Since you haven't been reminded of this fact in at least a couple hour, Jeff Fisher remains undecided about whether or not to take a head coaching job with the St. Louis Rams or the Miami Dolphins. Many seem to think that Fisher ends up in St. Louis, and the Dolphins have already started turning over rocks for Plan B. It begs the question as to what the Rams have in mind for a backup plan should Fisher opt for sunny Florida. They may have already found their second option in Ray Horton.
Late last week, the Rams interviewed Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton. That move put them in compliance with the league's Rooney Rule, that stipulates teams must interview at least one minority candidate for their head coaching vacancies and other senior level positions.
According to DeMarco Farr of 101 ESPN radio in St. Louis, the Rams' brass came away very impressed with Horton. Farr even seemed to think that if Fisher leaves them standing at the alter, they would instantly hire Horton.
The team has yet to conduct any further head coach interviews, which is pretty telling.
Horton runs a hybrid defense, featuring players mostly from a 3-4 scheme. It's not a straight line conversion for the Rams, but Wade Phillips' deft transition of the Houston Texans defense shows that it can be done. Again, it's not an easy, direct comparison.
Robert Quinn could make the transition to a rushing linebacker in a 3-4. Chris Long might have to settle in as a five technique. Some have criticized Long's run defense, but he's been asked to focus on getting to the quarterback as the Rams leaned on the pass rush to mask other team deficiencies. Justin Bannan has played in a 3-4 before, and could be the other five technique. Nose would be a problem, but Fred Robbins would be the first to get a shot there.
Linebacker might be a bigger issue. James Laurinaitis would still be elite on the inside in either system. Without an upgrade to the other linebacker positions, the same problems that have plagued the Rams in the recent past would still be there with a switch.
RELATED: Josh, aka buckeyefan55, took a longer look at the Rams switching to a 3-4 when Rob Ryan's name was being batted around as a coaching candidate.
But, like Doug Farrar pointed out, Horton uses a hybird system similar to Dick LeBeau, who was Horton's boss in Pittsburgh before taking the Cardinals' DC job. In that case, the transition might look a little different, more adaptable to the pieces the Rams have rather than a dogmatic conversion forcing square pegs into round holes.
Regardless of the nuts and bolts of the 3-4 defense, the idea of Horton coaching the Rams is an interesting one. The only red flag I'd have with it is that Horton lacks experience running an entire team. A more experienced GM, less power for the head coach and a clear lines of demarcation in the power structure would help, but is that enough? We may find out soon.
0 recs | 52 comments
Mrs Fisher is really beginning to piss me off
DCRamFan - January 9, 2012
I don't get it.
Dougramsfan - January 9, 2012
Inside joke.
See the comment section of the last story.
FailureDrill - January 9, 2012 via Android app
DOES HE HIDE THE LOCKS?
If he’s gonna be the baddest motha fucka alive, he’s gotta free those babies. It’s upsetting how truly legit he looks with them hidden…….he looks legitimate like that
DCRamFan - January 9, 2012
Oh, I'm blaming her 100%
for his not already signing with us. Clearly, nice weather is more important to her than my morale
DCRamFan - January 9, 2012
Starting to get tired of hearing about Fisher...
wish he would just go ahead and make up his mind. Same way I felt about the Pujols situation, gets to a point where I really dont care where he goes as long as he does it soon so I have to stop wondering about it. Would love to see Fisher come to Stl, but just hope this doesnt drag on much longer. I remember hearing last week we would know something within the next 48 hrs. That was about 4 or 5 days ago, now we wont know anything till mid week. When will it end???
jpcisco - January 9, 2012
give it a rest we all wanna know no one wants to hear your bitching hahaha
Rammon105 - January 10, 2012
Plan B
GM – Bill Polian
HC – Brian Billick
Plan C
GM – Polian
HC – Chudzinski
Mister T - January 9, 2012
Chudzinski – good
Polian – bad
Billick – “knows QBs”…
Joe Mazzi - January 9, 2012
Sherman
Rammon105 - January 10, 2012
First HC with braids/dreads in NFL history?
Joe Mazzi - January 9, 2012
Almost
DCRamFan - January 9, 2012
Look at him giving it to Tom Brady
Yellin like that will land you a HC gig at Penn State
DCRamFan - January 9, 2012
Tell me that's a Pats jersey
that says 12 on the shoulders and 5 on the front? WTF Snoop!!! You’re a Pittsburgh fan, damnit!
