Phillips expects Micah Kiser to step into larger defensive role

[CGI_Ram]

https://www.therams.com/news/phillips-expects-micah-kiser-to-step-into-larger-defensive-role

Phillips expects Micah Kiser to step into larger defensive role

When the Rams selected linebacker Micah Kiser in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, they picked up a player who could come in and immediately contribute on special teams.

A Virginia product, Kiser led the ACC in tackles for three straight seasons before entering the league, becoming only the second player to ever do so. He translated that prowess to football’s third phase at the highest level, as he was on the field for 63 percent of Los Angeles’ special teams snaps as a rookie — finishing No. 4 in the category.

But now, according to defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Kiser has a good chance to play in the Rams’ base 3-4 scheme as the second inside linebacker. Cory Littleton is still slated to be the club’s ‘Mike’ linebacker and defensive signal-caller. But Kiser could help fill the void left by the departed Mark Barron.

“I think for where he is in his career and where we need him, it’ll be in those first and second-down plays for sure,” Phillips said of Kiser’s role during the offseason program. “Cory is such a good coverage guy and then we’ve got a lot of safeties that can come in and help us on third downs, so I think his main role certainly right now will be first and second down as a base defensive player.”

And part of the reason why Phillips feels Kiser can be successful in that role is how he excelled on special teams — much like Littleton did for his first two years before transitioning to a full-time linebacker.

“Micah showed a lot of things last year, he came in, you always have high hopes I think, and he basically only got to play special teams. He was one of our best special teamers — you know Cory Littleton also went that path too, and turned out to be really good backer, and I think Micah is going in the same direction,” Phillips said. “When they show things, they show the ability to get to the football on special teams and they carry it over to defense and he moves well, he’s a smart player, and he’s had a really good spring. He’s fit in really well.”

 

[fearsomefour]

Micah is on a Kiser roll.

 

[Ram65]

I had my doubt about Kiser taking over for Barron when he was drafted. Known as a run stuffer but, not a pass defender. It's hard to cover TEs/RBs as a LBer. He doesn't have the great speed that many of today's LBers have. He should be good in run support and he is a great blitzer. I know he is a student of the game and hard worker which can help him be in the right place. I just hope he can keep up in coverage. Barron was great his first year in coverage after a slow start in the new defense. Rams need him to step up and play well on 1st and 2nd downs.

 

[dang]

Don’t minimize the fact that Kiser is a cheap alternative at ILB compared to Barron or Ogeltree. Allowing the Rams to add some vets like Matthews and retain vets like Littleton.

 

[Ram65]

Don’t minimize the fact that Kiser is a cheap alternative at ILB compared to Barron or Ogeltree. Allowing the Rams to add some vets like Matthews and retain vets like Littleton.

We know Rams need to save cap space. He still has to be able to make plays and not be a liability.

 

[Soul Surfer]

He, (Kiser) still has to be able to make plays and not be a liability.

He is not going to be an every-down linebacker.
They are going to pull him when they run the nickel and the dime.
I'm pretty sure he will just be a first and second down run stopper.

And by his statistics, I'm pretty sure he's going to be a good one.

 

[Ram65]

He is not going to be an every-down linebacker.
They are going to pull him when they run the nickel and the dime.
I'm pretty sure he will just be a first and second down run stopper.

And by his statistics, I'm pretty sure he's going to be a good one.

I know he will be a first and second down LBer. He should be good against the run. The big question is the passing game. Teams are going to test him in the passing game early and often on those first and second downs. That's the area of concern which I stated earlier. Hope he steps up.

 

[Akrasian]

He is not going to be an every-down linebacker.
They are going to pull him when they run the nickel and the dime.
I'm pretty sure he will just be a first and second down run stopper.

And by his statistics, I'm pretty sure he's going to be a good one.

What statistics are those? From college, two years ago? Or the zero snaps he had with the Rams last season, despite them being last in the league against rushing average per attempt?

 

[Soul Surfer]

I know he will be a first and second down LBer. He should be good against the run. The big question is the passing game. Teams are going to test him in the passing game early and often on those first and second downs. That's the area of concern which I stated earlier. Hope he steps up.

True. Hopefully he will show that he can patrol the middle or he will definitely get tested early and often in the pass game.

If he can't we have to go to plan B.

