Anybody else notice a new peaceful easy feeling about the Rams?

[Faceplant]

Holy shnikeys the hyperbole on this forum has gone into hyperdrive, haha.....

 

[Ram65]

In 1999 and 2001, the Rams had the 5th and 3rd ranked defenses - very good. But despite being better statistically, I feel like the Rams current defenses are better. Sure, there were a few games that the GSOT defenses won by themselves, but not many (obviously the NFCCG against Tampa comes to mind..)

http://www.espn.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/12523/rams-1999-defense-also-worthy-of-honor
Rams' 1999 defense also worthy of respect
Oct 12, 2014
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Long before the St. Louis Rams traded for running back Marshall Faulk or hired Mike Martz to run the offense or any of the other moves they made that eventually turned the offense into what is now known as the "Greatest Show on Turf," the Rams' offense was perpetually stuck in the mud. Even in practice.

That's because even as the Rams struggled to win games, they actually had the defensive pieces in place to become a good team if only the offense could keep them off the field long enough to come up for air.


"I just don’t think they talk about our defense enough," receiver Torry Holt said. "We were the No. 1 offense in the National Football League, but our defense was top five in the NFL. But they were so overshadowed by what we were doing offensively and the speed and the points that we were generating, the energy that we created. But I think our defense just didn’t get talked about enough and still doesn’t get talked about enough.

The Rams and Dick Vermeil won the Super Bowl thanks in part to an under-the-radar defense that dominated in the shadow of an explosive offense. Scott Rovak/USA TODAY Sports
"Some would say there wasn’t a lot of household names. I beg to differ. Todd Lyght, Kevin Carter, Mike Jones, D’Marco Farr, Ray Agnew, Keith Lyle, the list goes on and on of guys that were more than able to start on any team in the National Football League. They played together as a cohesive unit all the time for a long period of time for 16 weeks. They created a lot of turnovers and gave us as an offense the opportunity to get the ball back and generate more points."

As the Rams offense burst on to the scene in 1999, the defense made a similar move to rank near the top of the league in most categories. Though the two were simultaneously impressing on a weekly basis, the defense was quietly flying under the radar by offering big plays and shutting down opponents in blowout victories.

Although it was easy to point to the large leads the offense often staked the defense to as the reason for success, such leads were also a product of a defense capable of getting enough early stops for the points to accumulate. And in many cases, the defense also provided the points.

That season, the Rams were fourth in the NFL in points allowed per game (15.1), first in run defense (74.3 yards per game) and tied for the league lead with 57 sacks. They also finished sixth in takeaways with 36 and scored eight defensive touchdowns.

Defensive end Carter posted a then-franchise record with 17 sacks on his way to a Pro Bowl berth. Defensive tackle Farr and cornerback Lyght joined Carter in Hawaii. It was a group that also featured the young versions of future difference-makers London Fletcher and Leonard Little.

"We all did our job," Farr said. "The Greatest Show on Turf thing where it became just about the offense, that’s something else from outside this room. We all worked together. When we stopped them and got the ball back, we knew we were going to score. It was a personal challenge. They’d be up watching us play defense and we’d be up watching them play offense. If you don’t do it, we’re going to do it. If you have a whole group like that, the next thing you know you are in the Super Bowl."

In no place was that more evident than on the practice fields at Rams Park. For the previous two seasons under coach Dick Vermeil, the Rams' defense would regularly dominate the proceedings in practice. Receiver Isaac Bruce remembers the helpless feeling of playing on an offense that couldn't even score in practice let alone in games.

But after the offseason additions of guys like Faulk, Martz, Holt, Adam Timmerman and others, it didn't take long for the defense to realize that things were about to change.

"It’s not like you don’t have much respect for the guys you play with, you do," Farr said. "They’re your teammates, you love them, but we were facing a whole lot better on game day than we were getting in practice. So practice got boring some of those years. We could shut those guys down anytime we needed to, so how were we getting better? Then all of a sudden it switched where we’re on our heels, we’re backing up and you look up and start to recognize signals and demeanor. Then it became something different and they started to compete with us and beat us."

In many ways, the practices became tougher than the games for the defense. Where Farr could once have his way with any nondescript guard on the roster, players like Timmerman and Tom Nutten would offer much more resistance. Tales of left tackle Orlando Pace's dominance of end Grant Wistrom in practice still get talked about anytime an offensive tackle beats an end consistently in pass-rush drills. But Pace's excellence only made things easier for Wistrom.

Though the defense still doesn't get the credit it might deserve 15 years later, there is no denying the Rams wouldn't have even gone to Super Bowl XXXIV, let alone win it, without a strong defensive performance. When the offense finally struggled against Tampa Bay's stout defense in the NFC Championship Game, it was the Rams' defense that rose to the occasion.


