- Joined
- Jun 20, 2010
- Messages
- 35,576
- Name
- The Dude
Jun 13 2015 12:00 AM | Views: 118 | Tim Godfrey in St. Louis Rams
http://profootballspot.com/_/nfl/nf...-pre-training-camp-preview-linebackers-r10074
While the Rams have arguably the best defensive line in football, the same cannot be
said for their linebacking corp.
The Starters: James Laurinaitis, Alec Ogletree, Jo-Lonn Dunbar
The linebacker corp is one of the weaker corps in the NFL and one of the weaker units on the team, but they are a player or two away from being one of the stronger units.
James Laurinaitis shores up the middle, and since 2009, he has done a solid job of doing so. He is not the strongest or fastest, but he has an engine that never quits and has great intelligence and recognition that puts him in the right place at the right time. This is why he has piled up 593 tackles since 2009.
He is not a highlight reel guy, but he is as reliable as a linebacker can get and the best man the Rams have in the middle.
Alec Ogletree, however, is a highlight reel. Since his debut in 2013, Ogletree has been the most exciting defensive player to watch whose name is not Robert Quinn, Chris Long or Aaron Donald. In the past two seasons, Ogletree has 179 tackles, 21 passes deflected and one interception.
What makes Ogletree such a dynamic player is his athleticism. He is the fastest of the linebackers and has the best burst off the snap. However, he still needs some work, especially in pass coverage. He can stick with his man decently, but there are times where he is out of position. He also needs to work on his pass rush.
Although he plays in a 4-3, Gregg Williams will be calling blitzes on days that end in Y, and there were plays in the past where Ogletree was sent on the blitz but could not get through. Bull rushes do not always get the job done and are easy to pick up when the lineman expects it.
Jo-Lonn Dunbar is the starter, but there is a chance that he could lose the job if he does not get back to his 2012 form.
Dunbar came to the Rams in 2012 and was one of the better outside linebackers in recent memory. The guy was all over the place and put the hammer down on running backs.
However, the last few seasons, especially in 2014, Dunbar declined due to poor play and injury. In the last two seasons, Dunbar’s combined tackles were around 30 tackles less than his 2012 output.
There was reluctance to put him on the starter list because he is a package linebacker. He is stiff in pass coverage, so zones are his bread and butter because, when he is put in anything else, he starves. Man coverage is not something Dunbar is good at and the Rams have taken notice of it, thankfully.
Dunbar is a run-stopper. He can read the play and get the ball-carrier down, but he needs to regain his fire. Otherwise, he may be demoted to the reserves by Week Six.
The Back-Ups: Akeem Ayers, Daren Bates, Bryce Hager
If anyone is going to take the spot from Dunbar, it’s Akeem Ayers
Ranked No. 4 by Pro Football Focus for outside linebackers for the 2013 season, Ayers provides the Rams with some much needed speed and agility on the outside pass rush. This signing will do well for the Rams “sack city” mentality, as Ayers is built more for going after the quarterback than he is to sit in coverage.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ayers allowed 41 of 48 passes to be completed for over 300 yards receiving.
During the 2013 season, Ayers notched one sack in 16 games. The following season produced the same lackluster production until Ayers was traded to New England, where he was used exclusively as a pass rusher. In nine games, Ayers racked up four sacks.
With his signing, Ayers will switch defensive schemes, going from a 3-4 to a 4-3, which may take some getting used to. That is, unless, the Rams plan to use Ayers on rushing plays almost exclusively.
Bryce Hager and Daren Bates both have athletic builds and speed, but they are more suited for coverage than rushing the line. However, for a defense that has one of the league’s worst pass coverage units, their production could help quite a bit. They can make up for Dunbar's and Ogletree's lack of coverage expertise, more so Dunbar than Ogeltree. Both figure to put their time in for packages and certain pass situations.
Developmental Project: Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Dunbar is not an old man,and there is still some time for him to turn around his play and be the linebacker he was in 2012. Gregg Williams' defense is a smash-mouth, relentless attack where Dunbar could see some success but only if he is on running back duty.
He has had quite a few sacks from 2010-2012, but he is not a pass rush guy. Putting him on the outside to hunt down the running back will play to his strengths. That way, the Rams can keep Ayers as more of a complement than motivation for Dunbar to keep his job. The two can learn from one another and make each other better. If sharing the position can make Dunbar better, then so be it.
Bold Prediction: Laurinaitis will lead the team in tackles and tackles for losses
Laurinaitis is the defensive leader of this team and a tough player. Ogletree has taken the lead in tackles the past few seasons, but this year could be the year that Laurinaitis returns to past form.
