Ian Rapoport reports the Rams' defensive coaching staff is hoping to keep their jobs

[BonifayRam]

Defensive staff is hanging with the hopes an offensive-minded coach keeps them.

View: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/817384212034703360


http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/8335/gregg-williams

Myself, I have been soured with GW over the later part of the season. I might could climbed back on the fence with the thought of retaining of GW. The offense is pretty much a total refurbishing job in all units. The defense has its issues too with a lack of pass rushing DE's & the defense design making the outside corners burnt toast crumbs. I really don't see much draft or free agent help coming in to change this defense weakness.

 

[Psycho_X]

It does make sense and I wouldn't mind if that happened. They weren't the best the last half of the season but at one point they were a top 10 defense... almost top 5. If they get even an average offense to give them a rest once in a while they'll be a top 10 I think. Jesus, could you imagine if we actually were playing with a couple score lead for a change? That's when Williams D really shines.

But, Williams isn't the most universally liked person in the NFL. And with reported multiple teams looking at him for their DC job I'm not sure he'll make it to the point of us hiring a coach anyway unless we hire one immediately that isn't currently expected to make it to the Super Bowl.

 

[Billy Baroo]

Meh. Cecil would be only guy I'd miss to be honest.

 

[badnews]

Meh. Cecil would be only guy I'd miss to be honest.

Mike Waufle???

 

[LACHAMP46]

I really don't see much draft or free agent help coming in to change this defense weakness.

2 corners.....deep corner draft...with emphasis on speed and man-to-man press coverage. One LB...I really like that guy at Florida. #40...
http://walterfootball.com/draft2017ILB.php

1. 
   Jarrad Davis*, ILB/OLB, Florida
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
   Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
   12/17/16: The senior has collected 60 tackles, two sacks and four passes broken up in 2016. Davis has played well, but hasn't made as much of an impact as he did in 2015. Sources say that Davis has above-average instincts, but is inconsistent with taking on blocks. Some teams tell WalterFootball.com that they have given Davis a second-round grade. He missed three games with leg injuries.
   
   8/13/16: Davis is a strong inside presence who made some clutch tackles for Florida last season. He was an unsung hero of one of the best defenses in the nation and a beast in the SEC Championship. In 2015, Davis totaled 94 tackles with 11 tackles for a loss, four passes broken up, an interception and 3.5 sacks. Davis is fast, physical and instinctive. He is a play-maker who has a real presence on the field.
   
   In the ground game, Davis is all over the field as a run defender. Routinely, one sees plays where Davis is phenomenal at quickly reading the play and darting into the backfield to blow the play up. Not only does he explode into the backfield, he flies to the sideline, and throws his body around at the line of scrimmage.
   
   For the most part, Davis is a good tackler and can hit with authority. He can be a little overaggressive and over pursue, but generally he is sound about getting the ball-carrier on the ground. Davis is very physical when hitting backs, quarterbacks, receivers and offensive linemen.
   
   In the passing game, Davis shows skills and is a dangerous blitzer. In the short to intermediate zone, he does well picking up receivers and also has shown some ball skills. Davis could be even better now that he has some experience. For the NFL, Davis could continue to improve his ability to get off blocks and his pass-coverage skills.

Run stuffer...flies around to the ball...I know, may be a 2 down player...but could easily slide next to Tree in our nickle packages...and REALLY upgrade our run defense. High effort player. I'd actually want him over a DE, which we really need...
Finally, I'm finished with GW and the blitzing, soft zone coverages, easy ass first downs...EJ mutha fuckin Gaines, and business decision Tru Johnson. Don't know who I'd keep besides the strength coach or Wauffle...I do think we can find a pass rush specialist (speed rusher-type) in the later rounds of the draft.

 

[Rmfnlt]

I'd be surprised if Williams and staff are retained.

 

[thirteen28]

This is a good thing in a couple of ways.

a) it means we have a shot at keeping Waufle, who has been by far the best position coach on the staff. Injuries notwithstanding, every guy on that unit has played at least up to his draft position, but most of them have played better than that.

b) it also means that the guys on our staff like the talent on our defense, and are not looking for greener pastures. They probably think we have potential for something special here ... which definitely exists if we ever get an offense that can help them.

