Coach Fassel on Michael Sam’s Progress on Special Teams

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RamBill

RamBill

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How is Michael Sam adjusting to the Rams’ special teams? ST coach John Fassel on the topic. There is a question on what his weight should be. Lighter=faster=good for special teams, but might not be so good for playing defensive end. (1:02)
 
Does anyone see him as a DE at this level, or more of a pass-rushing SLB type?
 
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Personally I think his biggest problem is that he is kind of a tweener. To answer your question from my perspective DCH - if he makes the team, it will likely be because he comes in as a speed rusher at a weight that allows him to do well at ST.
 
Interesting to hear. Never really heard a ST coach in a interview. Seems like he has a idea of what's going on. Always pictured a ST coach as a coach that couldn't make it as a decent Defensive of Offensive coach.
 
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theramsruleUK said:
Could we not use him as a LB? Like as a pass rushing LB, rather than a hand in the dirt
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I think that's most likely if he sticks. Guess we'll see. I honestly haven't seen much of him on tape.
 
If he can't contribute and I don't mean just filling a spot on ST it will be difficult for him to make this team. There are other guys competing too and I don't wantto see any thing other than the absolute best 53 on the roster.
 
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As far as using the under 6-2 260 Sam as a designated pass rusher because he is too small to be an every-down player due to his small stature...who do you bench a 6-3 275 Chris Long or the 6-3 275 Hayes or the 6-1 289 pound Donald or the 6-6 270 Sims or the 6-4 265 Quinn insert Sam ? Just does not sound so smart to me.

I still remain very hopeful for the UDFA 6-3 270 very nasty very mean Ethan Westbrooks who has been a proven very effective in the interior with Donald myself. Rams are stacked @ DE I prefer to beef up the interior DL IMO.

I agree with RamFan 503 that Sam would work best in a defense designed like the Patriots or the 9ers or Broncos.
 
BonifayRam said:
As far as using the under 6-2 260 Sam as a designated pass rusher because he is too small to be an every-down player due to his small stature...who do you bench a 6-3 275 Chris Long or the 6-3 275 Hayes or the 6-1 289 pound Donald or the 6-6 270 Sims or the 6-4 265 Quinn insert Sam ? Just does not sound so smart to me.

I still remain very hopeful for the UDFA 6-3 270 very nasty very mean Ethan Westbrooks who has been a proven very effective in the interior with Donald myself. Rams are stacked @ DE I prefer to beef up the interior DL IMO.

I agree with RamFan 503 that Sam would work best in a defense designed like the Patriots or the 9ers or Broncos.
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True, true. But if he plays his way onto special teams and can maybe find a way to become a backup OLB, then that would be cool.
 
Sam has something special in him, and that is an extra gear when pursuing the QB. If he makes the team, and is on the 53, he will be used in special packages where he can do just that, say on 3rd and long situations, for instance, but he will also have to be used on special teams to make it. He has good instincts, and closes out extremely well. I can't wait to see him on special teams...I hope he thrives.

Don't see him as a OLB at all, unless he was an OLB in a 3-4 as a rush backer, which, I guess, we might give that look as a package.
 
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BonifayRam said:
As far as using the under 6-2 260 Sam as a designated pass rusher because he is too small to be an every-down player due to his small stature...who do you bench a 6-3 275 Chris Long or the 6-3 275 Hayes or the 6-1 289 pound Donald or the 6-6 270 Sims or the 6-4 265 Quinn insert Sam ? Just does not sound so smart to me.

I still remain very hopeful for the UDFA 6-3 270 very nasty very mean Ethan Westbrooks who has been a proven very effective in the interior with Donald myself. Rams are stacked @ DE I prefer to beef up the interior DL IMO.

I agree with RamFan 503 that Sam would work best in a defense designed like the Patriots or the 9ers or Broncos.
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I don't think he will be taking snaps away from starters but if two of them get injured? Always have to have depth. And he has to prove that he can be that depth.
 
I think Sam is basically a rotation pass-rusher, and that's the only way he should be used. IMO.
 
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