Did team do enough to reinforce linebacker ranks?

[ROD-BOT]

Rams News: Did team do enough to reinforce linebacker ranks?

LA Rams News: the team's LB room lost several players this offseason. After drafting one player and adding three as UDFAs, is that enough?

ramblinfan.com

Did team do enough to reinforce linebacker ranks?

The LA Rams had two many places to spend too few NFL Draft picks this year, not enough quality picks, and simply too few picks overall to make a difference at some positions of need. In the end, the LA Rams ran out of picks before addressing their interior linebacker needs. So where does that leave the team?

Right now, the Rams 90 man roster lists eight different player options for the two inside linebacker positions. They are UDFA LB Daniel Bituli, LB Travin Howard, rookie LB Clay Johnston, LB Micah Kiser, UDFA LB Bryan London II, LB Troy Reeder, UDFA LB Christian Rozeboom, and LB Kenny Young.

The group is not very experienced. In fact, no single linebacker has more than three years of experience in the NFL. Both Micah Kiser and Kenny Young are the senior linebackers, both at three years of experience. Young had starting experience while a member of the Baltimore Ravens, while Kiser was slated to be a starter for the LA Rams in 2019, but an injury derailed him for the entire season. If I had to bet on who would be the starters, Kiser and Young would be the early favorites. Unfortunately, neither has taken a single starting snap for the Rams at ILB.

The Rams’ next group of linebackers are Troy Reeder and Travin Howard, both of whom are entering their second year of NFL experience. Surprisingly, Reeder has the most defensive snaps for the Rams, seeing 298 defensive plays in eight starts for the team in 2019. He put up 58 tackles while showing a flash or two of pass coverage ability as well. Howard has the second-most defensive snaps for the Rams, seeing action on 102 snaps in spot action over 16 games.

Finally, the remaining four Rams linebackers are incoming rookies. They are linebackers Daniel Bituli, Clay Johnston, Bryan London II, and Christian Rozeboom. With the Rams carrying just four ILBs on the roster last season, these rookies certainly have a battle on their hands. But should any of them play exceptionally well on special teams, they could slide into a roster spot.

Gone from the linebacker room this year of course are Cory Littleton and Bryce Hager. The Rams have temporarily filled their spots with the return from the injured reserve status of Micah Kiser, and the mid-season trade with the Baltimore Ravens for Kenny Young.

Of all the positions on the Rams defense, I believe that the interior linebacker position is completely an eight-player race at this point. The players are young, raw and talented, but will need to step up significantly for the Rams this season. Of course, they will be mentored by a good linebacker’s coach in Joe Barry, It was Barry who oversaw the Rams promotion of then third-year player Cory Littleton from just four starts in 2017, to the starting inside linebacking role in 2018. Littleton responded by jumping from 36 tackles to 125 tackles in 2018.

Now the Rams are banking on a similar story from the ranks of inexperienced linebackers. Will the Rams find a Littleton from among the ranks? Have they already found him in Troy Reeder? Or is he among the newcomers to the roster this season? This is perhaps the most up-in-the-air roster battles on the team right now.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I'm guessing this group is what opposing O's will target early in the season--the Cowboys for example.

 

[Ramhusker]

I think they must feel pretty good about Kiser and Obo to roll like that. I trust them. They know what's up. I just rant about it.

 

[Mister Sin]

I think they must feel pretty good about Kiser and Obo to roll like that. I trust them. They know what's up. I just rant about it.

I am not as optimistic as you are. Lol. I am very worried. Reeder looked good i thought at times, but I dont know that we have a starting quality LB on the roster yet. But, time will tell.

 

[gabriel18]

No

 

[oldnotdead]

At some point, you need to find out what you have with your young guys. IMO that is probably a major reason why Wade is gone. He didn't like playing young guys. When given the chance the young guys played well by enlarge. Kiser is the thumper that you need at MIKE. He has the speed lacking in Littleton for coverage flexibility. Young showed coverage ability in Baltimore as did Howard.

It wouldn't make sense to simply keep adding players before you know there is a need. Just because the previous DC didn't play them doesn't mean they can't play well. I think Staley will be more aggressive overall. He has the players for that kind of defense.

 

[Flatlyner]

Still not clear why we traded for Kenny Young mid season and he didn't play a down for us. Is he that much worse then Reeder?

 

[Ramstien]

When given the chance the young guys played well by enlarge. Kiser is the thumper that you need at MIKE. He has the speed lacking in Littleton for coverage flexibility.

I would be surprised if Kiser is faster than Littleton.

 

[shovelpass]

I would be surprised if Kiser is faster than Littleton.

Maybe combine speed. Unfortunately combine speed doesn't equate to coverage ability. Reeder also has better combine numbers but he looked pretty bad in coverage. Fact is Kiser hasn't taken a real snap, missed a full year from injury and scouting report says he's lacking in coverage ability.

 

[Merlin]

They prioritized edge and the sub group in FA and the draft. That doesn't mean they're happy with their ILBs. Edge is usually prioritized higher by teams so no surprise there. And re: the safeties they drafted it means they plan on sub packaging the F out of their defense which should lessen the importance of our lack of talent at ILB.

If Staley hangs around as our DC he's gonna end up getting some ILB toys. They just couldn't fit it in this year so we'll see how it goes.

 

[TheTackle]

I thought they might pick M Harrison after he had a strong senior bowl but they went with Lewis. Right or wrong, they must believe they will be OK inside

 

[Ram65]

Did they really want to take Brooks but, the Hags beat them to him?

