Leonard Floyd is off to a strong start with the Rams, but far from satisfied

[BonifayRam]

Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd is off to a strong start with the Rams, but far from satisfied

www.therams.com

By Stu Jackson

Oct 03, 2020
Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd had 150 total tackles, 18.5 sacks, nine pass breakups and one interception in four seasons with the Bears, but Rams head coach Sean McVay suggested during training camp that those numbers didn't accurately reflect how disruptive he was to an opposing offense.

Speaking to reporters virtually toward the end of training camp in early September, Floyd had a hunch he would get a chance to prove McVay right. "Basically, it's a lot of times where I was close. I've been very close to making that play, or extra play for the team," Floyd said on Sept. 1. "It's just as simple as that. I've been close and I feel like here in L.A., I'm going to get there, if you understand what I'm saying."

As for why Floyd felt that way, he attributed that belief to a "different team, different players on the defense with me. Also, got to have faith. I believe here in L.A., I'm going to get there."

Small as the sample size may be at this stage of the season, Floyd's instincts have proved correct.Through three games, Floyd has already notched two sacks after finishing with three in 16 games in his final season in Chicago. Among Los Angeles defensive players, only defensive lineman Aaron Donald (3) has more.

The second sack came last week at Buffalo, a takedown of Bills quarterback Josh Allen which set up a second-half, touchdown-scoring drive that cut the Rams' deficit to three.

"His length, his athleticism, his ability to be able to do some different things, whether it's not just always going forward, but being able to play in coverage, I think is a winning edge for us," McVay said during a post-practice video conference with reporters Friday. "He's done a nice job and we expect him to continue on that same path that he's headed."
Donald himself has 20 pressures this season, according to Pro Football Focus. After defensive linemen Michael Brockers' eight, Floyd is tied with defensive lineman Morgan Fox for third on the team with six.

"He's just playing good ball," Donald said during a video conference with reporters Thursday. "He's stout in the run, and then when it comes to the pass rush, he's got good technique. He knows how to work different things, change up his rushes and he's taking advantage of that and making plays. That's his specialty and that's why he's here."

On paper, Floyd has a good chance to add to his total in Week 4. The Giants have allowed nine sacks, tied with the Lions and Seahawks for ninth-most allowed through the first three weeks.

For Floyd, the early production is mainly a reminder to keep up his strong effort."It's just telling me I need to continue to keep working hard and keep getting better every week," Floyd said. "Just keep going out there and playing at a high level for this team and help us win."

 

[BonifayRam]

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By GREG BEACHAM
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Leonard Floyd knew almost nobody on the Los Angeles roster when he joined the Rams as a free agent in April, and the coronavirus-shortened offseason made it even tougher for him to get to know his new teammates.

Yet after training camp and three games with the Rams (2-1), Floyd already seems to be fitting in splendidly with his new team. Everybody also seems confident that Floyd's solid early-season numbers will get even better as the outside linebacker gets more comfortable in the scheme and in Southern California.

“I learned that we’ve got a great group of guys on all levels of the defense,” Floyd said Friday. “We haven’t even had our best game yet, and we’re trying to put that together. We’re continuing to come in every week and working toward that, trying to play our best game as a defense. Hopefully we get that this week.”

Floyd and the Rams will face the New York Giants (0-3) on Sunday at SoFi Stadium with the opportunity to continue a fast start to their fourth season under coach Sean McVay.

Floyd already has two sacks in the Rams' first three games, along with four quarterback hits and two tackles for loss. Those two sacks are more than he managed in his final 14 games combined with the Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the first round in 2016 before releasing him last spring.

Floyd is excited about his personal start, and about the Rams' winning potential after playing his first four years in Chicago without a playoff victory. Yet he also recognizes the opportunities he missed during those first three games, and he realizes his work is only beginning.

“It’s just telling me that I need to continue working hard and getting better every week,” Floyd said. “Just keep going out there and playing at a high level for this team and trying to help us win. I’m going to try to do whatever it takes to help us do that.”

Although he excelled in other areas of the game, Floyd never turned into a dominant pass rusher for the Bears. But Chicago's outside linebackers coach saw tremendous potential in Floyd — and when that outside linebackers coach became the Rams' defensive coordinator this year, he strongly recommended Floyd to his new team.

Brandon Staley saw a prodigiously gifted athlete who could excel if put in positions to succeed alongside All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The Rams also have a history of getting impressive performances out of their veteran acquisitions throughout McVay's four-year tenure.

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth and receiver Robert Woods have been fundamental core players ever since they arrived with McVay in 2017, while other veteran acquisitions ranging from receiver Brandin Cooks to safety Eric Weddle to pass rusher Dante Fowler have performed splendidly when they pulled on horned helmets.

“It starts with the player, but I would also like to think that there’s an atmosphere and an environment that’s conducive to them being able to reach their highest potential with the coaches that they’re working with,” McVay said. “We try to cultivate an atmosphere where there’s a mutual respect, and it’s about putting our arms around these guys and helping them reach their highest potential.”

Fowler liked the Rams so much that he re-signed with the team on a one-year deal in 2019 after reaching the Super Bowl. Fowler then turned his 1 1/2 seasons in Los Angeles into a lucrative free agent deal with the Falcons.

Floyd essentially took over the role vacated by Fowler as the veteran pass-rushing specialist on a defense that retained many characteristics of last season's schemes under former coordinator Wade Phillips. Staley is working on new ways to employ Floyd's unique skill set, including his impressive work in pass coverage for a 6-foot-6 linebacker.

McVay also said he sees Floyd working on the fine details of playing alongside Donald, such as “working on your four-man rush principles on the same side as somebody, and being able to play off them based on if Aaron gets penetration up the field, and making sure we keep the integrity of our rush lanes. There's a lot of things that go into that. Repetition is the best way.”

Donald's presence is a boon to any pass rusher, but Donald is also impressed by his new teammate's skills.

“He’s stout in the run, and then when it comes to the pass rush, he’s got good technique,” Donald said. “He knows how to work different things, change up his rushes, and he’s taking advantage of that and he’s making plays. That’s what is expected. That’s why he’s here and hopefully he will continue to do that.”

NOTES: Rookie RB Cam Akers will miss his second straight game this weekend with separated rib cartilage, McVay said. Akers started the Rams' first two games, but hasn't been able to practice this week. ... Rookie S Jordan Fuller is questionable for Sunday with a shoulder injury. He was limited in practice all week. Fuller surprisingly won a starting job in Week 1 over second-year pro Taylor Rapp, who took over for him in Buffalo. McVay isn't sure how much Fuller will be able to play if he's active Sunday.

 

[badnews]

Hendo is doing a great job but we really need to get Akers back soon.
We should do okay the next 2 weeks, so hopefully we can get him back fully healthy. Rookies usually bottom out by the last month of the season, maybe a small blessing if we can have a fresher Cam Akers down the stretch.

 

[jap]

“He’s stout in the run, and then when it comes to the pass rush, he’s got good technique,” Donald said. “He knows how to work different things, change up his rushes, and he’s taking advantage of that and he’s making plays. That’s what is expected. That’s why he’s here and hopefully he will continue to do that.”

The Kraken! has spoken! Can I get an Amen? Give this guy some reps working alongside our All Pro DT, and who knows how far his star will soar? He may well make us forget about Dante Fowler.

 

[Dz1]

Jmho I'm was hoping since we have AD. The pass rush overall numbers would be better.

We need to fill those gaps better.