WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Rams head coach Sean McVay said on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” this week that defensive line coach/run game coordinator Giff Smith joked that defensive end Braden Fiske is like Santa Clause, “passing off half sacks to other guys” with the way he gives and creates those opportunities.
Fiske’s two sacks, and pass rushes against the Seahawks overall, reinforced that.
“I think, in general, like, the game is slowing down,” Fiske told theRams.com. “The first few games, I was just out there thinking a lot. You’re trying not to mess up, playing not to mess up, but the big thing coach Giff (Smith) and (assistant defensive line coach) AC (Carter) have been telling me lately, just be decisive. Make your decision and go with it, and go make a play. Like, when you’re out there thinking, you’re too worried about messing up, then you start playing slow. So I think the big thing is just getting repetitions, been playing fast and just getting after it. Just been so much more comfortable out there. And kind of like I alluded to earlier, finding my play opportunities, seeing what’s out there. Things are processing much clearer, so I know when it’s my opportunity to shoot it and go make a play.”
Against Seattle, both of Fiske’s sacks came in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. His first went for a six-yard loss; between that and the back-to-back pre-snap penalties, the Seahawks fell too far behind the sticks and had to punt with 3:54 left. His second went for a 14-yard loss, but Seattle overcame second-and-24 with a 28-yard completion to wide receiver Cody White.
Similar to Florida State teammate and fellow Rams rookie Jared Verse, it’s not always those sacks or tackles for loss that make the most impact, but the pressures generated by them that are just as impactful. Fiske’s ability to win his one-on-one matchups has also been opening up opportunities for the rest of the defensive line.
With 11:23 left in the first quarter, Fiske beat the Seahawks’ center and got to Smith so quickly, he missed the sack. The rep still achieved the desired effect, though, as outside linebacker Michael Hoecht and nose tackle Tyler Davis were there to clean it up.
With 10:36 left in the fourth quarter, Fiske beat the Seahawks’ right guard one-on-one and got to Smith, with Turner finishing the play and getting credit for the sack.
“He’s a guy who I knew would just come in and…
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