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Q: This is a somewhat unusual situation for a head coach hire where LaFleur comes from an elite offense but didn't call the plays, so there's not as much that people on the outside can look at. What was, in your mind, his role in the Rams' offensive success?
I do think that he, as the years went on, had a little bit more of a role than past guys. I actually asked Sean about that today. Just because Sean has talked a lot the last couple of years about how he has delegated more, specifically to the offensive staff, with Mike obviously being at the top of that chain. Just as Sean has tried to be a little bit more of an all-around head coach. And so I think it's pretty important to know that Mike has always been involved in figuring out the game plan and game script. He's very collaborative with Sean in that process.
“He's been one of the key install guys. I don't think this was ever admitted, but it clearly looked like he was doing a little bit more of the red zone install last year when the Rams were struggling in that department. He took over more as the Rams were trying to fix that area of their game. So he was really trusted. Sean trusted him a lot.
And even though he didn't call plays, it is a collaborative process in terms of how Sean calls plays. He listens for suggestions from the guys in the booth, even if he ultimately makes the decision. Those guys can call out a number in terms of something they think will work in that moment. He's been involved in those playcalling moments in between snaps, even if it wasn't as a traditional playcaller. But he had experience in that, too, from his time with the Jets. And he's learned from a lot of really, really good coaches. So it'll be interesting to see what it looks like as a head coach, but he's not just a guy sitting in the booth.”
Excerpt From
“Rams beat writer gives scoop, grade on Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur”
azcentral
Rams beat writer Adam Grosbard provided the inside scoop on Mike LaFleur, who the Arizona Cardinals hired from Los Angeles as their next head coach.
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