JL, whipping boy

[rams56]

@rams56

barely can see your reply...but top 5 D...MLB, that calls the signals gets all the credit & love he deserves from fandom....Bottom 5, where do we start the blame in YOUR opinion?

First.....I'm sorry about that....I'm not sure what happened to my post and I couldn't figure out how to fix it. Sorry again......

Second.... it depends on the circumstances. ..... for instance. ..if we lose Mike Brockers (by far our biggest DT on our current roster) for any amount of time we have a really small front and it may show up in our run defense and our inability to stop the run. Same goes if we lose JL and Dunbar has to take over for any significant amount of time. That being said ...if both are healthy then it's an obvious fail by whole team but blame must fall on the coach on the field JL.... however as a former linebacker it's always on the DLine...lol

Go Rams........

 

[OldSchool]

JL is a good MLB, he doesn't need to be great. He's not the fastest but he's a good tackler and as has been said he's the QB of the defense. Can he be upgraded? Sure he can most everybody on the roster could be upgraded. Do we need to upgrade him? Not really, but it couldn't hurt to have a young guy on the roster to learn from him and coach Williams. Bryce Hager anybody?

 

[Debacled]

Quick question, why are the only stats that anyone seems to care about revolve around TFLs/sacks? Suddenly tackles are no longer important unless its a completely negative play for the offense? Hell of a measuring stick there

I would understand if we were blitzing the guy every play, but that is definitely not what they are doing. At all. Seems like most the critics here have the impression that JL should crash the LOS every play regardless if they are running it or tossing up a hail mary. This isn't madden, you don't just all out blitz with the LBs every time just because.

 

[Corbin]

This reminds me of how people say Chris Long is overrated and non essential. How did the beginning of last season go without him? Some people don't know what they have until it's gone, don't be one of those guys, just saying

 

[RamFan503]

First.....I'm sorry about that....I'm not sure what happened to my post and I couldn't figure out how to fix it. Sorry again......

Fixed it for you. The first bracket of your end quote for some reason was formatted blue. Only thing I could figure.

 

[rams56]

Fixed it for you. The first bracket of your end quote for some reason was formatted blue. Only thing I could figure.

Thank you.....

Go Rams.............

 

[Memphis Ram]

This reminds me of how people say Chris Long is overrated and non essential. How did the beginning of last season go without him? Some people don't know what they have until it's gone, don't be one of those guys, just saying

To be fair, I don't believe that any of those people would say that replacing Chris Long with an undrafted free agent in Ethan Westbrooks would be a good idea.

 

[RamWoodie]

JL is a SOLID player and has manned the MLB spot for the Rams 7 years. He was a good pick. He's not "overated", he's not a superstar...but HE IS SOLID and for themost part and EVERY DOWN PLAYER!!!

Don't ask him to be more than he is...and be glad for a guy that gives 100% all the time and is effective. He reminds me of Hacksaw Reynolds...and remember...Hacksaw never got really good recognition until He went to the Niners.

Play on JL!

 

[OC--LeftCoast]

This thread is useless...JL55 is clearly an asset (just watched "The Bourne Ultimatum" ...again) not a liability

 

[Corbin]

To be fair, I don't believe that any of those people would say that replacing Chris Long with an undrafted free agent in Ethan Westbrooks would be a good idea.

To be fair we aren't talking about Ethan Westbrooks, we are talking about drafting an unproven rookie or retaining will hayes or sims over him.

 

[Ram65]

For a MLBer that can't run JL55 seems to cover some ground in his zone protections. Last year he seemed to attach the line of scrimmage a bit quicker too. Maybe, he reads forums like this that seem to have the JL55 (overrated discussions) every 3-4 months.

 

[Memphis Ram]

To be fair we aren't talking about Ethan Westbrooks, we are talking about drafting an unproven rookie or retaining will hayes or sims over him.

Sorry. I can recall conversations regarding using a high draft choice on a possible replacement if he were considered the BPA and getting something for Long while he still had some value (while also losing his upcoming high cap number). But, I don't recall any conversations involving retaining Hayes or Sims over him. Weren't those guys still going to be on the team either way?

