https://www.dailynews.com/2018/03/0...s-want-better-fits-for-wade-phillips-defense/
Bonsignore: Alec Ogeltree trade another sign Rams want better fits for Wade Phillips’ defense
By VINCENT BONSIGNORE
Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG
The essence of faith is believing in something that isn’t yet seen.
And so the Rams, and their fans for that matter, are taking a mighty leap together.
In believing they’ll be better off, like immediately, without the middle linebacker that called their defense and led them in tackles the last two years while developing into a trusted and respected team leader on and off the field.
Or finding someone to replace the 8.5 sacks they traded away last week and the five sacks and leadership that might leave in free agent this offseason.
And maybe (well, probably) come up with an alternative to the proud, rugged cornerback they seem destined to part ways with via free agency.
The Rams defense, as of Wednesday, will likely begin next season with four new starters replacing four valuable, productive and respected teammates. And by the time next week’s free agency period begins, that number could rise to six.
On a team that finished 11-5 and a defense that surrendered the 12th-fewest points in the NFL.
Leap of faith indeed.
With much of it entrusted in 71-year-old defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who did an admirable job last year squeezing a bunch of square pegs into round holes while transitioning the Rams from the 4-3 defense they had been playing to his preferred 3-4. And coming up with acceptable results.
The Rams fell just outside the top ten in points allowed and were 13th overall against the pass with Alec Ogletree at middle linebacker and Robert Quinn coming off the edge and Trumaine Johnson as their top cornerback. Solid numbers, to be sure.
But they were also 28th overall defending the run, allowing an average of more than 122 yards per game, an unacceptable finish that speaks to some ill fits for the 3-4 scheme along the defensive line and at linebacker.
Which is why Ogletree, a valued tackler and leader, was
dealt on Wednesday to the New York Giants for a pair of 2018 draft picks, and Quinn was
traded last week to the Miami Dolphins for a 2018 fourth-round pick.
It might also be the reason linebacker Mark Barron gets released next week. And why veteran Connor Barwin might walk as a free agent.
All of them were valuable contributors to the Rams defense last year. And each will be appreciated in their new homes next season, for their production and their leadership.
But the Rams, and specifically Phillips, think they can do better from a skill-set, body type and schematic perspective. And by already parting ways with Ogletree and Quinn — and by adding
Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters on a much more manageable contract that Johnson — the Rams have the financial flexibility to import players that are better fits to Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. That wherewithal will increase if they release Barron and wide receiver Tavon Austin next week.
The goal is pretty obvious. The Rams need more girth and physical stoutness in the interior of their defensive line, someone who can tie up blockers to allow physical, imposing inside linebackers behind them to make plays in the run game and rush the quarterback on passes.
And they need more firepower of the edge. Both as a pass rusher and run stopper.
Keep in mind Ogletree is a former 4-3 outside linebacker who moved inside in 2016, and Barron is a former safety and outside linebacker who moved inside last season. Quinn, meanwhile, is a career 4-3 defensive end who moved to a 3-4 outside linebacker last year.
All three are good players. But maybe not great fits in this Rams defense.
The Rams are well armed going into the draft to add players who profile better in the 3-4, the trade of Ogletree increasing their pick total to 10.
And with nearly $50 million in cap space, they can absolutely go on the open market to achieve that same objective.
The question now becomes: Who are those players, and will they be available to the Rams? And how quickly can they get up to speed under Phillips?
Which brings us right back to the leap of faith they are taking and the one they are asking their fans to join them on. Free agency hasn’t even started, yet the Rams already have to replace a ton of production lost from a pretty good defense.
They’re obviously confident they can do just that, and do so in a hurry. They have no desire to stand pat after their surprising 11-5 finish last season, and sliding back is not an option.
The Rams’ window is wide open, and they want to keep it like that for a while.
But it’s a leap of faith nonetheless.
And it makes for a fascinating next few months.
