New Defense - Ongoing season discussion

[So Ram]

meh, has some experience... on the Browns. Found a few nice plays by him googling. Looks like he can tackle at least.

View: https://x.com/RamsNFL/status/1850976438226485618

NICE !!! The Rams need to KICK the CAN .Looking at the Hags though #13. Could bring flashbacks at what is missing besides a 7th rd pick.
-I guess that 6th rd pick could be special in 2025?

Speights is the hope for NOW !!Rosenboom almost took out Kam Curl. He continues to be that piece next to the Rams MLB??

 

[Psycho_X]

DWill such a great pickup and what's even better is we signed him for three years. And the contract we signed him to doesn't give him his guarantees until after the current year. So we can get out of the contract every offseason if we wanted. But I don't know why we would at this point. He's a starting CB and the best DB we have and he's only costing us a max of $10 million a year and that's if he hits incentives. Best free agent contract we signed this offseason.

But it's not only Dwill, Curl is starting to really settle into the defense and Durant/Wallace/McCollough/Witherspoon have turned into quite a good group of DBs working together. This defense from front to back is built on pressure and as long as our offense continues on the path it started Thursday this will be a fun as hell team to watch.


View: https://x.com/JB_Long/status/1851269568825868396

 

[Tano]

DWill such a great pickup and what's even better is we signed him for three years. And the contract we signed him to doesn't give him his guarantees until after the current year. So we can get out of the contract every offseason if we wanted. But I don't know why we would at this point. He's a starting CB and the best DB we have and he's only costing us a max of $10 million a year and that's if he hits incentives. Best free agent contract we signed this offseason.

But it's not only Dwill, Curl is starting to really settle into the defense and Durant/Wallace/McCollough/Witherspoon have turned into quite a good group of DBs working together. This defense from front to back is built on pressure and as long as our offense continues on the path it started Thursday this will be a fun as hell team to watch.


View: https://x.com/JB_Long/status/1851269568825868396

If only we could get an ILB

 

[Kupped]

Trade deadline is interesting.

I was a defender of the Jones trade, just believing in the Rams process.

At this point.. it's a decision that I don't understand in any way.

The good news is that the Rams are making way more "good" decisions than "bad".. but this one hurt and they need to try and rectify it at the deadline, imo.

 

[Flatlyner]

JOK for the ring!

 

[Merlin]

I wouldn't trade for JOK or any other ILB. Let Speights settle in. Use Curl next to him. I think Curl is just as good in the box as Rozeboom because he reads threats near the LOS very efficiently and has good range. That gives us speed in the duo and overall for our defense in snuffing out all the BS underneath shit that proliferates this league.

We're probably not gonna become a great run defense unit. They have improved in that regard but overall we don't have the horses up front for that. So any run we make comes down to the offense putting up points and the defense teeing off on teams trying to stay with our offense. ILBs are not going to fix the fundamental issues we have up front on defense.

Now if by some miracle Brown gets his shit together then great. Or if someone else emerges as that DL we need up front that is fine too. But if the Rams make any move it should be for one of the fundamental problematic areas they need to upgrade. Which is NT (or 5T), Corner, even Safety I'd rather see than ILB. Because Kinchens looks completely lost in a position that normally does not require major transition time. And Curl has zero instincts in the deep middle or any sort of zone approach (exception being maybe a match type zone), he's a SS type who must be given an assignment if he's gonna do anything decent in coverage.

 

[PhillyRam]

Just kicking things around here so don't jump down my throat.

I wonder if Byron Young could move inside next year IF the Rams feel he could do it and if they are in position to draft another high end edge. I ask because there are a number of projected 1st round edges, ones with better prototypical size than Young.

Then consider that Young does seem instinctive and then imagine his speed and explosiveness inside as a sideline to sideline defender and a great blitzer as an inside backer.

Makes you wonder if that could be a real possibility and a potential way to take this defense to another level?

 

[Ram_Rally]

Just kicking things around here so don't jump down my throat.

