Rams have a decision to make at ILB when Micah Kiser returns

[den-the-coach]

Im in the minority in that I like Reeder over Kiser. His speed is so impressive. He needs to work on coverage but his sideline to sideline is great.

I'm going to concur here, Reeder seems to be in the middle of everything and after one year, has improved his game. IMO, Reeder's recognition is better then Kiser's, however, Kiser might be quicker sideline to sideline.

 

[Psycho_X]

Reeder has been good the last couple of games but I can't help but worry about what'll happen if he is the one covering the middle of the field when we face an offense like the Saints or Packers. Kiser hasn't exactly been great and doesn't tackle as well as Reeder does but seems like Kiser can get sideline to sideline better when facing a team with a lot of speed and misdirection like the Packers or Saints do. Will be interesting how Staley utilizes the two of them and Young once Kiser is back. Also have to throw Rapp into that discussion since he spends most of his time in the mid tier distance as well.

 

[PARAM]

Reeder has been good the last couple of games but I can't help but worry about what'll happen if he is the one covering the middle of the field when we face an offense like the Saints or Packers. Kiser hasn't exactly been great and doesn't tackle as well as Reeder does but seems like Kiser can get sideline to sideline better when facing a team with a lot of speed and misdirection like the Packers or Saints do. Will be interesting how Staley utilizes the two of them and Young once Kiser is back. Also have to throw Rapp into that discussion since he spends most of his time in the mid tier distance as well.

What a nice problem to have, eh? Kizer had his moments when he was in there. The differences on paper....missed tackles, yards per catch, etc.....are just that...on paper. Kizer hits and Reeder hits. Like I said, what a nice problem to have.

 

[Merlin]

I think we are fortunate that the Rams were correct re: our ILBs. I did not expect them to play as well as they have. Both have been much more consistent than I expected. So this is a good thing.

Way I see it they both have different strengths. Kiser is a bit better in space and can change direction (i.e. isn't as prone to cutbacks and misdirection) and reacts better off his drops. Reeder is very strong and aggressive with the LOS he fills hard and blitzes with a good feel. Both have improved a great deal especially Reeder just from his earlier season outing.

And Young has improved a ton too. Night and day from earlier this season to that last game. So hats off to the coaching and all of these guys have taken the coaching and fit what we do very well.

 

[BonifayRam]

At first, I was going to pushback here.

I recall Youngblood was exclusively outside in the 4-3 that the Rams played for most of his career.

I believe they switched to the 3-4 in 1983 when Fritz Shurmur came in as DC under John Robinson.

Jim Youngblood was a backup for a couple years but did not see much action behind Andrews, Wilcher and Owens (outside), and Ekern and Collins (inside).

However, I do agree that when Jim Youngblood played those final two seasons, he was going in as a backup inside. Since Reeder was a backup, then maybe we do agree.

I remember in ‘83 thinking the change to a 3-4 was bad for Jack Youngblood who was small for a 4-3 DE. Did not how he could hold up as a 3-4 end. Man was I dead wrong. Jack had two excellent seasons in 1983 and 1984.

Yes, you are correct that when Jim started with the Rams in 1973 as a 2nd rd pick he did not start right off. He did play in 156 games. His 1st season in a 43 D was as the SSOLB'er. Jim was a starter for 9 seasons but the latter last few were heavily involved with injuries. Jim was primarily an OLB'er but did see a good amount of starts as a 43D MLB & ILB'er in the 34D in the 80's.

I always loved to watch #53 Youngblood play but wow when you mention Ram Carl Elken was a freak playing ILB'er! One of the best Ram Lb'ers ever. Happy Holidays! Great time to be here with you Ram Fans!

Jim Youngblood Stats | Pro-Football-Reference.com (pro-football-reference.com)

 

[BonifayRam]

Reeder has been good the last couple of games but I can't help but worry about what'll happen if he is the one covering the middle of the field when we face an offense like the Saints or Packers. Kiser hasn't exactly been great and doesn't tackle as well as Reeder does but seems like Kiser can get sideline to sideline better when facing a team with a lot of speed and misdirection like the Packers or Saints do. Will be interesting how Staley utilizes the two of them and Young once Kiser is back. Also have to throw Rapp into that discussion since he spends most of his time in the mid tier distance as well.

Troy Reeder will work well for us against the Seahawks running game.

Yes SS Taylor Rapp will come into focus in reference to your concerns in the playoffs against those two teams. Rams have another heavy hitter SS JR Reed on the roster. Rams still have free safety Ju Ju Hughes too. Not sure which of these DB's will return to the PS

 

[dang]

who would have thunk the Rams had 3 decent ILBs on their roster. Best yet to come? confidence breeds success.

 

[RamDino]

Reeder looks completely different from last year. The game has definitely slowed down for him. If he was a little faster, he might be a pro bowler. He certainly looks like a middle linebacker. Kiser better not miss much more time.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Yes, you are correct that when Jim started with the Rams in 1973 as a 2nd rd pick he did not start right off.

I did not remember Jim Youngblood being a #2 pick, so I looked up the Rams 1973 Draft.

No #1 pick but in the 2nd Round they selected Cullen Bryant, Ron Jaworski and Youngblood. In the fourth round, they selected Eddie McMillan and Terry Nelson. In the fifth, they grabbed Cody Jones.

Don Klosterman and that Front Office knew talent.

