Changes Coming?

[majrleaged]

Do Rams need to bench a cornerback and move Jalen Ramsey back outside?​

David Long and Darious Williams haven’t had the seasons anyone was hoping for so far

By Kenneth Arthur@KennethArthuRS Oct 5, 2021

Do Rams need to bench a cornerback and move Jalen Ramsey back outside?

David Long and Darious Williams haven’t had the seasons anyone was hoping for so far

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The Los Angeles Rams had one of the NFL’s best pass defenses of 2020, ranking first in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and yards per pass attempt allowed. This helped the Rams rank first in points and total yards allowed too and it got defensive coordinator Brandon Staley interviews with virtually every team that had a head coach opening. Staley went to the LA Chargers — conveniently the best gig was also in the same home stadium — and the Rams had to find a new defensive coordinator.

Is that the reason why the LA Rams now rank 25th in passing yards and 27th in total yards allowed?

Raheem Morris didn’t have much prior experience as a defensive coordinator prior to 2021, but he did have a long resume as an NFL assistant coach, with a few years of running the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well. Morris vowed to keep around a lot of what Staley did, including moving Jalen Ramsey into the “Star” role, and because of that Ramsey has spent the majority of his snaps this season playing in the slot.

According to Next Gen Stats, Ramsey is playing the slot in 56% of the snaps in 2021, which is more than 3x higher his snap% of 2020, and more than 5x what it was in 2019.

View: https://twitter.com/NextGenStats/status/1444787735554715653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1444787735554715653%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turfshowtimes.com%2F2021%2F10%2F5%2F22709001%2Frams-jalen-ramsey-position-change-david-long-darious-williams


If Ramsey is the NFL’s best cornerback, should he be spending that much time in the slot?

In the Rams’ 37-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4, Sports Radar tracked Ramsey with four targets, allowing one 18-yard completion over the middle of the field to DeAndre Hopkins. But Ramsey also got the better of Hopkins on a number of plays, when he was in coverage on Hopkins, of course. David Long, Jr. had no such luck.

Long was said to be targeted six times, allowing six completions for 92 yards, including a touchdown by A.J. Green that posterized the third-year cornerback. Through four games, Long has now been the nearest corner on 19 attempts, allowing 13 receptions for 171 yards.

But Ramsey has been the nearest corner on 26 throws, allowing 15 receptions for 126 yards, an average of 4.8 yards per target.

Long is allowing 9.0 yards per target.

The third option, Darious Williams, may also not be playing in his best position anymore. Though Williams has been more of a shutdown corner during the first year-and-a-half of sharing the field with Ramsey, quarterbacks are not afraid to go after him in 2021.

Williams has allowed 21 completions on 29 near-targets, giving up 182 yards with one touchdown and 6.3 yards per target. Williams has allowed 76 yards after the catch, which is already nearly half-as-much as the 155 YAC that he allowed in 16 games last season. In the most recent episode of The Ringer NFL Show, Benjamin Solak specifically called out Darious Williams as the biggest reason for the secondary’s downfall in the first month of the year, which is surprisingly good news for David Long to not be mentioned.

The question for us now is: Should Raheem Morris have kept this much of Staley’s system or is that simply a system best meant for Staley? Should Jalen Ramsey be spending so much time in the slot, with David Long and Darious Williams on the outside, or is he too valuable to not just be covering an opposing team’s best player for the entire game? Ramsey’s never had such a good argument for Defensive Player of the Year before and yet somehow that might also mean that LA’s pass defense is worse than it could be if he wasn’t in the Star.

Should Morris keep things the same or is it time to shift around these names in the defensive backfield? Again.

Seems as though this guy is lurking on ROD

 

[CoachAllred]

The star works fine as long as you have a 3rd corner capable of playing outside.
David Long had 5 targets and gave up 5 receptions 80 some yds and a td.
Jourdan on the pod cast says he was at least partially responsible for giving up a long run as well
Not sure what's going on with him, but count me in the
Time for Rochelle to get more time in that role. Yes he is green
but I think he is the better option outside when we are in star.
LET that physical freak develop as the season goes.
Don't see the star leaving anytime soon. JMHO

 

[FarNorth]

100% agree.

If so, that would have been another reason to run the ball more and at the goal line. We were getting big yards per carry and were hardly stopped.

