Rams Linebacker Position Needs An Overhaul

[So Ram]

Who is this author? Some idiot sitting in his basement yelling for his mom to get him another beer?

We don't even know what version of 3-4 Morris is going to run. Guess what? In most versions the ILBs are part time players. Everyone has been critical of Reeder ever since he took over the MIKE LB position. But he's outplayed Kiser and his UDFA status. Last season he had 81 combined tackles, 5 of which were TFL, 3 sacks, 4 QB hits, all on 41% of the snaps.

Why would the Rams cut Kenny Young? He only played 46% of the snaps and produced 52 combined tackles, 3 TFL, 2 QB and 2 PD.

The Rams have two good ILB prospects on the PS in Moncrief and Rozeboom.

OLB is the position of need as Floyd needs to be resigned and I anticipate Fox resigning as well. Fox clearly outplayed Brockers last year so if there is a LB on the bubble for cap clearance it's Brockers. Lewis has flashed but continues to be injury prone. Okoronkwo to this point has shown himself to be a backup level talent.

I think they will stand pat at WR (i.e. losing Reynolds is IMO no big loss). I think their interest in Ertz shows that in McVay's offense he can use a TE like Everett or Zack as that big Y receiver. A huge flaw in McVay's offense is he under-uses his talent at TE. I also feel they will draft / or otherwise sign a legit FB.

Cool OlDMaN — right with you Brother!! I always like your post & thoughts.Your more knowledgeable than myself in Rewards(life?) than myself.I like the process & the positive energy in SPORTS.The scouting & watching the development of players.I key to The Rams & there roster.You got me JACKED UP already about OTA’s.I’m in the Chargers hood now & have a friend that live by the Q.Would have been cool just to go to Tailgates.Went to the Chargers game & Hill through an INT or time ran out.Loved Tavon Austin as a PR/KR guy. He busted one that would have won the game.I’m a shit talker,so I was pumping him up to run it back.Can’t even count the TD returns he had called back.
As a long time Rams fan,I’ve always stayed positive. —Getting way to deep. Look forward to future post!
Have a BEAUTIFUL DAy! For ALL those SO CAL people question.Is it Spring Yet ?? This is better than June gloom for sure.

 

[So Ram]

Morris does have a half dozen different types of ILB'ers so he does have diversity but not @ OLB. This is a BIG unknown but the current situation for the healthy upgrading in the pass-rushing element from the OLB'ers is HUGE!
I know of a young Ram safety who would seem to fit very nicely into your description of some sort of hybrid safety/Lb'er type ........Taylor Rapp! was made for this role! I still prefer having "the old school" MLB'er on the roster foaming @ the mouth to get close to hit something.

Let’s just go back in time. Tony D was just before Mcvay got to TAMPA.

Old School vs New school ? Hate to think Tampa with Johnson vs. Brady but Brad was a underrated QB that came from Minnesota (?)
Tyler Rapp looking to the Bay Area & there HOF gm. John Lynch was such an excellent Safety.
The TYPE of PLAYER The RAMS need is a Derek Brooks 55. What a Stud!! He was Ray Lewis before Ray Lewis.In fact Lewis was at the U back in the day.
D-Brooks was the MAN. Warren was solid(HOF) but he isn’t Aaron Donald.

Look at Snead miss on the Hags guy by trading back. If there is no players worth it in the draft the 3/4 Edge Pass Rusher is always the way to go.
The Old story is you can’t have enough playmakers won your team.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I'm not seeing a major overhaul at LB as necessary just yet, i'd much prefer to preserve what we held last season while making baby steps with mid-round draft picks to improve depth. The Rams had the top defense in the NFL in 2021, closely maintaining that status by re-signing Floyd long-term while making improvements to our OL in order to bolster our new QB's opportunities to jump start our offense is where my heart lies. If it's true as previous media pundits have stated, that restructuring Donald & Ramsey along with extending Stafford will eliminate our CAP debt, then trading Havenstein & Brockers could allow us to retain Floyd & Darious Williams as well as cover the costs associated with paying for our draft class. The improved play of SJD and Gaines along with the signing of A'Shawn Robinson and a couple developmental types provide the depth necessary for losing a guy like Brockers. Frankly, i'd be more concerned about losing Fox than Brockers. And between the draft and present depth, replacing Havenstein should be no great feat. Snead can take an off year from going crazy in free agency and apply his skills in 2021 towards the draft, 2022 will again present another opportunity to make better use of free agency when there is more CAP money available. jmo.

 

[FarNorth]

Who is this author? Some idiot sitting in his basement yelling for his mom to get him another beer?

I assume these type of articles are computer generated, like Google translations or something.

 

[BonifayRam]

.........If there is no players worth it in the draft the 3/4 Edge Pass Rusher is always the way to go.
The Old story is you can’t have enough playmakers won your team.

