Tag: Sean McVay

Cowboys expected to hire Rams ST coordinator John Fassel

Sean McVay has yet another coach to replace this offseason.

The Los Angeles Rams will have three coaches at important positions to replace this offseason. The Cowboys and Mike McCarthy are hiring special teams coordinator John Fassel away from the Rams, according to NFL Network. Chris Mortensen of ESPN also confirmed that Fassel’s deal with the Cowboys is expected to be finalized.

Fassel’s contract expired with the Rams, which made it impossible for the Rams to block him from leaving Los Angeles. He’s been with the Rams since 2012 and was retained by Sean McVay after Jeff Fisher was fired.

The Rams had four Pro Bowlers on special teams in 2017, and in 2018, Cory Littleton made it as a special teams player. Fassel is widely considered to be one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL, so this is a huge loss for the Rams.

Rams letting Wade Phillips go is more about preference than performance

Sean McVay wants to be more involved on defense, and now he can do that with a new defensive coordinator.

On paper, the Los Angeles Rams looked like they had one of the best defenses in football last season. With Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Donald, Dante Fowler Jr. and Cory Littleton leading the way, as well as John Johnson before he got hurt, the Rams were littered with talent on that side of the ball.

Yet, they finished the year 17th in points allowed and 13th in yards. It was an opportunistic defense that forced the ninth-most turnovers in the league, helping to set up the offense with short fields – which it frequently failed to capitalize on.

Inconsistency plagued the defense this season and ultimately may have cost Wade Phillips his job. The Rams announced Monday that Phillips won’t be back as the defensive coordinator in 2020, giving no real reason for the change.

“Coach Wade has been a veteran voice in heading our defense for the past three seasons,” Sean McVay said in a statement. “His wealth of experience, sound advice, and helpful demeanor has been invaluable to our coaches and players, and also has set an example for me as a head coach and a leader of men. I thank Coach Phillips for his numerous contributions to the Los Angeles Rams and our community, and I wish he, his wife Laurie, and the rest of the Phillips family the best.”

McVay clearly wants to go in a different direction, but why exactly is that the case? The defense wasn’t the issue in Los Angeles this season, despite its middle-of-the-road finish in points and yards allowed for the third straight year. It was the offense that regressed significantly, scoring 21 or fewer points in six games.

Yes, the defense had problems of its own – remember the Bucs, Ravens and Cowboys games where the Rams allowed a combined 144 points? – but once Jalen Ramsey and Troy Hill took over as the starting cornerbacks, the unit found its groove.

From Week 7 to Week 14, the Rams only allowed more than 17 points once. Weeks 15-17 were shaky with the Cowboys scoring 44 points, the 49ers scoring 34 and the Cardinals 24, but there was more good than bad with the defense in the second half of the season.

And looking at the numbers from Football Outsiders, the Rams were among the best defenses in the league in 2017 and 2019, according to the site’s DVOA metric. It’s essentially a stat to measure a team’s efficiency on a play-by-play basis compared to league average.

So if it wasn’t a performance issue, why was Phillips let go? It likely has to do with preference – specifically, McVay’s preference.

Hiring Phillips as his first defensive coordinator was a wise move by McVay. It gave the Rams a proven defensive signal caller to handle that side of the ball while McVay found his footing on offense and as a head coach in general. Really, it was one of the smartest moves McVay could have made as a 30-year-old coach.

However, after three seasons at the helm, it seems McVay wants to change things up. He wants to be more involved on defense and put his fingerprints on that side of the ball more. That’s not something he was able to do much with Phillips.

Phillips’ scheme has mostly been the same throughout his coaching career, relying more on personnel and talent than game planning specifically for an opponent. Until Ramsey arrived, the Rams mostly played zone coverage with intermittent blitzing and the same defensive front.

Los Angeles didn’t do much to adapt on a week-to-week basis, which other defenses did to McVay and the offense. Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports is reporting that McVay wants his defense to be able to do that more, which played into Phillips’ departure.

Now with Phillips out, McVay can handpick his next defensive coordinator. He can find someone who will be more willing to adapt in-game and on a weekly basis, rather than simply playing the same defense in just about every game and leaning on the players to make plays.

Don’t get it twisted: Phillips does a great job getting the most out of his best players, but his scheme has remained almost the same for his entire coaching career.

