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http://isportsweb.com/2016/07/09/los-angeles-rams-strong-defense-remain/
Now, before you get up in arms defending the Los Angeles Rams defense, this examination is not meant to be an indictment of the group. Rather, there were a few offseason moves that would point at the defense being drastically different from what it looked like a few years ago. The secondary will particularly look quite different, and veteran leaders have left the squad for other places. This is not to say that the Rams’ defense will not remain strong, as defensive coordinator Gregg Williams seems to always whip this group into shape, but it would be remiss to not take a look at each of the position groups and their projected starters, and how strong they are coming off of last season.
Note: The starters that have been selected started for a majority of the season, not necessarily the day one starters.
Defensive Line
2015 starters: DE Robert Quinn, DT Aaron Donald, DT Michael Brockers, DE Chris Long
2016 projected starters: DE Robert Quinn, DT Aaron Donald, DT Michael Brockers, DE William Hayes
There’s only one change amongst the starters here, but for Rams fans that made the migration to Los Angeles, it’s a big one. Chris Long has long been a leader on defense, but he was far from the best player along that line. His best asset was a high-motor, which, coupled with two stellar pass-rushers in Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald, made him an excellent addition along the line. However, it’s not uncommon to see veterans cast aside to make some cap space, and with Donald’s emergence as the heart and soul of the line, there’s no way to see this line as a true downgrade.
The biggest question along this line is whether or not Quinn will return to form. He should be aided by the fact that Donald will attract much of the attention along the line, but he must remain healthy for the combination to work out. William Hayes and Eugene Sims will be competing for the other end spot, but the nod goes to Hayes for his ability to adapt to situations. Sims will be phenomenal rotational depth, but either is a good option. It has long been said that the Rams’ line depth could start on most teams’ defenses, and this season will test that with Sims and Hayes.
The team will also bring back Ethan Westbrooks, and added Quinton Coples and Dominique Easley in free agency, which should provide good depth along the line. However, this is a Rams team that gave up 113.8 yards per game on the ground, and only came in 11th in total sacks in the league. They must play better than they did last season, and they cannot rely solely on Aaron Donald.
Linebackers
2015 starters: LB Mark Barron, MLB James Laurinaitis, LB Akeem Ayers
2016 projected starters: LB Mark Barron, MLB Alec Ogletree, LB Akeem Ayers
Much like the defensive line, the changes along the linebacking corps are mostly in the departure of a veteran linebacker. James Laurinaitis was another leader on the defense and a captain, but has since made his way elsewhere after being cut by Los Angeles Rams in the offseason. His role will be taken over by former first round pick Alec Ogletree, who moves over from the weak-side. Ogletree was hurt for a majority of last season, but has shown ability in his play since being drafted. Barron has adapted well to his new role as a linebacker, and Akeem Ayers was a solid free agency acquisition a year ago. However, this corps will need to play well behind a good defensive line if the Rams front-seven is to make a lot of noise.
There could be an adjustment process for Ogletree, who was a converted safety in college and now moves to the middle of the defense. Ayers and Barron will also have to adapt well to their starting roles, as they are no longer rotational pieces as they were a year ago. The depth along the second level is largely unproven and young, so look for plenty of answers about their abilities in the pre-season and in training camp. Overall, however, this group is young and athletic, but they must deliver to help improve the Rams’ statistical rankings.
Secondary
2015 starters: CB Trumaine Johnson, FS Rodney McLeod, SS T.J. McDonald, CB Janoris Jenkins
2016 projected starters: CB Trumaine Johnson, DB LaMarcus Joyner, S T.J. McDonald, CB E.J. Gaines
Well, here’s where the biggest changes on defense occurred. Entering the offseason, the Los Angeles front office stated that figuring out the team’s secondary was a primary concern. Well, looking at the results of that attempt, it’s easy to see why they wanted to do that. Janoris Jenkins was extremely talented, but signed a deal with the Giants, while Rodney McLeod got a better offer in Philadelphia.
So this leaves the Los Angeles Rams with Trumaine Johnson playing on a franchise tag deal, and E.J. Gaines taking the other starting spot back after being hurt for all of last season. T.J. McDonald has the potential to be an All-Star safety, but he is dealing with legal issues stemming from a DUI in May. McLeod’s departure has left the team without a clear option at free safety, which I just slotted to LaMarcus Joyner. Joyner may be the best suited for the position, but the team is bent on making him the nickelback, so perhaps Christian Bryant, Cody Davis, or Maurice Alexander will get the nod. In any case, the secondary is tremendously different from a year ago, and with no guarantee of Johnson signing a long-term deal, they could look unrecognizable in 2017.
The Rams are coming off a season where they gave up 254 yards per game (23rd in the league) and tied for 17th in the league in interceptions with 13 on the year.
Is the defense still strong?
Yes, the defense is still as good as it was a year ago. It would be ignorant to say that the team’s defense still isn’t stacked along the line, and the linebackers are a good complement to that group. By year’s end, the front-seven could be one of the league’s best. However, the problems are in the fact that the secondary is still a huge question mark, and that the team has not performed statistically great. The fact of the matter is that the Rams did not finish in the top ten of any of the following defensive statistics: Yards per game, rushing yards per game, passing yards per game, sacks, and points per game. Opposing quarterbacks average a 90.4 passer rating. The defense is good in theory and when you watch them on the field, but the stats don’t reflect that.
It’s not all bad though. The Rams were a top-ten team in takeaways, which is absolutely tremendous. This defense is also continuously growing, and with the departure of veterans like Chris Long and James Laurinaitis, the team will continue to grow and learn. This year simply boils down to younger players getting better and taking the next big step in their progression.