Joe Mazzi - January 9, 2012
Snoop Kiffin
DCRamFan - January 9, 2012
Wrong you are, yelling like that at Top will get you gone from the Patriots hahaha
Rammon105 - January 10, 2012
Tom i meant lol
Rammon105 - January 10, 2012
Who would be the OC?
Eric Nagel - January 9, 2012
Russ Grimm...?
Joe Mazzi - January 9, 2012
Spagnuolo ponders taking a year off
Thought he did
RAMIFICATION - January 9, 2012
Joe Mazzi - January 9, 2012
Rams are bracing for loss of best player
Howard Balzer
Joe Mazzi - January 9, 2012
Bones Malone? From The Blues Brothers?
Matt “Guitar” Murphy for equipment manager!
FailureDrill - January 9, 2012 via Android app
Thats exactly who I thought
Lets get the band together, man.
dbcouver - January 9, 2012
Probably have to give chicago a draft pick for Murph
dbcouver - January 9, 2012
Just don't let the Illinois Nazis find out.
I hate Illinois Nazis.
FailureDrill - January 9, 2012 via Android app
I laugh at that part every time I know a few actual Illinois Nazis (or skinheads/KKK members at least)
They really do suck hardcore
turpinforpresident - January 9, 2012
If not for bad news around here,
we’d have no news at all
DCRamFan - January 9, 2012
Jones had a very bad year by his standards though
His skill set might be declining because the Rams have had to use him too much :)
Brick Top - January 9, 2012
I really don't care; just thought it was worth sharing.
The way I see it, the Rams would be better off letting him walk than paying $1 million+ on a punter. Use that money on a REAL free agent.
Joe Mazzi - January 9, 2012
Same thought
3 extra yards on a punt ain’t worth what he’s payed
King Sam Rules! - January 9, 2012 via mobile
*paid
King Sam Rules! - January 9, 2012 via mobile
I really don't give a crap
Cause it’s a frickin punter
King Sam Rules! - January 9, 2012 via mobile
With all due respect to Horton...
… I would be extremely disappointed if we hired him. We need someone with coaching experience… no more experiments a la Linehan, Spagnolo please!!
abiRam - January 9, 2012
Welp, this would be classic Rams
Although let’s keep it in mind: the Steelers were gonna hire Russ Grimm, they simply interviewed Tomlin to handle the Rooney Rule, and they were blown away by him. It’s not the end of the world is what I’m saying, but it would be another showing this team simply isn’t gonna last at this rate
King Sam Rules! - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Tomlin didn't get his interview because of the Rooney rule.
The steelers had already satisfied the Rooney rule before they interviewed tomlin.
Peter Vevers - January 10, 2012 via mobile
The headlines will buzz....
Horton Hears a Who? Who’s heard a Horton?
Joe Mazzi - January 9, 2012
Here's my question:
How did the Cards do at half time adjustments this year?
King Sam Rules! - January 9, 2012 via mobile
I have no idea.
To be honest, the Cardinals were an afterthought to me the entire season..
Joe Mazzi - January 9, 2012
Off topic
but I already hate Josh McDaniels, but it just dawned on me that he could be getting a SB ring…
DCRamFan - January 9, 2012
Better that than Alex Smith...
Joe Mazzi - January 9, 2012
zero chance
DCRamFan - January 9, 2012
I do, however, hope
that McDaniels rolls into NE and makes their offense as inefficient as ours. I hope they score 6 points, and Tebow scores the same
DCRamFan - January 9, 2012
He's in a win-win situation
He either helps to beat the Broncos, or is beaten by his draft picks Tebow and Thomas.
dbcouver - January 9, 2012
hahaha good point
Rammon105 - January 10, 2012
Getting another coordinator would be a disappointment.
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - January 9, 2012
I do mot think that woulg fly
I have never been in a emotional *pit *like this one. Rams ticket holders an in general fans need a face of the Franchise.
Da Rookie - January 10, 2012
WILL ANYONE TELL ME OUR OFFENSE
I need to know NOW. Are we a power running teaM OR JUST LAST YEARS BITCH FROM THE PROM?
Da Rookie - January 9, 2012
we will be a running team with Fisher i can tell you that lol
Rammon105 - January 10, 2012
he had his share of good running backs thats for sure
E Campbell ,E George,C Johnson
Rammon105 - January 10, 2012
Uh, Earl Campbell?
He last played for the Oilers in ‘84. Fisher didn’t show up in Houston until ten years later as their d-coordinator.
FailureDrill - January 10, 2012 via Android app
I think he meant
he coached Campbell in Tecmo Super Bowl
DCRamFan - January 10, 2012
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