LB Cory Littleton earns league-high grade from PFF in Wk 1

[SuperMan28]

I subscribe to PFF. I saw that and remembered that huge pick he had in the second half. Great start to the season for him.

 

[Ram65]

I would like to know how PFF graded the pass coverage.

CL was the big difference in the game. That punch out was a point saver. The INT was a great read on Cam and should have been points but, took time off the clock. He looks a little bigger to me this year. He needs that for run defense. Looking forward to more great games this year and beyond for Cory.

 

[Rams43]

Two things...

1. Cory Littleton is definitely an impact player and is a cinch to be extended at some point. The sooner, the better because the longer they wait, the more he’s gonna cost.

2. I think Merlin May be right, namely that Dakota Allen MAY be the next Cory Littleton. I hope that DA gets the opportunity to show what he can do.

 

[ramfan46]

Littleton is the best Ram LB since Fletcher IMO. He's only lacking in the run game, but he's not a liability. His coverage skills are great for a LB. I can't remember him dropping an INT when he gets his hands on the ball. That INT looked very similar to the one he made vs SF last year. He can read and break on those 10-15 yard throws like he's still a Safety. He's one of those quiet leaders that lets his play do the talking. I hope he gets a nice 3-4 year deal.

 

[BonifayRam]

Littleton is the best Ram LB since Fletcher IMO. He's only lacking in the run game, but he's not a liability. His coverage skills are great for a LB. I can't remember him dropping an INT when he gets his hands on the ball. That INT looked very similar to the one he made vs SF last year. He can read and break on those 10-15 yard throws like he's still a Safety. He's one of those quiet leaders that lets his play do the talking. I hope he gets a nice 3-4 year deal.

He is #1 on my short list of Ram 2020 UFA's that will get a nice long term contract. No other Ram comes close to deserving that contract. CL now in his 4th season & is homegrown Ramster has delivered in full what ever he was tasked to do.

Finally, CL is now playing in his best defensive position After playing in 3 other defensive positions since he came into the NFL. Like I said before Wade/Barry need to find a solid true 34 D MLB'er to start next to CL in order to raise CL's performances to the level he is capable of performing.

Last season he was hogtied with fellow ILB'ers (Mark Barron/ Marqui Christian & Ramik Wilson) who were not capable of performing their responsibilities of their assignments thus causing CL to cover for them many times. At this point in time 4 yr veteran Bryce Hager is the best ready to play MLB'er that the Rams have to play next to CL. Hager is only a part-time player.

I think that Wade needs more of a head hunter run stopping fool playing next to CL on early downs. Wade is always going to pull this type of MLB'er on passing downs which is just fine, but Wade needs to be able to shut down those constant big runs being routed & directed & aimed @ the Rams MLB.

Presently Wade/Barry has three first season reserve ILB'ers. So obviously there is a ton of room for future development here. Travin Howard is not a MLB'er. Dakota Allen is more of a CL type ILB'er too. Troy Reeder is a true MLB'er type but is a serious liability in coverage. Micah Kiser is gone for this season but still might yet be the part-time MLB'er in 2020 that we need.

Best we can hope for is Hager who has never been a regular begins to catch on & hold his own on those early down.

 

[Mackeyser]

I dunno about Kiser, but Natrez Patrick had instincts for days and was a beast to the ball.

He also can play both outside and inside at LB.

Of all the new guys, wouldn't surprise me if he's the surprise starter by the end of the season.

 

[rams1fan]

Littleton should have gotten NFC defense player of the week honors.

 

[Zaphod]

You can bet he was glad to get that contract when he did, and I can certainly imagine he appreciates every opportunity sent his way.

He’s been making his own name for himself and that’s why he’s my favorite Ram since last year really.

 

[BonifayRam]

Littleton is the best Ram LB since Fletcher IMO. He's only lacking in the run game, but he's not a liability. His coverage skills are great for a LB. I can't remember him dropping an INT when he gets his hands on the ball. That INT looked very similar to the one he made vs SF last year. He can read and break on those 10-15 yard throws like he's still a Safety. He's one of those quiet leaders that lets his play do the talking. I hope he gets a nice 3-4 year deal.

Could your opinion of CL's Run defensive lackings be more to the fact that he was playing the MLB'er post last season & now he is not?

Could it be that CL will not be lacking in the run game in 2019 from his present new position formerly Mark Barron's "Mo" ILB post ? That he will be an excellent run defender from this post?

I understand that CL is primarily the only bona fide ILB'er playing most all the snaps on defense. I also understand that Hager who plays the MLB post is just a part-time player & it a much smaller safety (Christian or Rapp) who will play more with CL inside than Hager. Would that put CL in a more demanding position as a run defender?

 

[rams1fan]

I really wish we had already extended him.

 

[Memento]

I think that Wade needs more of a head hunter run stopping fool playing next to CL on early downs. Wade is always going to pull this type of MLB'er on passing downs which is just fine, but Wade needs to be able to shut down those constant big runs being routed & directed & aimed @ the Rams MLB.

Dakota Allen

Allen gets my vote. He was excellent in preseason when it came to stopping the run, and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he got that starting spot next to Littleton.

Speaking of which: Snead, Demoff, get moving on the contract extension already!