Poona Ford out for season

[BonifayRam]

Losing 2 starters, DT Kobie Turner & Poona Ford, at the same time is a serious hit for the Rams to overcome. Turner has a significant groin strain: Rams placed Kobie Turner on IR too.

What did Shula do since those losses....Called up long-time veteran DT Larrell Murchison from PS for the 2nd time this season. 35 yr old DLer Aaron Donald increased his snaps to the most by a DL; now is a starter, having 75% of the snaps.

Surprisingly, NT Ty Hamilton's snaps remain the same?? Brandon Fiske became the starter with AD. His snap count went up 13%. Tyler Davis increased by a very small degree. DE Desjuan Johnson went down by 10 snaps.

The conclusion was odd on the DL, but the loss was taken up by Donald/ Murchison & Fiske.

ILB Omar Speights has a serious increase in his snaps....from 21 to 40 snaps. His performance was very good too. Plus ILB Shaun Dolac got 13 snaps like Speights; Dolac's performance was excellent. Shula also went very heavy, playing the entire game with four of his 4 safeties.

Ford's 2026 PFF grade was 69.1 & his 2025 PFF grade was 86.
Turner's 2026 PFF grade was 66.8 & his 2025 PFF grade was 80.3 & pass rush was 84.

Obviously, both were having down seasons; what happened??

 

[RamDino]

He was dinged for his size in the draft. But so have many great "football players", and Dolac is a great off-ball ILB with plus range, and great instincts. Go watch his college tape.

I agree. And I am hopeful. Just wondering if maybe that's the reason why McVay hasn't tried him yet. Maybe afraid of him getting blown out in the run game?

 

[brucebruce]

Losing 2 starters, DT Kobie Turner & Poona Ford, at the same time is a serious hit for the Rams to overcome. Turner has a significant groin strain: Rams placed Kobie Turner on IR too.

What did Shula do since those losses....Called up long-time veteran DT Larrell Murchison from PS for the 2nd time this season. 35 yr old DLer Aaron Donald increased his snaps to the most by a DL; now is a starter, having 75% of the snaps.

Surprisingly, NT Ty Hamilton's snaps remain the same?? Brandon Fiske became the starter with AD. His snap count went up 13%. Tyler Davis increased by a very small degree. DE Desjuan Johnson went down by 10 snaps.

The conclusion was odd on the DL, but the loss was taken up by Donald/ Murchison & Fiske.

ILB Omar Speights has a serious increase in his snaps....from 21 to 40 snaps. His performance was very good too. Plus ILB Shaun Dolac got 13 snaps like Speights; Dolac's performance was excellent. Shula also went very heavy, playing the entire game with four of his 4 safeties.

Ford's 2026 PFF grade was 69.1 & his 2025 PFF grade was 86.
Turner's 2026 PFF grade was 66.8 & his 2025 PFF grade was 80.3 & pass rush was 84.

Obviously, both were having down seasons; what happened??

The conductor having a down season? Shows you how PFF can be highly suspect.

 

[VegasRam]

Grades were also against good teams - '25 graded the whole year.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Poona Ford's lost couldn't be felt vs. an extremely poor Raiders rushing attack.

My concern comes vs. the better rushing teams. So many are focused on adding a WR, but methinks the focus should be on adding a big body to replace Ford.

 

[Soul Surfer]

methinks the focus should be on adding a big body to replace Ford.

So I guess you're talking about trading for somebody because I know pickings have got to be pretty slim, even on people's practice squads.

 

[Memphis Ram]

So I guess you're talking about trading for somebody because I know pickings have got to be pretty slim, even on people's practice squads.

Trade or practice squad. I'm actually intrigued by the Norton kid on the Rams practice squad.

I just can't rid myself of the vision of the Panthers and Seahawks blowing Hamilton and Davis off the line of scrimmage last year when Ford got hurt or was just out.

 

[Merlin]

Surprisingly, NT Ty Hamilton's snaps remain the same?? Brandon Fiske became the starter with AD. His snap count went up 13%. Tyler Davis increased by a very small degree. DE Desjuan Johnson went down by 10 snaps.

Now would be a great time for Fiske to show a little anchor in there vs the run. We need him.

 

[Merlin]

I just can't rid myself of the vision of the Panthers and Seahawks blowing Hamilton and Davis off the line of scrimmage last year when Ford got hurt or was just out.

Same. Nothing I hate more than my defense being run on.

 

[BonifayRam]

Trade or practice squad. I'm actually intrigued by the Norton kid on the Rams practice squad.

I just can't rid myself of the vision of the Panthers and Seahawks blowing Hamilton and Davis off the line of scrimmage last year when Ford got hurt or was just out.

I was not having a good day when I read that Seattle went out & secured a bargain-priced, in-his-prime @ 30 yrs old All-Pro OG to continue to do to the Rams what you describe above.

You're the only member here that has mentioned Nose Tackle Man Mountain Norton. He is very big, as huge as LT Alaric Jackson.

I was in some shock that & in bewilderment as to why MMN was not called up to take the place of both our injured & starting NTs, Ford & Turner. Instead, a well-known exclusive DT that specializes in QB pressure & pass rush. Shula has been observing & coaching MMN for 2 yrs now & he had a excellent TC & Preseason that was observed by most of all of us here @ ROD. So good; in fact, Snead's only 2026 Defensive Draft selection was cut due to MMN's performance.

It's my thought that Shula's DL lineup last Sunday played into the maximum strength of LB'er Omar Speights & he has his best game as a Ram.

Now would be a great time for Fiske to show a little anchor in there vs the run. We need him.

Sorry, I would not expect this. Braden Fiske & Larrell Murchison have very similar skills & they are not found in run support. If run support is needed, I would suggest Shula blend a heavy rotation of snaps involving Tyler Davis/ Ty Hamilton & Desjuan Johnson with Fiske or call up MMN instead of Murchison. Give #99 fewer snaps to focus to get a few sacks instead.