I know you have been saying this for awhile but, I don't think Ebu has the instincts for the middle. Hard to experiment this late when every game matters.
Anybody happy with the play of either Ebu or Longacre?
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I know you have been saying this for awhile but, I don't think Ebu has the instincts for the middle. Hard to experiment this late when every game matters.
Yes it is. But very soon here Ebu is going to be on the bench. Which means they can start the reclamation project with him.
To my eye his weakness is his lateral movement. That would be lessened inside, and his aggressiveness and closing speed would play well too. Not sure about his instincts, but has he ever been coached up inside? I don't know. Either way, though, he's played himself out of a position and will be available here soon IMO.
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- #24
For those posters that are concerned about one or more of my proposed changes...
Fowler has apparently already been moved up to starter staus by Wade based upon game snap counts. So that’s now a done deal.
Standing pat doesn’t seem like a viable option at the other side, either. Seahawks rushed for 273 yards yesterday. Including Wilson for damned near 100 by himself. This crap can’t continue.
Upcoming opponents are licking their chops while gameplanning for us.
Wade’s gotta tinker, dammit! He must find a better combo somehow. Obo or Littleton outside and another ILB? I don’t really care since I don’t really have a horse in this race. But this madness can’t continue, at least without trying some alternatives. Otherwise, we get embarrassed in the playoffs. Again...
So, do we really have a choice?
Fowler has apparently already been moved up to starter staus by Wade based upon game snap counts. So that’s now a done deal.
Standing pat doesn’t seem like a viable option at the other side, either. Seahawks rushed for 273 yards yesterday. Including Wilson for damned near 100 by himself. This crap can’t continue.
Upcoming opponents are licking their chops while gameplanning for us.
Wade’s gotta tinker, dammit! He must find a better combo somehow. Obo or Littleton outside and another ILB? I don’t really care since I don’t really have a horse in this race. But this madness can’t continue, at least without trying some alternatives. Otherwise, we get embarrassed in the playoffs. Again...
So, do we really have a choice?
Montanaramfan
Rookie
I just thought we looked really pedestrian on the edge yesterday. Neither Longacre or Ekuban looked very athletic. I remember one play where Longacre should have had contain (at least from my POV) and jumped inside while Russel Wilson simply ran outside for a big gain. Certain QBs (Wilson, Mahomes, Cam) you just can't do that with. Setting the edge isn't the only problem we're having with the run, but it's one of them.
Elmgrovegnome
Legend
Ebukam keeps improving. Longacre is just too slow
Ebukam has been good I actually have high hopes for him next year with a year under his belt. But The kid has been coming along he’s been getting more consistent pressure on the qb and he’s a solid tackler too.
LARAMSinFeb.
Hall of Fame
What about Hagar? He seemed to have stepped it up a notch earlier this year.
Longacre has never regained anything near the form he displayed before the injury. As of now he doesn't even provide quality depth
Ebukam has missed some tackles, but is explosive and has demonstrated some decent play recognition. He needs t develop some countermoves and far more dip when rushing the passer - he gets stood up and engulfed or else tries to run around blocks. If he develops then he could become a plus starter - might he look better inside?
Obu might get worked in opposite Fowler - who looks like a great get for this team - but probably only on 3rd and longs
The two biggest issues, to my mind, are not Longacre and Ebukam, it is that teams are running straight up the middle on our 3-4 and reaching the 2nd level consistently and the play of Joyner - who hasn't made an impact play all year and offers little to no help when teams look to stretch the field
Ebukam has missed some tackles, but is explosive and has demonstrated some decent play recognition. He needs t develop some countermoves and far more dip when rushing the passer - he gets stood up and engulfed or else tries to run around blocks. If he develops then he could become a plus starter - might he look better inside?
Obu might get worked in opposite Fowler - who looks like a great get for this team - but probably only on 3rd and longs
The two biggest issues, to my mind, are not Longacre and Ebukam, it is that teams are running straight up the middle on our 3-4 and reaching the 2nd level consistently and the play of Joyner - who hasn't made an impact play all year and offers little to no help when teams look to stretch the field
yup, brought a lot of pressure on that last 4th down. He just needs to keep working on his technique
BonifayRam
Legend
Excellent Report @The Tackle !.............. I see the same.:rant:
Both of them get in position to hold the edge against the run and then the running back sidesteps them like they are on ice.
Ya they don't shed their blocks - saw a number of plays like this. But they may be getting held. I did see Barron move into position once to make a run tackle but got thrown to the ground by an OG.
I'm hoping Obo gets worked in, Fowler works more, and Barron gets moved to SS or replaced on run downs by Hager or Kiser. Ebu and Longacre need more development - esp. Ebu, who like it's been said, I see him just getting stood up by RT's almost every play. He just can't seem to dip the shoulder & bend the edge like elite OLB's, or have any counter moves, or rip moves, etc.
