Jourdan explained the reasons. My problem is piles and piles of words were written and Jourdan talked on her podcast about it yet people still claim they don't understand why it was happening. The information is available but people.
Another thing that frustrates me, since we are talking about such things. You initially said "Huge 12 yard cushions" then I mentioned that as an exaggeration and you came back with "10-12 yard cushions". That matters to me because it's changing the whole dynamic of a fair and friendly discussion. Had you said "10 yard cushions" I would not have said that was an exaggeration.
The reason I bring it up is that it's why I have to spend my time fighting misinformation. If we could just start with the facts it would be so much easier to discuss things.
But there is a theory behind the Fangio scheme. And off-coverage is part of that, they are playing quarters. And maybe we don't like it but it's the way it is. And it's common to all the teams playing Fangio schemes. Announcers talk about it often, especially Greg Olsen and not just in Rams games. I watch a lot games other than ours and have learned a lot.
I also have shown many times that the defense didn't suddenly change in the 2021 playoffs. People just didn't complain because the Rams won. It's easy enough to see off coverage the majority of the time in the playoffs, the same as in the regular season. I have watched those games a lot. Many times each. There was not more blitzing more press coverage or some radical change. What happened is a handful of players stepped up their game and those guys contributed like they hadn't all year.
It would be easy for a Morris fan to say he schemed up something new, some big change that made a difference, that they were somehow more aggressive. But they weren't. The films show better execution.
I don't think you are from the school of some people (like one particular poster here) who will never give Morris credit for anything. You seem fair. But I am from the school of thought that likes results. And when Morris helped the Rams win a Super Bowl and then people still complained about things it really frustrated me. They (not you) would even deny where the Rams ranked in defense and refused to acknowledge the good.
So, I appreciate your feedback. But I stand by what I've said before. Morris is neither stupid nor cowardly. He's not some genius either. The Rams defense is not a great one but it is not one that ever played at a level that Morris should be fired.
I prefer other defenses but I don't get what I want but I give Morris respect but he was part of why he got a ring.
As to blitzing ... maybe you are right. Or maybe you are wrong. Maybe blitzing more would be a good thing. Or maybe it would be a bad thing. I just don't know what is being used to come to that opinion.
Morris blitzes at about average rate -- high is 40% or so, lo is 15%, Rams around the middle, (Rams top few in NFL in 2021). But you (again) said "low blitz rate". It's not fair that you say "low blitz rate" when it's not a low blitz rate.
Essentially you are saying you prefer a heavy blitzing defense. Okay, fair enough. You maybe want the Rams to blitz at a 30-35-40% rate like the teams that blitz the most do. Maybe you think Rams can play man coverage well enough to blitz more guys from "unexpected packages" but it's possible Morris (and the rest of the defensive staff) doesn't.
One thing I do think is that Morris and his assistants are in a better position to know than me. I can speculate all day long but I'd never know one way or another.
Sorry for changing to 10 yards from 12 on you my man. No bad intentions there. In all honesty, my point was to just find an agreement point for the sake of your defense of huge cushions. I know for a fact there were some 12 yard cushions pre snap and often the cushions were 10 yards as
Well. So for the sake of moving the discussion I dropped the 12 yard argument as it really was a null point. 10 yard cushions on 3rd and 6 I figured would be easier to agree on and discuss.
As stated, there were posts that detailed these cushions and several analysts during the TV broadcasts that were pointing it out. It’s actually a dead topic now because we simply don’t see those cushions any more.
Regarding the blitz subject, I am
Not suggesting Raheem deploys a 40% blitz rate or whatever. My point was on certain 3rd and 4th downs he should deploy it, to keep the QB off balance. I am all for minimizing chunk plays and an over eager blitz package can not only get beat for chunk plays but can become less effective if it’s not used selectively.
Anyways, nice posts and perspectives on Morris implemetations. I would maintain he is doing a solid job with the lack of talent he is working with. I also think some of the explosives are due to players issues (Fuller lack of recovery speed or lacking discipline). But yes, I do see some areas he gets a little predictable which negatively affects the outcome of games at times. But he got the Job done in 2021 during our Suoer Bowl run, so I try to minimize my complaints. Same with Stafford, he was a pick 6 machine falling apart at the end of the season, but come playoffs he was lights out.
