I would say that the 26 yr old Matt Longacre just didn't just start in 2017 to 'getting a little time" playing football. He played four seasons @ Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats.Matt is the school’s career sacks leader to this day too. Matt has three Ram training camps & preseasons under his belt too along with being on the Rams active roster since 2015. Matt has played in 25 NFL games thus far. This is the first major injury to Matt in college & the NFL.
LOL....no no....He just started getting "starters" minutes with us....that's what I mean by a "lil time"....Like, almost 40-50 snaps a game....
I have loved the motor on Longacre for several years....I thought he'd start in 2017....then they grabbed what's his name? the other OLB??? Well....At least he did play...looked good too for the first month....I noticed a slow down around mid-season and then....IR'd.....with back trouble....no need to go over the concerns of a guy that needs leverage and has a bad back....Sounds like potential trouble....Kinda pissed too...cause again...this dude brings it, and I bet he'd have NO PROBLEM working out a team friendly deal......And for some reason....I bet HE WOULD play for free....
In college Cory Littleton played outside LB'er (2015/2014). Cory's first two college seasons he started @ outside DE. Cory rookie season in LA he played both outside LB'er positions. Cory had 2 starts in 2016, one @ the weak outside LB'er post & the other was @ the strong outside LB'er post.Cory was awarded & recipient of the Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award as the club’s top rookie. He won this award playing on the outside.
When you research Cory draft profiles you will find he was known for some big negatives on the weakness side of his game..One was his Play strength was well below NFL norm for the outside LB'er position.The other was a liability when teams run downhill at him:notsure:. Cory ended up UDFA in 2016.
I have watched several Pac-12 defenses closely.....esp. those Huskies....they have a bunch of raw talent up there....I don't doubt Cory can play.....I do doubt he could create pressure consistently off the edge....I do doubt he's a run stuffer....I do doubt he could call the defensive signals....Why both ILB's don't practice this confuses me?

Just watching his game....he's not as physical as you need for an ILB at this moment. I suspect taking on blocks will never be his strong suit.....And finally, I actually like several OLB's on the roster better than him as a OLB....hell, I'd move Samson inside just to see...but that's me. Whatever happened to Cassanova McKinzy???
What to do when you low cost replacement can't make up for the players lost????? Draft again...or sign the leftovers after the draft in FA'cy.....should be some good vets out there....for cheap...
Early in 2017 Wade has a full cadre of OLB'ers with Barwin, Quinn, Longacre, Littleton, Ebukam & Price but not so much inside.
First.....I think Price is gone after this camp.....that his name...I don't expect Connor Barwin back either...unless he gives us a huge discount...Longacre has that back thingy....and Littleton....isn't really a OLB....not the required length, explosion, and strength....and he's not a speed demon either....that leave Samson as the only OLB in your list without question marks.....I think we can draft backups to Samson.....pray Longacre returns healthy.....pray Thompson returns healthy and much, much better.
This problem actually I like....it fits what Wade has done in the past...this position is LOADED IN THE DRAFT (yep, bunch of guys that run 4.5 or better).....and I think Samson is gonna be ok....with some increase in strength....increase in knowledge of son of bum's system. Plus....Donald, Brockers, and Suh :yess:in front of you, I heard Den say he could play LB for us....:yay: