I think the main problem against the Rams was coaching, just like you said...………...it was just down right embarrassing how bad McVeigh outcoached Clappy in that game with all the misdirection and motion on offense. Notice how none of that crap worked against the Pats, that is because Hoody doesn't fall for gimmic chit like that.
As for DLaw, I think its a fair contract for a player that has had his overall production. Be it sacks, Qb hits, pressures, forced fumbles, ect...he is in the top 10 in virtually every category over the past several years. So taking his full body of work into account, I think its a fair deal for both him and the team.