“We run obviously the 3-4 defense,” Phillips said before the Super Bowl last year. “We were the first team with the Oilers to run a full time 3-4. We’re still running a 3-4 defense. There’s little nuances and things we’ve changed. But the big thing about his defense and our defense all along was try to use the personnel you have to do what they do well.”

Bill Belichick recognized Phillips’ ability to succeed with mostly the same scheme for 30 years, pointing that out before the Patriots beat the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

“(Phillips has) been successful everywhere he’s been,” Belichick said, via MassLive. “He’s been doing it for 30 years in multiple organizations with multiple groups of players against every kind of offense he could see. I remember dealing with him when I (the head coach) in Cleveland. And to his credit, there’s not many of us that have a system that can last that long.

“I’ve certainly changed a lot in the last 30 years schematically. Wade really hasn’t. He really hasn’t.”

McVay and Phillips had success together and reached the pinnacle of the sport by making it to the Super Bowl a year ago. However, McVay is growing as a coach and wants more control over the defense. He’ll get that if he promotes someone from within such as Joe Barry or Aubrey Pleasant, who he’s worked with since his days with the Redskins.

[vertical-gallery id=627791]

Rams part ways with RBs coach Skip Peete

The Rams are moving on from another coach this offseason.

It seems Wade Phillips isn’t the only coach who won’t be back with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. As first reported by Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports and confirmed by the Associated Press, the Rams are also parting ways with running backs coach Skip Peete.

This move is just as surprising as Phillips’ departure, but it’s another example of the Rams attempting to hold coaches accountable. Todd Gurley had his worst season since 2016, barely gaining over 1,000 yards from scrimmage with a serious lack of involvement as a receiver.

It’s hard to see how that decline falls on the shoulders of Peete, but Sean McVay is going in a different direction for his running backs coach.

Peete was a holdover from Jeff Fisher’s regime after being hired by the Rams in 2016. He spent the last four years in Los Angeles, helping turn Gurley into one of the top backs in football in 2017 and 2018.

Gurley vouched for Peete in 2017 and lobbied for McVay to keep him aboard.

[vertical-gallery id=627791]

Watch: Sean McVay was mic’d up for Rams’ season finale

Sean McVay was mic’d up for the Rams’ Week 17 win over the Cardinals.

Sean McVay shows a fair amount of emotion on the sideline during games, as evidenced by him approaching John Fassel out of frustration last week when the Rams’ fake punt failed. Whether in good or bad scenarios, he’s rarely shy about expressing himself on Sundays.

He was mic’d up for the season finale last week against the Cardinals and it gave fans a glimpse at what he says and does during games. The team obviously can’t show everything he says and does, so most of the video is him encouraging players.

However, after the final whistle – which McVay counted down to – Larry Fitzgerald asked him if he’ll be at the Kentucky Derby again this year.

[vertical-gallery id=627791]

Rams lacked aggressiveness on fourth down in 2019

Sean McVay didn’t go for it often on fourth down, lacking aggressiveness compared to other teams.

Sean McVay has been viewed as an innovator and an offensive wizard since being hired as the Rams’ head coach in 2017. His track record backs up those claims, when it comes to aggressiveness, McVay doesn’t rank near the top of the league. In fact, the Rams have frequently been one of the least aggressive teams during his tenure.

Last season, they went for it on fourth down just 13 times in 2019, tied for the third-fewest in the NFL. Their conversion rate of 23.1% was 31st in football, ahead of only the Steelers. In 2018, they converted 40% of the time on 15 attempts, and in 2017, they were 5-for-12 (41.7%).

A good portion of those fourth-down attempts came on fake punts, too, using either a special teams player to run for the first or having Johnny Hekker throw a pass. Unfortunately, those attempts seem to come up short more often than not.

Specifically with regards to this past season, the Rams played it very safe on fourth down. According to Ben Baldwin of The Athletic, only the Redskins were less aggressive. The following chart is based on New York Times’ suggestion of when to go for it on fourth down, according to statistics and analytics. As you can see, the Rams are on the far right of the graph.

Unsurprisingly, the Ravens were more aggressive than any team, boasting the best offense in the NFL. Now, fourth-down aggressiveness doesn’t always translate to success, but it does help sustain drives when you can convert consistently on that crucial down; Baltimore was 17-for-24 on fourth this season.