The Rams held Tampa Bay to 203 total yards and came up with two turnovers, five sacks and a safety in leading St. Louis to an 11-6 victory.

"We got into a dogfight," Farr said. "It made me respect Tampa more on defense, because if you can slow those guys down, then you can play. But we were more than capable of going into a dogfight with anybody. That type of game is what that defense was used to before the offense took off. It was nothing new to us. It was 'OK, that’s what type of game this is? Great.' We’d been there before. So we were trained for it."

They became champions because of it.

The Rams current defense has a ways to go to be equal to the 1999 Rams defense. This defense has to tighten up against the run. They are letting up way to many big plays. The 99 defense scored 8 TDs too.I wish Quinn was the Quinn of old. Outside of Donald there isn't another consistent pass rusher which gives QBs a little extra time to throw.

I'm not convinced your right! check this line-up out:
* DE- Kevin Carter
* DT- Ray Agnew
* DT- D'Marco Farr
* DE- Grant Wistrom

* LB- Mike Jones
* MLB- London Fletcher
* LB- Todd Collins

* CB- Todd Lyght
* CB- Dexter McCleon

* SS- Billy Jenkins
* FS Keith Lyle

THIS^^ Is one Hell of a Defense!!

 

[Tailback]

I'm not convinced your right! check this line-up out:
* DE- Kevin Carter
* DT- Ray Agnew
* DT- D'Marco Farr
* DE- Grant Wistrom

* LB- Mike Jones
* MLB- London Fletcher
* LB- Todd Collins

* CB- Todd Lyght
* CB- Dexter McCleon

* SS- Bily Jenkins
* FS Keith Lyle

THIS^^ Is one Hell of a Defense!!

I remember one guy off a previous board I used to read predicted 14-2 with Ray Agnew. This was before the season even started. Never figured out if he was joking or a prophet?

 

[UKram]

this D is kinda lights out i heard on youtube ..maybe cowherd or skip and shannon .. cant remember exactly but no QB this season has broke a 100 QB rating against the rams D

 

[RhodyRams]

Once the Rams beat the Eagles,

Then I'll get a peaceful, easy feeling


See what I did there

 

[Zodi]

Once the Rams beat the Eagles,

Then I'll get a peaceful, easy feeling


See what I did there

 

[JRobinson]

While Faulk was a much better player than Gurley,..

What?! I didn’t watch Faulk play, but this is just a crazy statement. No running back in NFL history is ‘much better’ than Gurley. Gurley, if he remains healthy, will be in the conversation of best RB in Rams history, and likely in the conversation for one of the best of all time.

Special teams - this is the kicker. Having the best punter, best kicker and top return man in the NFL, along with great coverage units (and two blocked punts..) is insane.

Agreed here.

And yet defense is BY FAR our worst unit. That is a gross overabundance of talent that is manifesting all at the same time....and our defense can still play better.

While the defense may be able to play better in this scheme and overall, I don’t think they are the ‘worst’ unit. TBH, I don’t think there even is a ‘worst’ unit on this team. As you said, we have a very balanced offense, but in all actuality, our entire team is balanced.

 

[Big Game]

Yes,

I'm from St. Louis and watching this team this year I have noticed and guys don't kill me for this. But this team has built that same confidence that they "SHOULD WIN EVERY GAME" that the 1999 team did. They also seem to have that same fun loving attitude about playing the game and seeing each other score and seeing the defense do well. Believe me i witnessed this first hand in St. Louis and it just feels the same.

Another interesting tid bit in 1999 we had the team slogan of "Gotta go to work", this year the team slogan is "We Not Me". And guys are buying in just like in 1999.

I don't know how far this team will go but man its starting to look like a lot of similarities and i'm getting that 99 feeling all over again.

 

[badnews]

What?! I didn’t watch Faulk play, but this is just a crazy statement.

Dude, I mean no offense... but yeah, clearly you didnt watch Marshall or else you wouldnt be shocked at that statement.
Todd Gurley is having a great year. He had an impressive rookie season too. He is a top 3 RB in the league and if he plays long enough, he could find his way up there in Marshall and Erics company, but he isn't there yet. As great as he is, you are talking about MARSHALL FAULK dude.

 

[JRobinson]

Dude, I mean no offense... but yeah, clearly you didnt watch Marshall or else you wouldnt be shocked at that statement.
Todd Gurley is having a great year. He had an impressive rookie season too. He is a top 3 RB in the league and if he plays long enough, he could find his way up there in Marshall and Erics company, but he isn't there yet. As great as he is, you are talking about MARSHALL FAULK dude.

