NFL's NT Domata Peko To Sean McVay ... Sign Me!!!

[ReekofRams]

Haha

Learned that on the beach surfing back in The 808. My Haole ass could get away with "stealing" a wave from most locals... but I would have had my skull flattened if I even looked at a wave a Samoan was thinking about catching.

Those dudes are wired differently than everybody else. They really are a culture of warriors.

Check it out for yourself if you don't believe me. Just question a Samoan in a disrespectful manner and see what happens. But don't say that I didn't warn you Brudda! LOL

I’ll just take your word for it. I was afraid you’d been taken to the cleaners. I played football in high school at OT and the G next to me was Samoan, and trust me, you were glad he was on your team. And sometimes that didn’t even help.

 

[Zaphod]

My Haole ass could get away with "stealing" a wave from most locals... but I would have had my skull flattened if I even looked at a wave a Samoan was thinking about catching.

Holy smokes, I had no idea Haole was spelled that way
I just assumed it was spelled howlie.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Do you sacrifice a young guy for the roster spot?

One of the young OLBs or Joseph-Day for a one year player?

The Rams carried 8 Defensive Linemen last year. Suh, Westbrooks & Easley are already gone. One of our UDFA camp bodies (Tyrell Thompson) was dismissed last week.

Current DL Roster :

1) DT - Aaron Donald
2) DT/DE - Michael Brockers
3) DT - Sebastian Joseph-Day
4) DT - Greg Gaines
5) DT - Tanzel Smart

6) DE - John Franklin-Myers
7) DE - Morgan Fox

UDFA's :
Marquise Copeland
Bryant Jones
Boogie Roberts

Domata Peko would easily beat out a UDFA for that 8'th DL position.

 

[Merlin]

Rams definitely want him. No way they don't. Question is can they make the money work well enough for him to be happy with it.

 

[Malibu]

I say if McVay/Wade think he can legitimately beat out one of the DTs I am for it because he will be a mentor to Gaines and SJD which is important.

Although I feel Peko can help the junior NTs, but I still think the other weakness can be said about the ILB Corp unless Mathews assumes the other ILB with Littleton. We are weak at NT and ILB which translates to weak RUN defense. I honestly can say I really worry about this area. Yet in fairness to Snead/McVay they picked their battles and went after Rapp, Henderson and Long to shore up the secondary and I was the one saying I felt that was our biggest weakness last year. Next off-season if Gaines and Kiser are slow to grow the Rams will focus our energies in those 2 areas plus DE.

This team is only short a top DE, solid NT and we may have that in Gaines and a solid ILB. We are good throughout the rest team which is a super luxury.

 

[dang]

Rams definitely want him. No way they don't. Question is can they make the money work well enough for him to be happy with it.

I apologize if I missed it but I thought it was Peko that did the random shout out to the Rams and the Chargers in order to stay in California instead of sunny Detroit. Where is the indication that the Rams want him?

 

[Merlin]

I apologize if I missed it but I thought it was Peko that did the random shout out to the Rams and the Chargers in order to stay in California instead of sunny Detroit. Where is the indication that the Rams want him?

In the fact he'd help them. Add him and our DL depth chart looks fantastic. It's going to be a money thing.

 

[dang]

In the fact he'd help them. Add him and our DL depth chart looks fantastic. It's going to be a money thing.

So the Rams could benefit from signing him (which I agree) but there is no indication from the Rams organization (at least yet) they have interest in Peko - correct?

 

[BonifayRam]

NFL minimum salary for him would be over 1 million.

How would Wade utilize 3 DL'ers who are primarily Nose Tackles who would not be on the field in his Nickle & dime packages in use of the four-player DL which has a makeup of two OLB'ers on the outside & two pass rushing DLers?

Wade/Henderson have three primary DL'ers now who can play Wade's nose position in Brockers/ SJD & Gaines. Wade also has 2 other UDFA's who were NT in college being Marquise Copeland & Bryant Jones.

 

[Akrasian]

NFL minimum salary for him would be over 1 million.

Yes, but if he gets the minimum plus a fairly small signing bonus, he would only count $645k against the cap, even though he'd be receiving over $400k more. If he's an improvement, that's nothing.

That is assuming they feel he'd be enough of an improvement to justify not playing the kids as much. I suspect they really like Gaines, and want him to develop as quickly as practical.

 

[Merlin]

NFL minimum salary for him would be over 1 million.

