Wagoner’s Rams Buzz: Ray Ray To Have Expanded Role

[LACHAMP46]

I think Ray Ray and dunbar may split snaps. Dunbar being the better run stuffer and Ray Ray is better in coverage and blitzing.

I think it's time to pass the reigns on over...Let this Ray Ray kid, Mo Alexander, & TJ all on the field at the same time.....Let Tree & Ray Ray handle the nickle LB responsibilities....

 

[LACHAMP46]

I under the impression that Ray Ray will get a serious look in some of the many special blitz packages that GW will install in place of Dunbar. I not so sure that Ray Ray is that much faster than Dunbar with Ray Ray's extra pounds he has tacked on. Ray Ray ran between the 40-yard dash in 4.72 and 4.69 seconds. Dunbar more of an MLB'er than OLB'er ran the 40 between 4.72 & 7.79 range in the his pro day. Ray Ray is more agile & can close faster on the QB.

Dunbar's best games as a pro came starting & playing inside for Gregg Williams!

adding muscle/size, the right way, can often increase speed.....

 

[CGI_Ram]

If Ray Ray comes up big - and shows he's capable of spelling Dunbar - that would be HUGE!

We need some players to emerge at LB and S... we lack proven depth at both!

 

[fancents86]

Can't wait to see my hometown guy take some people out!

 

[CoachO]

Can't wait to see my hometown guy take some people out!

With all do respect. This is exactly what's wrong with the idea of him playing. And IMO, it's the only reason Armstrong had taken in what I consider to be near "cult hero" status.

I'd rather he just do his job and make the plays he needs to make. And actually act like he has done it before. And more importantly act like he might actually do it again.

 

[CoachO]

I think it's time to pass the reigns on over...Let this Ray Ray kid, Mo Alexander, & TJ all on the field at the same time.....Let Tree & Ray Ray handle the nickle LB responsibilities....

........do this and dumb down the defense even more than Walton was guilty of doing a year ago. It takes more than talent and athletic ability alone to play at this level. And there is ZERO chance they let Ogletree and Armstrong on the field in lieu of Laurinaitis.

 

[SierraRam]

Armstrong was my pick for "break out" Ram for 2014; a tough call over Barrett Jones, who I think they need to perform more. Anyone can see Ray is a dynamic player, but his recklessness led to penalties and mistakes. Hopefully he can learn to play the game without having to harness too much of that explosiveness. I hope to compare him to Vontaze Burfict one day.

He certainly could be our breakout player, and I think he'll get his chances in this year. But Ray Ray needs to keep the focus on his playbook & assignments or the only snaps he'll see will be from punt formation. The talent and size are there, but not the discipline... yet.

 

[JRobinson]

I'd rather he just do his job and make the plays he needs to make. And actually act like he has done it before. And more importantly act like he might actually do it again.

This is really the end all be all for every NFL player including Armstrong.

In my judgement, there is no need to jump around and act like you just nailed the lotto lucky 3 when you just made a tackle. You did your job, now jog off the field with some class. If you were to score, or force a turnover, ok, there is some leniency there.

 

[LACHAMP46]

........do this and dumb down the defense even more than Walton was guilty of doing a year ago. It takes more than talent and athletic ability alone to play at this level. And there is ZERO chance they let Ogletree and Armstrong on the field in lieu of Laurinaitis.

Probably cause I don't think defensive football is rocket science, I really don't think great defensive play requires much complication. In fact, I've often heard several great defenders speak about how simple a scheme was, and how the coordinators "let them play", which allowed them to play faster. If JL55 was this great mastermind, and such a valuable & irreplaceable piece, why haven't these results been translated into HIS play on the field? How can such a average player be almost impossible to replace? I believe Ogletree could handle the play calls, and Ray Ray could handle Tree's responsibilities, with little,if any, drop in overall production. In fact, I would bet (which is why I would call for a replacement) that our defense would improve.

 

[CoachO]

Probably cause I don't think defensive football is rocket science, I really don't think great defensive play requires much complication. In fact, I've often heard several great defenders speak about how simple a scheme was, and how the coordinators "let them play", which allowed them to play faster. If JL55 was this great mastermind, and such a valuable & irreplaceable piece, why haven't these results been translated into HIS play on the field? How can such a average player be almost impossible to replace? I believe Ogletree could handle the play calls, and Ray Ray could handle Tree's responsibilities, with little,if any, drop in overall production. In fact, I would bet (which is why I would call for a replacement) that our defense would improve.

You obviously have never been in a meeting room, or seen a Defensive playbook have you?

In most cases, the defense's playbook is more detailed than an Offensive Playbook. And we will agree to disagree on what Ogletree can handle with regards to play-calling and making pre-snap adjustments. All people see are raw stats, and really don't understand what goes into the dynamics of playing the game ON THE FIELD.

Not directing these comments to you specifically, but if it were as simple as you seem to want to make it out to be, ANYONE who has the physical ability could play the game. Not the case.

 

[mr.stlouis]

Plus he's faster and more agile.

And hostile lol

What about his Twinkie Brandon "Flip into the end zone on a gimme fumble" Bates? Those two knuckleheads are what this team is all about. Love those guys! I'll be sad if Bates gets cut.