 

[Corbin]

Sorry. I can recall conversations regarding using a high draft choice on a possible replacement if he were considered the BPA and getting something for Long while he still had some value (while also losing his upcoming high cap number). But, I don't recall any conversations involving retaining Hayes or Sims over him. Weren't those guys still going to be on the team either way?

There was conversation of trading him if no draft pick game to us as a high caliber and trading him and going with Sims/Hayes which are considered starting caliber.

 

[Zaphod]

Until last year, it was a constant conversation about replacing Long.

But I only need to say two words to refresh people's memory. Jadaveon Clowney. The future of the Rams left side of the defensive line. The once in a life time super generational uber awesome tennis ball picker upper that the Rams just had to trade their next of kin for no matter how bad we needed to invest in the offensive line after years of failure signing washed up veterans.

Inside line backer is our weakest link, really? The guy who's mistackles have resulted in more running plays than anyone is Ogeltree, but that's ok, he's untouchable because he's a shiny new draft pick so I'll move on to Dunbar, who the team was so unimpressed with that they only begrudgingly brought back after his suspension and the next year ended up trading for a safety to place in his stead.

In our system, people are really worried about how his sacks and tackles for loss compare to our defensive line? Even when he does play up front, you all do realize that he's a decoy for Aaron Donald, right? Or at least he's getting a read or tell for whether the play is a run or pass. His hand isn't in the dirt, for the love of all that's holy. The guy is a consistent tackler for us. It doesn't matter if he doesn't flip tight ends and full backs over his shoulder on his way to driving running backs helmets into the dirt.

The only concern I have with Laurinaitis is who's up next if he get injured.

 

[fancents86]

People really don't seem to quite grasp that not everyone has to be some future hall of famer who's always making a big play or having all the attention on them. Sometimes solid is enough, and JL55 is a solid and smart player.

Show of hands, how many people here think Mike Jones, Ray Agnew, Farr and other guys like that from the GSOT era are going to be going into the hall of fame anytime soon? None of us right? Does that make their solid contributions any less noteworthy? Of course not.

This is the same principle. JL55 may not be flashy or exciting, but at the end of the day he gets the job done and sometimes that's all you need.

Exactly! Can't have an entire team of elite players, doesn't work like that.

 

[GabesHorn]

Its dangerous to say anything that is'nt positive about J.L. or even C. Long as they both are the biggest team leaders we have . They do lead. I'm the only one here who is looking at every pre-season game and see no name young unknown mostly LB's that are not giant in size but they make tackles at the LOS and also are very quick in coverage and don't get embarrased in covering a TE. Its not about having a thumper or not and I just don't see the results over the middle in both run stoppage and pass coverage. I know its only me. So I will continue as I did on draft days as I did on this board this last seasons draft. I will have a LB's name that I want us to bring in and start getting him ready. Watching Perryman and the awesome UCLA undersized LB that led his conference in tackles.

I don't think we can get there till we either go 3-4 as so many run or we find the right guy that it takes to fill that awesome spot of the 4-3 LB. Ayers was brought in to get there on the blitz. Please don't bomb my house but J.L. can't get there. Too slow and gets lost in traffic just too much for me. He has had awesome stats but the last two years you can see they are going in the wrong direction quickly. I'm a 50 year diehard fan so please give me a little rope. I bleed for our guys and have invested much. I agree we have other weaker spots but for our defense with so much talent along the line the guy in the middle should always be leading the team in almost every stat. Tackles and tackles for loss and sacks and run stops near los. We need a lb who can cover in pass coverage. Hoping Ayers is a step up for us and Ogletree has also been one of the worst in pass coverage so he does'nt get a pass as PFF has him ranked horribly there. Yes ogletree has taken over as team lead tackler but he really needs a MAJOR step forward this year. He looks like he wants it in camp this year as far as in shape he looks awesome and he does have splash plays but we need those times 5 now in his 3rd season. So I'm not a hater I just want our back 7 to upgrade how awesome our front 4 are bringing to the table and losing Gaines is a MAJOR blow to this season. We've seen Lis Franc injury players on just our team never return to their earlier form and just dissapear.