Now, before you get up in arms defending the Los Angeles Rams defense, this examination is not meant to be an indictment of the group. Rather, there were a few offseason moves that would point at the defense being drastically different from what it looked like a few years ago. The secondary will particularly look quite different, and veteran leaders have left the squad for other places. This is not to say that the Rams’ defense will not remain strong, as defensive coordinator Gregg Williams seems to always whip this group into shape, but it would be remiss to not take a look at each of the position groups and their projected starters, and how strong they are coming off of last season.
Note: The starters that have been selected started for a majority of the season, not necessarily the day one starters.
Defensive Line
2015 starters: DE Robert Quinn, DT Aaron Donald, DT Michael Brockers, DE Chris Long
2016 projected starters: DE Robert Quinn, DT Aaron Donald, DT Michael Brockers, DE William Hayes
There’s only one change amongst the starters here, but for Rams fans that made the migration to Los Angeles, it’s a big one. Chris Long has long been a leader on defense, but he was far from the best player along that line. His best asset was a high-motor, which, coupled with two stellar pass-rushers in Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald, made him an excellent addition along the line. However, it’s not uncommon to see veterans cast aside to make some cap space, and with Donald’s emergence as the heart and soul of the line, there’s no way to see this line as a true downgrade.
The biggest question along this line is whether or not Quinn will return to form. He should be aided by the fact that Donald will attract much of the attention along the line, but he must remain healthy for the combination to work out. William Hayes and Eugene Sims will be competing for the other end spot, but the nod goes to Hayes for his ability to adapt to situations. Sims will be phenomenal rotational depth, but either is a good option. It has long been said that the Rams’ line depth could start on most teams’ defenses, and this season will test that with Sims and Hayes.
The team will also bring back Ethan Westbrooks, and added Quinton Coples and Dominique Easley in free agency, which should provide good depth along the line. However, this is a Rams team that gave up 113.8 yards per game on the ground, and only came in 11th in total sacks in the league. They must play better than they did last season, and they cannot rely solely on Aaron Donald.
Linebackers
2015 starters: LB Mark Barron, MLB James Laurinaitis, LB Akeem Ayers
2016 projected starters: LB Mark Barron, MLB Alec Ogletree, LB Akeem Ayers
Much like the defensive line, the changes along the linebacking corps are mostly in the departure of a veteran linebacker. James Laurinaitis was another leader on the defense and a captain, but has since made his way elsewhere after being cut by Los Angeles Rams in the offseason. His role will be taken over by former first round pick Alec Ogletree, who moves over from the weak-side. Ogletree was hurt for a majority of last season, but has shown ability in his play since being drafted. Barron has adapted well to his new role as a linebacker, and Akeem Ayers was a solid free agency acquisition a year ago. However, this corps will need to play well behind a good defensive line if the Rams front-seven is to make a lot of noise.
There could be an adjustment process for Ogletree, who was a converted safety in college and now moves to the middle of the defense. Ayers and Barron will also have to adapt well to their starting roles, as they are no longer rotational pieces as they were a year ago. The depth along the second level is largely unproven and young, so look for plenty of answers about their abilities in the pre-season and in training camp. Overall, however, this group is young and athletic, but they must deliver to help improve the Rams’ statistical rankings.
Secondary
2015 starters: CB Trumaine Johnson, FS Rodney McLeod, SS T.J. McDonald, CB Janoris Jenkins
2016 projected starters: CB Trumaine Johnson, DB LaMarcus Joyner, S T.J. McDonald, CB E.J. Gaines
Well, here’s where the biggest changes on defense occurred. Entering the offseason, the Los Angeles front office stated that figuring out the team’s secondary was a primary concern. Well, looking at the results of that attempt, it’s easy to see why they wanted to do that. Janoris Jenkins was extremely talented, but signed a deal with the Giants, while Rodney McLeod got a better offer in Philadelphia.
So this leaves the Los Angeles Rams with Trumaine Johnson playing on a franchise tag deal, and E.J. Gaines taking the other starting spot back after being hurt for all of last season. T.J. McDonald has the potential to be an All-Star safety, but he is dealing with legal issues stemming from a DUI in May. McLeod’s departure has left the team without a clear option at free safety, which I just slotted to LaMarcus Joyner. Joyner may be the best suited for the position, but the team is bent on making him the nickelback, so perhaps Christian Bryant, Cody Davis, or Maurice Alexander will get the nod. In any case, the secondary is tremendously different from a year ago, and with no guarantee of Johnson signing a long-term deal, they could look unrecognizable in 2017.
The Rams are coming off a season where they gave up 254 yards per game (23rd in the league) and tied for 17th in the league in interceptions with 13 on the year.
Is the defense still strong?
Yes, the defense is still as good as it was a year ago. It would be ignorant to say that the team’s defense still isn’t stacked along the line, and the linebackers are a good complement to that group. By year’s end, the front-seven could be one of the league’s best. However, the problems are in the fact that the secondary is still a huge question mark, and that the team has not performed statistically great. The fact of the matter is that the Rams did not finish in the top ten of any of the following defensive statistics: Yards per game, rushing yards per game, passing yards per game, sacks, and points per game. Opposing quarterbacks average a 90.4 passer rating. The defense is good in theory and when you watch them on the field, but the stats don’t reflect that.
It’s not all bad though. The Rams were a top-ten team in takeaways, which is absolutely tremendous. This defense is also continuously growing, and with the departure of veterans like Chris Long and James Laurinaitis, the team will continue to grow and learn. This year simply boils down to younger players getting better and taking the next big step in their progression.
