Mid-season Rams Rookie of the Year? None other than LB Josh Forrest by default

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JKBOGEN

JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN
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Mid-season Rams Rookie of the Year? None other than LB Josh Forrest by default
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http://www.downtownrams.com/single-...ar-None-other-than-LB-Josh-Forrest-by-default

October 19th, 2016 | By: Jake Ellenbogen

Well this is a shock isn't it? I mean come on post-NFL draft no one had Forrest pegged to be the best rookie drafted by the Rams. Everyone however, felt it would be no.1 overall pick Jared Goff and fourth-round WR Pharoh Cooper or even fourth-round TE Tyler Higbee. It's not though surprisingly it's the LB out of Kentucky.

So how good has Forrest been? Well, he really hasn't been amazing but he's improved weekly. He even had a very crucial fumble recovery in the Rams close win over Arizona. Forrest last week had two big tackles for losses when he dissected the play came out of his position and rushed the edge containing the outside and stuffing the ball-carrier behind the line.

It's a very small sample size but Forrest is clearly the Rookie of the year for the Rams with Tyler Higbee being used extremely minimally in the passing game, Goff being the backup to Case Keenum, Temarrick Hemingway failing to stand out, Pharoh Cooper failing to get on the field and Mike Thomas who has made an impact on special teams like Forrest but really can't get on the field during offensive possessions like Forrest can with defensive possessions.

Forrest has flashed the ability with his quick break off the snap to be a possible pass rusher and a run stuffing monster. His size and speed combination is the exact reason the Rams were willing to part with Akeem Ayers. Forrest already has logged over 100 snaps on special teams and over 60 on defense.

Here's Forrest shown on tape with his ability to penetrate through a defensive line and use his speed to tackle a ball-carrier for a loss when coming from the other side of the field.

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Picture 1: Forrest is lineup and ready to blitz.
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Picture 2: Forrest sees the pulling man going to the right and goes through the empty gap
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Picture 3: Forrest explodes through the gap in which many linebackers would not finish this play he is able to close in on RB Zack Zenner and bring him down for a two yard loss. This is also a well designed play in which you can tell Gregg Williams knew the Lions were running here.
The last play I am going to show you is my favorite I have seen all season out of Josh Forrest. It's a 1st down play and the first play of the new drive as the Lions take over at the 40 after Hekker was backed up in his own end zone to punt the ball. Watch what Forrest does here.

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Picture 1: Forrest is lined up as an outside linebacker.
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Picture 2: Forrest sees a man go in motion and immediately gets out of his position and shows blitz.
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Picture 3: Forrest clearly liked his chances versus the TE as he blasts through him preparing to put a hit on the ball-carrier.
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Picture 4: Forrest completely blows by the TE and crushes RB Justin Forsett behind the line for a loss of six. This play was huge because it set the tone early on the drive. Unfortunately a great play like this was followed up with a touchdown given up but Forrest really shows some serious awareness on this play.

Now, this isn't me saying Forrest is a future Pro Bowler but I figured he is clearly the Rams ROY so far and quite honestly watching him on tape (seeing as he was the only day three pick I didn't love) he actually is impressing me. I hope Gregg Williams starts to use Forrest more often because he is continuing to get better weekly and that same awareness I said he showed off on the play above, he showed when he recovered that crucial fumble. Hopefully the other rookies get something going but right now Josh Forrest should indeed be your midseason Rams rookie of the year.
 

gabriel18

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His family sar right behind us at the Detroit game . My wife got a picture of a big banner they had made up for him .
He made a few nice plays in the game if I remember right .
 

JerseyRam1

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Agreed, but it is really shocking how many rooks cant even get on the field. Curious, was last year just a really bad draft class in general? There have been some bright spots, but not that many making a huge impact other than Prescott, Elliott, Wentz and Fuller.
 

bubbaramfan

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You could make a case for Mike Thomas. His play on ST has been pretty good. First one down the field just about every time. He hasn't been targeted much as a WR though.
 

LACHAMP46

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nice post...b4 the last game versus Detroit, Forrest couldn't make a play through the tress...and looked like crap...

