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Practice Report 12/11: Moving Donald Around
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-1211-Moving-Donald-Around/02deb398-5842-4bf9-8c7f-4993ce61f69c
While watching a football game in real time, it can be difficult to notice defensive line play unless there’s a tackle for loss or a sack. But defensive tackle Aaron Donald has made himself a must-watch player on every snap.
“Despite the fact that we’ve lost consecutive games, he’s playing at a level that I’ve not seen another defensive lineman play inside like that,” head coach Jeff Fisher said. “And it’s just been overshadowed because of the five losses. But he’s playing really, really well.”
“I mean, the guy is literally un-block-able for a full game,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “And there’s stuff that he does that, unless you’re really paying attention to the tape, you won’t see a lot of his QB hits.”
Donald has racked up 8.0 sacks, 33 quarterback pressures, and 16 quarterback hits -- each of which lead the team. Plus, his 17.0 sacks over the last two seasons top the league among 4-3 defensive tackles.
“If you make a quarterback go off his first read, it’s a sack,” Laurinaitis said. “There are some games where he’s got four or five. It’s just impressive to watch him.”
But at this point, referring to Donald as simply a defensive tackle may not do him justice. Last week against Arizona, Donald not only lined up in his normal spot between the guard and tackle, but also at nose tackle and at defensive end when the Rams went to their three-man front.
According to Fisher, that’s all about getting Donald into more situations to be successful.
“He’ll line up and he’ll scan and he’ll see backfield sets and formations and anticipate things. He’s really smart as far as that’s concerned,” Fisher said. “Then, we’re doing our best to create the one-on-one in passing situations. In run situations, he’s going to get doubled and he’s still consistently splitting double teams and getting penetration and affecting the run game.”
“It’s good, I like being moved around, being versatile, trying to find some one-on-ones,” Donald said. “It’s something I did a lot of in college my sophomore year, so I was comfortable doing it.”
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said moving Donald around can help create matchup problems with different looks for an offense.
“We’re trying to do some things with Aaron because the same way that you possible would with a receiver or a running back, people are starting to, you’ll see, plan him,” Williams said. “So, if they’re going to do that, I want to see if that quarterback or if that offensive line coach has a check system to find him.”
But Donald’s ability to not just line up in different spots along the line, but also beat guards, centers, and tackles illustrates the uniqueness of his skill set.
“You wouldn’t be able to do that if he wasn’t as sharp of a kid as he is,” Williams said. “He’s a sharp kid and he takes a lot of pride in being kind of a young coach on the field. It’s been good for us and we’ll continue to do that with him.”
“He’s just super talented. He’s one of those guys [whose] skill set is uncanny to, really, I think any D-tackle in the NFL,” Laurinaitis said. “To be able to go nose, three, out to end in our three-down stuff -- and not just go out there, but go out there and be effective -- is really impressive. It shows his talent level and his range.”
Donald, however, keeps the explanation simple.
“It’s just one-on-ones,” he said. “Rushing the passer is still rushing the passer, no matter if you’re inside, outside -- it doesn’t matter. It’s the same thing.”
Regardless, Donald’s versatility and performances have been all the more impressive because of the injuries suffered across the defense, particularly that of defensive end Robert Quinn. In Quinn’s absence, Donald said he can tell he’s seen a little more attention.
“Yeah, but it comes with it,” Donald said. “If you’re productive, people are going to start noticing that and trying to slow you down some type of way.
“It hurts to lose a guy like that, a big playmaker like that,” Donald added of Quinn. “But you’ve got to keep playing.”
Play on, Donald will. And at a high level, too.
INJURY REPORT
St. Louis did have a lengthy injury report this week, but there was good news within it.
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson was a full participant in both Thursday and Friday’s sessions and is listed as probable for the game. All indications are that he will be back after a two-game absence with a thigh injury.
“Feeling great, I've been practicing all week,” Johnson said Friday. “My leg has been getting better, getting my confidence up, and I feel good.”
Johnson said he suffered a thigh pull just before he picked off a Joe Flacco pass against the Ravens.
“It happened the play before the interception and when I opened it up and that's when it happened,” Johnson said. “I knew the second it happened. I couldn't run anymore and went straight to the ground and secured the ball.”
Had that pull not happened, Johnson maintains he was taking that pick to the house.
“It would have been six,” he said. “Not might -- it would have been six.”
On the other side for cornerback, Janoris Jeknins is still in the concussion protocol and did not participate in Friday’s session. He’s listed as doubtful.
Elsewhere on the report, tight end Lance Kendricks has cleared the concussion protocol and is listed as probable. William Hayes (thigh) was upgraded once again on Friday’s report with a full practice and is listed as probable.
Additionally, Johnny Hekker (rest), Wes Welker (calf), Case Keenum (concussion), Zach Hocker (right thigh), and Greg Zuerlein (right hip) are all probable.
Robert Quinn (back) and Andrew Donnal (knee) have both been ruled out for Sunday.
ROSTER MOVE
Safety T.J. McDonald has indeed been placed on injured reserve, and cornerback Eric Patterson has been promoted from the practice squad to take his place on the active roster.
With a space available on the practice squad, the Rams added J.J. Worton, a wide receiver out of UCF.