 

[Soul Surfer]

What statistics are those? From college, two years ago? Or the zero snaps he had with the Rams last season, despite them being last in the league against rushing average per attempt?

He led the ACC three years in a row in tackles.

He's not afraid to take a running back head on.
He's a thumper. Stand by.

 

[Akrasian]

He led the ACC three years in a row in tackles.

He's not afraid to take a running back head on.
He's a thumper. Stand by.

I hope he works out. I just wish there were a better plan B, just in case. Even if he were experienced at the NFL level, I'd like for there to be a better plan B, especially with as bad as the Rams were against the run last season.

 

[OldSchool]

 

[TSFH Fan]

A Virginia product, Kiser led the ACC in tackles for three straight seasons before entering the league, becoming only the second player to ever do so.

I hope Kiser is The Guy.

But, I still remember people touting Rams' 2006 draft pick Tim McGarigle's college tackle numbers in the supposedly rough and physical Big-10 as a reason why he could make it. He didn't make it.

McGarigle played college football at Northwestern University where he holds the Football Bowl Subdivision record for most tackles in a career, with 545 total tackles.

Led the nation in solo tackles per game (8.5) and ranked third in total tackles per outing (12.6) to become the first NU player to earn First Team All-Big Ten honors since 2000.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_McGarigle#cite_note-1
https://bigten.org/news/2005/4/14/2005_Big_Ten_Football_Prospectus.aspx?path=football

 

[nighttrain]

S#$t happens
train

 

[So Ram]

I had my doubt about Kiser taking over for Barron when he was drafted. Known as a run stuffer but, not a pass defender. It's hard to cover TEs/RBs as a LBer. He doesn't have the great speed that many of today's LBers have. He should be good in run support and he is a great blitzer. I know he is a student of the game and hard worker which can help him be in the right place. I just hope he can keep up in coverage. Barron was great his first year in coverage after a slow start in the new defense. Rams need him to step up and play well on 1st and 2nd downs.

Micha will be a better run stuffer, especially if he is in on a blitz than Barron.He has a good nose for the ball. Won’t take plays off either.
I just go back to preseason & he was The Rams leading tackler, so he proved he can be consistent. My question would be his speed, but again shows up making plays.
Another example of Snead finding a solid value of need. 5th round pick ? He still has a lot of upside & learning from an excellent group of core players on defense.

 

[oldnotdead]

Kiser was a 5th round pick so you don't expect him to really start at ILB as a rookie if there are other options. He's fast for his size and position and although he isn't the most agile player but he's about average in that regard. Most of his issues coming into the NFL were largely technique related. Now he's had a full year to acclimate and be coached up. His strength was his run defense in college so I see him in his first real action as a early down player, giving way to Mathews on passing downs.

If he can develop into a starter by his 3rd year he will be a steal in the 5th round where most teams are simply drafting for depth type players. I don't see him as simply depth. If he can show he can not be a liability in the pass game I think he has the talent to become a pretty good player. Judging from Wade's comments I think he's well on his way.

 

[fearsomefour]

I know he will be a first and second down LBer. He should be good against the run. The big question is the passing game. Teams are going to test him in the passing game early and often on those first and second downs. That's the area of concern which I stated earlier. Hope he steps up.

Which is true.
Teams run out of spread formations and pass out of heavy sets now, much more than in years past.
Teams ran right at our undersized ILBs the last couple of years. Teams always test perceived weaknesses.
The Rams have to improve in two areas this year....the run and giving up big passes.
They took some steps to improve in both areas.
The D doesn’t need to be great. A middle of the pack run D and giving up fewer big plays makes this team very tough to beat.

 

[fearsomefour]

Matthews moving inside next to Littleton with Fowler and a yet to be determined outside is a look we may see a fair deal.
Kiser may end up depth/subbing for Matthews when he moves outside. Or depth for both ILB spots.

 

[Soul Surfer]

I hope he works out. I just wish there were a better plan B, just in case. Even if he were experienced at the NFL level, I'd like for there to be a better plan B, especially with as bad as the Rams were against the run last season.

I think Plan B is the usual;

Pick up a last-minute cut veteran.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Matthews moving inside next to Littleton with Fowler and a yet to be determined outside is a look we may see a fair deal.

Inside run stopper is usually a young man's game.

I think the package we are most likely going to see Matthew's in is as a 3rd and long quarterback pressure specialist.

Just my opinion.