A Look At Defensive PERSONNEL

[PhillyRam]

Our D line + Fowler are all good to great players. Ebukam can rush the passer and has great speed off the edge, but in space his instincts are horrible and he cannot tackle well. We need to upgrade here and use him in sub-rush packages. At ILB, I think Barron and Littleton both get abused in the run game. Both undersized, if an o-lineman gets to the second level quickly they get washed out of the play. They cant take on these blocks and shed consistently. In a 3-4, ESPECIALLY when you need to stop the run, your LBer play has to be good. They have to fill more gaps and play downhill and none of them do that. Littleton is very, very good in coverage, so if we had a stud ILB next to him and a sturdy strong side OLB, we could be fine.

Our corner play will be okay when Talib comes back, I think MP should play more like his old self moving forward. That might be optimistic but he's not a bad player even though he's been playing like one.

The safety play is what concerns me most, as they can help a ton in the run game. Neither JJ or Joyner flash enough and they haven't played well at all this year. I don't think anyone anticipated our safety play being sub par this year. What is going on here?

All in all, I think if we upgrade our LBs that will fix a lot of the issues, but what can we do this year?? There are not enough upgrades on this roster to make up for the holes. We were terrible against the run last year, and have been just as bad if not worse this year. It's going to continue. Our only hope honestly IMO is that our offense continues to be elite, we get an early lead and force the other team to abandon the run. This seems to be our recipe for success, but can that be sustained in the playoffs against elite QBs and elite teams?

Yeah, Littleton has to replace Barron next year and then Littleton gets replaced by a thumper that can still play the pass to some degree. Can't have two 225 lb ILBs... even in this pass happy league teams will resort to the run to limit Donald's effectiveness in the pass rush.

 

[Ellard80]

Well if the 3-4 is the right fit for us... just ask yourself this question.

What do we have:

More good d-lineman
or
More good linebackers.

To me that answer is pretty clear.

But adding Fowler as an OLB pass rusher perhaps helps.

 

[hotanez]

I said try it out during the bye week see what she's he is in etc. like @Merlin mentioned and myself Bowman had a good year with an inferior raiders team last year. Also nobody wanted Dez, Marshall, etc. But sometimes a veteran piece with experience can contribute especially on what is supposed to be a very good defense. You think the saints think Marshall is still Jerry Rice? They just know he might be able to help in certain situations and he might be useful somewhere down the line. Giving him a look during bye week is smart don't see why anyone would be opposed if he is out of shape or terrible then it's a pass.

so I guess if Wade or Mcvay decide not to take a look they are not smart? I just don't think our coaches see any of the available players as an upgrade. This is an organization that has tried very hard to improve the roster. If there's somebody out there that can help us I'm sure they would get him.

 

[BonifayRam]

Well if the 3-4 is the right fit for us... just ask yourself this question.

What do we have:

More good d-lineman
or
More good linebackers.

To me that answer is pretty clear.

But adding Fowler as an OLB pass rusher perhaps helps.

It is if they want Wade as the DC.

If I look at the DL'ers we have presently I see that we could line up a decent 4 DL front that might look like :

RDE-Fowler/ Young/ Lawler
RDT-Donald/ Westbrooks/ Smart
LDT-Brockers/ Joseph-Day
LDE-Suh/ Franklin-Myers/ Longacre

WSLB- Barron/ T. Howard
MLB- Hager/ Kiser
SSLB- Littleton/ Ebukam

SS-Christian/ Joyner/ Parker
FS-Johnson III/ Countess/
CB- Talib/ Shields/ Richards
CB-Peters/ Hill/ Williams
NK-NRC/ Hatfield

 

[Merlin]

Well if the 3-4 is the right fit for us... just ask yourself this question.

What do we have:

More good d-lineman
or
More good linebackers.

To me that answer is pretty clear.

But adding Fowler as an OLB pass rusher perhaps helps.