How would Wade utilize 3 DL'ers who are primarily Nose Tackles who would not be on the field in his Nickle & dime packages in use of the four-player DL which has a makeup of two OLB'ers on the outside & two pass rushing DLers?

Wade/Henderson have three primary DL'ers now who can play Wade's nose position in Brockers/ SJD & Gaines. Wade also has 2 other UDFA's who were NT in college being Marquise Copeland & Bryant Jones.

I don't look at Gaines as a big run stuffer who comes off the field on third down, first off. He's going to play a lot of snaps on the nose and won't be limited in a vs run role because he's got some ability to penetrate the pocket and once he settles in will be able to make teams pay occasionally when they single him up.

SJD is more of a wildcard for me because I don't have a good feel for his strengths/weaknesses. But if they were to get something done with Peko they'd have really good depth and some ability to slide one of these guys into 5T or whatever in short yardage packages or when they want to snuff out the run. And in spite of Brockers' "ability" to play NT, I consider him a 5T and maybe 3T moreso than any sort of answer on the nose.

I know you like Copeland. But I feel like his (and the other depth types) ability to make this roster come down to a mix of depth versatility and special teams. If he can plug around on the DL and have some plus snaps in preseason vs depth OL, he might be able to hang around.

 

[BonifayRam]

I don't look at Gaines as a big run stuffer who comes off the field on third down, first off. He's going to play a lot of snaps on the nose and won't be limited in a vs run role because he's got some ability to penetrate the pocket and once he settles in will be able to make teams pay occasionally when they single him up.

SJD is more of a wildcard for me because I don't have a good feel for his strengths/weaknesses. But if they were to get something done with Peko they'd have really good depth and some ability to slide one of these guys into 5T or whatever in short yardage packages or when they want to snuff out the run. And in spite of Brockers' "ability" to play NT, I consider him a 5T and maybe 3T moreso than any sort of answer on the nose.

I know you like Copeland. But I feel like his (and the other depth types) ability to make this roster come down to a mix of depth versatility and special teams. If he can plug around on the DL and have some plus snaps in preseason vs depth OL, he might be able to hang around.

Your right Brockers can & has started for the Rams as the 3 tech DL'er. That's something many forget that he was the starting 3 tech here for Gregg Williams until Aaron Donald came to play in 2014. Brockers is a well rounded DL who can just about play anywhere you line him up. A surefire Wide Card for Henderson to utilize as he wants. Brockers could very well end up being Donald's relief @ the 3 tech over Tanzel Smart by the end of preseason...all depends on how well all those 5 tech'ers (Morgan Fox/ John Franklin-Myers/ Boogie Roberts & even M.Copeland) produce in TC & preseason... Fox & JFM just might be a tough dynamic powerhouse duo blossoming in TC & preseason...thus giving Henderson the options to play the mighty veteran Brockers all over.

GG being a rookie as we know has a ton to learn, Not as sure as you are that we will see him being utilized in the Nickel & Dime situations in the 4 players DL. But yes GG does have some serious relentless tenacity to keep pursuing a QB if he lingers. SJD has ever had what GG has in pass rushing abilities from the NT position. SJD, however, is super tough has power & can move laterally down the DL very well. You will not see him in the backfield harassing passing QB's

Yes, I do like the run stopping skills (demeanor/Nasty) that Copeland possesses. Not sure he has enough pass rush to make Master Roster. MC's best bet is signing on as a future 5 tech practice squad type & try to work & develope enough pass rush abilities to get Wade's attention.

 

[RamFan503]

So the Rams could benefit from signing him (which I agree) but there is no indication from the Rams organization (at least yet) they have interest in Peko - correct?

It's the off season. We don't have much if you take away our speculation.

 

[Ram65]

Let's see what the Lions do first.

Peko's been in the league 13 years and I can say I don't know much about him other than reading this thread. I like the idea of having more meat in the middle of the defensive line. At the vet min. he could be a good investment. Seems like the Rams are very happy with getting Gaines. Gaines and SJD could provide a solid combo at NT. Do the Rams go with youth or add a veteran? It's a interesting dilemma for the Rams. Sometimes you have to throw the young ones in the pool and see if how well they can swim so to speak. I think they may have confidence in the young guys. Time will tell.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Let's see what the Lions do first.

