Defensive Coordinators

[Ramstien]

Draft needs are beginning to look like CB, MLB, and QB not necessarily in that order.

 

[Stump23]

To have to replace possibly the greatest defensive lineman in the history of the NFL was such a huge task. Shula stubbed his toe several times but continued to tinker, make adjustments and the defensive looked like one of the best in the league in the second half. One thing, maybe it's just me, but no matter who our DC's have been over the past 10+ years, I don't recall any other team that got gashed by very explosive running plays several times a year. I may be myopic, but it just seems that our defense has always been vulnerable to this and exposed. Tremendous draft solidifying front 7 with Verse/Fiske, continued development of Kobie and late round DB's. Keep building this way and I believe Shula will continue to make the Defense shine. Then the inevitable will happen and he will move on to be a HC. McVay coaching training program continues to provide talent around the NFL yet he keeps overcoming those challenges. It helps that Shula has been here for the long haul and he has probably will have earned a look if the D is in the top 5 next year.

 

[Tano]

I don't think that is true. Speights was better than some other ILBs around the league. Jones for example, who everyone wailed and gnashed their teeth over when the Rams moved him. But you have some good ones in this league then a lot of teams saving money at that position.

Adding an ILB from the draft who can pair with him would be nice. Doesn't have to be early on though I'd be ok with that if they really like one of these guys. Thing is they're kind of like RBs though. You got your special ones who can stuff run game downhill but also show some coverage, and then a bunch of guys who are a mix of the two or converted SS or just straight flawed in some of the responsibilities.

Speights needs to get better at play recognition and getting into his drop quicker but it's hard to find guys who have stopping power like he's got. He really does have a nice mix of abilities. Restack that draft and some team would take him, you can bet on that one.

I probably shouldn't have stated that he is just capable.

I was just making a point that Rozeboom needs someone capable in the run game. Speights is more than capable in the run game.

But on 3rd down and long - he is a weakness at this point. I have a feeling he will get better in diagnosing pass plays.

And then he will be a very good ILB but we still need someone to replace Rozeboom.

He is as good as he is going to get, which is an average run stopping ILB and poor coverage ILB.

 

[InfiniteRam]

I probably shouldn't have stated that he is just capable.

I was just making a point that Rozeboom needs someone capable in the run game. Speights is more than capable in the run game.

But on 3rd down and long - he is a weakness at this point. I have a feeling he will get better in diagnosing pass plays.

And then he will be a very good ILB but we still need someone to replace Rozeboom.

He is as good as he is going to get, which is an average run stopping ILB and poor coverage ILB.

Not sure this is fair to Rozeboom at all, regarding coverage. He gave up about 28 YPG with a ADOT of 3.6.

Are we expecting LB's to be in tight coverage within five yards of the LOS?

 

[thirteen28]

Watching yesterday's Super Bowl and the two defensive coordinators involved, Spags and Fangio, I couldn't help but think about what a disadvantage we really had going into, not only the regular season, but the playoffs as well. Those two coordinators have about as much experience in the NFL as anyone and have probably seen more offenses than any of us will ever dream of seeing. Don't get me wrong, I think Shula made great strides throughout the season and, if not for three catastrophic breakdowns vs the Eagles, we have a great chance of playing in the Super Bowl. Think about it. We had a defense full of rookies and second year players and a man leading them with very limited experience. If we had Spags or Fangio do we beat the Eagles? I think we do. Did our defense improve from Week 1 to Week 18? Hell yes. Hopefully, Shula watches a ton of film over the offseason, figures out what worked and what didn't, and makes adjustments. I think he'll only get better now that he knows his personnel and has a season under his belt. Our problem is, we only have Stafford for another year or so (if we're lucky) and that window is rapidly closing. Let's hope we can put it all together next year. We were so close this season.

Yes, but to flip that on it's head, Shula was a 1st year DC with a starting DL consisting of two rookies and two 2nd year guys, and the defense got noticeably better over the season and carried the team when the O struggled. I find it hard to fault his overall performance this year, and am looking forward to next year. If there is anything about Shula that concerns me, it's that we won't be able to keep him around for very long.

 

[Steve808]

Yes, but to flip that on it's head, Shula was a 1st year DC with a starting DL consisting of two rookies and two 2nd year guys, and the defense got noticeably better over the season and carried the team when the O struggled. I find it hard to fault his overall performance this year, and am looking forward to next year. If there is anything about Shula that concerns me, it's that we won't be able to keep him around for very long.

In Shula's defense (no pun intended), our O-line was a complete wreck the first 4 weeks of the season. Not being able to score points puts more presssure on the young defense.

 

[Tano]

Not sure this is fair to Rozeboom at all, regarding coverage. He gave up about 28 YPG with a ADOT of 3.6.