 

[simonblaze]

I'm iffy on Kiser starting over Reeder. Kiser does rack up tackles but i've seen him make a lot of tackles where he's basically ping-ponging between midfield completions. He's very active yes but I think Reeder is a little more stout at the LOS and better blitzer.

 

[Jacobarch]

I'm iffy on Kiser starting over Reeder. Kiser does rack up tackles but i've seen him make a lot of tackles where he's basically ping-ponging between midfield completions. He's very active yes but I think Reeder is a little more stout at the LOS and better blitzer.

exactly this. Reeder is much better around the LOS than Kiser. Kiser gets washed out on running plays up the gut. I honestly wouldn't change anything and ride the hot hand. Just like at RB, you don't bench a guy who's outperforming another.
I know some of you are worried about Reeders coverage skills but he's had a couple pass breakups in each of last two games. I don't remember Kiser having too much of an impact in the passing D game.

I hope McVay is smart enough to realize that maybe Reeder is our guy for the foreseeable future. I don't care what round he was picked in. He's playing at an almost pro bowl level for a 2nd year player with very limited playing time. He's only going to get better.

 

[Corbin]

exactly this. Reeder is much better around the LOS than Kiser. Kiser gets washed out on running plays up the gut. I honestly wouldn't change anything and ride the hot hand. Just like at RB, you don't bench a guy who's outperforming another.
I know some of you are worried about Reeders coverage skills but he's had a couple pass breakups in each of last two games. I don't remember Kiser having too much of an impact in the passing D game.

I hope McVay is smart enough to realize that maybe Reeder is our guy for the foreseeable future. I don't care what round he was picked in. He's playing at an almost pro bowl level for a 2nd year player with very limited playing time. He's only going to get better.

That is my huge quam with Kiser is he completely sucks ass in coverage. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I hope Reeder stays in and Kiser only comes in on goaline or 3rd or 4th and 1’s type of plays.

 

[TexasRam]

At a minimum I would keep Reeder in on short yardage packages.

Also if we draw Washington or
NY in RD 1 I would look hard at starting Reeder.

Reeder has Definitely improved and so has Young. I agree with other posters, the game is slowing down due to time in the scheme and their reaction is much faster.

 

[RamDino]

Kiser? Reeder? In Staley I trust. I'm just glad we have some depth. Who would have thought?

 

[Classic Rams]

Yeah what you guys said Jim Youngblood started at LOLB from 1976-1981. During that span he only started at MLB the first 5 or so games of 1977 when Hacksaw was involved in a contract dispute. Rookie Brudzinksi started at LOLB before Reynolds came back to claim the middle again.

Re: current LBs, I think Reeder has the momentum so I wouldn't think he would be unseated. Probably will depend on his play vs Jets and Seahawks.

 

[BonifayRam]

Kiser vs Reeder?

Great to have this kind of problem. Not really too much difference between them at this time really......not saying that there not but it's not by much. Kiser been around now going into his 3rd season Reeder now well into his 2nd season.

Here's what sticks out in my small one working brain cell.....

#1-Kiser has been on the IR for two seasons now. He gets hurt often. Reeder appears to be constructed from steel. Reeder>Kiser.

#2-Kiser will be a UFA in 2022 Reeder most likely will be a UFA in 2024. Reeder>Kiser.

#3-Reeder brings more hit with his tackles period Reeder>Kiser

#4-Kiser is faster. Kiser>Reeder.

#5- Reeder just seems to be in the right place more often. Reeder>Kiser

#6-Reeder has 2 inches longer arms & 2 inches in height over Kiser. Something that helps when the QB is throwing over the middle. Reeder>Kiser

Right now.... I would go with Troy Reeder @ MLB & build from there. Rams will need a defensive signal-caller in 2021 I believe that Reeder is the man for the job.

Kiser can play the weakside Interior LB'ing post if needed for Kenny Young that's something Redder can't do. I would keep Kiser in the back-role behind Reeder & Young. That's important Kiser is valuable & versatile, knowing you have both your ILB'er covered with a good back-up.

 

[jrry32]

I don't see things the same way regarding Kiser and Reeder. Kiser has some durability issues, but he's a lot quicker to read and fill against the run than Reeder is.

 

[HellRam]

I don't see things the same way regarding Kiser and Reeder. Kiser has some durability issues, but he's a lot quicker to read and fill against the run than Reeder is.

Kiser appears to be better in coverage as well. Thought he might have been a liability there before the season. But really, he's been solid there too.

 

[shovelpass]

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/2020_advanced.htm

Neither are sure tacklers
Reeder- 7 missed tackles, 11.7%
Kiser- 10 missed tackles, 11.5%

Kiser had 7 in his first game so a bit of a bounceback. Reeder had 9 last season.

 

[FarNorth]

Kiser? Reeder? In Staley I trust. I'm just glad we have some depth. Who would have thought?

I imagine Staley will figure out something to do with Kiser when he returns.

In addition to his overall rocket scientist brilliance in defensive schemes, play by play formations calls, closing what used to be routine gaps in our run and pass coverage, shutting off down field passing, shutting down the run, and pressuring the QB, Brandon Staley has been absurdly good at using and rotating his personnel.

Seriously, is there ANYTHING that Brandon Staley isn't brilliant at?

FYI, Rams are closing in on being the No.1 defense in points allowed, with the Jets next on their menu.