 

[FarNorth]

The star works fine as long as you have a 3rd corner capable of playing outside.
David Long had 5 targets and gave up 5 receptions 80 some yds and a td.
Jourdan on the pod cast says he was at least partially responsible for giving up a long run as well
Not sure what's going on with him, but count me in the
Time for Rochelle to get more time in that role. Yes he is green
but I think he is the better option outside when we are in star.
LET that physical freak develop as the season goes.
Don't see the star leaving anytime soon. JMHO

What was wrong on a couple of big gains was Long made no play to defend the ball although he appeared to have reasonable coverage. Don't know if he lost position or lost the ball, or if this is a technical thing that can be corrected. Or maybe he isn't big enough to cover some big receivers.

 

[FarNorth]

The star works fine as long as you have a 3rd corner capable of playing outside.
David Long had 5 targets and gave up 5 receptions 80 some yds and a td.
Jourdan on the pod cast says he was at least partially responsible for giving up a long run as well
Not sure what's going on with him, but count me in the
Time for Rochelle to get more time in that role. Yes he is green
but I think he is the better option outside when we are in star.
LET that physical freak develop as the season goes.
Don't see the star leaving anytime soon. JMHO

Imo some variation of the star can work as part of a deception scheme if it causes the QB to lose his preferred read and have to recalibrate while the pressure arrives.

If I understand last year's D correctly that's how it worked under Staley. It's a tactic intended to slow down reads and/or take away certain plays, not just to get Ramsay into the scrum on more downs (though that might be a result.)

In order to work it requires calling the correct cat and mouse defensive formations on a play by play basis to take way the QB's toys.

You still have to cover downfield.

It may not work if the qb can adjust, evade the pressure, and still make great throws (which both Murray and Wilson can do.)

It certainly won't work if the QB gets to go downfield to his favorite receiver covered by our third CB without much needing to readjust his read.

 

[CoachAllred]

What was wrong on a couple of big gains was Long made no play to defend the ball although he appeared to have reasonable coverage. Don't know if he lost position or lost the ball, or if this is a technical thing that can be corrected. Or maybe he isn't big enough to cover some big receivers.

That's a big part of it he is a little on the smallish side to play outside, unless he has the ball awareness
of Williams which it appeared to me Long has very very little of that.

Jourdan spoke of a play that can only be seen on the coach's film
where Green blocked Long 15 yards down the field on a big run play.
so it's not only coverage , it's a poor ability to shed blocks.
I know Long has busted his ass and worked hard, but I just don't think
he has the physical tools to do what they ask of him in the star.

Maybe he is better suited for slot only.
But if the Rams continue to run the star, I have to believe Rochelle is better
suited physically to handle the role they are asking of long.

 

[CoachAllred]

Another thing they mentioned on the 11 personnel podcast was the almost complete abandonment of the run. after the fumble.
6min left in the half. Hendo is killing them and we abandon it for five straight pass plays and a punt
IMHO McVay needs to show more patience when we are behind. there was plenty of time to run.
It's the only thing they can't stop and we abandon it.
Run the ball to set up the play action deep shot.

 

[Rambitious1]

I believe if the Rams keep running the star package- teams with dominant WR’s are going to light up our defense- UNLESS we are able to bring a lot more heat on the QB.

 

[CoachAllred]

I believe if the Rams keep running the star package- teams with dominant WR’s are going to light up our defense- UNLESS we are able to bring a lot more heat on the QB.

Very true as well. Our OLB's were also taking poor angles when they had a chance to sack Murray.
They have to aim for the outside shoulder. If you come in head up or too flat he just takes a step back and hits the flats
to run or pass. Inside guys have to keep gap integrity as well.

 

[thirteen28]

Another thing they mentioned on the 11 personnel podcast was the almost complete abandonment of the run. after the fumble.
6min left in the half. Hendo is killing them and we abandon it for five straight pass plays and a punt
IMHO McVay needs to show more patience when we are behind. there was plenty of time to run.
It's the only thing they can't stop and we abandon it.
Run the ball to set up the play action deep shot.

And you know what really kills me about this - think about last year's game at Buffalo, when we were way behind at the half, 21-3 and then 28-3 early in the 3rd quarter. In that particular game, McVay didn't abandon the run when we fell behind. Instead, he stuck with it as the Rams slowly but surely first clawed their way back into the game and then eventually took the lead (before we eventually lost on a dogshit call).

No panic, no impatience, no trying to get the lead back all at once. Just a slow, methodical comeback. The Rams controlled the ball and the tempo for most of the second half and made a game of it. So it's not like McVay doesn't know it's possible ... but for some reason, at some times, he loses all discipline as a playcaller, and panics when we are behind. Sunday was one such case, because Hendo was getting about 6.5 yards a pop, and it's not like he ripped off any 50-yarders or something.