Are we expecting LB's to be in tight coverage within five yards of the LOS?

Too often I saw him face down in the grass after missing the tackle on a receiver.

I saw it at least 10 times last year.

 

[dang]

Too often I saw him face down in the grass after missing the tackle on a receiver.

I saw it at least 10 times last year.

Yeah a lot of going right while the RB jump steps left. Left grabbing air or just falling to the ground. He’s a quality UDFA who can provide ST or depth coverage. No shame in that but that’s what Rozeboom is.

 

[PhillyRam]

Too often I saw him face down in the grass after missing the tackle on a receiver.

I saw it at least 10 times last year.

I worry about him more in the run game. Just not enough lead in his ass to take on blockers and shed them.

 

[Ramstien]

Guess the Rams need another MLBer.

 

[PhillyRam]

Guess the Rams need another MLBer.

Jihad Campbell would be an awesome addition. 6-3" 244 lb sideline to sideline defender who is also a great blitzer. Would cap off a dominant front 7!

 

[0311rams]

I was super impressed with the job Shula did this year.
I expected a major step back with the D and at first it was not great.
But, Shula was able to adjust, both scheme and personal and using/not using blitzes.
The defense grew by leaps and bounds and was really one of the more enjoyable things about this past season, which itself was very enjoyable.
We don't as fans often get to see over the course of one season, young players grow. To see a whole group of them grow together was fun and exciting.
Id like to see a FA upgrade at ILB and or CB.
The right guy culture wise is a must along with being an upgrade.
Kudos to Shula.

yes, good point. we might not always get to the Superbowl, but McVay and his coaches and the whole organization has been really entertaining and rewarding to watch and be a part of as a fan. we are living in the Stafford era and then moving on, but we have a great gm, coach, owner. Rams always try and have a great defense, and we are lucky to have Shula. the "fearsome foursome" is back. Go Rams!

 

[OldSchool]

Jihad Campbell would be an awesome addition. 6-3" 244 lb sideline to sideline defender who is also a great blitzer. Would cap off a dominant front 7!

I'll believe the Rams would spend a high pick on an ilb when I see it. Until then not looking at any higher than a 4th rounder and not likely even that high.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I'll believe the Rams would spend a high pick on an ilb when I see it. Until then not looking at any higher than a 4th rounder and not likely even that high.

Yes. The Rams have consistently shown us their strategy here. Why would we believe different?

Though they have been a team capable of pivoting, nothing I've seen so far has led me to believe that they are looking at changing their thinking on ILB.

 

[gogoat1]

Shula did not have a thing to do with the mix up between our center and right guard that caused Staffords fumble while Higgs was wide open downfield.
Shula is a fine young DC. We have it good.
This thread goes into the "just making up something to talk about" category.

 

[Tano]

I worry about him more in the run game. Just not enough lead in his ass to take on blockers and shed them.

Oh that too but Speights seems to do a good job covering up his lapses.

Again - I only stated he is an average ILB on running plays.

Sometimes he does a really good job and other times .... I just shake my head.

 

[PhillyRam]

Yes. The Rams have consistently shown us their strategy here. Why would we believe different?

Though they have been a team capable of pivoting, nothing I've seen so far has led me to believe that they are looking at changing their thinking on ILB.

Yep, and knowing that they have to dethrone the Eagles and deal with the Niners & Seahawks and also the Lions' rushing attacks, it's not a bad approach to address those challenges.

The Eagles never spent on RB's, yet they did last year. Front offices can change based on changes they may see occurring in the league.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Yep, and knowing that they have to dethrone the Eagles and deal with the Niners & Seahawks and also the Lions' rushing attacks, it's not a bad approach to address those challenges.

The Eagles never spent on RB's, yet they did last year. Front offices can change based on changes they may see occurring in the league.

Absolutely, and I think you could point to reasons why they pivoted to Saquan. Needing one more piece in a Superbowl run, an offense that falters at times through the passing attack needing a consistent rushing attack, and sticking it to the Giants.

I don't see the reasons here with the Rams.

 

[PhillyRam]

Absolutely, and I think you could point to reasons why they pivoted to Saquan. Needing one more piece in a Superbowl run, an offense that falters at times through the passing attack needing a consistent rushing attack, and sticking it to the Giants.

I don't see the reasons here with the Rams.

Maybe giving up two 200 yrd rushing performances to the top NFC team might make you think run defense is important?

 

[dang]

Jihad Campbell would be an awesome addition. 6-3" 244 lb sideline to sideline defender who is also a great blitzer. Would cap off a dominant front 7!

100% agree but we all know McVay is going to prioritize a major upgrade on his offense (TE/WR/OT).