[dieterbrock]

Changing to a 3/4 sucks. Not only will there be turnover on offense, but also defense. Expect a bunch of that valued cap space that the Rams have to be gone with this hire because, now both units need a big facelift, instead of just one. Rearranging a top ten defense is senseless.

They aren't changing to a 3-4.

[snackdaddy]

Well, this is about as good a scenario I could have hoped for. Now bring Callahan in for the offense and I might get a little excited about our chances.

[sloramfan]

ok.. now im really excited

go rams

slo

[sloramfan]

i'm actually more stoked about the new DC than i am the new HC...

go rams

slo

[69superbowl]

Really happy for this hire. Phillips is solid. Might change Robert Quinn's trajectory. And emphasize linebacking excellence once again.

And... - "bonus!" - built in "Interim Head Coach" if things so south with the kid.

[elmendorf]

when wade was sean's age minimum wage was $2.30, a gallon of gas $0.65, the rams played the vikings in the mud bowl and jimmy carter was prez.

One of the all-time worst Rams losses! My brother is and was a huge Viking fan and that just made it all the worse for me. I was gutted.

[elmendorf]

YOU HAD TO BRING UP THE MUD BOWL DIDN'T YOU. I SAT THROUGH THAT GAME WITH MY DAD. IT WAS PAINFUL.

HORRIBLE LOSS. I sat through it with my brother, a HUGE Vikings fan.

That one left a mark.

[69superbowl]

Phillips and the 3-4 defense: I looked back at his entire career (pro football reference is great), and he mostly coached or head coached in the 3-4. Granted he has had a s-ton of great linebackers on his rosters and the Rams haven't recently and don't now, though AO could be with the proper scheme. Here is a tasting of some of Wade's finer LBs (old to new):

Robert Brazile, Rickey Jackson, Seth Joyner, Karl Mecklenberg, Cornelius Bennett, Sam Cowart, Keith Brookings (twice), Sean Merriman, Donnie Edwards (in the 4-3 as well), Demarcus Ware (twice), DeMeco Ryans, Brian Cushing, Von Miller (both in 3-4 and 4-3 last year). Uh, that's some serious roster talent.

No lie, I love linebackers. Been typing that for years now. The most difficult position on the field and the best football athletes in my estimation. I want the Rams to "Make Linebacking Great Again" (ahem, sorry about that...) and start making plays near the line of scrimmage. They don't have that, and that was a choice by Greg Williams, and I guess, Fisher.

Wade knows linebackers. He started as a linebacker coach at Oklahoma State. He's had that load of great players on his rosters. If the Rams transition over a year or so to Wade's 3-4 I would be happy. They are going to continue to suck for a couple of years anyway, why not? (Puleez, don't even argue the suckage point. The Koolaid is not even mixed yet). Robert Quinn/DeMarcus Ware - what's the difference? One's a speed rushing DE that gets taken out of most plays, the other - in his prime - was a speed rushing linebacker that made tackles in addition to creating QB problems. Of course, the issue is the availability of truly good players who can play in the NFL. I, of course, have no problem with either scheme as long as it works, but the dependence on pass rush and blitzing only fools the NFL for awhile. Greg Williams got burned by his own torch. I don't want the smell to linger.

[Haden]

HORRIBLE LOSS. I sat through it with my brother, a HUGE Vikings fan.

That one left a mark.

My dad got tickets for us at about the 40 yd line. There was a drunk guy behind us spilling his beer and yelling "Bring in Joe Willie" most of the second half. (Namath) Bob Lee suddenly looked like a young Fran Tarkenton. What a bummer game. I had such high hopes for Super Bowl run.

[phoenixrising]

I've been about as down as a Ram fan as I've ever been and that's saying something. I doubted (and still have doubts) about the Rams front office ability to architect a successful organization. But now I have some reason for optimism. There aren't many DC's out there that would be an upgrade from G. Williams, but the Rams got one. Looking forward to a bit less blitzing and tighter coverage from CB's. Don't know what to think about McVay but got to be an upgrade on O over Fisher/Boras.