I met Brooks back in 2004, when he was involved in Prison Ministries & was touring around the SE part of the country doing weekends speaking & coaching men who made a ton of very bad decisions.

Brooks was a wonderful great person & that's just the beginning of great things I can say about that man before I say anything about what he was as an OLB'er.

I can see where the Rams might want to improve the inside LB'ers but you could have Brooks in his prime playing for you & if you have no pass rush you in very big trouble. Rams need two starting Edge Rushers far more than any ILB'er. The QB will complete the ball if not pressured.

Right now the Rams do not have a healthy effective pass rusher @ OLB'er. Anyone who knows one let me know, please.

 

[Mackeyser]

I wonder if the Rams based on the Morris connection will make a play for Lavonte David.

Yeah, he's an aging ILB, but he's still at the top of his game and short of injury, he'd be worth a 3 year deal.

I can see Morris opting for a stud ILB and using more blitzes and disguises to make up for losing Floyd.

Not saying it'll happen, just saying that I can see it and wouldn't be upset by it.

 

[dang]

I’m trying to be down on Reeder as much as I’m trying to be realistic. I see references to him having 81 tackles and 3 sacks. He had all 3 sacks and 3 of his 4 QB hits @WSH. He had 26 of his 81 tackles and 3 of his 5 TFL in just 2 games. Take those 2 games away and the stats are nothing to get excited about. I do understand Stats aren’t everything but I often saw very soft coverage in the short middle of the field where Reeder struggled against TEs and RBs on pass coverage. The Rams need and deserve more from a starter. Reeder is good depth but not a good starter.

 

[Corbin]

Honestly, I really think we need to upgrade at least one of our ILB's with a 2-4 rd. pick and there is one I have my eye on I don't think will slip out the back of the 1st round. He's special and I see a team like the Ravens or Steelers taking him, he fits their protypical bigger all around athletic dominating type of backer they like.

I wouldn't be opposed to moving up and drafting this guy and giving up a second or a third. I really feel he's that special.

Can't imagine having him on this defense behind AD, Robinson, and Brock


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmGEYuleams



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLv9OEOo_DE


He's a projected 1st to 2nd round pick.

Yes it's a highlight reel but he showed against the big teams Tulsa played. He's a man amongst boys.

@Memento @jrry32 or anybody else chime in?

Think it's realistic he falls to the 2nd to us?

 

[BatteringRambo]

Hit up AJ Hawk. That Pat McAfee Show is one of many to get me through each day, it's balanced. When the Rams come up THEY all chime in equally. And they all loved the Stafford trade even were drawing a blank on his name he's a huge Lions fan on Vaca this week. Dudes and dudets I really dig this show/podcast. McAfee is REAL and hilarious. I wouldn't make it through my desk jockey without it. Sorry for the plug!

 

[BatteringRambo]

. I took off Monday just to try to call in. Rams and if I get on I'm gonna plug ROD at the end only never at the start like hey.. yeah never.

 

[Memento]

Honestly, I really think we need to upgrade at least one of our ILB's with a 2-4 rd. pick and there is one I have my eye on I don't think will slip out the back of the 1st round. He's special and I see a team like the Ravens or Steelers taking him, he fits their protypical bigger all around athletic dominating type of backer they like.

I wouldn't be opposed to moving up and drafting this guy and giving up a second or a third. I really feel he's that special.

Can't imagine having him on this defense behind AD, Robinson, and Brock


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmGEYuleams



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLv9OEOo_DE


He's a projected 1st to 2nd round pick.

Yes it's a highlight reel but he showed against the big teams Tulsa played. He's a man amongst boys.

@Memento @jrry32 or anybody else chime in?

Think it's realistic he falls to the 2nd to us?

Collins is going in the first round, probably top twenty-five.

 

[So Ram]

I met Brooks back in 2004, when he was involved in Prison Ministries & was touring around the SE part of the country doing weekends speaking & coaching men who made a ton of very bad decisions.

Brooks was a wonderful great person & that's just the beginning of great things I can say about that man before I say anything about what he was as an OLB'er.

I can see where the Rams might want to improve the inside LB'ers but you could have Brooks in his prime playing for you & if you have no pass rush you in very big trouble. Rams need two starting Edge Rushers far more than any ILB'er. The QB will complete the ball if not pressured.

Right now the Rams do not have a healthy effective pass rusher @ OLB'er. Anyone who knows one let me know, please.

Well The Rams are in the process.

There is a guy named Isaiah Simmons who The Rams will see at least twice a year.Still very young,but if he were a Ram we all would be very excited about.He still needs to add weight,but his speed and size you can’t teach.

