[safer]

This guy is our "jack of many trades" on our young D. Several times he has disrupted the pocket when another Dlineman gets the sack. He crushes TE's at the line when needed, and he is much more mobile (even thou he's always been quick) after dropping 40-45 pounds in the off season. He's become a very valuable part of this young D! I think he deserves more credit than he's getting. He's not a "star" but his versatility allows for Shula to move many guys around.

[Dare]

I always liked Hoecht since he was an UDFA rookie. I always thought he was misused. But as a rotational end he's being allowed to use his speed and power to be a disruptive force. He's only been allowed to focus upon being an OLB this year. Under Morris he was used as a OLB but he was still phyiscally carrying the weight they asked him to gain when he was behind Donald at 3T.

The Rams need to keep this guy to maintain a high level rotational player. These types of guys are hard to come by. I have no doubt he will receive offers from other teams to be a starter so I don't see him staying beyond this year. He's a UFA next year and would be on teams radar as an affordable starting #2 edge.

It's why they need to focus upon getting Hampton more involved. It's also why they drafted Brennan Jackson as Hoecht's replacement. I like Jackson as he has size and speed. That said he's as much of a developmental project as Hoecht was. That said Hoecht lacked a defined positional role under Morris and his development suffered. If Jackson who comes in painfully raw can learn from Hoecht's experience the Rams could have a real find in him Like Hoecht, Brennan is a high motor guy.

If they can develop Jackson to maximize his potential he can become another impactful rotational edge the same way Hoecht has become.

The problem with Nick Hampton is he lacks the size to play OLB in this system. They really need to transition him to ILB to play beside Omar. Hampton has excellent speed and could be potentially the kind of coverage LB they need to allow Speights to focus on defending the LOS. Hampton would give them an ILB who could be a blitz threat, something Hummel isn't.

[PARAM]

This guy is our "jack of many trades" on our young D. Several times he has disrupted the pocket when another Dlineman gets the sack. He crushes TE's at the line when needed, and he is much more mobile (even thou he's always been quick) after dropping 40-45 pounds in the off season. He's become a very valuable part of this young D! I think he deserves more credit than he's getting. He's not a "star" but his versatility allows for Shula to move many guys around.

Very, very few Rams fans thought Hoecht was an asset. But he's been that. Even McVay on his show said as much. Called him a "leader" for the young D. The only guys on D who've been in the NFL longer than Hoecht are Curl, Gallimore, Murchison, Reeder, D Will and Witherspoon. But none have been with the Rams as long as Hoecht.

[ramsman34]

We all ragged him in coverage but he’s even gotten better there. Dude is truly an asset. Great in rotation. Keeps the front very multiple.

[Dare]

Yeah people ragged on Michael under Morris. Why? Because he was asked to play a position he never had. In college he was a DT at 265-275 lbs and timed at 4.6. I saw an interview before his draft and he said he would play anywhere they wanted him to play even TE. In the NFL he bulked up to over 300 lbs because he was viewed as a 3T and originally slotted behind Donald.

Under Morris he was asked to play OLB at his DT weight. That was dumb, but that was Morris. Under Shula he's lost a lot of weight and regained most of his speed. He's found his fit as a rotational OLB/edge. Hoecht is a classic case of being played to his strengths.

They are making a similar mistake with Hampton, he has ILB size and speed. In a 4-3 scheme in college he would fit as an edge. But in a 3-4 hybrid scheme he's mismatched. In this scheme he's an ILB. His speed would allow him to blitz and play as a coverage LB on TEs or RBs. Hummel is fine but he's limited.

Where ever Hoecht ends up I think he will do well. He's coachable with an excellent work ethic. It would be nice to keep him but I don't think it will happen. He's got his ring now he wants to make money.