I wonder if Byron Young could move inside next year IF the Rams feel he could do it and if they are in position to draft another high end edge. I ask because there are a number of projected 1st round edges, ones with better prototypical size than Young.

Then consider that Young does seem instinctive and then imagine his speed and explosiveness inside as a sideline to sideline defender and a great blitzer as an inside backer.

Makes you wonder if that could be a real possibility and a potential way to take this defense to another level?

Measurable Wise he's a great ilb candidate. 6'2 250 with 4.4 speed. It's an entirely different skill set though and I dunno that it's worth the risk. I'd much rather just find a natural ilb.

 

[dang]

Just kicking things around here so don't jump down my throat.

I wonder if Byron Young could move inside next year IF the Rams feel he could do it and if they are in position to draft another high end edge. I ask because there are a number of projected 1st round edges, ones with better prototypical size than Young.

Then consider that Young does seem instinctive and then imagine his speed and explosiveness inside as a sideline to sideline defender and a great blitzer as an inside backer.

Makes you wonder if that could be a real possibility and a potential way to take this defense to another level?

I gotta believe the Rams consider all options. I like the idea of Young getting the experience on the Edge to get better in run containment and rushing the passer. But if another Pass Rusher next year leads Young inside I could see a dynamic duo with him and Speights.

 

[OntarioRam]

Just kicking things around here so don't jump down my throat.

I wonder if Byron Young could move inside next year IF the Rams feel he could do it and if they are in position to draft another high end edge. I ask because there are a number of projected 1st round edges, ones with better prototypical size than Young.

Then consider that Young does seem instinctive and then imagine his speed and explosiveness inside as a sideline to sideline defender and a great blitzer as an inside backer.

Makes you wonder if that could be a real possibility and a potential way to take this defense to another level?

Zero way Young accepts that move IMO given his productivity at edge and the fact he was a much older rookie than most. He is already 26 (turning 27 in March). His next big contract might be his last. He is going to want to stay at edge and get paid like the productive one he has been, not move to the much less lucrative inside LBer position. I would expect him to ask for a trade if the Rams moved him to ILB full-time. Can't say I would blame him. If we have a few sub-packages moving him inside? Sure. I don't recall seeing one to date but I don't always watch his alignment closely. Diversity only increases one's value, and he does seem a team player.

 

[Merlin]

Just kicking things around here so don't jump down my throat.

I wonder if Byron Young could move inside next year IF the Rams feel he could do it and if they are in position to draft another high end edge. I ask because there are a number of projected 1st round edges, ones with better prototypical size than Young.

Then consider that Young does seem instinctive and then imagine his speed and explosiveness inside as a sideline to sideline defender and a great blitzer as an inside backer.

Makes you wonder if that could be a real possibility and a potential way to take this defense to another level?

Verse makes more sense for that because he has 5T size and strength. He could stand up a Tackle on early downs then slide out on pass downs.

I think Young is best served outside.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I’ve often wondered why outside backers and ILBs aren’t more interchangeable. I mean, safeties take that ILB role in certain packages. Seems like you’d just want to get your best talent on the field.

 

[Ellard80]

I’ve often wondered why outside backers and ILBs aren’t more interchangeable. I mean, safeties take that ILB role in certain packages. Seems like you’d just want to get your best talent on the field.

Probably because most of them have not played ILB their entire life. Also ILB don't get paid like outside/edge does. Bad career move for the pocketbook.

 

[fearsomefour]

Trade deadline is interesting.

I was a defender of the Jones trade, just believing in the Rams process.

At this point.. it's a decision that I don't understand in any way.

The good news is that the Rams are making way more "good" decisions than "bad".. but this one hurt and they need to try and rectify it at the deadline, imo.

Reportedly came into camp out of shape and had a bit of an attitude.
Didn't stick in Tennessee either.

 

[fearsomefour]

Probably because most of them have not played ILB their entire life. Also ILB don't get paid like outside/edge does. Bad career move for the pocketbook.

