A Michael Hoecht appreciation post

[shovelpass]

People asking about Hoecht in coverage. The hope is to get somebody who is a big upgrade. This season it was either play him .. VVB, Thomas, Mathis, Hampton in his place full time. If people think that would be better -- okay, but there is no "Hoecht should not e in coverage. Whoever one of the OLBers are they have to cover

Depending on the protection of the offensive line one of the OLBers has to take the quarter flat if this us the coverage. It's either that or leave it open. If it is open the QB will hit it and the structure of the defense is compromised - you are one short and you cannot run the defense.

It goes back to this is the defense McVay wants. This is Fangio's defense and in it, one linebacker covers at times. And if this is an effective coverage (I don't know the numbers) then you have to do it this way.


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In this case, with Staley it is not the same call but Floyd has to cover the guy. This is a Penny from but maybe a different call
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While I agree with your overall sentiment, I don't think that those stills are from Staley's year, or Floyd. That looks like a Cardinals game from this season. I think thats Spoon matched up against Brown.

 

[OntarioRam]

I agree Hoecht was the best option we had. Hopefully we can upgrade in the off-season, even though I'd like to keep Hoecht on the roster if the money is right. He is young, gritty, has a high motor, and on a steep upward trajectory with visible improvement each week. I don't think you cut bait with a guy like that on such an upswing, who shouldn't be able to demand too much money on the free market. Who knows where he caps out.

I just don't know why, that fact notwithstanding, he was dropping into coverage that often. He was leading his position group among all NFL players by a large margin at one point late in the season. It doesn't make sense to me.

I'd be curious why Raheem thought dropping his OLB back into coverage that often was prudent, let alone with Hoecht manning the position.

Or alternatively, why the rules of his defensive scheme were obvious enough that opposing offences could force it to happen (the answer here might be that we just didn't have the pieces to play any other way, and so, we had to just eat the fact that offenses could force the matchup with some degree of frequency).

 

[Tumak61]

Hoecht need to be on the interior. He plays hard, but an upgrade is clearly needed.

 

[Kupped]

I think the big reason Hoecht was dropped so much is that Morris was running so many "sim pressures".. maybe I'm wrong.

Morris knew, from a talent perspective, that his D was overmatched. Constantly changing the picture for a QB was critical to any success they were going to have. That meant some gambles.. and one of those was dropping Hoecht.

Not saying it's the way to do it or not.. Just saying I believe it was part of the bigger picture with the D.

If they upgrade talent? Maybe that quirk is something we see much less of... although dropping OLBs like that is common. Rams just did it more than others, I believe.

 

[JimY53]

While I agree with your overall sentiment, I don't think that those stills are from Staley's year, or Floyd. That looks like a Cardinals game from this season. I think thats Spoon matched up against Brown.

I was uploading ib bulk and uploaded wrong still ... but will get more

my bad ... edit ----- I see it was a different post with wrong photo, but here are more on the other one ...

 

[JimY53]

While I agree with your overall sentiment, I don't think that those stills are from Staley's year, or Floyd. That looks like a Cardinals game from this season. I think thats Spoon matched up against Brown.

You're right=== put up a wong picture ... he is a correct example ... see the 4 rushers on the right and Floyd covering.

 

[shovelpass]

I was uploading ib bulk and uploaded wrong still ... but will get more

my bad ... edit ----- I see it was a different post with wrong photo, but here are more on the other one ...
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Its all good.

Wow, look how far the corners are from the LOS in some of these.

 

[gabriel18]

Hoecht made some nice plays throughout the year , but asking him to be a pass defender was too much. The Lions targeted him several times and especially on the last drive. Not sure we had the personnel to cover all their playmakers. The thing that bothered me throughout the year was the lack of pass rush. No one can cover receivers when the QB has all day in the pocket. I wish when our D line and LBers aren’t getting the the QB , they would stop and get their hands up. We know how many batted passes Goff had as a Ram. Drives me crazy when they know they can’t get home , but never jump and extend their hands. Oh well

 

[JimY53]

I need Dan's @JimY53 help here but I think our D has rules where there are time where we have 5 on the line where it's the OLB's responsibility to drop into coverage. It's a calculated risk at those times.

Its all good.

Wow, look how far the corners are from the LOS in some of these.

Here is some stuff with Fangio/Staley/Morris vs Wade

Teams To Interview Raheem Morris For HC Vacancies

Nah, I don't want Raheem in the division. The Seahawks won't be the same team as they were under Petey, and I don't mean that in a good way for us. I'd prefer Raheem go to the AFC, but at least get him out of the division if he's gonna take a HC job.

ramsondemand.com