Rams’ young defensive players aren’t kidding around
At OTAs, rookies join second-year pros trying to make impacts alongside Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
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Rams’ young defensive players aren’t kidding around
The speed of NFL players hasn’t overwhelmed him, he’s getting a grasp of the playbook, and he’s already at ease calling out instructions the way a middle linebacker should.Only one thing has fazed Ernest Jones in the first week that rookies have practiced with veterans during the Rams’ spring training program.
Jones, the third-round draft pick from South Carolina, hasn’t found the courage to strike up a conversation with defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
“I didn’t want to fanboy him at first, so I’ve tried to stand back from AD,” Jones said Wednesday, laughing at himself. “I haven’t talked to him yet, but it’s coming. I want a one-on-one, full conversation with him.
“Last week, I was calling a play out, and he didn’t hear it. He asked me again, and I about froze up. I’m like, ‘This is Aaron Donald!’ “
The Rams’ five draft picks on defense had better get used to being on the field with their heroes.
Whether the Rams’ defense stays on top of the league could depend on how well young players perform alongside All-Pros like Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey and last year’s breakout star, edge rusher Leonard Floyd.
The departures of defensive lineman Michael Brockers, outside linebacker Samson Ebukam and cornerback Troy Hill leave opportunities for Jones, defensive tackle Bobby Brown III (a fourth-round pick), cornerback Robert Rochell (fourth), defensive end Earnest Brown IV (fifth) and outside linebacker Chris Garrett (seventh).
While the coaches don’t necessarily expect any of those five to play starting roles right away, they do need to replace John Johnson from among the safety trio of 2020 draft picks Jordan Fuller and Terrell Burgess and 2019 pick Taylor Rapp.
And they could use a healthy contribution from 2020 rookie Terrell Lewis at outside linebacker.
“I feel like it comes down to you making the coaches comfortable with you, making them trust you,” Jones said of how a young player earns a prominent role. “If (rookies) build that trust, I could definitely see where we could be on the field early on.”
Fuller, who started 12 regular-season games (making three interceptions) and both playoff games as a rookie, sounded eager to try to replace Johnson, who was the Rams’ defensive signal caller and captain of the defensive backs.
“I definitely take it on my shoulders. I know all of the DBs are trying to take that on,” Fuller said Tuesday of replacing Johnson. “He was a great leader, really smart, so that’s one of the reasons I want to work on my Football 101.”
Jones spoke in a video conference Wednesday after the third day of the Rams’ organized team activities in Thousand Oaks.
Known as a vocal leader and mentally prepared player at South Carolina, Jones, 21, said he wants to be the same in Los Angeles.
“That’s what I was kind of brought in here for, to be vocal and continue what I did in college,” he said. “The first few days, (I was) being a little cautious and nervous (about) speaking in front of (teammates). In just these last few days, I’ve become comfortable with them.
“Once you see something, you take control, you call it out. Not being nervous, you know, bashful.”
Someday he’ll tell that to Aaron Donald.