Sort of similar to C and G.
A lot of Centers start out as Guards and move inside because of size of athletic limitations.
Limmer was considered by many an undersized G so he fell in the draft.

Similar to how many bass players start out as guitar players who aren't the best lead player.

 

[fearsomefour]

Very excited four out young DL.
At some point these pressures will start to get home.
With Johnson coming back soon and Lake and Curl on the field will be interesting to see how safety is handled.
Im glad to see Jackson getting some reps at Edge as well.
The D is improving.
Holding the Vikings to 6 points after their first two possessions is a great showing.
Seattle on the road and Hill with the Dolphins will present some challenges.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I’ve often wondered why outside backers and ILBs aren’t more interchangeable. I mean, safeties take that ILB role in certain packages. Seems like you’d just want to get your best talent on the field.

If we are talking Edge players at a traditionally OLB spot vs. a true off-ball-LB at a traditionally ILB position, I think they represent two very different skill-sets.

Personally, I no longer think of the traditional defensive positions of DE, DT, NT, OLB and ILB/MLB.

I think the game has evolved and defenses have changed, with a 5th DB on the field more than half the time.

Defenses are much more of a 4-2-5 alignment, if you consider the Edge players DL; or
a 2-4-5 alignment, if you view the Edge players more as LBs.

If a run is expected, there will be an extra DL and 4 DBs but that's less than half the snaps.

T.J. Watt is probably considered more of a OLB because he is mostly standing, while Myles Garrett would be viewed as more of a DE because he usually has his hand on the ground. However, they are in the same spot, with almost identical responsibilities ... set-the-edge on running plays and attack the QB on passing plays (Watt may occasionally drop into coverage). I view them both as Edge-players.

D-Line is more complicated because you have different Technique designations (0T, 1T, 2T, 3T, 4T and 5T) tied to where the DL sets-up and his responsibilities. However, lots of current DL are positioned differently throughout a game/season; and I don't think many fall into just one category.

I don't think Fred Warner (great off-ball-LB) can do what T.J. Watt does ... or, vice-versa.

Just my two cents.

 

[HitStick]

Just kicking things around here so don't jump down my throat.

I wonder if Byron Young could move inside next year IF the Rams feel he could do it and if they are in position to draft another high end edge. I ask because there are a number of projected 1st round edges, ones with better prototypical size than Young.

Then consider that Young does seem instinctive and then imagine his speed and explosiveness inside as a sideline to sideline defender and a great blitzer as an inside backer.

Makes you wonder if that could be a real possibility and a potential way to take this defense to another level?

IMO it’s much easier to find a new ILB via the draft than it is to get a veteran to learn a new position AND draft his replacement.

Byron is coming into his own and seems to be generating pressure consistently. Guaranteed edge pressure > chance at a decent ILB IMO.

Good discussion though. I do wonder if we have someone on the roster that could make the change over. I wouldn’t be against a safety bumping up (similar to Mark Barron)

 

[Jorgeh0605]

I’ve often wondered why outside backers and ILBs aren’t more interchangeable. I mean, safeties take that ILB role in certain packages. Seems like you’d just want to get your best talent on the field.

ILB is a different animal. A lot more coverage, and your responsibilities change depending on how the play evolves. You need to be able to read the entire offense. Edge Rushers generally speaking, have one of 3 jobs, set the edge, pressure the QB, or cover the flats. Less thinking involved.
I
LB is also a brutal position to play. You are regularly hitting an rb, fb, or linemen. Finally, it pays less. So generally speaking, Edge Rushers are opposed to the switch, and ILBs don't normally have the physical attributes to be an Edge Rusher.

 

[Kupped]

Reportedly came into camp out of shape and had a bit of an attitude.
Didn't stick in Tennessee either.

I follow the team pretty closely and never saw those reports. Is there something you can link?

And.. Tennessee is having a fire sale and turned him for a profit, because he was playing so well... although his PFF grade and his counting stats are remarkably similar to Troy Reeder's.