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Ramit

ROD GRUNT
Joined
Aug 31, 2016
Messages
529
I was just watching the Jacksonville and Pittsburg playoff game and I have to say that I am super impressed by that Jacksonville defense. They were absolutely dominant in that game. I admittedly didn't watch any of Jacks outside of the Rams game. My question is: how likely is it that our D Unit will be that good this year. Opinions?
 

tempests

Hall of Fame
Joined
May 25, 2013
Messages
2,814
Rams should up among the league leaders in sacks and turnovers again. But I don't think the Rams (or any other team) can match the roster of pass rushers that Jax has. And we don't have a linebacker as good as Telvin Smith.
 

Ramit

ROD GRUNT
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Aug 31, 2016
Messages
529
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3
Ugh. I am truly excited about the potential of this years defense. I have to remind myself that this LB corps is still largely unproven and to pinch myself into remaining cautiously optimistic. I feel like the secondary will take care of itself by order of natural progression. But the overall success will be determined by the effectiveness of the LB corps. So much hinges off of it. It is, afterall, where our edge pressure will come from and if we have an effective edge presence I feel like this unit can be top 5. Ugh....i suppose I will revisit this topic post haste after TC.
 

Merlin

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May 8, 2014
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37,047
Wade might well make this an elite unit if he gets enough development out of the LBs. But yeah, to me it looks like a defense that is designed to keep opponents from catching up, with strength of the unit being coverage on the back end.

As to sacks, I think they'll be solid (edge pressure will be mediocre IMO), but the pressures are what really matters and their strength up the middle of the line and those pressures in the QB's face should go well with the secondary quality.

Run defense is a damn roll of the dice at this point. I think we'll be better there, but still probably not among the elite units.

So my hope is a defense that gets into that top ten in scoring. Don't think they're a top five unit, but if they get there that would be cool. Just limit that run game and play good pass defense, and with our offense that should mean another playoff run and hopefully advancing too.
 

leoram

LA/St Louis/LA fan
Joined
May 25, 2013
Messages
1,291
I’m actually surprised to see fellow ROD members worry about our linebackers. Longacre was better than Quinn last year and going full time, you will see him hold the edge on runs and I predict 8+ sacks and 25+ pressures from him. Littleton has proven his ability to me and Wade knows how to use him. He will be a plus defender for us. IF Barron is healthy, he will lock down the Trevethan role better than Wade had in Denver. If there’s one guy I worry over it’s Ekuban, not because he lack athleticism (he doesn’t) but his play recognition will occasionally have the lapses that come from inexperience. Wade will coach him up and he will make several splash plays but also be responsible for us getting burned in play action from time to time.

Nevertheless, with this DLine and secondary, IF this unit stays healthy, we may see a defense that LEADS THE LEAGUE this year.
 

Ramit

ROD GRUNT
Joined
Aug 31, 2016
Messages
529
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6
I’m actually surprised to see fellow ROD members worry about our linebackers. Longacre was better than Quinn last year and going full time, you will see him hold the edge on runs and I predict 8+ sacks and 25+ pressures from him. Littleton has proven his ability to me and Wade knows how to use him. He will be a plus defender for us. IF Barron is healthy, he will lock down the Trevethan role better than Wade had in Denver. If there’s one guy I worry over it’s Ekuban, not because he lack athleticism (he doesn’t) but his play recognition will occasionally have the lapses that come from inexperience. Wade will coach him up and he will make several splash plays but also be responsible for us getting burned in play action from time to time.

Nevertheless, with this DLine and secondary, IF this unit stays healthy, we may see a defense that LEADS THE LEAGUE this year.

Here's the thing for me: only 1 linebacker is proven. If you were to look at the defense as a whole and come up with anything to interrogative, you would question the LB corps. That is not to say that I am skeptical of it working, I "trust the process" as they say. Its just that i look at it on paper and say "ok, the secondary and d line have no reason to be anything other than elite....but oh man....if the lbs just be average we are set....but if the are elite???? Omg watch out.".
 

Rams43

Hall of Fame
Joined
Jun 20, 2014
Messages
4,130
Wade might well make this an elite unit if he gets enough development out of the LBs. But yeah, to me it looks like a defense that is designed to keep opponents from catching up, with strength of the unit being coverage on the back end.

As to sacks, I think they'll be solid (edge pressure will be mediocre IMO), but the pressures are what really matters and their strength up the middle of the line and those pressures in the QB's face should go well with the secondary quality.

Run defense is a damn roll of the dice at this point. I think we'll be better there, but still probably not among the elite units.

So my hope is a defense that gets into that top ten in scoring. Don't think they're a top five unit, but if they get there that would be cool. Just limit that run game and play good pass defense, and with our offense that should mean another playoff run and hopefully advancing too.

You just made a helluva good point, Merlin.

It was a facepalm moment for me when I read “looks like a defense designed to keep opponents from catching up”.

Damn!

Why didn’t I think of it that way? Very good catch, man.
 

Karate61

There can be no excellence without effort.
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Sep 10, 2014
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Jeff
The Run Game, The Run Game, The Run Game!!!

Our defense's glaring weakness last year was defending the run, right?

Rams have added Suh, which is a game changer. 3 Super Studs on the line, Donald, Suh, Brockers, is huge. Opposing offenses are going to get real occupied with the three. All three will stuff the run game, freeing up LBs to roam and conquer. Then our hot shot DBs will take care of the passing game...no problemo! The glaring weakness was run defense, and I don't think it will be in 2018.

This Defense could end up Top Ten in NFL history, except...

I don't think they'll even be #1, because there should be a lot of garbage time yards in the 4th quarter, with the Rams having a big lead.

And, let's not forget our excellent offense and special teams, that will keep our defense rested.

I've been a Rams fan since the mid seventies, at 9 years old. Even counting the greatest show, Ive never been this hyped for a Rams season ever!

Our Linebacker core, surrounded by our great dline and backfield, will be just fine.

Let's get this season going already!

PS. No Injuries Please!
 

Adi

Pro Bowler
Joined
Jan 19, 2016
Messages
1,808
Name
Adi
Jacksonville losing thier nickel corner in free agency will hurt .
They still have one of the most talented defenses in the league but teams will he able to throw more against their secondary now.

I think our secondary could be better than theirs, I also think our D line will be better than theirs .

Both teams have talent but we have wade, our team is built like that Broncos superbowl defense and I'm excited!