Too often, McVay opted to either punt the ball away or attempt a trick play to convert rather than trusting Jared Goff and the offense. remember that two-play sequence against the Steelers when Goff was pulled for Blake Bortles on third down and then the Rams attempted (and failed) a fake punt?

The Rams punted it 12 times between their opponents’ 40-yard line and midfield. On five of those punts, the Rams needed to pick up 5 or fewer yards. Only four times did the Rams go for it on fourth-down between midfield and the opponents’ 20-yard line and they failed each time.

This is one area the Rams can stand to evaluate and improve in 2020. Adding another offensive coach to the mix wouldn’t hurt, even if it isn’t a true offensive coordinator to work with McVay.

[vertical-gallery id=627791]

Sean McVay pleased with how Rams’ OL played despite adversity

The Rams underwent countless changes on the offensive line but still allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL.

There was no lack of questions and concerns surrounding the Rams’ offensive line entering this season. Brian Allen and Joseph Noteboom both stepped in as first-year starters, but they struggled out of the gate.

Eventually, both would be placed on IR with season-ending injuries, which created even more problems up front for the Rams. Austin Corbett was acquired, Austin Blythe moved to center, David Edwards became a starter at guard and Bobby Evans replaced an injured Rob Havenstein.

Yet, despite all that adversity and change, the Rams still allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL this season. Yes, you read that correctly: the fewest.

That doesn’t mean the offensive line was one of the best in the league; it ranked 22nd in pass block win rate and created few holes for Todd Gurley and the running backs. All things considered, though, Los Angeles made the best of what it had on the O-line and Sean McVay is pleased with how the unit played.

“Well, I think the players continued to play. I thought the coaches did a great job – a lot of adjusting and adapting on the fly from Coach (Aaron) Kromer, Zak Kromer, Andy Dickerson. I think Andrew Whitworth’s leadership, really impressed with Austin Blythe’s command when he took over at playing that center spot,” McVay said.

However, just as all the blame doesn’t fall on the offensive line, all the credit doesn’t go to the five big men up front, either.

“Anytime you just look at that number, sacks are always a reflection of the unit. I think exclusively, in a lot of instances, offensive linemen are not always accurately pegged for the responsibility of sacks,” he continued. “They are certainly very helpful, but I think the quarterback has a huge responsibility, the backs if they’re used in protection, and then the other eligibles separating in the timing and rhythm. In some instances, those guys are even asked to protect. We’ve got receivers that are willing to protect, obviously the tight ends are used. I think it’s a great reflection of the entire unit and their ability to work through some adjusting, some adapting and then ultimately it’s about the players’ execution.”

Whitworth and Blythe are both free agents, and there’s no guarantee either Allen or Noteboom will be starters. Edwards and Evans are both candidates to start, as is Corbett. Havenstein should get his job back at right tackle, but that’s not a certainty either.

In other words, the Rams have a lot to figure out with their offensive line, but the potential for success is there.

Sean McVay says failed fake punt was miscommunication: ‘I was upset’

Sean McVay discussed what happened on the Rams’ failed fake punt Sunday.

The Los Angeles Rams were only playing for their pride on Sunday at the Coliseum, having already been eliminated from playoff contention. However, even with not much on the line, it was still stunning to see them attempt a fake punt from their own 17-yard line in the first quarter.

The play failed as Nick Scott came up short of the sticks after taking the snap, but what transpired afterwards was just as surprising. Sean McVay went over to John Fassel, visibly upset, and said “What are you doing?”

They talked for a few seconds before going their separate ways, but on Monday, McVay explains what happened in that instance.

“I was upset. There was a little bit of a miscommunication. Those are things that we want to try to avoid. That’s kind of really where I’ll leave it. You saw, I was not happy,” McVay said.

He was asked to elaborate on the call and discuss whether it will impact the special teams staff heading into the offseason. As upset and frustrated as he was in the moment, McVay made it clear that one play won’t have a ripple effect to that magnitude.

“No. John Fassel is a great football coach. The players respond to him, I have the utmost respect and appreciation for him. One play or one miscommunication will never dictate or determine the way that I look at him or a certain player,” McVay said. “But we all care a lot about it. I know he cares too. There was just a little bit of a mix-up, miscommunication and ultimately, I’m responsible for it as much as ‘Bones’ is and those are things that we’ll get fixed.”

Fassel and the rest of the Rams’ coaches will be evaluated in the coming days and weeks as the Rams begin their offseason prep. This call won’t help his cause, but it also shouldn’t determine his future in Los Angeles.