Just has he's got to get Morris to pull his head out of his ass, McVay also needs to keep his wits about him during the heat of battle. He didn't on Sunday, and it sunk whatever remaining chance we had to win or at least make a competitive game out of it.

 

[1maGoh]

The star works fine as long as you have a 3rd corner capable of playing outside.
David Long had 5 targets and gave up 5 receptions 80 some yds and a td.
Jourdan on the pod cast says he was at least partially responsible for giving up a long run as well
Not sure what's going on with him, but count me in the
Time for Rochelle to get more time in that role. Yes he is green
but I think he is the better option outside when we are in star.
LET that physical freak develop as the season goes.
Don't see the star leaving anytime soon. JMHO

Could Rochelle and Ramsey rotate playing the star role? If Rochelle is a physical freak and not afraid to get in the mix and hit, would it work to a significant enough extent?

EDIT: changed "elevate" for "rotate". Stupid autocorrect.

 

[tomas]

I'm glad they beat the Rams asses-- peaking too early isn't good. 14 - 3 and home-field advantage.

 

[So Ram]

Could Rochelle and Ramsey rotate playing the star role? If Rochelle is a physical freak and not afraid to get in the mix and hit, would it work to a significant enough extent?

EDIT: changed "elevate" for "rotate". Stupid autocorrect.

say what ? The Rams will get it together.I heard David Longs interview & thought he came away as a little off as a person/player. Just don’t like his mind set in couple ways.
I do think he will be alright,but from training camp RR31 looked better.He surprised me & then he got hurt. It was a set back & gave David Long the starting spot.
Les Snead talked about it was tome for RR31 to get more playing time basically.

 

[Neil039]

BE AGGRESSIVE

 

[Psycho_X]

View: https://twitter.com/jourdanrodrigue/status/1445508591192981510?s=21


View: https://twitter.com/lindseythiry/status/1445502816848547851?s=21

 

[thirteen28]

View: https://twitter.com/jourdanrodrigue/status/1445508591192981510?s=21


View: https://twitter.com/lindseythiry/status/1445502816848547851?s=21

Question now is, will Ramsy/Williams see Metcalf/Lockett up close, or will they be lined up in a different zip code at the snap?

 

[CGI_Ram]

View: https://twitter.com/lindseythiry/status/1445502816848547851?s=21


That is good news!

 

[RamFanWA]

Question now is, will Ramsy/Williams see Metcalf/Lockett up close, or will they be lined up in a different zip code at the snap?

I live in a different zip code - about 150 miles away.
If I see 'em, I'll let ya know!!

 

[Florida_Ram]

There is something fundamentally wrong when Morris uses his elite CB in low percentage blitzes instead of taking away the QB's best weapon. It's simply the arrogance of a DC who hasn't done his film work on the opposing QB. Murray is a two-read QB. Take away his first read, i.e. Hopkins on the vast majority of his plays is huge in defending the Cards. Simple film work would show that.

But it's not only this game. This defense has sucked in every game and made to look better simply by Stafford outscoring the opposition. For god sake I've been saying since game one that if the Rams get behind or Stafford has a bad game, the defense will fold.

This is no different than watching Kromer's inept coaching of the OL. People were blaming the players and everything else except the root cause. This is simply a DC who doesn't understand he has elite talent on this roster if he simply uses it correctly. Like the OL a coaching change is required or the coach must change his scheme and admit he's wrong. What makes this so stupid is that Morris was handed the blueprint but his ego wouldn't allow him to simply build upon what Staley had installed.

All you need to do is look at the Charger game on Monday to see the difference Staley is making with less talent. His pre-snap disguises allowed his pass rush to make a huge difference. Morris in his arrogance has eliminated that from the defensive scheme because he didn't understand how to use it and never took the time to study it.

Staley was facing a strong run attack with the Raiders. He played his defense with 6-7 in the box for most of the game. His LBs would drop to cover that short zone taking away Carr's quick options. Staley allows his defense to read and anticipate the play allowing them to play faster not as Merlin pointed out flat-footed. Drop, read, react is a loser scheme. It's why so many teams dropped zone defenses. Teams are now beginning to use zone again but now it's aggressively played.