I'm very mixed, leaning negative on keeping Williams. While I give him a lot of credit for his job with this D and good scheming, I just cannot freakin' stand the soft, off coverage he runs so much, particularly on 3rd downs, when he routinely gives receivers a 10 yard cushion when they only need 3 for the first down. The logic is hard to fathom, especially in games when our pass rush is working well. Also, he too often put the defense in prevent way too early, letting the opposition not only get back in the game, but win it. If the new HC is contemplating keeping him around, he should at least talk to him first and have him explain his logic behind defensive playcalling - and let him know that will have to change if he wants to remain.

 

[DaveFan'51]

I would like to see the staff retained. A lot of the problems they had, toward the end of the season, where caused by being on the field too long due to our poor Offensive play. And Trying to Win games with Defense alone just doesn't work! I wish it did!!

 

[Merlin]

I think it depends on the choice. Personally I would make the change if I were any of them, however...

McVay I'd have to assume would be more likely to consider that, given that he's seen this defense a couple times over the course of his time with the Skins. Gruden, in the event they're talking to him on the back side of things, would probably see the value in not making changes over there too, aside from bringing in some personnel. But even for guys like them who might consider it, putting some sort of likelihood on it is tough. I'd still guess it's pretty low, less than 50%.

Shanny probably not, I suspect Wade or some other coach who carries the Shanny family stamp of approval will end up with him wherever he goes and Wade's a significantly better DC than Greg is. McDaniels and Patricia probably not, both are undoubtedly in favor of more conventional and safer calls in the secondary vice Williams' boom or bust blitz approach.

Doesn't look good for the defensive staff tbh. I think they and Snead are gone.

 

[Billy Baroo]

Mike Waufle???

Underwhelmed. Solid but too little pass rush and way too many rushing yards for the talent/draft resources on that line for me.

 

[thirteen28]

Doesn't look good for the defensive staff tbh. I think they and Snead are gone.

I won't be crying in my beer (or whiskey) over most of the staff ... but I will bang the table for keeping Waufle. I'm not sure there is a better DL coach in the NFL right now.

 

[thirteen28]

Underwhelmed. Solid but too little pass rush and way too many rushing yards for the talent/draft resources on that line for me.

Waufle doesn't control injuries, of which there were plenty this past season. When all the guys are healthy, this D gets plenty of pass rush. And almost every DL they've kept on the final 53 has played at or better than his draft status.

 

[NERamsFan]

Mixed feelings on this... on one hand, we get to keep our top D intact, however another part of me believes this could negatively affect the new potential hc's decision to join us.

Between what sounds like keeping our d staff and Snead on board, we sure are creating strong conditions for the new HC to accept, or at least consider.

 

[iamme33]

. Jesus, could you imagine if we actually were playing with a couple score lead for a change? That's when Williams D really shines.

I think we had 2 score leads over Miami and 49ers and gave up wins in the last 5 min. of course this is after imo the team had give up. this still cast a shadow of doubt on Williams in my mind.

 

[Picked4td]

I'm okay either way, but id be lying if I said I wasnt eager to see this defense in action with a respectable offense that can finally give the D a break during the game and possibly maybe even some leads

 

[thirteen28]

I think we had 2 score leads over Miami and 49ers and gave up wins in the last 5 min. of course this is after imo the team had give up. this still cast a shadow of doubt on Williams in my mind.

Of course, it would help in those situations if our O could get a first down ... and if our OC had even one 3rd down play where the QB threw beyond the sticks.

 

[StealYoGurley]

Greg Williams can go kick rocks for all I care. I am tired of the 3rd and 21 safety blitzes and 3 man fronts on first and ten. The defense also way to undisciplined captains like Donald and Ogletree shouldn't constantly get personal foul penalties.

Outside of Waufle they can all go IMO. Rams need some new ideas, with all the first round talent on the defense they have under performed

 

[Merlin]

I think we had 2 score leads over Miami and 49ers and gave up wins in the last 5 min. of course this is after imo the team had give up. this still cast a shadow of doubt on Williams in my mind.

I'm not going to go out of my way to defend Williams here, because I'd fire him if I were the new coach.

But, that said, I have to give the guy some credit in what he had to deal with. Losing Jenks was tough man, and the guy they rolled the dice on--Gaines--was nowhere near his old self comin off injury. Then when you consider the loss of pass rush given all the issues with Quinn, meh. I think he did about as good as he could have done given all that stuff; no DC is going to look like a genius when he's down one primary corner in this league.

Reason I'd fire him is our defense has not had an ability to get itself off the field. I am tired of that, and it goes back much further than last year. But all that aside I am willing to admit Williams' defense is a very nice pairing with an explosive offense. So if they keep him and the staff together I can deal.

 

[Ram65]

GW is too predictable. New blood!!!