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http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160607/dominique-easley-looks-for-fresh-start-with-la-rams
Dominique Easley looks for fresh start with LA Rams
By Jack Wang, Los Angeles Daily News
Defensive tackle Dominique Easley, let go by the New England Patriots after two years, is looking to prove himself with the Rams. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
OXNARD >> “Locker room cancer.”
“Disrespectful and irresponsible.”
“Entitled.”
This is how Dominique Easley was described eight weeks ago in the Boston Globe, with anonymous sources lambasting the former first-round pick shortly after the Patriots released him. The article detailed a turbulent two-year stint in New England, one marked by clashes with the team over his rehab routine, reliability and other off-field issues.
Combine that with concerns over his long-term health, and his sudden availability as a free agent becomes more understandable.
Which is how the Los Angeles Rams, looking to add depth to their line, found themselves a low-risk addition in the form of a 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive tackle. As for Easley, he gets a chance to put his NFL career back on track.
Asked about the Globe article during the Rams’ OTAs, the former Florida standout initially sounded unperturbed: “People are people. I can’t be mad at who they are. If they feel like that, they feel like that.”
But a minute or so later, the 24-year-old’s voice took on more of an edge.
“They don’t know who I am,” he said. “They didn’t grow up with me. They didn’t live with me. They didn’t live through things that I’ve been through. So how are you going to tell me who I am?”
To be fair, Easley has his share of defenders too. In an interview with the Boston Herald, Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch disputed the “locker room cancer” description and praised Easley’s work ethic. Third-year Rams cornerback Marcus Roberson, who also played with Easley in college, said the two of them had only mutual respect for each other in the Florida locker room.
More than a week into OTAs, the Rams’ biggest defensive star also likes what he’s seen of Easley.
“He’s an explosive guy, and he’s been making plays,” defensive tackle Aaron Donald said. “He can pass rush, and he can stop the run. He’s an extra piece, a great piece for this defensive line. He’s going to help us a lot.”
Easley wasn’t entirely surprised when the Patriots cut ties with him, but denied that there was any friction between him and the rest of the team. Instead, he cited his medical history: tearing both his ACLs with the Gators, as well as knee and quadriceps injuries in 2014 and 2015. Even in limited action, however, he has shown flashes of promise.
While his statsheet lists only 24 tackles and three sacks over two seasons, those numbers may not fully capture Easley’s impact. On a per-snap basis, Pro Football Focus graded him as the most productive pass-rushing defensive tackle in the league last season — ahead of even Donald, whom the site ranked as its best overall player.
That potential is what made Easley an attractive option for the Rams, particularly at a one-year contract worth $600,000 — none of it guaranteed. They don’t need him to necessarily play like the No. 29 overall pick he was once; they would just like him to become a useful part of the rotation.
As for his reputation, Easley understands if some think he’s trouble.
“That’s what life is now,” he said. “Media, social media. What the fans read, they kind of believe until you show them otherwise. That’s the only thing I can do, is just show them otherwise.”
Dominique Easley looks for fresh start with LA Rams
By Jack Wang, Los Angeles Daily News
Defensive tackle Dominique Easley, let go by the New England Patriots after two years, is looking to prove himself with the Rams. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
OXNARD >> “Locker room cancer.”
“Disrespectful and irresponsible.”
“Entitled.”
This is how Dominique Easley was described eight weeks ago in the Boston Globe, with anonymous sources lambasting the former first-round pick shortly after the Patriots released him. The article detailed a turbulent two-year stint in New England, one marked by clashes with the team over his rehab routine, reliability and other off-field issues.
Combine that with concerns over his long-term health, and his sudden availability as a free agent becomes more understandable.
Which is how the Los Angeles Rams, looking to add depth to their line, found themselves a low-risk addition in the form of a 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive tackle. As for Easley, he gets a chance to put his NFL career back on track.
Asked about the Globe article during the Rams’ OTAs, the former Florida standout initially sounded unperturbed: “People are people. I can’t be mad at who they are. If they feel like that, they feel like that.”
But a minute or so later, the 24-year-old’s voice took on more of an edge.
“They don’t know who I am,” he said. “They didn’t grow up with me. They didn’t live with me. They didn’t live through things that I’ve been through. So how are you going to tell me who I am?”
To be fair, Easley has his share of defenders too. In an interview with the Boston Herald, Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch disputed the “locker room cancer” description and praised Easley’s work ethic. Third-year Rams cornerback Marcus Roberson, who also played with Easley in college, said the two of them had only mutual respect for each other in the Florida locker room.
More than a week into OTAs, the Rams’ biggest defensive star also likes what he’s seen of Easley.
“He’s an explosive guy, and he’s been making plays,” defensive tackle Aaron Donald said. “He can pass rush, and he can stop the run. He’s an extra piece, a great piece for this defensive line. He’s going to help us a lot.”
Easley wasn’t entirely surprised when the Patriots cut ties with him, but denied that there was any friction between him and the rest of the team. Instead, he cited his medical history: tearing both his ACLs with the Gators, as well as knee and quadriceps injuries in 2014 and 2015. Even in limited action, however, he has shown flashes of promise.
While his statsheet lists only 24 tackles and three sacks over two seasons, those numbers may not fully capture Easley’s impact. On a per-snap basis, Pro Football Focus graded him as the most productive pass-rushing defensive tackle in the league last season — ahead of even Donald, whom the site ranked as its best overall player.
That potential is what made Easley an attractive option for the Rams, particularly at a one-year contract worth $600,000 — none of it guaranteed. They don’t need him to necessarily play like the No. 29 overall pick he was once; they would just like him to become a useful part of the rotation.
As for his reputation, Easley understands if some think he’s trouble.
“That’s what life is now,” he said. “Media, social media. What the fans read, they kind of believe until you show them otherwise. That’s the only thing I can do, is just show them otherwise.”