Mike Thomas is a player fellas...all he needs is a shot....

but, I'd agree, Josh is our best rookie...as of now...week 7.
 

Ramrasta

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I expected a lot more out of Cooper so far. I thought he was a steal for where we got him in the draft but that has not shown at all yet.
 

DaveFan'51

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I would be hard pressed to vote for anyone else other than Forrest, He's the only Rookie on the Team getting any sort of playing time!(y);)
 

BonifayRam

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I think we will be seeing more & more of Josh Forrest as the season continues...one very big reason is Josh's Talent/Ability to slip through the LOS untouched on both run & pass plays. Not saying he has big talent as a blitzing LB'er but is just sneaky getting through the traffic & causing issues for the offense. WSLB/S Mark Barron has been ineffective in the first 6 games in making plays as he did last season but rookie Josh flashed some of this talent last Sunday big time.

Having a big large tall strong LB'er on the field can pay big dividends as the defense struggles & as the bad weather moves in later. Right now its a Joyner/Forrest tag team as the 11th player starter. Now we know why veteran LB'er Akeem Ayers was released. Lets hope that Forrest can pick up the tug rope that Barron seems to have dropped a bit lately. Last year playmaker Mark Barron appears to have turned down the intensity level in October:sadwalk:.
 

JKBOGEN

JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN
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His family sar right behind us at the Detroit game . My wife got a picture of a big banner they had made up for him .
He made a few nice plays in the game if I remember right .
That's really awesome! Yeah he did
 

JKBOGEN

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Agreed, but it is really shocking how many rooks cant even get on the field. Curious, was last year just a really bad draft class in general? There have been some bright spots, but not that many making a huge impact other than Prescott, Elliott, Wentz and Fuller.
Yeah it's strange to me cause I think they just don't utilize Higbee or Cooper at all. I think it's more on them
 

JKBOGEN

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You could make a case for Mike Thomas. His play on ST has been pretty good. First one down the field just about every time. He hasn't been targeted much as a WR though.
Yeah that's what I was saying. Funny thing is it seems to be Forrest that almost blocks the punt and Mike Thomas who is down at the other hand trying to finish plays. Again, I think Forrest wins because he has actually gotten on the field on defense
 

JKBOGEN

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nice post...b4 the last game versus Detroit, Forrest couldn't make a play through the tress...and looked like crap...

Mike Thomas is a player fellas...all he needs is a shot....

but, I'd agree, Josh is our best rookie...as of now...week 7.
Thank you. Yeah with Forrest it's about coaches realizing that he is a run stuffer and possible pass rusher 3-4 type LB not really great in coverage so the sooner they fully realize that the sooner they can maximize his potential. Thomas I still think is too raw for the offensive side of the ball but yes on ST he's been great
 

JKBOGEN

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I expected a lot more out of Cooper so far. I thought he was a steal for where we got him in the draft but that has not shown at all yet.
Agreed, bear in mind he fell in the draft due to his 40 time and his durability. He's always trying to make every play but often times sacrifices his body too much and it ends up hurting him physically. Cooper and Higbee I expect to see more of after the bye
 

JKBOGEN

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I think we will be seeing more & more of Josh Forrest as the season continues...one very big reason is Josh's Talent/Ability to slip through the LOS untouched on both run & pass plays. Not saying he has big talent as a blitzing LB'er but is just sneaky getting through the traffic & causing issues for the offense. WSLB/S Mark Barron has been ineffective in the first 6 games in making plays as he did last season but rookie Josh flashed some of this talent last Sunday big time.

Having a big large tall strong LB'er on the field can pay big dividends as the defense struggles & as the bad weather moves in later. Right now its a Joyner/Forrest tag team as the 11th player starter. Now we know why veteran LB'er Akeem Ayers was released. Lets hope that Forrest can pick up the tug rope that Barron seems to have dropped a bit lately. Last year playmaker Mark Barron appears to have turned down the intensity level in October:sadwalk:.
Yeah honestly it's because Barron is the one they have constantly blitz. He can't blitz anymore he's been completely ineffective. His thing that makes him scary is his speed, ability to hit and his coverage skills from being a safety originally