How DC Chris Shula harnessed Michael Hoecht's passion for the NFL

I: He's fresher, and far more dangerous

Perhaps one of the lesser acknowledged difference between 2023 and 2024 is the fact that OLB Michael Hoecht is not playing so many defensive snaps. While that may seem counter-productive, keep in mind that the outside linebacker is a very physically demanding role to play on the defense. And those physical demands have a way of tiring a player out.

So far this season, the Rams have kept Hoecht's workload between 30 and 50 defensive snaps per game.

While that may not seem like much, he was tasked with 45 to 75 defensive snaps one year ago. And the those additional snaps did not make much of a difference to start the game. But they most certainly had a huge impact on how effectively he played at the end of the game.

The Rams pass rush did not have any help behind Hoecht and rookie OLB Byron Young last year. But this year, the team has Jared Verse and Byron Young, but they do not lose nearly as much when Hoecht rotates onto the football field.

How can we tell if these changes have made a difference? Well, let's turn to the grades handed out by Pro Football Focus for Michael Hoecht. He has shown improvement in each year:

• PFF 2022 grade - 65.4
• PFF 2023 grade - 61.7
• PFF 2024 grade - 68.2

And we would be remiss if we failed to mention that Hoecht blocked an extra-point attempt by the Seattle Seahawks.

It's highly unlikely that Michael Hoecht will be up for a Pro Bowl appearance anytime soon. But the Rams do not need him to compete at that level. He is a solid veteran, a dependable defender, and a guy who can get after the quarterback. For this defense to gel, that is enough.

As always, thanks for reading.

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