I’m right with you on a Edge rusher.Plus Tampa’s defense never made it to that level with Tony Dungy.
He needed Peyton. That said let’s look at Peyton in Denver to Stafford.I know Matthew has not won any playoff games,so I’ll stop there.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

They have no middle linebacker with sideline to sideline speed, nor change of direction skills. They need upgrades or every team will do what the Niners and Packers did and beat the defense by playing horizontally

And the Jets

 

[So Ram]

It's the OLB'ers where this defense is @ its weakest @ this time. Rams have lost 3 of their OSLB'ers to Free Agency 2 of which were starters. All three are UFA's. The Marget Value on Leonard Floyd alone is over $13 million a year. Believing Floyd will return is irrational.

OLB'er Unit
Currently, the two top OLB'ers remaining are Og Okoronkwo who is a 4 yr OLB'er former 5th rd pick. He has played in 20 NFL games with zero starts in the 10 gms he saw action he only totaled 12 tacks with only 1 sack. The other is Ultra versatile Justin Hollins who is actually listed as an ILB'er. Justin Hollins is in his 3rd season picked up on the WWC from Denver last season. Was a DC Staley type of LB'er. Not sure where Morris/Shula will play He might be 43 DE or OLB or ILB'er no telling at this point.

The only two other OLB'ers under contract come from the medically wrecks junkyard. Justin Lawler is entering his 4th season but has been hurt since the end of his rookie season in 2018 & has not seen a regular-season game since then, he had 6 tacks in 2018. Spent 2 full seasons on the IR. Lawler is more likely far more 43 DE than a 34 OLB'er. The other is Terrell Lewis who makes Justing Lawler shine when it comes to the medical area. Lewis is truly a medical wreck walking. Lewis was active for 8 gms he had 3 tacks 2 sacks. Tons of potential but has never been healthy very long throughout his college career or in his first NFL season.

Interior LB'ing unit
This unit is fat in numbers in comparison to the OLB'er unit. Plus they will get a boost with both of the Ram's planned starters for last season returning healthy to the starting lineup. Trevor Howard & Micah Kiser. The most experienced of the ILB'ers unit is Kenny Young who is in his 4th NFL season. He has started off & on since he was a rookie. He had 3 starts & played in 16 games his rookie season @ MLB'er for the Ravens. He came to the Rams in the trade with the Ravens for Marcus Peters. Young has played in all the Rams games since his arrival. Last season he started 16 gms @ the WS ILB post for the injured Howard. In 2020 he had 52 tacks 1 sack & 1 INT. I do not understand why members are thinking Rams will release their most experienced 4 yr ILB?? He is a low-cost always healthy dependable experienced LB'er.

Troy Reeder is also an ultra-low-cost always healthy dependable now an experienced ILB'er entering his 3rd season. ROD Members have been trying to cut this MLB'er before he arrived since his coverage skills are not like a DB. He started 6 gms in 2020 all he ended up doing was making 81 tackles & had 3 sacks!!! What would Reeder's stats be if he started 16 gms? If Reeder hits you.... you will go backward. Still, most of this forum wants him replaced.

Two good ILB'ers are being groomed they are MLB'er Christian Rozeboom & 2019 CFL All-Star WSILB Derrick Moncrief. Both rode the Practice team all season & Rozeboom beat out ROD forum favorite 3rd-day selection Clay Johnston, LB, Baylor, in Training Camp. The ILB unit has SIX signed healthy LB'ers contained in it.

Phat - lol
Reeder earned the starting spot because when he took over for Kiser The Rams was not the NUMBER 1
Defense in The NFL.Staley & Johnson both kept him in the Starting Lineup.Both coaches upgraded there careers.
Kiser I believe beats Reeder out again once the season starts.Kenny Young & Howard add depth.Yes Rozeboom might have been a nice find.Moncrief will get cut.

DE/OLB D.Rivers ? What about him.This guy got some playing time.
—Holland’s has the size to play out side as well. I think both players add OLB/DE to R.Morris defense.

 

[wolfdogg]

The thread title could be a sticky for the last 17 years. Probably the weakest position group over that period while letting one HOFr walk and missing out on another because fisher decided to get cute in the draft.

We should have been transitioning from fletcher to wagner with both playing in 2013.

I'd love to get an absolute stud there just once before I die.

 

[Corbin]

Collins is going in the first round, probably top twenty-five.

It seems he's projected late 1st early second. This is a crap shoot compared to many to truely get an idea of the talent etc. You think chance he falls?

 

[PressureD41]

100% on Rapp in sub packages lining up as a LB. ILB are all part time players

 

[bubbaramfan]

Best LB for Rams in last 20 years: Will Witherspoon.

 

[Malibu]

As everyone knows the defensive weakness was our ilbs. Unfortunately we have cap issues and not a ton of picks.

In FA - We must replace Blythe with a true upgrade. For me I would do that to the G position as well. And we need a good OLB.

These are the 3 key FA acquisitions. Draft look for a CB, 2 ILBs, speed we as 4th wr/punt ret/kick return guy. Fill rest out.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Best LB for Rams in last 20 years: Will Witherspoon.

He was pretty good there for 3-4yrs... Hmm, I need to think on that.