Sorry I am not drinking any koolaid this season. Not just because of scrimmage and 1st pre-season game. We have a very early tough 5 games to be ready for in a very tough division as the cards have Palmer back and looked good to me yesterday also. I want everything guys. Hoping for no more injuries please!!! Go Rams !!! We have what we have and we will ride with it.

I know I'm one opinion against the whole board but everyone that has ever read my always overlong posts you know for 50 years I've bled with all of you and have put money where my fandom lays . I'm just not a big fan of where THE GREAT AND SUPERSTAR FOREVER HERO J.L. is at this point in his life and my eyes tell me you all will start seeing it this year more too. I'll self ban if he remains the RAM GOD some of these posts make him out to be. We were going to take the seahags LB if he was there when we picked and we missed a really good one that would have challenged JL. It won't take a Ray Lewis to replace him now. Ehats just over exagerration. Mallaluga in the opposite direction even tho some thought he would be better and I never liked the USC kid for us. Have seen many I thought would though. Can't lie.

Sorry to dissagree with 99.9% of the board as I'm NO TROLL by any means, So please respect how hard it is to write this when I have destroyed so many posts not to ever show my true feelings. If I'm justified this season will you bring me back into the fold? I alone think our MLB in a 4-3 is much more important than most everyone here. Ogletree is'nt much help with his also poor pass coverage as I wanted a Perryman or the UCLA kid as every year I had other MLB picks I wanted to compete with JL. We just have always had higher needs as when we picked Fishers Baylor LB Hager over the BC Center that was just a center and a power player and very mean so he did'nt fit the versatility cause the Fisher reign demands. Glad we at least signed an ORT that can only play ORT. It proves we can at least make such moves.

Just promise me you will start looking closer at where tackles are made and how much yardage is given up first and TE coverage. I beg you all not to ban me a leper and think what courage it must have taken to write this amoungst so many strong feelings to the opposite. I only want another WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP before I die. I see what I see. I was paid highly for years as a QC inspector for what my eyes noticed and saw that others had missed so please don't burn me at the stake. I want what you all want and I have one of the largest RAM collections on the planet. I'd be glad to share any of it with this awesome board to prove I'm no troll.

This season is gonna be the one that reveals so very much. I have to be honest while I'm confessing. It was me who when before pre-season started the thread asking our season predictions and it was I who checked off the 5-11 record for this season. I'm seeing things others are not and I'm scared to post them without being thought a troll. Trust me I know this game especially the OL. Dare I post this? I hope to be respected for at least being honest to myself. GO RAMS!!!

 

[blue4]

The type of MLB everyone wants is about as hard to find as a good QB or LT. I mean if he's got to do everything JL does PLUS blitz like LT and smash at the line like Lambert, I just don't know where you find that guy or how anyone could afford to pay him and put a team around him. You've got to have a foundation or the house falls.

 

[fastcat]

for the love of all that's holy. The guy is a consistent tackler for us. It doesn't matter if he doesn't flip tight ends and full backs over his shoulder on his way to driving running backs helmets into the dirt.

It only matters when he gets dragged for 3yds and the ball carrier is stepping on him on his way getting up off the ground lol. But I agree with everything else you said.... especially ogletr

 

[bskrilla]

Its dangerous to say anything that is'nt positive about J.L. or even C. Long as they both are the biggest team leaders we have . They do lead. I'm the only one here who is looking at every pre-season game and see no name young unknown mostly LB's that are not giant in size but they make tackles at the LOS and also are very quick in coverage and don't get embarrased in covering a TE. Its not about having a thumper or not and I just don't see the results over the middle in both run stoppage and pass coverage. I know its only me. So I will continue as I did on draft days as I did on this board this last seasons draft. I will have a LB's name that I want us to bring in and start getting him ready. Watching Perryman and the awesome UCLA undersized LB that led his conference in tackles.

