Let’s talk about the run defense (again)

[TheTackle]

OK the offense struggled in the cold against a fine defense

But, the run defense is much more of a concern, as playoff teams are going to run the ball hard in order to keep our offense on the sideline and then hit us long if our safeties cheat up to the line

Atlanta did it last year and so will every playoff team this one coming if we don’t get it sorted and quick.

This is to my mind an emergency! What are your thoughts?

 

[leoram]

My answer is a question. If a team can commit 3 men to block AD, why can’t 10 others beat 8? Maybe there’s a scheme tweak available there but the players simply have to win their assignments and it isn’t happening often enough.

 

[gabriel18]

Watching all these good defenses lately , I have to wonder how the Rams think that Barron and Littleton can play inside .
They all have two big physical guys playing inside . Its pretty obvious to us fans that Barron is invisible lately . I'm not sure what the answer is this late in the season , but it's a big problem.

 

[Zodi]

We only have two true linebackers, and one of them sits on the bench.

 

[Psycho_X]

I don't know what the answer is but I wish we'd start trying something different. It's amazing how bad some of our players are looking compared to last season.

Brockers used to be our secret weapon... you couldn't run at him and as soon as he went down in the Falcons game our run defense (what little we had) disappeared. This year he looks like a shell of his old self.

Same goes for Barron, last season he did biff here and there and would still get swallowed up at times but he was flying to the ball and making splash plays in between the bad. This year, nothing. Literally nothing, it's like he's not even on the field.

Joyner, was a stud last season. All over the place making plays and his name heard. Got him a franchise tag which is insane for a safety. This year the only times I notice him is when he's being indecisive in the backfield while WRs run straight past him for easy catches letting the CBs get burned and little else.

Then there's a lot of the other guys. NRC still looks great but he's been off the field a huge majority before the Bears game. Littleton flies everywhere and is an asset but doesn't have the size to hold up against a straight in your face running game. Peters troubles are well documented but has been playing better... I found it troubling that during the game they talked about how Wade finally realized that MP was a zone CB that likes to watch the QB and he kept trying to force him in man with no safety support... I don't understand how it took him 10 games to realize this when that was well known when he was still in KC.

Yada, yada, yada. So not sure what happened. Some of our best players from last season look lost and below average. The passing game has tightened up a little since Talib came back and they stopped leaving MP on an island in man coverage. But I don't understand how our run defense is WORSE than last season. And at this point there's no reason not to be trying other looks at inside linebacker on obvious run downs.

Anyway, long diatribe over.

 

[Ram_Rally]

I think that we replace Barron and Littleton with some old fashioned thumpers . Suh too .I live in Maryland so I've watched the Ravens defense keep them competitive for almost my whole life. We need beef on this defense . I've said this a few times, but even Brockers looks 20 pounds smaller than when he was a monster on the line . I'm tired of the small athletic defenses. We need a blend

 

[thirteen28]

Step 1 is to sit Barron and put in Wilson or Kiser, particularly when we are not in obvious passing downs. I never really liked Barron as an ILB because of his size, and those limitations have really showed up here.

I realize it's too late this year, but for next year I think Wade needs to tweak his scheme by adding one widebody NT whose main purpose is to eat blockers and control the gaps. You can substitute him out for a more upfield guy on obvious passing downs.

Basically, our run D woes to me appear to be a combination of our DL trying to get upfield with reckless abandon while not having good run stoppers at ILB. Once our DLs run themselves out of a play, the guys behind them can't stop them quick enough to avoid the big gainer.

 

[fearsomefour]

I think that we replace Barron and Littleton with some old fashioned thumpers . Suh too .I live in Maryland so I've watched the Ravens defense keep them competitive for almost my whole life. We need beef on this defense . I've said this a few times, but even Brockers looks 20 pounds smaller than when he was a monster on the line . I'm tired of the small athletic defenses. We need a blend

Yeah Brockers came in lighter this year.
A lineman losing weight is almost always a bad thing.

 

[BonifayRam]

OK the offense struggled in the cold against a fine defense

But, the run defense is much more of a concern, as playoff teams are going to run the ball hard in order to keep our offense on the sideline and then hit us long if our safeties cheat up to the line

Atlanta did it last year and so will every playoff team this one coming if we don’t get it sorted and quick.

This is to my mind an emergency! What are your thoughts?

Los Angeles Rams Safeties Coach Ejiro Evero targeted by USC for defensive staff
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2018/...defensive-staff-clay-helton-clancy-pendergast

 

[fearsomefour]

I think the running game was the concession the staff decided to make.
Have a line that can make plays and pressure the QB (largely a whiff outside of AD) and a backend that won't give up big plays. The downfall has been the backside has done nothing but give up big plays. When Talib came back we have seen this greatly diminished because it allows guys (Peters) to play their strength.
The bend and don't break with occasional big plays makes sense with their O. There have been a couple of large fails in this approach.
The Rams have to find an ILB this off season via FA and move Littleton outside or keep him inside next to a thumper.

