View Full Version : Article: Best coaching goes to Jim Haslett, DC of the Rams
Taco John
09-10-2006, 11:13 PM
Best coaching: Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett of St. Louis, the former New Orleans head coach, could hardly have had his team better prepared for the opener against Denver. Haslett sent blitzers from everywhere, forcing Jake Plummer into one of his worst days since he left Arizona following the 2002 season.
Plummer, who threw only seven interceptions last season, threw three against the Rams, and he also lost a fumble. Denver's five total turnovers (including three on consecutive first-half possessions) were the most by the Broncos in five years.
The Rams sacked Plummer four times, two by Leonard Little, who also had three other hits on Plummer. His passer rating (26.3) was even worse than Alex Smith's rookie year rating. Haslett's defense was the reason the Rams won, even though they failed to score a touchdown and were penalized 10 times.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/15489546.htm
ludo21
09-10-2006, 11:15 PM
He did a good job for sure, kept the boot in check, and the pass game in check.
(Of course Plummer gave him 3 ints with terrible throws....)
Yeah, takes a real defensive mastermind to benefit from Jake throwing into coverage all day. ::)
(I just figured out the rolleyes emote, its sweet.)
Killericon
09-10-2006, 11:21 PM
Agreed.
24champ
09-10-2006, 11:28 PM
next week Coyer will be Coach of the week.:manesmack
NFLBRONCO
09-10-2006, 11:35 PM
Haslett must have paid off Jake's road rage settlement and Jake repaid the favor today.
wabbit
09-10-2006, 11:37 PM
I'm not a Plummer basher, but I cannot understand why...unlike every other starter (save for one, two or three) in the NFL...he cannot read a blitz, or for that matter, audible out to a draw or short drop pass routes.
Haslett was stacking the line for a merciless rush nearly every down & it seems to me that the so-called 'hot' routes would have allowed our receivers, TEs & RBs almost limitless open space.
Plummer did hit a couple of these...one I noted in particular was to Steven Alexander fairly early in the game & he romped free like a buffalo in the old west.
It was what the defense was willing to give, and Plummer, or Mike, or Mike or Rick didn't exploit it.
It may sound like just 20-20 sour grapes, but damn, if it seemed obvious to me
...well, it had to be really obvious.
yavoon
09-10-2006, 11:44 PM
makes sense.
watermock
09-10-2006, 11:50 PM
I saw the game. Denver was giving cushion and not covering the middle of the field.
The offense was horrible in pass protection. The running game was adequate, but was abandoned for no reason on second and 6 every time.
I'm mad how Shanahan managed that game too.
We are rushing for 5 per carry and we go to the pass on 2nd and 6 every time?
You could see the blitz coming every time we went empty. They just went man to man and crushed our QB. Horrible playcalling. Between Jakes miscues and questionable calls, it's a miracle we didn't lose 35-7.
Taco John
09-11-2006, 12:11 AM
next week Coyer will be Coach of the week.:manesmack
He should be this week, given what he had to work with for field position.
24champ
09-11-2006, 12:34 AM
He should be this week, given what he had to work with for field position.
yes the defense held their ground amazingly, however what this defense failed to do is create some mistakes( turnovers) which is what made us successful last season.
Popps
09-11-2006, 01:10 AM
It was what the defense was willing to give, and Plummer, or Mike, or Mike or Rick didn't exploit it.
It may sound like just 20-20 sour grapes, but damn, if it seemed obvious to me
...well, it had to be really obvious.
This is why you remain one of the best posters on this forum.
I think it's a combination effort, but I fully believe that we've GOT to institute some dump-off plays like you're talking about to keep teams honest.
You're right, they blitzed at will... and we just never had an answer.
Jake is good at eluding the rush, you don't want to put him in situations where he's having to free-lance on every play, or you see what happens. He's not Elway, for flip's sake. Give the guy some protection, and give him some outs.
I mean, it could be that he's just not using them, but I don't recall seeing a guy standing there open and Jake just not dumping it off.
St. Louis' biggest play came on a dump-off to exploit the blitz. We've just never really utilized that play to any extent, which is frustrating, because teams us it on us all the time.
It's not about "making excuses" for Jake, it's about realizing the guy's shortcomings and setting him up to succeed to the best extent you can.
I never felt like we did anything to keep Pitt's or STL's defense honest in these games. Running the ball a bit more might have helped, and.....
WHAT ABOUT THE SHOTGUN!?!
We used to run it with Jake. If he's getting murdered all day, why not at least try to implement something to give him a little more time?
Anyway, I think you're right on point, as usual.
Taco John
09-11-2006, 01:33 AM
yes the defense held their ground amazingly, however what this defense failed to do is create some mistakes( turnovers) which is what made us successful last season.
In fairness, the St. Louis defense played very conservatively on offense. Their game plan was to focus on short throws, the run game, and forcing Plummer into making mistakes. We're going to see that game plan a lot. Teams will dink and dunk us to death, and it's going to be up to our guys to get it done in the red zone.