Altered role has Brockers playing nose tackle/PD

[Blue and Gold]

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[Blue and Gold]

 

[-X-]

Man that was the right call at the right time. Came with a free blitzer and swallowed up Manning's first read (Tamme)

 

[fearsomefour]

Good article.
Certainly explains Brockers stats being down. He is a quality DT....remember he is only 25 too. Plenty of time for his game to grow.

 

[BonifayRam]

Great article just great stuff to read!

It was nice to see them also give Kendall Langford some Kudos with an honorable mention. Langford has also had to suck it up after losing his starting post & afterwards then take up relieving Brockers @ NT. Langford started all 16 games last season & had 50 tacks & 5 sacks & 4 PDEF's. This season he only has 21 tacks with only one sack, zero PDEF's.

Just a few yrs back Kendall Langford spent FOUR seasons as Miami's starting DLE. One of Fishers/Snead's first moves in early 2012 was to bring in Kendall Langford to play DT with Brockers. Langford signed a 4 year / $22 million contract, an annual average salary of $5,500,000. Langford will be in his last year under contract next season where he will get paid 7 million whereas Brockers will play for 3 mil in 2015.

Not so sure that the Rams will pay 7 million for versatile reserve back up DT next season. They could restructure Langford or release him & use that 7 mil to resign & lock up Brockers early & prevent Brockers for entering UFA in 2016. However the other two Rams DT's (Alex Carrington & Ethan Westbrooks) can not play NT.

Alex Carrington signed here for One & 1/2 million this season. However the light 300 pound Alex DT & ex Bills OSLB'er has not done much. Alex has 10 tacks in only 8 games. Alex has battled injuries this season just like last yr. Ethan Westbrooks is also light somewhere around 270 but has the look of being Aaron Donald's back up. Westbrooks could also be groomed to replace one or both Hayes & Sims in 2016 as the 3rd or 4th reserve DE. Fisher also has another DL'er signed for 2015 season. He has been a Ram since early 2012 named DE/DT/TE Mason Brodine. Mason had a decent TC & pre season with playing a lot of snaps @ DT. Mason is over 6-7 & working on his extra long frame to over 285 pounds. If they do release Langford we could see much more of Brodine.

Good that Gregg figured out the right spot for Donald. So when we look @ Aaron's 2014 seasons we should member it took some assistance from Brockers & Langford!

 

[Alan]

BonifayRam with this truism:
So when we look @ Aaron's 2014 seasons we should member it took some assistance from Brockers & Langford!

True at every position. Good stuff Bonifay.

 

[Blue and Gold]

A bit of a myth that Langford was a 3-4 DE, in name he was, but he played many roles there, mostly 3-tech

 

[jap]

The Incredible Brock is playing the old Merlin Olsen role, the super stud DT/NT who anchors the DL by taking on the double/triple-teams regularly, freeing up his line mates for easier one-on-one match-ups. Merlin only holds the NFL record for most consecutive Pro Bowl appearances with 14 straight Pro Bowls.

 

[StevenG-BR]

Was just coming in here to say that lol, pretty surprising typo for a professional journalist.

You two realize that at big newspapers, such as the PD, the writer has nothing to do with the headline, right?

 

[BonifayRam]

A bit of a myth that Langford was a 3-4 DE, in name he was, but he played many roles there, mostly 3-tech.

Nice photo's & comment!Yep your right Kendall seems to be able to play any post any position anytime!

I can not wait to see him in Seattle this time with all his new found buds on defense.... Kendall will sure keep a distance from the Seahawk enablers (Refs) & keep his helmet on too. Should be a great final season game !

 

[RaminExile]

This is some great analysis of Brock. I was hard on him earlier in the season - but seeing him adjust to this role and get better and better has been excellent. Pick your poison o-lines...