Peko's been in the league 13 years and I can say I don't know much about him other than reading this thread. I like the idea of having more meat in the middle of the defensive line. At the vet min. he could be a good investment. Seems like the Rams are very happy with getting Gaines. Gaines and SJD could provide a solid combo at NT. Do the Rams go with youth or add a veteran? It's a interesting dilemma for the Rams. Sometimes you have to throw the young ones in the pool and see if how well they can swim so to speak. I think they may have confidence in the young guys. Time will tell.

Mostly agree, the difference being for me is that the Rams are in the hunt for another run at the Super Bowl, we are not in a build mode. If the experienced vet is the superior and proven player, that's who gets the nod. It's great that we are developing for the future with Gaines & SJD, but if you are sniffing the play-offs and more, you don't fool around in a game where one mistake can cost you a game or home field advantage. This is exactly what the final phase of free agency is for, finding that last right vet fit who can make a difference. jmo.

 

[BonifayRam]

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space/

I would say the main element that would enter the picture here on the thought of signing this well season NT will be the lack of Rams Team Cap Space, which is just under $6 million 4th from the bottom o the list. I would desire to keep as much $$$ off to the side for emergencies. Third, to last is Broncos $5,516,107. 2nd to last Vikings is $5,204,984 & Steelers in last place with $1,091,292. Colts have the most CAP to spend sitting with $54,218,308:wow:.

Rams have two outstanding veteran defensive players lining up on both sides of whoever lines up @ NT. Bottom line neither have ever played in a regular season NFL game. Rams let four experienced veteran DL'er's walk into FA'cy in March in Suh, Westbrooks, Easley & Longacre. You will have to figure @ least two rookies will fill their DL spots on the roster.

Behind both Donald & Brockers (by the way ....both have been starting together in the Ram DL for five NFL seasons!) Wade has Morgan Fox {4th season}, Smart {3rd season} & John Franklin-Myers{2nd season}.

 

[Ram65]

Mostly agree, the difference being for me is that the Rams are in the hunt for another run at the Super Bowl, we are not in a build mode. If the experienced vet is the superior and proven player, that's who gets the nod. It's great that we are developing for the future with Gaines & SJD, but if you are sniffing the play-offs and more, you don't fool around in a game where one mistake can cost you a game or home field advantage. This is exactly what the final phase of free agency is for, finding that last right vet fit who can make a difference. jmo.

I know the stakes are high for the Rams this year. Wade just gave a big shout out to SJD.

https://ramsondemand.com/threads/ra...ct-player-heading-into-the-2019-season.58293/

The veteran Peko will be 35 Nov. 27th. The good thing is that Snead/McVay/Wade have been making solid personnel moves. It's nice to have confidence that they will make the best decision. We just don't know how the Rams see it. They may think that this year Gaines and SJD will be better players this year.

 

[Corbin]

If you call two NT guys (SJD & Gaines) who have never had an NFL snap being loaded, ... ?

The Rams went to the Super Bowl last season, stacking the line-up with a quality low cost veteran NT might just be enough of a difference maker for doing it again. Suh was our expensive 3 down DT/NT, Peko would be a 2 down NT and come at a much reduced CAP rate.
Brockers had his worst season since coming to the NFL last year, he was spread thin playing 3T, 5T and even a little 1T where Suh would often line up, he also was reported as being less than 100% physically sound. Suh, Westbrooks & Easley are already gone & Smart has only had a handful of snaps himself, Fox was injured and also had no snaps in 2018. Besides his own snaps, Franklin is likely to get those 5T reps that Westbrooks & Easley received last season, and right now it appears that Brockers & Fox are the only players capable of working that LDE rotation with Franklin, although Fox may also become Donald's first back-up. Brockers will probably be rotating in at DT on obvious passing downs and at LDE when Franklin needs a breather. If Peko & Gaines can hold down the fort at NT in obvious run situations, SJD will rotate with Brockers at DT imo.
Wade Phillips throws so many defensive formations up while also mixing players outside of their normal positions, you could be hard pressed to figure which gap will be defended by whom on any given play, so I guess we have to adjust what to expect somewhat. Donald pretty much sticks to his 3Tech ground, where both Suh & Brockers could be found almost anywhere. With Suh gone, Phillips may not be able to move guys around as freely as last season, although I suspect Brockers will still be covering lots of ground. jmo.

I call the love for SJD and our recent pick loaded. I’d be surprised with all the DL we already have to add another one, not to mention a NT. Maybe something I’m not aware but do most teams keep a starting NT, a second and string NT?

No. Hence the term loaded.