Morris' scheme is obsolete and is a complete loser as demonstrated over the past 4 games. Morris has returned the level of play of this defense back to what it was before Staley, i.e. if the offense can't outscore the opposition the Rams lose. There is only one option for McVay. Demand that Morris reinstalls Staley's scheme or fire his ass. Morris is a fool to think stats don't matter. The fact that his scheme is so freaking far behind the level of play established by Staley with lesser players is testimony that can't be ignored. The Rams are in win now mode. To allow Morris to piss it all away is beyond belief.

Look at how upgrading the OL coaching has made the same unit that floundered into one of the better units in the NFL. Look how Staley took a middle of the road defense and made it into the best in the NFL. Now Morris has taken that same defense and made them average. WTF? The remedy is clear. Either force Morris to abandon his foolish ego driven scheme and return to the scheme that was proven to work, or fire his ass. I have no problem with moving Ramsey around if he's taking away their best receiver. But to use him like a blitzing LB is stupid beyond belief. He's weakening his secondary for a low percentage play. It's pure BULLSHIT.

Why is Rapp looking so weak? Because he's being played like a LB instead of the SS he is. Rapp's strength is play recognition. Morris isn't playing to his personnel's strength and it's been proven by the results. His scheme is allowing over 71% completion rates. I don't freaking care what Morris thinks, but that is completely unacceptable compared with 63% last year.

Run defense is equally downgraded. Staley's unit gave up 3.8 YPC and Morris is allowing 4.7 YPC. Why? Because there's only the DL defending the first 5 yards as everyone is dropping back 7+ yds to keep everything in front of them. WTF? Morris said he doesn't care about stats only results. Well his stats stink and the results stink just as much. FIRE MORRIS

WOW... This sounds like a rant to me.


There is something fundamentally wrong with Morris...

After 4 games oldnotdead gets the nod on this comment but I need to see a few more games before I jump on this bandwagon. He's not the only Rams fan that has been pounding this drum.

For me, Morris gets a mulligan for the Cardinals meltdown. I'm not saying the prior 3 games were stellar, but this is a hyperbole statement without a bigger sample size is early NFL fodder imo.

This is simply a DC who doesn't understand he has elite talent on this roster if he simply uses it correctly.

If the defense looks more of the same over the next 3 games, I will give oldnotdead some props.

All you need to do is look at the Charger game on Monday to see the difference Staley is making with less talent.

Staley making more with less talent with the Chargers roster is way overblown. Look at both teams starting 11 on defense and this comment has little value imo.

Staley was facing a strong run attack with the Raiders.

The Raiders best RB has been injured all season and their O-Line has been suspect after 4 games. What Staley and his equally talented defense (imo) did against the Raiders has no value on how I view the Rams issues this season.


Morris' scheme is obsolete and is a complete loser as demonstrated over the past 4 games.

Morris has been the scapegoat for good reasons but this sounds like a TV watching rant from an armchair poster that doesn't know what's going on behind closed doors.

Look how Staley took a middle of the road defense and made it into the best in the NFL. Now Morris has taken that same defense and made them average. WTF?

Staley is gone and how a teams defense looked the year before doesn't mean crap the following season. Even if Staley was the 2021 Rams defensive coordinator, there is no guarantee the Rams would be 4-0.

Why is Rapp looking so weak?

Rapp has been weak in coverage his whole career with the Rams.

Staley had John Johnson III, and safety Fuller had a much different role.

D-Williams had a (breakout season in 2020), Troy Hill and Ramsey were on fire last season. Johnson and Hill are gone. Another weak argument imo.

Run defense is equally downgraded. Staley's unit gave up 3.8 YPC and Morris is allowing 4.7 YPC.

Another weak argument. Nobody can guarantee that Staley with this years Rams roster would have better stats after 4 games. Like I said, let's see how this pans out over the next few games.

I'm not defending Morris and I'm on board that he needs to be under the microscope. Morris is feeling the heat even with his big smiles during his press conferences.

I don't totally judge offenses or defenses after 4 games based on how the team finished the previous season. I need to see 6 or 7 games before I cave in and agree with a Rams armchair poster on a Rams forum.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Long jr. shouldn't be on the field period. Ever. He is targeted on third down and either gets run over or gives up a free reception for the 1st down or TD. Teams are not stupid, they will target your weakest link. Your 3rd CB cannot be this weak. It destroys the integrity of the defense.

Time to cut bait ASAP.

I thought the same thing regarding Hill a few seasons back.
He would either get burned or he was a PI waiting to happen.
The coaches stuck with him and he finally figured it out.

I'm not saying Long will come along the way Hill did, but I sure hope there is a chance.