Burgess & Scott

[Jacobarch]

Yeah but they didn't even start running over to tackle the running backs until after Rodgers threw to them.

It's like they just let the Running back go to the left without anyone covering them. I think both plays got over 20 yards.

And you know how that is was Reeder's responsibility to cover the RB? It's clearly not always the ILB to cover the RB. Just saying unless we know the defensive play call it's really just speculation.

 

[Ram65]

I remember Wade telling Scott they had plans for him other than his great Special Teams play. Sounds like he is stepping up this year.

Burgess has that speed and is a tough competitor. He played a lot closer to the line in college. He is versatile in coverage and as a tackler. Let's see how they use him Scott and Rapp. He has to be the better cover guy.

 

[Loyal]

I know I'm not expert on speaking about defensive formations, because I like Dline the play most I guess. My worry come from years ago when Lovie instituted a mostly Cover 2 scheme and after he left, I believe we persisted in it and seemed to be vulnerable to runs up the gut. I used to hate that! Maybe because we had a 4-3 Front while running Cover 2 back in the day?

 

[Merlin]

Reeder (4.64) is faster than Jones (4.73). Reeder is built like a LB at 6'2" 245lbs but runs like a SS. Reeder's production last year was much better than most people realize. He only started 7 games and only took 41% of the defensive snaps. Yet he garnered 2 PD (he's not the liability some claim), 81 tackles with 53 being solo, 5 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 QB hit, and 1 QBKD. His PD stats are good for an ILB. If you compare Reeder's stats to any good MIKE they will compare favorably. That's why I think it would be beyond foolish to replace a guy on the rise. Finding a good MIKE isn't as easy as most assume. More importantly, he's been durable.

If Morris adopts cover 3 as his base scheme as I think he will he will play both Reeder and Jones together as his two ILBs. With Scott or Burgess, Morris has exceptional speed in a safety to cover a Y receiver yet with enough size to provide good run support as well. If a vet LB is in jeopardy it's Young. I think Reeder and Jones would make a good pair inside.

Again it's pretty obvious from this draft that the Rams want to shore up their run defense and in doing so give Morris more options on using his players. It's going to be fun to see how this defense is played by Morris.

Where Reeder struggles is change of direction. If I was his agent I would have had him show up at camp 10 lbs lighter. He is more athletic than folks realize though I agree, it's just straight line speed. Not so good at knifing through traffic, that's why Jones is the future.

 

[oldnotdead]

Perhaps Merlin. I still think if Morris goes to a cover 2 or 3 as his base then his two ILB will be key on 2nd and medium to long. I really expect them to use AD's rotational guys more to not burn him out before the playoffs. Whether is cover 2 or 3 I think Morris will play it the way Staley did. This secondary is so versatile all coverages are open to Morris. He can play man on the boundary with a two-deep shell of Burgess and Scott if he wanted. There are all kinds of ways he can use his guys.

It will be interesting to see if some of that stiffness Merlin mentions was a first-year starter, thinking his way through the play. I would expect a more natural flow to his play as he can simply react to his reads rather than think. A case in point is Jefferson who looked stiff and hesitant most of the year but really started to come on late in the season. Now in TC, he's building off of that and his natural style is apparent.

I hope McVay learned from Gurley and begins to rotate their RBs more often. With Henderson and Funk, their skill set is similar so the offense doesn't change. With Jones, it might be a bit more limited, but even then I can see a three-way rotation during the season and I would be surprised if they didn't carry 4 RBs. One real positive thing is all four, Henderson, Funk, Jones, and Calais are good receivers.

 

[Tano]

And you know how that is was Reeder's responsibility to cover the RB? It's clearly not always the ILB to cover the RB. Just saying unless we know the defensive play call it's really just speculation.

When running backs go outside and the outside linebacker is rushing the passer, it is definitely one of the inside linebackers responsibility - young or reeder or safety that is in the box - and the closest linebackers on both of these plays was either Reeder or Young.

I have seen Kiser do a much better job on these types of plays.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I hope McVay learned from Gurley and begins to rotate their RBs more often. With Henderson and Funk, their skill set is similar so the offense doesn't change. With Jones, it might be a bit more limited, but even then I can see a three-way rotation during the season and I would be surprised if they didn't carry 4 RBs. One real positive thing is all four, Henderson, Funk, Jones, and Calais are good receivers.

Hopefully one of them will emerge with the ability to lay a block, and I think that guy will likely become the most valuable to McVay....