 

[LACHAMP46]

You obviously have never been in a meeting room, or seen a Defensive playbook have you?

In most cases, the defense's playbook is more detailed than an Offensive Playbook. And we will agree to disagree on what Ogletree can handle with regards to play-calling and making pre-snap adjustments. All people see are raw stats, and really don't understand what goes into the dynamics of playing the game ON THE FIELD.

Not directing these comments to you specifically, but if it were as simple as you seem to want to make it out to be, ANYONE who has the physical ability could play the game. Not the case.

Naw Coach, never been in an NFL meeting room...I've seen a few playbooks, but never NFL level. Just going on what I perceive from players like LT56, primetime 21...and a few conversations from pros...hell, I went to school and played with Ken Norton in HS. And no mental giants seem to be any of these guys...I understand you must have some type of football IQ to diagnose plays, develop a game-plan, to put the defense in position. How can a player be described as adequate, if he puts a defense in position to give up 350-400 ypg? How would you know if Tree can't do it until he tries? Ho could you not see our nickle defense the last 2 years and not think we need more explosive players in the back 7? I know everybody wants to blame Walton, hell I was calling for his head week 3, as I have said once, players play. It's the job of coaches to get the players in the best possible position to play & make plays. It may take 2-3 years for Coach Williams scheme to be fully understood by all the players, so should they expect to fail? Jo Lon Dunbar may know Williams scheme the best, does that mean he should play 100% of the snaps? As another posted noted, Jo Lon's main successes were when he was a MLB....Should he start over JL55?
Please believe, I enjoy any & all dialog with you Coach0, and love to respond to your comments. I respect and listen to everything you say, just have my concerns.....I watched Kiko Alonzo, Burfict (Riverside boy) out here in the Pac-12. I know a lil something about defense.

 

[CoachO]

Naw Coach, never been in an NFL meeting room...I've seen a few playbooks, but never NFL level. Just going on what I perceive from players like LT56, primetime 21...and a few conversations from pros...hell, I went to school and played with Ken Norton in HS. And no mental giants seem to be any of these guys...I understand you must have some type of football IQ to diagnose plays, develop a game-plan, to put the defense in position. How can a player be described as adequate, if he puts a defense in position to give up 350-400 ypg? How would you know if Tree can't do it until he tries? Ho could you not see our nickle defense the last 2 years and not think we need more explosive players in the back 7? I know everybody wants to blame Walton, hell I was calling for his head week 3, as I have said once, players play. It's the job of coaches to get the players in the best possible position to play & make plays. It may take 2-3 years for Coach Williams scheme to be fully understood by all the players, so should they expect to fail? Jo Lon Dunbar may know Williams scheme the best, does that mean he should play 100% of the snaps? As another posted noted, Jo Lon's main successes were when he was a MLB....Should he start over JL55?
Please believe, I enjoy any & all dialog with you Coach0, and love to respond to your comments. I respect and listen to everything you say, just have my concerns.....I watched Kiko Alonzo, Burfict (Riverside boy) out here in the Pac-12. I know a lil something about defense.

Ok then.

 

[Mojo Ram]

 

[Dodgersrf]

He's a tough guy to get a solid feel for.
There ha e been good points by all here, but I don't know if he can shake the penalties.
He's definitely an exciting player. It's easy to like his aggressive play.

Regardless of the penalties, his depth could be very valuable barring injury to any of our lb core.

I hope he can get his head on straight and play fundamentally sound football.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I will be the sole naysayer on this one. I am not holding my breath. Not a fan of the "look at me" Ray Ray Armstrong. Too undisciplined to be counted on.

Considering the Base 4-3 is on the field less than 40% of the time, if we are really talking about "splitting" reps with Dunbar, exactly what does that mean in actual snap count?

Unless Armstrong brings more to the table than Joyner in the Nickel Blitz packages, IMO, he sees 3-4 snaps tops a game on defense.

Your not alone. My first notion was "Great, we go from Dunbar to Dumbo"...or maybe Bozo is more appropriate because his penalties were moronic.

 

[Zaphod]

Your not alone. My first notion was "Great, we go from Dunbar to Dumbo"...or maybe Bozo is more appropriate because his penalties were moronic.

Right, as I said, no more bonehead penalties is the requirement to him taking any snaps at SLB, and even those will be situational.

 

[blue4]

I think the stats bear out that 55 is one of the best if not the best pass defending linebacker in the league. There was also an article in one the threads on here that show that the rumors of him being overrated are exaggerated. I wouldn't pull him off the field for Ray Ray, especially in pass defense. Frankly, until he plays a little smarter I don't see what the hurry is to get him on the field. Especially in place of proven performers like Dunbar and JL.

 

[RhodyRams]

I think maybe as an undrafted rookie last year, Ray Ray had that "LOOK AT ME, I'M HERE' attitude which lead to several stupid penalties. Seond year man now, with maybe (hopefully) a little more maturity will help him to be a better and more disciplined player.

I don't think he will be a "break out player", but my thoughts are he will be a more consistent player

 

[shaunpinney]

Firstly - I hope Ray-Ray HAS come on a long way and will be much improved for this coming season, dropping some of the penalties would be a good start...

Talking of penalties & Ray-Ray replacing JL - are we being serious??!!