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-1211-Moving-Donald-Around/02deb398-5842-4bf9-8c7f-4993ce61f69c
While watching a football game in real time, it can be difficult to notice defensive line play unless there’s a tackle for loss or a sack. But defensive tackle Aaron Donald has made himself a must-watch player on every snap.
“Despite the fact that we’ve lost consecutive games, he’s playing at a level that I’ve not seen another defensive lineman play inside like that,” head coach Jeff Fisher said. “And it’s just been overshadowed because of the five losses. But he’s playing really, really well.”
“I mean, the guy is literally un-block-able for a full game,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “And there’s stuff that he does that, unless you’re really paying attention to the tape, you won’t see a lot of his QB hits.”
Donald has racked up 8.0 sacks, 33 quarterback pressures, and 16 quarterback hits -- each of which lead the team. Plus, his 17.0 sacks over the last two seasons top the league among 4-3 defensive tackles.
“If you make a quarterback go off his first read, it’s a sack,” Laurinaitis said. “There are some games where he’s got four or five. It’s just impressive to watch him.”
But at this point, referring to Donald as simply a defensive tackle may not do him justice. Last week against Arizona, Donald not only lined up in his normal spot between the guard and tackle, but also at nose tackle and at defensive end when the Rams went to their three-man front.
According to Fisher, that’s all about getting Donald into more situations to be successful.
“He’ll line up and he’ll scan and he’ll see backfield sets and formations and anticipate things. He’s really smart as far as that’s concerned,” Fisher said. “Then, we’re doing our best to create the one-on-one in passing situations. In run situations, he’s going to get doubled and he’s still consistently splitting double teams and getting penetration and affecting the run game.”
“It’s good, I like being moved around, being versatile, trying to find some one-on-ones,” Donald said. “It’s something I did a lot of in college my sophomore year, so I was comfortable doing it.”
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said moving Donald around can help create matchup problems with different looks for an offense.
“We’re trying to do some things with Aaron because the same way that you possible would with a receiver or a running back, people are starting to, you’ll see, plan him,” Williams said. “So, if they’re going to do that, I want to see if that quarterback or if that offensive line coach has a check system to find him.”
But Donald’s ability to not just line up in different spots along the line, but also beat guards, centers, and tackles illustrates the uniqueness of his skill set.
“You wouldn’t be able to do that if he wasn’t as sharp of a kid as he is,” Williams said. “He’s a sharp kid and he takes a lot of pride in being kind of a young coach on the field. It’s been good for us and we’ll continue to do that with him.”
“He’s just super talented. He’s one of those guys [whose] skill set is uncanny to, really, I think any D-tackle in the NFL,” Laurinaitis said. “To be able to go nose, three, out to end in our three-down stuff -- and not just go out there, but go out there and be effective -- is really impressive. It shows his talent level and his range.”
Donald, however, keeps the explanation simple.
“It’s just one-on-ones,” he said. “Rushing the passer is still rushing the passer, no matter if you’re inside, outside -- it doesn’t matter. It’s the same thing.”
Regardless, Donald’s versatility and performances have been all the more impressive because of the injuries suffered across the defense, particularly that of defensive end Robert Quinn. In Quinn’s absence, Donald said he can tell he’s seen a little more attention.
“Yeah, but it comes with it,” Donald said. “If you’re productive, people are going to start noticing that and trying to slow you down some type of way.
“It hurts to lose a guy like that, a big playmaker like that,” Donald added of Quinn. “But you’ve got to keep playing.”
Play on, Donald will. And at a high level, too.
INJURY REPORT
St. Louis did have a lengthy injury report this week, but there was good news within it.
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson was a full participant in both Thursday and Friday’s sessions and is listed as probable for the game. All indications are that he will be back after a two-game absence with a thigh injury.
“Feeling great, I've been practicing all week,” Johnson said Friday. “My leg has been getting better, getting my confidence up, and I feel good.”
Johnson said he suffered a thigh pull just before he picked off a Joe Flacco pass against the Ravens.
“It happened the play before the interception and when I opened it up and that's when it happened,” Johnson said. “I knew the second it happened. I couldn't run anymore and went straight to the ground and secured the ball.”
Had that pull not happened, Johnson maintains he was taking that pick to the house.
“It would have been six,” he said. “Not might -- it would have been six.”
On the other side for cornerback, Janoris Jeknins is still in the concussion protocol and did not participate in Friday’s session. He’s listed as doubtful.
Elsewhere on the report, tight end Lance Kendricks has cleared the concussion protocol and is listed as probable. William Hayes (thigh) was upgraded once again on Friday’s report with a full practice and is listed as probable.
Additionally, Johnny Hekker (rest), Wes Welker (calf), Case Keenum (concussion), Zach Hocker (right thigh), and Greg Zuerlein (right hip) are all probable.
Robert Quinn (back) and Andrew Donnal (knee) have both been ruled out for Sunday.
ROSTER MOVE
Safety T.J. McDonald has indeed been placed on injured reserve, and cornerback Eric Patterson has been promoted from the practice squad to take his place on the active roster.
With a space available on the practice squad, the Rams added J.J. Worton, a wide receiver out of UCF.