Maybe you don't watch a lot of football outside the Rams. He would be an anchor for this DL and is what I refer to as an immovable object.I like the fact that veteran free agents want to come play for McVay and the Rams on one year deals for less money then they could get elsewhere. Remember the old days when the Rams could only land free agents by over paying them.

I watch a lot of football outside of the Rams and this guy hasn’t ever stood out for anything of not before. Sounds like he’s on the end of his run.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I call the love for SJD and our recent pick loaded. I’d be surprised with all the DL we already have to add another one, not to mention a NT. Maybe something I’m not aware but do most teams keep a starting NT, a second and string NT?

Here's the difference for me when it comes to our DL depth; Brockers was at his best when he was playing the interior in that 325lbs. range, he dropped a bunch of weight (Strength ?) and moved outside when Suh was signed following the 2017 experiment (debacle) with Tyrunn Walker & Ethan Westbrooks taking over at LDE from the heir & oft- injured Dominique Easley. The declining LOLB Connor Barwin did little to boost our misfortunes on that side of the field. Brockers went on to have his worst NFL season in 2018 after having moved outside. Franklin was brought in off the bench and performed admirably in his rookie season, garnering 30% of those LDE snaps, the 4'th rounder received more snaps than any other Rams rookie. Many Rams fans thought Brockers might become a CAP casualty prior to the 2019 draft because of his expense and the decline in his game. Brockers will be eligible for free agency following the 2019 season. The Rams, evidently, thought enough of Franklin's game to not draft at DE, but to draft a NT, so Brockers moving back inside is a bit up in the air during this pre-season lull. I suspect that most fan expectations are that SJD and Gaines will service the NT position while Brockers will likely work mostly in rotation at 5 & 3Tech. Many seem convinced that SJD will operate solely as a NT where I believe he may become more of a 3T and back-up Nose, following more the early path of Brockers for his first few seasons. I see Gaines as the heir-apparent starting NT, whether that be in 2019 or 2020, I don't know.
Signing someone like Peko to an inexpensive 1 year contract would relieve Brockers & SJD from most NT duty and allow them to work in rotation at 5T and 3T respectively, it also would give Gaines a little extra time to learn under a mentor as did SJD with Suh.
jmo.

 

[Corbin]

Here's the difference for me when it comes to our DL depth; Brockers was at his best when he was playing the interior in that 325lbs. range, he dropped a bunch of weight (Strength ?) and moved outside when Suh was signed following the 2017 experiment (debacle) with Tyrunn Walker & Ethan Westbrooks taking over at LDE from the heir & oft- injured Dominique Easley. The declining LOLB Connor Barwin did little to boost our misfortunes on that side of the field. Brockers went on to have his worst NFL season in 2018 after having moved outside. Franklin was brought in off the bench and performed admirably in his rookie season, garnering 30% of those LDE snaps, the 4'th rounder received more snaps than any other Rams rookie. Many Rams fans thought Brockers might become a CAP casualty prior to the 2019 draft because of his expense and the decline in his game. Brockers will be eligible for free agency following the 2019 season. The Rams, evidently, thought enough of Franklin's game to not draft at DE, but to draft a NT, so Brockers moving back inside is a bit up in the air during this pre-season lull. I suspect that most fan expectations are that SJD and Gaines will service the NT position while Brockers will likely work mostly in rotation at 5 & 3Tech. Many seem convinced that SJD will operate solely as a NT where I believe he may become more of a 3T and back-up Nose, following more the early path of Brockers for his first few seasons. I see Gaines as the heir-apparent starting NT, whether that be in 2019 or 2020, I don't know.
Signing someone like Peko to an inexpensive 1 year contract would relieve Brockers & SJD from most NT duty and allow them to work in rotation at 5T and 3T respectively, it also would give Gaines a little extra time to learn under a mentor as did SJD with Suh.
jmo.

Bruh your talking about things 2+ years ago and mostly last year. The current state of the DL and who's on it is loaded with talent and depth.
We been talking about NT's and adding this guy Peko or not, in which with SJD and our 4th rounder that isn't going to happen. Not to mention another slot for a NT? Who the heck we going to short then? That's a valuable roster spot we'd be shorting somewhere else. No chance we pick up a 3rd NT like most teams carry that number of QB's.

With that said those that thought Brockers would be cut this year (before or after the draft) were and are still kidding themselves. After this season maybe. But since none of that always has been fantasy I'm not going to waste time talking about it!

I can't wait for Training camp and to watch my long shot predictions of Edwards eventually becoming a starter on the O Line! cheers!