Countdown to Camp: Rams Poised to Have Elite Defensive Line

[den-the-coach]

Countdown to Camp: Rams Poised to Have Elite Defensive Line

Myles Simmons
RAMS INSIDER

One week from today, the Rams will be back on the field for the first training camp practice of 2018. In this edition of Countdown to Camp, we’re taking a look at the team’s defensive linemen.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Newcomers: Ndamukong Suh, John Franklin-Myers, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Chunky Clements, Brian Womac, McKay Murphy

Los Angeles already had a strong defensive line, anchored by 2017 AP Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. Now that the club's added Ndamukong Suh in free agency, the unit is undoubtedly among the league’s best on paper.

Suh signed with the Rams in late March and is slated to play nose tackle between Donald and Brockers in coordinator Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. Suh is remarkably durable, starting all 126 games for which he’s been eligible since entering the league in 2010. He’s recorded 51.5 sacks in his eight pro seasons — five with Detroit and the last three with Miami.

In 14 games, Donald recorded 11.0 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and two passes defensed en route to winning his first Defensive Player of the Year award. Donald was absent from Los Angeles’ offseason program as the team and his representation continue to negotiate a contract extension.

Brockers is now the Rams’ longest tenured defensive player, having been with the club since 2012. Phillips moved him from nose tackle to five-technique defensive end last year, and the LSU product excelled in the role. Brockers recorded 41 total tackles — eight for loss — 4.5 sacks, and eight quarterback hits in 2017.

Ethan Westbrooks returns for his fifth NFL season. He’s been productive in a rotational role since arriving with the team as an undrafted free agent out of West Texas A&M in 2014. After starting the year at 3-4 defensive end, Westbrooks moved inside to nose tackle and started nine games for the club in 2017.

L.A. re-signed defensive tackle Dominique Easley in March, keeping him with the club. The former Patriots first-round pick suffered a season-ending knee injury early on in training camp and missed the entire 2017 season. Back in 2016, Easley was productive in a rotational role, recording 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for L.A.

Tanzel Smart returns for his second pro season. A sixth-round pick, Smart started four games as a rookie and made 18 total tackles.

Omarius Bryant spent 2017 on Los Angeles’ practice squad and signed a futures contract to stick with the club. Chunky Clements spent much of 2017 with the Texans, going between the active roster and practice squad a few times. He signed with the Rams in May after Houston waived him in March.

As for rookies, the Rams selected John Franklin-Myers (fourth round) and Sebastian Joseph-Day (sixth round) in this spring’s draft. And the club picked up Brian Womac and McKay Murphy as undrafted free agents.

[www.therams.com]

 

[den-the-coach]

FWIW's sometimes I take Donald for granted, he makes a great play and I just nod my head and say, "Donald." With the exception of his game against the Seahawks in Seattle. I was not impressed with Tanzel Smart last season, although he was a rookie and I realized he's undersized, IMHO, the bigger runs was when Smart was on the nose and I preferred Tyrunn Walker to Smart and I feel pretty strongly that Sebastian Joseph-Day will beat out Smart and offers far more upside in the long term.

 

[OldSchool]

But reading comments from a happy Packer fan their "mediocre" OLine in his own words should at least get a push in the match up with Donald, Suh and Brockers. That should be enough for them to win Their worst link is their RG who will be matched up solo with Suh and they're not worried haha Can't wait for that matchup. This DLine is going to be creating issues every week regardless of who we play.

 

[Loyal]

But reading comments from a happy Packer fan their "mediocre" OLine in his own words should at least get a push in the match up with Donald, Suh and Brockers. That should be enough for them to win Their worst link is their RG who will be matched up solo with Suh and they're not worried haha Can't wait for that matchup. This DLine is going to be creating issues every week regardless of who we play.

As good as Rodgers is, I think the Rams could blow them out. With Peters and Talib and Joyner enjoying the penetration/disruption by the D Line, it could be a long day

 

[OldSchool]

As good as Rodgers is, I think the Rams could blow them out. With Peters and Talib and Joyner enjoying the penetration/disruption by the D Line, it could be a long day

My favorite discussion was how he is so great at escaping pressure. He's great absolutely, but he's led the league in sacks 2 or 3 times, had more sacks last year than Goff in obviously fewer attempts, or at least a higher sack rate while in there but the number or sacks was close. He's got a new coordinator and an OLine in flux. Suh and Donald will give the best OLinemen a fit, average guys can have career games against them. But planning on that might lead to a bad adventure on Sundays.

 

[den-the-coach]

Packers don't worry me, not with that Swiss Cheese defense.

 

[So Ram]

FWIW's sometimes I take Donald for granted, he makes a great play and I just nod my head and say, "Donald." With the exception of his game against the Seahawks in Seattle. I was not impressed with Tanzel Smart last season, although he was a rookie and I realized he's undersized, IMHO, the bigger runs was when Smart was on the nose and I preferred Tyrunn Walker to Smart and I feel pretty strongly that Sebastian Joseph-Day will beat out Smart and offers far more upside in the long term.

Don’t sleep on O’ Bryant. He played well last year during preseason.

Not sure about the rookies.

D. Easley I think will fell a OLB/DE role ? Who is going to get Aaron Donald Reps in training camp ?

 

[So Ram]

As good as Rodgers is, I think the Rams could blow them out. With Peters and Talib and Joyner enjoying the penetration/disruption by the D Line, it could be a long day

I think Aaron Rogers might have a tough season ? The playoff game performance last season was not good.

 

[den-the-coach]

Don’t sleep on O’ Bryant.

I don't sleep on anybody because when most people are counting sheep, I count Rams, going over their roster and coaching staff, most of the times under my breath, but occasionally with an Irish Whisper, as the next morning my wife will ask me, who is Liam Coen?

 

[So Ram]

I don't sleep on anybody because when most people are counting sheep, I count Rams, going over their roster and coaching staff, most of the times under my breath, but occasionally with an Irish Whisper, as the next morning my wife will ask me, who is Liam Coen?

Spoken like a true Irishman

 

[Jacobarch]

AD, Suh and Brokers are going to give olines the fits yes. But I'm still scratching my head when it comes to OLB. Do you guys honestly feel comfortable with Ebu and Longacre as our starters?
I don't

 

[den-the-coach]

Spoken like a true Irishman

Or a true Italian, but Irish Whisper is a great reference.

 

[majrleaged]

AD, Suh and Brokers are going to give olines the fits yes. But I'm still scratching my head when it comes to OLB. Do you guys honestly feel comfortable with Ebu and Longacre as our starters?
I don't

The Unknown is always uncomfortable, but I am optimistic that this FO and coaching staff think they have what they need or has schemed to compensate for the weakness.

 

[gogoat1]

AD, Suh and Brokers are going to give olines the fits yes. But I'm still scratching my head when it comes to OLB. Do you guys honestly feel comfortable with Ebu and Longacre as our starters?
I don't

I feel a lot better with Wade here. Doubt Longacre stays as a starter for long.