 

[Dxmissile]

My observations, our linebackers play too wide. I think that’s the main problem. When you have a DLine that does a lot of stunts and slants it creates holes if it’s blocked. Our linebackers need to be in tight to plug those holes created by our own DLine.

Secondly a 4-3 would be much better I would have Suh and Brockers at DT Donald at RE Fowler at LE Barron in the middle Littleton RLb and Ebukam On the left. At least that’s how I play it in Madden lol

 

[tklongball]

I don't think we need "Thumpers" per say, we need guys more in the mold of the "New" ILB. Big, Fast, and great tacklers. I think they are the next wave of players to hit the NFL, because every team is going to be looking for these guys to defend against the KC/Saints/Rams type offenses.

 

[jrry32]

Kiser is the sort of guy who could help our run D, but he must not be ready to play.

 

[BonifayRam]

Kiser is the sort of guy who could help our run D, but he must not be ready to play.

He sure looked good in pre season. It appears to me that MLB'er Kiser could be used on first downs to see how he does playing in the Defense for a start. Like you pointed out he sure looks the part { 5-11 plus & 245 lbs } of what we need backig up our leaky DL. Both Littleton & Barron are 6-3 & under 230 lbs:eek:. MLB'er Bryce Hager under 6-1 238 lbs.also had an outstanding pre season too & he can call the defense.

Nobody answered my questions I asked earlier this week... one question I asked was WHY does WSILB Barron continue to start. Is WSILB'er Ramik Wilosn really that bad & not the answer over Barron. Where is the answer?

Maybe this will help....I did just read this.............
McVay said the Rams will put running back Malcolm Brown (shoulder) on injured reserve and promote linebacker Trevon Young to the 53-man roster.

 

[Rambitious1]

OK the offense struggled in the cold against a fine defense

But, the run defense is much more of a concern, as playoff teams are going to run the ball hard in order to keep our offense on the sideline and then hit us long if our safeties cheat up to the line

Atlanta did it last year and so will every playoff team this one coming if we don’t get it sorted and quick.

This is to my mind an emergency! What are your thoughts?

I agree.
But, I don’t think that’s getting fixed until the offseason.
IMHO it’s a personnel issue. There are other components, but I feel that’s the biggest part.

 

[James Otto]

I saw the same thing over and over against the Bears. The DL are shooting the gaps, with no concern for lane integrity. Essentially, they are rushing the passer every single down. I think the hope is that they will bend on the ground, and eventually get breaks via sack, TFL, or INT due to pressure.

Peters, over the past four weeks, suddenly looks like Peters again. I think Wade wants turnovers.

 

[iamme33]

hager was very impressive during preseason I think he could really help in both run and pass df. don't know what son of bum is seeing in game tape but it must not be something that us fans see.

 

[fearsomefour]

I don't think we need "Thumpers" per say, we need guys more in the mold of the "New" ILB. Big, Fast, and great tacklers. I think they are the next wave of players to hit the NFL, because every team is going to be looking for these guys to defend against the KC/Saints/Rams type offenses.

Big, fast and great tacklers = thumpers by my definition.
That's what everyone wants in LBs.

 

[fearsomefour]

hager was very impressive during preseason I think he could really help in both run and pass df. don't know what son of bum is seeing in game tape but it must not be something that us fans see.

Kind of slow.

 

[Farr Be It]

My answer is a question. If a team can commit 3 men to block AD, why can’t 10 others beat 8? Maybe there’s a scheme tweak available there but the players simply have to win their assignments and it isn’t happening often enough.

This has been my frustration this year. As dominant as AD has been, I am shocked by the number of players on our defense that just “don’t want it”. Suh, yes Brockers, Joyner, Barron, Peters. I am really surprised.

If AD is taking double teams, and chips from others before running their patterns, subtract the quarterback, and at least 4 receivers out on patterns, that leaves around 3 blockers to take on our other rushers. Does the great Wade have no answers?

It seems to me a few guys are content to be dancing bears. (No pun intended). If they had ADs heart, we’d probably be talking about other things.

Watching all these good defenses lately , I have to wonder how the Rams think that Barron and Littleton can play inside .
They all have two big physical guys playing inside . Its pretty obvious to us fans that Barron is invisible lately . I'm not sure what the answer is this late in the season , but it's a big problem.

I believe this is a front office issue. I’m curious, if contracts, and money allocation were not an issue, if Barron would still be on the roster. If Kiser or Hager would get a chance to “be the answer”. I don’t think Wilson is the answer to stop the run.

We only have two true linebackers, and one of them sits on the bench.

I’m curious. Seriously. Who are the two? Samson and Kiser?