I was looking at ILBer as a strong possibility in the draft. Harrison, Wilson, Brooks and Baun moving inside. Can't complain about who they drafted. Lewis could be a monster steal. Burgess will get playing time.

Kiser is actually faster in the 40 then Littleton was 4.66 to 4.73. Also a little quicker in other speed drills but, they are close. Kiser is stockier compared to the taller long-armed Littleton. It looks like it's his job to lose as the Mike. Young and Howard seem to be the top options at the other spot. Floyd could be the wild card on passing downs to move into the middle if Ebu, Obo and Polite can step up on the outside pass rush. I see Lewis as having a great chance to become a starter opposite Floyd on the outside. It's possible they try Ebu some in the middle. Staley has stated he will mix up coverages and the pass rushers which will help the new starters in the middle with better protection from the defensive line.

Cory Littleton Stats, News and Video - ILB | NFL.com

www.nfl.com

Micah Kiser Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

www.nfl.com

 

[Malibu]

Losing Littleton I hope will not be like Saffold the year previous. I agree with their pov in FA and the draft except Can Jefferson. I like the player and style mesh with current roster I just felt we need an ILB or G or C. Trying to be more sensitive to immediate needs.

 

[oldnotdead]

Go back and look at the plays that Littleton was in man coverage. He got smoked every time. Kiser is faster even with pads on. Cory was strictly a zone coverage LB and he did play well in that scheme. But then it forced everyone else to play zone as well. It allowed too many quick completions, especially on 3rd and shorts.

I watched Cory at UW being a fan of the Huskies and knew then he was too slow to play safety which is what he was most of the time. But they moved him around a lot because they simply didn't know where he fit. Too slow for a DB, not enough sand to play LB. They even tried him as an edge but he couldn't set a hard edge. Trust me there is no way Cory is faster than Micah. Cory is strictly a 4-3 ILB for a team that plays primarily zone with their LBs. It makes it too easy for QBs who know that the LBs will be in zone.

Kiser was drafted to replace Cory at MLB. So now it's time to see if they drafted well. Besides, Kiser isn't going to cost $11.75M/yr. Talk about overpaying for an ILB.

Young was picked up because the Ram's don't have a "coverage LB". Kenny looks to be a good scheme fit for the Jack / MO LB position.

Normally in a 3-4 hybrid scheme, you have one OLB aligned as a down edge (Floyd), who normally is the primary edge rusher. The other OLB is the SAM (Ebukam) who is a parttime blitzer, provides coverage of RBs and TEs in the flats, provides contain against running QB's and sets a hard edge on outside run plays. Ebukam has become a very good SAM, and there are few who can play all those roles well. Then there are two ILBs the MIKE (MLB) and Jack. The MIKE is an inside enforcer on early run downs. Normally he or the NT is pulled to bring in the nickel package on passing plays. On passing downs, if the NT is pulled the MIKE must control the A gaps against the draw. Or on early-down passes, he's in coverage on a TE or RB or covering the middle against a QB run. The Jack normally plays like a 2nd SS in coverage or in gap control on runs. The Jack is normally the only ILB on the field when the nickel package is in so he must have coverage skills. Young has those skills and enough speed to contain or run down a fast QB who is scrambling. The Rams didn't have that kind of ILB so they traded for Young. But Wade wouldn't play him sticking to his rigid seniority system.

I know about Wade and he had the same issue in San Diego, Houston, and Denver. At times he's brilliant but he also tends to make it hard to develop young guys and build a team through the draft and that wears out his welcome.

 

[badnews]

At some point, you need to find out what you have with your young guys.

I totally agree. In recent years the Rams have started a lot of big names while lots of young guys with potential and valuable draft picks are getting a great view but that's about it.
They know they can't sustain that kind of roster. They have to find the late rounders and UDFAs who can help them win, like all consistent contenders do.

Kiser is the thumper that you need at MIKE. He has the speed lacking in Littleton for coverage flexibility.

I don't know dude. Littleton seemed to get around fine in coverage imo, I don't recall eithers 40 time but if Kiser can cover anything like Littleton did and stay healthy, we will have at least one very good inside linebacker.

 

[Soul Surfer]

I am excited to see what Kiser can do.
I want to see if Kenny Young can reclaim his second-round status.
I want to see who's going to emerge from the pack to be the rotation and second stringers.

 

[Soul Surfer]

I actually meant if Kenny Young can reclaim his 4th round status.

 

[Dxmissile]

Travin Howard is the best coverage linebacker we have and he fill in gaps well in the run game. I was impressed with his play. He’s the main reason imho why losing Littleton won’t be felt probably except special teams

 

[Rams77]

No! In my opinion we have one of the most inexperienced/least skilled LB units in the NFL besides Floyd and Ebukam who are probably average at best. I guess we’re planning to run alot of 3-2-6 or 3-3-5

 

[Merlin]

I don't know dude. Littleton seemed to get around fine in coverage imo, I don't recall eithers 40 time but if Kiser can cover anything like Littleton did and stay healthy, we will have at least one very good inside linebacker.

Littleton is better than 90% of the ILBs in this league in coverage yeah. He was solid there and his open field pursuit and tackling was fantastic (which is why he'll do very well at 4-3 WILL with the Raiders).

His problem was the run fills, where I'd put him probably down around 60-70th percentile. From that perspective we are not going to miss him at all in fact we'll be upgraded.