BonifayRam
Legend
Your correct that Dante Folwer Jr. had the most snaps of any of OLB'er this last Sunday. He is the starter now. So a change has been made. We should see some more too. If the DL front 3 continue to get gapped by the run then a major change behind them in the back 8 is in order.:huh:
Wade & Barry @ the moment do not have a bona fide hitter playing LB'er in the middle of the defense. Rams defense tackle's poorly if they bring down the ball carrier @ all. If there is a tackle made its usually lacking any intensity of a hit or thump with it.
I posted before that Littleton should be inserted into the Mark Barron inside post & either young vet. Bryce Hager ot rookie Mcah Kiser inserted in @ the MLB post. Cory can still call the defense from the interior Barron post. But Hager was on fire in pre season & Hager was our best performing defender too. Hager tackles well & can call the defense as good as Cory Littleton. The 5-11 245 lb Kiser is known to be a pure hitter in college. Kiser IMO will be our future starting MLB might as well get him going some in the defense now on early run downs.
A few interesting bits of information here on these number of snaps .....the number of snaps that DE John Franklin-Myers snaps have increased & Brockers & Westbrook were down. SS Johnson III snaps dropped a bit & SS Marqui Christian increased. In mentioning the safety posts I would expect that Johnson III would be a far better deep/free safety than Joyner. Marqui Christian has improved much this season & could take Johnson III's post so Joyner can move off the field.
The Rams rush defense is trending downward:help:. Rams have fallen to #24th in the NFL. :death:When the weather gets back in late December & January you will not win if you can not stop the run...we all know this
. Now I am not saying all these changes need to be made all @ once but this Defense needs some major tinkering done before post season arrives. I would start looking hard @ Barron & Joyner first.:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13432761/Rams_Seahawks_Defense.jpg)
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“Turbo set!”
Pro Bowler
With the personnel we have we just might have to hope that we can keep teams to field goals with 2-3 punts a game and hope the offense can score like mad.
At this point I don't expect the defense to stop many offenses.
At this point I don't expect the defense to stop many offenses.
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- #38
Your correct that Dante Folwer Jr. had the most snaps of any of OLB'er this last Sunday. He is the starter now. So a change has been made. We should see some more too. If the DL front 3 continue to get gapped by the run then a major change behind them in the back 8 is in order.:huh:
Wade & Barry @ the moment do not have a bona fide hitter playing LB'er in the middle of the defense. Rams defense tackle's poorly if they bring down the ball carrier @ all. If there is a tackle made its usually lacking any intensity of a hit or thump with it.
I posted before that Littleton should be inserted into the Mark Barron inside post & either young vet. Bryce Hager ot rookie Mcah Kiser inserted in @ the MLB post. Cory can still call the defense from the interior Barron post. But Hager was on fire in pre season & Hager was our best performing defender too. Hager tackles well & can call the defense as good as Cory Littleton. The 5-11 245 lb Kiser is known to be a pure hitter in college. Kiser IMO will be our future starting MLB might as well get him going some in the defense now on early run downs.
A few interesting bits of information here on these number of snaps .....the number of snaps that DE John Franklin-Myers snaps have increased & Brockers & Westbrook were down. SS Johnson III snaps dropped a bit & SS Marqui Christian increased. In mentioning the safety posts I would expect that Johnson III would be a far better deep/free safety than Joyner. Marqui Christian has improved much this season & could take Johnson III's post so Joyner can move off the field.
The Rams rush defense is trending downward:help:. Rams have fallen to #24th in the NFL. :death:When the weather gets back in late December & January you will not win if you can not stop the run...we all know this
Bravo, Bonifay!
My hat is off to you for going there.
If I understand you correctly, you advocate the following:
Replacing Barron by moving Littleton to his spot and inserting Hager.
Replacing Joyner by moving JJ to his spot and inserting Christian.
Would take a big set on Wade’s part but I can see the advantages. Both Barron and Joyner are underperforming presently, so WTH do we have to lose? And what a tremendous message would be sent to Barron/Joyner! Either produce or step aside for a hungry player that wants his shot.
How do you feel about giving Obo a few snaps outside? Sending Ebu a slight message in the process? I’m definitely in favor.
This D needs a shakeup at a few positions. Let’s give ‘em a few. Lol.
I think the Rams are probably looking at their options or at least considering making adjustments at ILB. They have to be.
What is interesting is that IF you want to give Kiser (who is stronger vs run than pass) a shot in there, the best game to do it would have been vs Seattle. But it didn't happen, so I find myself wondering whether Kiser has the grasp he needs of the defensive calls. A lot of times us fans will make mention of things like "how could he be worse" but the truth is as bad as our run defense was and has been overall yes it could be worse if the LB doesn't know his responsibilities.
I do think Hager is a fantastic depth player as well btw. And I'm sure he's being considered in the coaches' meetings where they are no doubt discussing the same things we are.
Also for the record I'm fine with Littleton being slid over in Barron's spot too. What I'm not fine with is moving him outside. Him being the best LB we have from a consistency perspective, it makes no sense to move him out of where he's been holding things down. But the slide over from ILB to ILB retains him on the interior and becomes more about "are Littleton and Xxxx better than Barron and Littleton."