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http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/36016/rams-keeping-robert-quinn-fresh-and-its-paying-off
Rams keeping Robert Quinn fresh, and it's paying off
Alden GonzalezESPN Staff Writer
A man named Matt Longacre is the Los Angeles Rams' sack leader, with four of them through the first seven weeks.
You may not know who he is, and you probably should.
Longacre, an undrafted free agent in his third NFL season, is the Rams' primary backup at outside linebacker. And his productive play is the central reason the Rams feel so comfortable spelling Robert Quinn, the two-time Pro Bowler who's starting to resemble his old self.
Quinn generated four quarterback pressures in Sunday's 33-0 blowout win over the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. He totaled just four pressures through the season's first four weeks, but has generated 12 of them over the last three, tied for fifth-most among 3-4 outside linebackers during that stretch, according to numbers compiled by Pro Football Focus.
Aaron Donald is back to his dominant ways after a summer-long holdout, Michael Brockers has benefited from a move to defensive end, John Johnson's emergence has changed the dynamic of the secondary, and Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron have settled into their roles as inside linebackers under Wade Phillips' system.
But one of the biggest reasons for this defense's turnaround stems from Quinn's resurgence as a pass-rusher, which is why the Rams have been so judicious with his snaps.
"He's got great get-off; he plays with great effort," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "When you play the way that he does, and you have some confidence in the Matt Longacres and those guys that can step up when they come in for him, you want to keep him fresh. I think we're doing a good job."
Rams keeping Robert Quinn fresh, and it's paying off
Alden GonzalezESPN Staff Writer
A man named Matt Longacre is the Los Angeles Rams' sack leader, with four of them through the first seven weeks.
You may not know who he is, and you probably should.
Longacre, an undrafted free agent in his third NFL season, is the Rams' primary backup at outside linebacker. And his productive play is the central reason the Rams feel so comfortable spelling Robert Quinn, the two-time Pro Bowler who's starting to resemble his old self.
Quinn generated four quarterback pressures in Sunday's 33-0 blowout win over the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. He totaled just four pressures through the season's first four weeks, but has generated 12 of them over the last three, tied for fifth-most among 3-4 outside linebackers during that stretch, according to numbers compiled by Pro Football Focus.
Aaron Donald is back to his dominant ways after a summer-long holdout, Michael Brockers has benefited from a move to defensive end, John Johnson's emergence has changed the dynamic of the secondary, and Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron have settled into their roles as inside linebackers under Wade Phillips' system.
But one of the biggest reasons for this defense's turnaround stems from Quinn's resurgence as a pass-rusher, which is why the Rams have been so judicious with his snaps.
"He's got great get-off; he plays with great effort," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "When you play the way that he does, and you have some confidence in the Matt Longacres and those guys that can step up when they come in for him, you want to keep him fresh. I think we're doing a good job."
