Tim

Walton

“He will be a huge asset to our staff,” coach Jeff Fisher said. Walton has overseen some mediocre secondaries in Detroit the past four seasons, but had little talent to work with. He’s well regarded amongst the Detroit media, and is surely coming with a sterling recommendation from Fisher disciple Jim Schwartz. Along with Fisher and assistant HC Dave McGinnis, Walton will be overseeing a 4-3 defense in St. Louis. The Rams could employ a committee approach like the one they used in 2012, but it should be Walton calling plays on game day.

Walton was just hired last offseason but proved to be way in over his head in the early part of the season when the Rams were getting picked apart via the pass and the run. St. Louis allowed a league-worst 8.1 YPA through the air and the fifth-most rushing touchdowns in 2013, despite finishing as the NFL’s No. 15 defense in terms of yards allowed. The only group that played well for the Rams was the defensive line. Walton has a DBs coach background, and that was the worst level of the St. Louis defense. Coach Jeff Fisher and assistant HC Dave McGinnis got more involved on defense during the season and helped turn the unit around. The Rams are a little late to the party if they want to find a legitimate defensive boss, but we wonder if Gregg Williams is an option. McGinnis and DBs coach Chuck Cecil have previous coordinating experience.