After the Oakland game I rated the LB play as MARGINALLY SOLID, which is pretty good given their youth.
The standout among the LBs was Littleton. The guy was everywhere! Early in the game he got caught watching Ebukam go on a blitz and let Raider TE Cook go right by him on a big play. After that he settled down and played well.
I'm looking at the LB tackling because in a 34 defense the LBs have to tackle well. To often the Ram LBs are tackling high which leads to extra yards often.
Littleton, Ebukam, and Barron (when he gets back) are small LBs. They're fast but will many times be tackling guys that are bigger and they must wrap up at the legs to get these guys down.
Tackling has to be better!
I saw this differently. Littleton played outside leverage on Cook and the error was the terrible angle taken by Joyner. Cook was covered most of the game by either JJ or Talib, not the LB’s.
What I saw out of our linebackers was speed and great form tackling. The only criticism I have actually is a compliment to Lynch and Cook for muscling through some tackles with outstanding leverage. Smaller LB’s will be susceptible to that but I’d prefer they be quick enough to help with blitzes and coverage. Kiser, Hager, Longacre, and Easley are my picks for short yardage LB’s when stopping the run is an emphasis.
Once they all learn to better communicate and function as a unit...this LB crew will be head and shoulders above anything we’ve had since London Fletcher was a Ram.
