even if we get another edge, or if one of the younger guys surpasses him..

he's done well for us
 

Londoner

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he's never going to be Pro Bowl level.
No team has Pro Bowl calibre players in every position. All rosters need depth, and Hoecht’s ability to cover more than one position is an added bonus.

So long as he isn’t too expensive, I would keep him.
 

dang

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Hoecht is a solid NFL player. While a bit bigger he reminds me of Morgan Fox - a very serviceable DE depth player for the Rams several years ago. I gotta believe that’s the role that lies ahead for Hoecht and I’d love to see him in horns for another contract in that role. But the Rams have to find more elite complete Edge play next year to complement Young.
 

JimY53

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In 18 games as a starter, he's made 83 tackles and has 9 sacks. Terrell Lewis has 6 in his 30 games (7 starts). Lewis, when healthy a lot more talented but not as productive.

There is room for guys like a Kurt Rambis in the NFL---that guy who fills a role but hopefully you can replace someday.
 

OldSchool

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In 18 games as a starter, he's made 83 tackles and has 9 sacks. Terrell Lewis has 6 in his 30 games (7 starts). Lewis, when healthy a lot more talented but not as productive.

There is room for guys like a Kurt Rambis in the NFL---that guy who fills a role but hopefully you can replace someday.
And given up how many big run or passes because he's incapable of setting an edge or covering a TE like all Edge players are expected to play in a 3-4.
 

thirteen28

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Fucker still owes me $20, the cheap bastard!
 

oldnotdead

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He's still learning to play OLB. He isn't always playing at edge on all his snaps. He's expected to drop into coverage a lot. They are rotating Mathis in. But Mathis lacks the speed Hoecht brings.

Against the Ravens, Jones needs to stay disciplined and make sure Jackson doesn't use the A & B gaps to escape for yardage. Force him to make quick decisions under pressure from the pocket. If there is a weakness in Jackson's game that's it.

The best RB that the Ravens have is on IR. Dobbins was their primary run threat. Force the Ravens to pass in the rain, and lock down those short throw options.

Jackson throws deep well, so they have to play JJ over the top on DK's side. IMO the rain should favor the Rams.
 

JimY53

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And given up how many big run or passes because he's incapable of setting an edge or covering a TE like all Edge players are expected to play in a 3-4.
IMO "incapable" is a blanket statement that suggests he CAN'T do it. He can but first the first half of season he had too many
breakdowns.

Without a doubt, there have been growing pains. However, in the last handful of games he's contained fine. I cannot predict the future but it's possible he's worked through the problem and will be less of a problem from now on.

I think he's turned the corner.
 

OldSchool

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IMO "incapable" is a blanket statement that suggests he CAN'T do it. He can but first the first half of season he had too many
breakdowns.

Without a doubt, there have been growing pains. However, in the last handful of games he's contained fine. I cannot predict the future but it's possible he's worked through the problem and will be less of a problem from now on.

I think he's turned the corner.
Incapable word choice there by me was obvious hyperbole. Video evidence tells us Hoecht is not good at setting the edge and he's even worse at pass coverage. I'm not really sure that's in doubt. I'll take your opinion that he's gotten better lately but he's also being on the field less the last 5 or 6 weeks than he was the first half of the season. That could signal a shift to somebody more capable of doing those things in the coaches eyes. I would love to see him used rotationally at DE with his hand in the dirt. I just do not feel he has the physical tools to be a stand up OLB. Just my opinion.
 

JimY53

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he's also being on the field less the last 5 or 6 weeks than he was the first half of the season. That could signal a shift to somebody more capable of doing those things in the coaches eyes.

as far as snaps... maybe a little less than in first 4 weeks. Keir took VVB's place and he's getting similar snaps ...
Mathis is being worked in there some ... Hard to say. I would like to see Mathis getting in there down the stretch
possibly not yet full speed on playbook - that's juts a guess.


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JimY53

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I would love to see him used rotationally at DE with his hand in the dirt. I just do not feel he has the physical tools to be a stand up OLB. Just my opinion.
He is doing that in nickel...he's a DE ... but I guess you want his role more limited to just that.
here he is as a DT in gold front ... and with hand in ground. Honestly, even in nickel I think he prefers 2-point stance ...

Hard to say what happens from here on in, but I agree he had problems setting edge earlier in season. Have not seen home blow contain lately...does not mean he won't in future, it's just, to me, the trend is positive in that and coverage

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DT here



View: https://x.com/53_jim70721/status/1730693240335028238?s=20




View: https://x.com/53_jim70721/status/1731476825816125742?s=20
 

Jacobarch

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He's definitely improving but I think once we get some needed depth at the edge our dline will really shine
 

TexasRam

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Hoecht has been playing a bit better while Young has been struggling, losing contain and getting stonewalled too much.

I view Hoecht as a solid backup player. He can make some splash plays but can be a liability way too much.

Young's 4.43 speed is a major asset and can influence the game in ways stats don't often measure.

But if Young doesn't ultimately develop his pass rush skills and improve in his contain, he's going to see decreased snaps down the road.

I don't have the time to break down each game, but Hoecht is constantly getting beat more then a solider starter would.