No offense taken. I am still shocked at that statement because again, to say that Faulk was way better than Gurley is just being bias. The only player to far exceed any other player beyond doubt at his position was Barry Sanders, period.

 

[SteezyEndo]

I'm not convinced your right! check this line-up out:
* DE- Kevin Carter
* DT- Ray Agnew
* DT- D'Marco Farr
* DE- Grant Wistrom

* LB- Mike Jones
* MLB- London Fletcher
* LB- Todd Collins

* CB- Todd Lyght
* CB- Dexter McCleon

* SS- Bily Jenkins
* FS Keith Lyle

THIS^^ Is one Hell of a Defense!!

You forgot Dre Bly.

 

[DaveFan'51]

You forgot Dre Bly.

Your right, BUT MY EXCUSE IS ...... He wasn't a starter between 1999 and 2001, he became a starter in 2002! But you are right, he was definitely on the Team!!

 

[DaveFan'51]

What?! I didn’t watch Faulk play, but this is just a crazy statement. No running back in NFL history is ‘much better’ than Gurley. Gurley, if he remains healthy, will be in the conversation of best RB in Rams history, and likely in the conversation for one of the best of all time.

WTF! I guess you weren't born until after 2001! OR Your just Nuts! Gurley is Great, BUT he has a long way to go to Pass Faulk and ED!!

 

[OldSchool]

WTF! I guess you weren't born until after 2001! OR Your just Nuts! Gurley is Great, BUT he has a long way to go to Pass Faulk and ED!!

And if he does what JRob does he'll have earned the right to be in the conversation.

 

[LACHAMP46]

I think the talent on this defense is better than what we had in 1999 or 2001.

Donald is head and shoulders, significantly better than any defensive player the Rams had during that era. This secondary is better IMO too.

Glad Dave took a look at it also...
Kevin Carter....Grant Winstrom....Leonard Little...Damione Lewis....just a few of the DL's from 2001
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/2001.htm

Forgot about De'Marco Farr
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/1999.htm


And Donald may be better....has a ways to go to catch Winstrom, Carter, and Little....but he's headed that way...but the collection of talent on both of those defenses....seems proven....we're still allowing 120+ yards on the ground a game.

 

[jap]

Yes,

I'm from St. Louis and watching this team this year I have noticed and guys don't kill me for this. But this team has built that same confidence that they "SHOULD WIN EVERY GAME" that the 1999 team did. They also seem to have that same fun loving attitude about playing the game and seeing each other score and seeing the defense do well. Believe me i witnessed this first hand in St. Louis and it just feels the same.

Another interesting tid bit in 1999 we had the team slogan of "Gotta go to work", this year the team slogan is "We Not Me". And guys are buying in just like in 1999.

I don't know how far this team will go but man its starting to look like a lot of similarities and i'm getting that 99 feeling all over again.

I agree with this in general. However, I am still concerned with the overall youth of this team (2nd youngest NFL squad this season) and whether they can hold it together without making game killing mistakes throughout a successful SB run. I am hoping that they do and establish a long running dynasty like has never been seen before.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Sorry JRobinson, but Gurley couldn't hold Faulk's jock strap. You said you never saw Faulk play, well you better go back and look at some game tape before shooting off about bias without knowing what you're talking about.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Some things I've learned about this team and coaching staff.
* Can they remain focused when playing an inferior opponent? Yes
* Can they hang with a good team... even beat them? Yes
* Can they win on the road? A resounding yes
* Can they play in difficult weather conditions? Yes

So, they've checked a bunch of the boxes... but some remain
* Can they continue to hang with the good teams... maybe even beat them? More challenges coming up
* Can they remain focused and not allow themselves to get caught up with the praise? We'll see... the more they win, the more praise and the harder to ignore all that.
* Can they play better at home?

It all starts Sunday against HOU.
* Home game
* Inferior opponent
* Increased glowing media coverage (what are they? 12 point favorites?)

Every week... more tests.

 

[JRobinson]

WTF! I guess you weren't born until after 2001! OR Your just Nuts! Gurley is Great, BUT he has a long way to go to Pass Faulk and ED!!

I graduated HS in 2001. Became a fan in 2006. And as stated in my previous post, didn’t watch Faulk play. But all that is irrelevant...

What is relevant is what I responded to. Faulk wasn’t way better than Gurley.

Now, if you say that Faulk was better because he sustained it over a long time, then that’s clearly obvious. But for one to say that Faulk is way better than Gurley, that’s where I have an issue.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Now, if you say that Faulk was better because he sustained it over a long time, then that’s clearly obvious.

That's how I'm looking at it... it is impossible to compare the two unless (and until) they have played a suimilar numbers of years in the league.

To compare a third year player to a 12 year vet is an exercise in futility at this point.