Should the Rams fire Morris?

[WestCoastRam]

Do we really have the guys to play press though? Ramsey is like the only one I'd want doing that.

Ramsey would often show press last year (whether he did or not) but not necessarily the other corners. That's definitely a difference this year.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Yes, just line up 6 or 7 guys on the line and change which 4 is on the pass rush. Then mix in a very rare blitz, but make sure who ever blitzes has good timing and isn't coming from to far away.

I think Staley actually brought 5 (a dog not a blitz) a lot last year but I think I read that Morris has been blitzing (6 or more) more than previous years. Now perhaps that contributes to our high pressure rate but I'd like to see less of the 6 guys coming and more 4 and 5 man rushes.

Jourdan also alluded to a little too much Cover-2 than she thought was optimal.

 

[Kupped]

I think Staley actually brought 5 (a dog not a blitz) a lot last year but I think I read that Morris has been blitzing (6 or more) more than previous years. Now perhaps that contributes to our high pressure rate but I'd like to see less of the 6 guys coming and more 4 and 5 man rushes.

Jourdan also alluded to a little too much Cover-2 than she thought was optimal.

She really doesn't like cover 2.

 

[WestCoastRam]

She really doesn't like cover 2.

Hahaha. I think most of this board would agree. Nothing wrong with some cover-2 sprinkled in here and there (every team uses it to varying degrees) but the difference is knowing when and how to use it. Just like the blitz.

 

[thirteen28]

She really doesn't like cover 2.

She calls it the Tampa 2 ... which is sort of telling. That D was great for a while, with the right personnel, but it is so 2002 now.

 

[WestCoastRam]

She calls it the Tampa 2 ... which is sort of telling. That D was great for a while, with the right personnel, but it is so 2002 now.

Though I think tampa 2 is a very specific type of cover 2 where the middle LB drops so far in deep coverage it almost looks like cover 3. There's some other nuanced differences I think too. Not sure if he's been running that exactly.

 

[Mackeyser]

Tampa 2 absolutely needs a stud MLB who can run with RB/TE but also shed blocks and fill gaps in the run game. You almost need a Derrick Brooks to make it work well.

 

[thirteen28]

Tampa 2 absolutely needs a stud MLB who can run with RB/TE but also shed blocks and fill gaps in the run game. You almost need a Derrick Brooks to make it work well.

Or Jamie Duncan.

Sincerely,

Lovie Smith

 

[Flint]

You’d think Staley’s defense would be close to last year’s level, he had a real offseason, unlike last year, and he has the ultimate say, unlike last year. But they’ve been just ok. The league is built for offense.

 

[Kupped]

Rams are top ten in points.. second in sacks and second in interceptions.
They're 21st in yards...
They've got to improve on the yardage front, or the points number will go the wrong way.. but they seem to have elements to have a successful defense, if they can get it together.
That Swift TD last week changed the dynamic of the game right from the start.

 

[Jacobarch]

Do we really have the guys to play press though? Ramsey is like the only one I'd want doing that.

We do, DW and Ramsey both excel at it. DW played a lot more Man last season than this year.

 

[Jacobarch]

Though I think tampa 2 is a very specific type of cover 2 where the middle LB drops so far in deep coverage it almost looks like cover 3. There's some other nuanced differences I think too. Not sure if he's been running that exactly.

That's pretty much correct. Teams play different types of cover 2 shells and cover 3's. But you need to have exceptional personnel to run both defenses efficiently and as a base defense. The days of Tampa 2 and the Legion of Boom cover 3 are hard to come by because most teams don't have the players to effectively run them. You need a great MLB that can stop the run, drop quickly, and a hard hitting rangy safety for cover2. Cover 3 you need the right outside corners that are extremely rangy and aren't afraid to play the run. Most teams don't have that anymore because teams seem to have gone the way of putting money into their offenses.

 

[Merlin]

You’d think Staley’s defense would be close to last year’s level, he had a real offseason, unlike last year, and he has the ultimate say, unlike last year. But they’ve been just ok. The league is built for offense.

I think this demonstrates that having a few guys not playing up to expectation can be the difference in a defense's production being in that top group vs somewhere much lower. And some positions it only requires one guy not playing well like CB for example. One guy giving it up over and over vs the pass can submarine a defense.

As to Staley I think he's really good schematically and he's great at teaching. But the players have to produce. Them executing is where the magic happens. So I feel like among DCs you really have two types. You have those who have shown they can coordinate a top defense when they have the pieces. And you have everyone else.