I am sure in the Rams' internal discussions before the season they knew their linebacking was weak. They couldn't fix everything, and went with the secondary approach which was the right decision in many ways. Season comes, and they don't get any "miracle" development out of that group outside of Littleton coming along as a solid starter. It is what it is.

If you take AD and the big names of Peters and Talib along with some inflated fan takes on our defensive players it does lead some of us to expect an elite defense. But at this level subpar players get exposed and once Talib went down it was too damn easy for our opponents to expose the mediocrity we have at so many positions.

And lastly the good thing for us is that we have a Pro Bowl CB returning to our defense soon. Many other contenders can't say that. So we still have a lot to look forward to, where we might see this group come around a bit, but what irritates me is that fan inflation of every player and assuming they're all going to be elite players just because Wade and staff are good at what they do. Truth is, coaches can only do so much.

We are subpar at one ILB position, one OLB position (and that is giving Fowler benefit of the doubt that he's going to improve), two CB positions (Peters and either Hill or Shields flat get beat vs 1 and 2 WRs) and one Safety position (Joyner). When Talib comes back the CB position is probably on par across the board, which is why he's so important. But our front seven has holes and a NT who hasn't played up to his huge contract and that is not going to change magically through some combination of Xs and Os.

 

[Ellard80]

Right Wade's thing is a 3-4 defense - just don't have the best fits yet.

I think Fowler could potentially be a great fit.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I love Brockers but has he kind of disappeared lately?

 

[payote75]

so I guess if Wade or Mcvay decide not to take a look they are not smart? I just don't think our coaches see any of the available players as an upgrade. This is an organization that has tried very hard to improve the roster. If there's somebody out there that can help us I'm sure they would get him.

Seriously dude I respect your opinion but who said that??????? I bleed Rams I constantly post,how much I love this regime as does most everyone on here. Seems like you trying to take it off topic to get people or me to bite and say something stupid to get shredded lol. All I'm saying is during a bye week I would like them or hope they bring in players that could help down the stretch especially in the playoffs. What is someone going to face the snake pit if they bring people in for a look????? I mentioned bowman because he is a been there done that and again for the third time I believe I'm saying he had a good season with a crap defense last year so it cannot hurt to take a look. Our competition seems to be taking a look Dez Bryant is one thing but Marshall ???? Even though they are two different positions I would venture to say bowman has more left than Marshall. As a Rams fan don't you want them to win and leave no stone unturned????

 

[hotanez]

Seriously dude I respect your opinion but who said that??????? I bleed Rams I constantly post,how much I love this regime as does most everyone on here. Seems like you trying to take it off topic to get people or me to bite and say something stupid to get shredded lol. All I'm saying is during a bye week I would like them or hope they bring in players that could help down the stretch especially in the playoffs. What is someone going to face the snake pit if they bring people in for a look????? I mentioned bowman because he is a been there done that and again for the third time I believe I'm saying he had a good season with a crap defense last year so it cannot hurt to take a look. Our competition seems to be taking a look Dez Bryant is one thing but Marshall ???? Even though they are two different positions I would venture to say bowman has more left than Marshall. As a Rams fan don't you want them to win and leave no stone unturned????

As a fan I have to applaud what this organization has done up to this point. They have picked up Suh Talib Peters Fowler and Cooks. They are trying to win a Superbowl. After last years lost in the playoffs, they noted the weaknesses and tried to change them to strengths. Sometimes things workout and sometimes they don't. What you can't understand is that I have a different opinion then yours. Nothing about getting you to "bite" or anything else. I just think the Rams feel that what's left out their either doesn't fit the scheme, locker room, salary cap, or they just don't like the player period. Yeah I could be wrong but without inside information all I have is my opinion. Please don't take my differences in opinion and try to change it to something personal.

