Sean McVeigh has a unique vision for coaching. Although he is not very old, his former assistant has served as a head coach in various league teams, and his opponent in this Super Bowl is his former assistant coach Zach Taylor. McConnell, the current Rams' offensive coordinator, will head to the Vikings after the Super Bowl.
Compared to the offense, the Rams' defensive performance is even more commendable. Even in the past three seasons, the Rams have changed 3 defensive coordinators, but the team's defensive quality has not decreased in the slightest, and the high-level data of defensive efficiency every year can rank in the top ten of the league.
When McVeigh had just taken over the Rams' whip, he was assisted by the defensive coordinator of the experienced veteran coach Wade Phillips. Together, the two led the Rams to the Super Bowl. Last season, Brandon Staley took over Phillips' position. In just one season, his coaching performance caught the attention of the league's teams. At the end of the season, he became head coach for the Los Angeles Lightning.
The current Rams' defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris, has previously served as head coach for the Tampa Bay Pirates. Under his leadership this season, the Rams' defensive performance has remained at a high level. He proved that he could be as successful as his predecessor.
When it comes to the Rams' defensive group, the first thing to mention is their star-studded lineup. The defensive group of Aaron Donald, Jaylen Ramsey and von Miller is the dream of all coaches in the league. But that means Morris's task is easy. Having good players doesn't mean you can play at a high level, not to mention that the Rams' defensive group has also suffered multiple changes this season, and Morris has led the team through smoothly.
At the end of last season, the Rams left the team, and in the middle of the season, they traded the starting interior guard Kenny Young. Injuries during the season forced the Rams' young players to take on more responsibility; not long ago, the main security guard Jordan Fowler was reimbursed for the season, and the team urgently called eric Wieder to return to save the game.
In the National League final, Waddell played the whole game, and the Rams' defensive group also helped coach McVeigh beat san francisco 49ers and Kyle Shanahan for the first time since 2018, and the second time in McVeigh's tenure that the 49ers scored below 20 points.
Last season's success in Staley was aided by the use of defensive tactics similar to that of former Mustang coach Fanggio, and McVeigh hopes Morris can continue the system. But the system is very different from the tactics he used last season as a defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. Morris implanted his tactical philosophy into the system and adjusted it to the characteristics of each player.
Compared to the Falcon age, Morris used the strategy of double high and light defensive front line more in the Rams. See the figure below. As McVey said before the start of the season, although the team will adopt different tactics, the core defensive principles will remain the same. Compared to the many old stubborns in the league, Morris can put down his body and keep pace with the times.
Maurice's two-year tactical comparison chart
Before the Super Bowl began, the team's star defensive players praised Morris in an interview. Ramsey spoke passionately of Morris. "He's made me better understand the game this season. How should we look at the game, how will the offensive tactics change, and how the defensive team should respond. I learned more this year than the previous years combined. ”
Donald credited morris for the Rams' defensive performance. He sees Morris as a player-type coach who is easy to get along with. Miller, who joined in the middle of the season, is grateful to play for Morris. "He always came to express his opinion humorously. Everything came out of his mouth with ease. No matter what happened, Morris's performance was consistent. Such a coach is trustworthy. ”
Morris was only 32 years old when he was head coaching the Pirates and led the team to only 17 wins and 31 losses in three years. As he honed in the league, his experience grew day by day. Morris has proven himself capable this season. In the face of difficulties, high pressures and high expectations, Morris still led the Rams defensive team to excellent results. He is an integral part of this ram.
Without Morris, the Rams wouldn't have gone to the Super Bowl. When it comes to Morris's next steps, it's clearly the right expectation to regain the whip. Donald is convinced that Morris will become a successful head coach.