[vertical-gallery id=627654]

What Sean McVay told Rams locker room after win over Cardinals

Sean McVay gave one last victory speech in 2019 Sunday.

One of the best parts about Rams wins are the victory speeches that come from Sean McVay in the locker room afterwards. He always knows how to fire up the room after a win, usually handing out game balls to standout players or those who deserve some recognition for one reason or another.

After the Rams beat the Cardinals 31-24 on Sunday afternoon, McVay rallied the locker room one last time in 2019. He didn’t hand out any game balls, but he did mention the defense creating a bunch of turnovers, as well as Jared Goff putting together a great performance.

To break it down, he called upon Andrew Whitworth, who’s a nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

“Cannot say enough – we talked about finishing,” McVay said. “That says a lot about you guys. Being able to have four turnovers by the defense. Offensively, being able to respond time in and time out, give it up for Jared Goff – three touchdowns, 300 yards. Very appreciative of you guys. We’ll have a team meeting tomorrow and who better to close it than the guy that started it out in this locker room for this game. Give it up for Whitworth, man.”

The Rams will head into the offseason with plenty of questions to answer and a lot of decisions to make, but they do so with the core of the team still intact and McVay still at the helm.

They came up short in 2019, but there’s little doubt about the talent that the Rams possess for the future.

[vertical-gallery id=627654]

Sean McVay goes at John Fassel after failed fake punt: ‘What are you doing?’

Sean McVay was not happy about John Fassel attempting a fake punt in the Rams’ own territory.

John Fassel is widely viewed as one of the best special teams coordinators in the league, being one of the few holdovers from the previous regime when Sean McVay took over.

He and McVay are almost always on the same page, but they certainly were not early in Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. On fourth-and-7 from their own 17-yard line, the Rams attempted a fake punt with rookie Nick Scott taking the snap and running toward the sticks.

He was stopped short and the Cardinals took over on downs, scoring a touchdown two plays later. McVay did not look happy after the play, asking Fassel, “What are you doing?” on the sideline.

Take a look at the exchange in the video below.

The Rams are out of playoff contention and have nothing to play for this week, so Fassel saw it as an opportunity to take a chance against an unsuspecting Cardinals team. It didn’t work and McVay was not happy with the decision.

Sean McVay knows Rams can’t keep everyone: ‘That’s not realistic’

The Rams could undergo major changes this offseason.

Part of what makes winning consistently in the NFL so difficult is the fact that keeping a roster together is extremely tough. The salary cap leads to constant changes across the league, particularly when players are due for extensions after playing out their very affordable rookie contract.

The Rams will get a taste of that this offseason when Cory Littleton hits free agency, as will Dante Fowler Jr. – whom the Rams gave a one-year extension last offseason. They’re two of the Rams’ biggest names who will hit the open market, with Andrew Whitworth and Michael Brockers being in that group, too.

It’s unreasonable to think the Rams will be able to keep all of those guys together, given their limited cap space. Sean McVay knows that will be a challenge of the offseason, calling it “frustrating,” but he’s always happy to see players getting paid.

“That’s something that you learn. It’s about working through and figuring out, ‘All right, based on what we do have, how can we make it work?’ I think the tough thing is, you want to see all of these players get rewarded accordingly because the work and some of the things that you go through together,” he said Friday. “It’s so awesome to see these guys get rewarded, be able to take care of their families. You’d love to see everyone get paid, you’d love to be able to keep everybody. Unfortunately, that’s not real and that’s not realistic. If these guys are getting rewarded, that still is something you can take a lot of pride in. You’d always love to be able to retain your own guys. As you’re continuing to kind of navigate through what’s the best way to shape out our roster, given the financials and all those types of things, those are things that you work through. Frustrating, but something that you have to deal with, and everybody has to deal with that.”

The Rams defense could look very different in 2020. Eric Weddle may be a cap casualty, along with Clay Matthews. Brockers could leave in free agency, Littleton might price himself out of the Rams’ range and Fowler will have a chance to cash in elsewhere.

If Los Angeles loses all of those players, there will be a lot of new faces on defense. And that’s without even touching on the offense, which has fewer pending free agents but could lose two starters up front with Whitworth’s and Austin Blythe’s contracts expiring.

It will be an interesting offseason in L.A., to say the least.

[vertical-gallery id=627489]