He will be coming into 2015 with a year’s worth of experience in Williams’ defense under his belt, which means the training wheels are off and he can start to grow in the system. Williams has sent Laurinaitis through the middle. Expect him to do that just as much in 2015 with better results because there will be protection on the outside from Dunbar, Ayers and Ogletree.
http://profootballspot.com/_/nfl/nf...-pre-training-camp-preview-linebackers-r10074
While the Rams have arguably the best defensive line in football, the same cannot be
said for their linebacking corp.
The Starters: James Laurinaitis, Alec Ogletree, Jo-Lonn Dunbar
The linebacker corp is one of the weaker corps in the NFL and one of the weaker units on the team, but they are a player or two away from being one of the stronger units.
James Laurinaitis shores up the middle, and since 2009, he has done a solid job of doing so. He is not the strongest or fastest, but he has an engine that never quits and has great intelligence and recognition that puts him in the right place at the right time. This is why he has piled up 593 tackles since 2009.
He is not a highlight reel guy, but he is as reliable as a linebacker can get and the best man the Rams have in the middle.
Alec Ogletree, however, is a highlight reel. Since his debut in 2013, Ogletree has been the most exciting defensive player to watch whose name is not Robert Quinn, Chris Long or Aaron Donald. In the past two seasons, Ogletree has 179 tackles, 21 passes deflected and one interception.
What makes Ogletree such a dynamic player is his athleticism. He is the fastest of the linebackers and has the best burst off the snap. However, he still needs some work, especially in pass coverage. He can stick with his man decently, but there are times where he is out of position. He also needs to work on his pass rush.
Although he plays in a 4-3, Gregg Williams will be calling blitzes on days that end in Y, and there were plays in the past where Ogletree was sent on the blitz but could not get through. Bull rushes do not always get the job done and are easy to pick up when the lineman expects it.
Jo-Lonn Dunbar is the starter, but there is a chance that he could lose the job if he does not get back to his 2012 form.
Dunbar came to the Rams in 2012 and was one of the better outside linebackers in recent memory. The guy was all over the place and put the hammer down on running backs.
However, the last few seasons, especially in 2014, Dunbar declined due to poor play and injury. In the last two seasons, Dunbar’s combined tackles were around 30 tackles less than his 2012 output.
There was reluctance to put him on the starter list because he is a package linebacker. He is stiff in pass coverage, so zones are his bread and butter because, when he is put in anything else, he starves. Man coverage is not something Dunbar is good at and the Rams have taken notice of it, thankfully.
Dunbar is a run-stopper. He can read the play and get the ball-carrier down, but he needs to regain his fire. Otherwise, he may be demoted to the reserves by Week Six.
The Back-Ups: Akeem Ayers, Daren Bates, Bryce Hager
If anyone is going to take the spot from Dunbar, it’s Akeem Ayers
Ranked No. 4 by Pro Football Focus for outside linebackers for the 2013 season, Ayers provides the Rams with some much needed speed and agility on the outside pass rush. This signing will do well for the Rams “sack city” mentality, as Ayers is built more for going after the quarterback than he is to sit in coverage.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ayers allowed 41 of 48 passes to be completed for over 300 yards receiving.
During the 2013 season, Ayers notched one sack in 16 games. The following season produced the same lackluster production until Ayers was traded to New England, where he was used exclusively as a pass rusher. In nine games, Ayers racked up four sacks.
With his signing, Ayers will switch defensive schemes, going from a 3-4 to a 4-3, which may take some getting used to. That is, unless, the Rams plan to use Ayers on rushing plays almost exclusively.
Bryce Hager and Daren Bates both have athletic builds and speed, but they are more suited for coverage than rushing the line. However, for a defense that has one of the league’s worst pass coverage units, their production could help quite a bit. They can make up for Dunbar's and Ogletree's lack of coverage expertise, more so Dunbar than Ogeltree. Both figure to put their time in for packages and certain pass situations.
Developmental Project: Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Dunbar is not an old man,and there is still some time for him to turn around his play and be the linebacker he was in 2012. Gregg Williams' defense is a smash-mouth, relentless attack where Dunbar could see some success but only if he is on running back duty.
He has had quite a few sacks from 2010-2012, but he is not a pass rush guy. Putting him on the outside to hunt down the running back will play to his strengths. That way, the Rams can keep Ayers as more of a complement than motivation for Dunbar to keep his job. The two can learn from one another and make each other better. If sharing the position can make Dunbar better, then so be it.
Bold Prediction: Laurinaitis will lead the team in tackles and tackles for losses
Laurinaitis is the defensive leader of this team and a tough player. Ogletree has taken the lead in tackles the past few seasons, but this year could be the year that Laurinaitis returns to past form.
He will be coming into 2015 with a year’s worth of experience in Williams’ defense under his belt, which means the training wheels are off and he can start to grow in the system. Williams has sent Laurinaitis through the middle. Expect him to do that just as much in 2015 with better results because there will be protection on the outside from Dunbar, Ayers and Ogletree.