The complaint with Morris' hire is that he's always been the latter (as well as not knowing the defense). But is that because of personnel? Maybe. Figuring out which of these guys are worth a shit is not easy that's for sure. And I do think McVay knows the difference due to working closely and gameplanning with him, so I remain hopeful with Morris. I really like the guy, and I think he's got the leadership down, he just has to translate everything to the field so for our sake him doing that is the best of all possibilities.

 

[Merlin]

That's pretty much correct. Teams play different types of cover 2 shells and cover 3's. But you need to have exceptional personnel to run both defenses efficiently and as a base defense. The days of Tampa 2 and the Legion of Boom cover 3 are hard to come by because most teams don't have the players to effectively run them. You need a great MLB that can stop the run, drop quickly, and a hard hitting rangy safety for cover2. Cover 3 you need the right outside corners that are extremely rangy and aren't afraid to play the run. Most teams don't have that anymore because teams seem to have gone the way of putting money into their offenses.

Yes and also with Cover 2 you have the light box problem. It's the same issue that plagues quarters, which is why you see teams playing it run blitzing a safety into the box at the snap. Staley basically started a new trend for Cover 4 with some of his schematic approaches but of course the league cycles and figures out answers to anything that anyone comes up with.

But it is funny isn't it how in the end it still comes down to great players. Want to play Cover 2 and put up a top unit? Stack a dominant front with a MLB who is a terror with great range and instincts, so you can win vs the run. Want to play Cover 3 and have a top unit? You better have a badass safety who can prowl the deep middle so you can win vs the pass.

 

[Merlin]

Rams are top ten in points.. second in sacks and second in interceptions.
They're 21st in yards...
They've got to improve on the yardage front, or the points number will go the wrong way.. but they seem to have elements to have a successful defense, if they can get it together.
That Swift TD last week changed the dynamic of the game right from the start.

The problem at this point with this defense is that it doesn't jive well with an explosive offense. That's my only complaint.

When you have an explosive offense every team will try to control the clock. Well guess what? Our defense will help your offense do that. Have another first down, sure. And another! Ok well we are going to tighten up now in the redzone.

That plays into the gameplan of lesser rosters and helps them keep the game close. Any team who can ball control and play a little defense is a threat to the Rams because all you gotta do is finish drives and hold the Rams to 3, the playing field is not as slanted to the Rams favor as it should be because you can move up and down and chill the Rams offense with possession.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Staley's ability to use cover-4, cover-2 cover-6 and even cover-3 with a late movement of safety into the box was predicated on DL playing gap-and-a-half football to plug up the run without a box defender at snap. It does seem like we've lost a bit of our ability to do that with the loss of Brockers, Ebukam and Fox. Mostly Brockers. Think we took a calculated risk letting him go due to salary cap restraint and A'Shawn just has not been able to provide the same toolset.

Look at Staley's unit and Fangio's unit right now, you definitely need to horse to make it go. We had a lot of role players that we lost on defense since last year and their loss collectively adds up.

(Also, we were crazy healthy on D last year.)

 

[So Ram]

Staley's ability to use cover-4, cover-2 cover-6 and even cover-3 with a late movement of safety into the box was predicated on DL playing gap-and-a-half football to plug up the run without a box defender at snap. It does seem like we've lost a bit of our ability to do that with the loss of Brockers, Ebukam and Fox. Mostly Brockers. Think we took a calculated risk letting him go due to salary cap restraint and A'Shawn just has not been able to provide the same toolset.

Look at Staley's unit and Fangio's unit right now, you definitely need to horse to make it go. We had a lot of role players that we lost on defense since last year and their loss collectively adds up.

(Also, we were crazy healthy on D last year.)

Yeah - great. The Rams would love to play against both those teams. The Rams defense is so much better than they get credit for under Raheem Morris.The 6-1 record is good enough for me.AD99 makes a play on Zona #1
it’s a different game.
I like the bend don’t break.I’ve seen to many big time plays ruin wins.I’ll take the play from The Rams defensive front.Hoecht is better on the right side.Robinson is a stud DT.
He is a FA as well so The Rams draft well behind him.Gaines has stepped up as well.I like the upside.
Let’s wait until Tennessee & Roger Saffold come into town.

 

[So Ram]

Staley sure is the top coach against the run. Sad he is not the Rams D/C
if this is the stat.

2021 NFL defense rushing stats by Team | NFL.com

www.nfl.com

 

[Ellard80]

We do, DW and Ramsey both excel at it. DW played a lot more Man last season than this year.

playing man and press man aren't the same thing however.

Darious williams is 5"9 18... thats not a pressing cornerback.

 

[Jacobarch]

playing man and press man aren't the same thing however.

Darious williams is 5"9 18... thats not a pressing cornerback.

He played a lot of press last year and had a great season. Soo I dunno