Phillips expects Micah Kiser to step into larger defensive role

[Rams43]

Kiser had a red shirt first year. Hardly the only player drafted by the Rams last year who did, btw. ‘Red shirt’ rookies are looking like the new normal.

He looked good in preseason, has good instincts, is a sure tackler, and is strong against the run. And we musn't forget that the coaches have observed him in practices and meetings, etc, for a full year. I think that these coaches know exactly what they’ve got in Kiser.

Last time I checked, Rams needed help defending the run last year. So Kiser looks like a smart move on first 2 downs this year to me.

Another thing. Kiser may not have the greatest timed straight line speed, but he just seems to have good “football speed”. Instincts and desire get him there to make the play. I think Kiser could become a good contributor at ILB and certainly deserves the benefit of doubt while Wade gives him his chance.

In short, Kiser is nowhere near my biggest concern as we enter 2019. Edge and DL are both slightly ahead on my “show me” list, although I’m not losing sleep worrying about those two, either.

 

[MauiRam]

I am hoping this is the year Kiser steps in and shines. He was one hell of a player in college. It is a huge stretch at this stage of his career to make comparisons, but there is one player of yesteryear that comes to mind. That player was drafted in 1981, stood six feet tall and weighed 230lbs. His position was middle linebacker. He didn't run a scorching 40 either; (the NFL combine didn't start until 1982). He wasn't known for blazing speed - rather he was best known for "bringing it violently" on every single play literally.

Kiser is six feet tall and weighs 244 lbs. His forty time (4.66) is decent, but he wasn't drafted for his stats, rather he was a very productive football player in college; after watching highlights, I’d say violence is an integral part of his game. At the very least, Kiser will be a standout special teams player. It is admittedly far too early to seriously compare Micah to a Hall of Fame player this early in his career. That said, he could surprise; remember London Fletcher?? He wasn’t even drafted, yet went on to start 215 consecutive games (the NFL all-time record of consecutive starts at the linebacker position), and played in 256 consecutive games.

At the same time I'm rooting for Gaines/SJD to hone their skills to the extent they can keep blockers off our LBs - allowing them to clean some clocks. One can dream ..

 

[Soul Surfer]

In short, Kiser is nowhere near my biggest concern as we enter 2019.

Our Right Guard ended up being a liability in the playoffs and we have two second-year players with zero starts at Center and Left Guard.
Also our Left Tackle is getting up there in age.

I'm putting 99% of my worry into the offensive line. :shocking:

 

[fearsomefour]

Inside run stopper is usually a young man's game.

I think the package we are most likely going to see Matthew's in is as a 3rd and long quarterback pressure specialist.

Just my opinion.

Could well be.
I would think they would want him on the field quite a bit give the proven lack of anything behind him.
He also didn’t get the QB all that much last year.
Will be interesting to see how he is used.

 

[fearsomefour]

Our Right Guard ended up being a liability in the playoffs and we have two second-year players with zero starts at Center and Left Guard.
Also our Left Tackle is getting up there in age.

I'm putting 99% of my worry into the offensive line. :shocking:

And our RT and C and LG if you’re talking about the Super Bowl.

 

[oldnotdead]

Mathews will be listed as an OLB, but in Wade's defense that doesn't mean much. Technically he will probably rotate with Ebukam at SAM. But in practice I see him rotating between Ebukam's and Kiser's positions as the defensive call dictates. Ebukam will come out for a breather and Mathews will probably rotate over with Kiser inside. I don't think Mathews has the speed to play in coverage so passing downs will probably see Ebukam in his usual SAM spot. I think Kiser and Mathews will probably get pulled on most passing downs to make room for the nickel. Littleton has shown he's not a liability on passing downs so he stays IMO. That's why I'd be surprised if Littleton doesn't continue as the defensive green dot player. If Kiser plays up to his billing their starting LB's of Fowler, Ebukam, Littleton and Kiser will look pretty good next year. If Obo lives up to expectations then they will have depth with 3 outside rushers of Fowler, JFM and Obo. They will look good inside with Donald, Gaines and SJD. When you look at the Ram's front 7 you see strength and depth, something you couldn't say last year.

Looking at the secondary the same thing can be said. The addition of Long, Rapp, and Scott are huge in the long run. They just need one more CB to compliment Long and this defense will be very good even without Talib and Peters. I do not think for a moment that Peters is a lock to play beyond this year. I think they will offer him a one year deal with the idea of drafting his replacement.

 

[Rams43]

I sure hope Ebu can take a big step up this season. I’m certainly pulling for the kid.

But I keep remembering all of those blown outside contain plays. And he never set the world on fire with his pass rush, excepting that lone Chiefs game. Sigh...

However...

If Ebu/Matthews or SOMEONE can thrive at Edge opposite Fowler I see a potentially very nasty D here on the Rams.

DL and secondary should be elite, and I don’t use that word very often. Fowler, Littleton, and Kiser should be at least average on our LB corps.

Rapp and Long give Wade some interesting options when not in base D.

 

[Soul Surfer]

If Ebu/Matthews or SOMEONE can thrive at Edge opposite Fowler I see a potentially very nasty D

Matthews
Fowler
Ebukam
Okoronkwo
Young
Lawler

That's a lot of guys they could rotate and keep fresh on the edge.
I'm more worried about their run contain than their pass rush ability.

Watching us get gashed for those 15 yarders is extremely painful.

We have such a potentially good secondary that we may be able to stop a pass play on that end.

 

[A.J. Hicks]

I think there is too much put into the Kiser has to fill the Baron role.

Littleton is pretty good in pass coverage and we aren't going to be asking Kiser to do much more than fill the hole and get the ball carrier.

Barron's role will be filled with a mix of guys including Weddle, Matthews, Rapp, Christian, Long

One thing we can be certain on is Wade's defense is going to be multiple.

You mix multiple with Donald and tell me what it tastes like