I don't think we can get there till we either go 3-4 as so many run or we find the right guy that it takes to fill that awesome spot of the 4-3 LB. Ayers was brought in to get there on the blitz. Please don't bomb my house but J.L. can't get there. Too slow and gets lost in traffic just too much for me. He has had awesome stats but the last two years you can see they are going in the wrong direction quickly. I'm a 50 year diehard fan so please give me a little rope. I bleed for our guys and have invested much. I agree we have other weaker spots but for our defense with so much talent along the line the guy in the middle should always be leading the team in almost every stat. Tackles and tackles for loss and sacks and run stops near los. We need a lb who can cover in pass coverage. Hoping Ayers is a step up for us and Ogletree has also been one of the worst in pass coverage so he does'nt get a pass as PFF has him ranked horribly there. Yes ogletree has taken over as team lead tackler but he really needs a MAJOR step forward this year. He looks like he wants it in camp this year as far as in shape he looks awesome and he does have splash plays but we need those times 5 now in his 3rd season. So I'm not a hater I just want our back 7 to upgrade how awesome our front 4 are bringing to the table and losing Gaines is a MAJOR blow to this season. We've seen Lis Franc injury players on just our team never return to their earlier form and just dissapear.

Sorry I am not drinking any koolaid this season. Not just because of scrimmage and 1st pre-season game. We have a very early tough 5 games to be ready for in a very tough division as the cards have Palmer back and looked good to me yesterday also. I want everything guys. Hoping for no more injuries please!!! Go Rams !!! We have what we have and we will ride with it.

I know I'm one opinion against the whole board but everyone that has ever read my always overlong posts you know for 50 years I've bled with all of you and have put money where my fandom lays . I'm just not a big fan of where THE GREAT AND SUPERSTAR FOREVER HERO J.L. is at this point in his life and my eyes tell me you all will start seeing it this year more too. I'll self ban if he remains the RAM GOD some of these posts make him out to be. We were going to take the seahags LB if he was there when we picked and we missed a really good one that would have challenged JL. It won't take a Ray Lewis to replace him now. Ehats just over exagerration. Mallaluga in the opposite direction even tho some thought he would be better and I never liked the USC kid for us. Have seen many I thought would though. Can't lie.

Sorry to dissagree with 99.9% of the board as I'm NO TROLL by any means, So please respect how hard it is to write this when I have destroyed so many posts not to ever show my true feelings. If I'm justified this season will you bring me back into the fold? I alone think our MLB in a 4-3 is much more important than most everyone here. Ogletree is'nt much help with his also poor pass coverage as I wanted a Perryman or the UCLA kid as every year I had other MLB picks I wanted to compete with JL. We just have always had higher needs as when we picked Fishers Baylor LB Hager over the BC Center that was just a center and a power player and very mean so he did'nt fit the versatility cause the Fisher reign demands. Glad we at least signed an ORT that can only play ORT. It proves we can at least make such moves.

Just promise me you will start looking closer at where tackles are made and how much yardage is given up first and TE coverage. I beg you all not to ban me a leper and think what courage it must have taken to write this amoungst so many strong feelings to the opposite. I only want another WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP before I die. I see what I see. I was paid highly for years as a QC inspector for what my eyes noticed and saw that others had missed so please don't burn me at the stake. I want what you all want and I have one of the largest RAM collections on the planet. I'd be glad to share any of it with this awesome board to prove I'm no troll.

This season is gonna be the one that reveals so very much. I have to be honest while I'm confessing. It was me who when before pre-season started the thread asking our season predictions and it was I who checked off the 5-11 record for this season. I'm seeing things others are not and I'm scared to post them without being thought a troll. Trust me I know this game especially the OL. Dare I post this? I hope to be respected for at least being honest to myself. GO RAMS!!!

It's like you're intenionally misreading what everyone has said just to satisfy some weird persecution complex. Literally EVERY post has said that he's a serviceable MLB. Not some god. Not some amazing future HoF. Just a solid, steady MLB who answers the bell and makes the calls on defense. But by all means continue to pretend that you are the lone voice of reason and that the rest of us are just so sorrily blind to the truth. This hyperbolic tirade of a post sounds like it belongs more on another certain Rams forum....

 

[-X-]

I'm the only one here who is looking at every pre-season game and see no name young unknown mostly LB's that are not giant in size but they make tackles at the LOS and also are very quick in coverage and don't get embarrased in covering a TE.

I think you might be.

But that aside, wouldn't you agree that 3rd string players tend to look good against other 3rd string players?