 

[payote75]

As a fan I have to applaud what this organization has done up to this point. They have picked up Suh Talib Peters Fowler and Cooks. They are trying to win a Superbowl. After last years lost in the playoffs, they noted the weaknesses and tried to change them to strengths. Sometimes things workout and sometimes they don't. What you can't understand is that I have a different opinion then yours. Nothing about getting you to "bite" or anything else. I just think the Rams feel that what's left out their either doesn't fit the scheme, locker room, salary cap, or they just don't like the player period. Yeah I could be wrong but without inside information all I have is my opinion. Please don't take my differences in opinion and try to change it to something personal.

With all do respect I'm not the one doing that neither of us know what truly goes on behind the scenes. And your right this team has made moves to try and improve in any way possible hence why I'm saying DURING THE BYE week this regime hopefully examines all options available going along with what I'm saying about just kicking the tires on anyone that could help especially bowman. With that being said your the one that is taking what I said and making it personal. Saying bowman is done and Wade hates or doesn't like linebackers that can't cover etc....those statements that are said like facts not opinions clearly we don't know who is done and who isn't hence "kick the tires" also asking me if Mcvey or Wade don't do it they are what not smart???? Whoever even said such a thing or mentioned anything even close???? All along all I keep saying is "I hope" or "id like" that's different so I respect it if you want the Rams to sit idle and do nothing that's an opinion. I also however expect someone to read what is written not read what they want to read. I'm not attacking you in any way shape or form it just didn't register.

But I respect most of your posts and you on point a lot of times I just want or hope every possibility is explored in football you truly never know when you will be back where we are and we have suffered enough. I know this team is built for now and the future but weird things happen like God forbid this year it was Kupp huge loss but we can still overcome but what if next year we rolling and it goff or Gurley Donald or our line takes a step back anything really. You just never know when you will have this chance again so I just want to maximize the here and now that's all. No hard feelings bud.

 

[NoCoNite]

Peters has to have a lingering injury, hurt his calf then wasn’t supposed to play that Thursday. Still played. Could be nagging him.
Joyner took a step back this year, glad we didn’t give him a long term deal.
Littleton is looking like a steal. We’re getting gashed on the ground, but you hear his name a lot.
Wade has been pretty spoiled at linebacker and edge rushers, not this year. I wasn’t worried I figured he could put anyone behind the big 3 up front.

We’re still winning games and we do have talent on defense. It’ll come together in January.

 

[hotanez]

With all do respect I'm not the one doing that neither of us know what truly goes on behind the scenes. And your right this team has made moves to try and improve in any way possible hence why I'm saying DURING THE BYE week this regime hopefully examines all options available going along with what I'm saying about just kicking the tires on anyone that could help especially bowman. With that being said your the one that is taking what I said and making it personal. Saying bowman is done and Wade hates or doesn't like linebackers that can't cover etc....those statements that are said like facts not opinions clearly we don't know who is done and who isn't hence "kick the tires" also asking me if Mcvey or Wade don't do it they are what not smart???? Whoever even said such a thing or mentioned anything even close???? All along all I keep saying is "I hope" or "id like" that's different so I respect it if you want the Rams to sit idle and do nothing that's an opinion. I also however expect someone to read what is written not read what they want to read. I'm not attacking you in any way shape or form it just didn't register.

But I respect most of your posts and you on point a lot of times I just want or hope every possibility is explored in football you truly never know when you will be back where we are and we have suffered enough. I know this team is built for now and the future but weird things happen like God forbid this year it was Kupp huge loss but we can still overcome but what if next year we rolling and it goff or Gurley Donald or our line takes a step back anything really. You just never know when you will have this chance again so I just want to maximize the here and now that's all. No hard feelings bud.

none of my replies are fact bro, just opinions, and definitely don't want you to think I have anything against you or anybody else on this forum. You just need to understand that if I say "This player is done or that player is still good" that's only my humble opinion. We can disagree on said player without making it personal. Up to this point I don't think it has become personal, just 2 different opinions.