So far, with all things considered. Who is your zero to hero player for the Rams in 2020?

[Merlin]

My ex boss and former NFL Europe defensive coach used to say that all the 3-4, 4-3, 3 tech, 5 tech, etc... is mainly a bunch of terminology that makes it easier for others to talk about football. He said coaches put players on the line depending on what the other team is doing and/or what they see as match up issues.

Sure there are athletic attributes that determine where you position your players. But run stoppers that don't blow up the stat sheet still deserve some love. If he gets a lot of snaps and our run defense improves, I think that qualifies for zero to hero.

Yeah I think the size we see associated with 5T and NT are just desired physical attributes. Definitely agree with this to a point.

NT some DCs want speed and penetration (Wade) others two gap it up a bit more (Fangio) so desire size and anchor. Funny thing here though is that both SJD and Gaines gave us better NT play than we've had previously, the two in tandem were better than Suh was during the 2018 regular season for example. Those two are both quite good at anchoring, which is what you want to see regardless of scheme IMO, Suh being a great example during the regular season of how being washed out with horizontal movement can kill a run defense. That fucker didn't start anchoring and fighting against being washed out until the playoffs and it changed our defense during that short window. So discerning between 1T and 3T if you were to ask Wade he'd probably tell you he wants similar players but probably more stout on the nose. Staley probably wants pluggers and he has 3x guys who can do that now on the roster (SJD, Robinson, and Gaines).

5T it's simply due to the long reach of the guys on the edge on offense makes coaches desire rangy types. Also with the size increase we've seen with interior OL ranginess plays well and when you hit on one of those guys they tend to play well game to game regardless of matchup. Whereas the smaller 5Ts will struggle more vs the bigger OTs.

 

[Merlin]

We know that now. Prior to 2019 it was a different story round here. Lot of folks thought he'd dominate next to AD. I wasn't too high on the signing but I'm sure I let some of it go to my head too.

 

[Neil039]

Suh, IMO, is a throw back player. A way better fit for the 70s & 80s. He showed that in the playoffs when the field somehow shrinks.

 

[fanotodd]

I would like to add Xavier Jones as a dark horse success story on offense. I like the guy coming in more than I liked Henderson. He has more size. I'm anxious to see what he will bring to the table.

 

[badnews]

The heat on the opposing offense will be intense this season. With the league's most unstoppable force (AD) intent on ripping through them, the added size that makes running the ball a long hard day, the new defense's variety of looks to cipher, a young and talented back-end featuring a bunch of smart safeties that can do almost anything from almost anywhere and all while the opposing Offense has one Wide Receiver tied behind its back by Jalen Ramsey...... sooo.... considering all that, I am going with 2 guys:
Micah Kiser and David Long Jr.
Both guys have an opportunity to make a huge impact. The stage is set for them, they just have to hit their marks.

I don't consider Everett or Akers zeros, but if they were, they would be my picks on Offense.

If a really great Kicker emerges, that will be the hero.

Shout out to the young edge rushers - if any of them can emerge as a real compliment to the Man: A.D., we could have a top 5 Defense.

 

[LARams_1963]

Kicker is the pick. Who ever that is.

 

[jap]

3) Cam Akers - one never knows for sure how well a college player's skills will transition to the NFL. However, I really like his chances given his ability to gain yards after contact. If he flourishes early, he'll be ridden often. I'm sure Goff has his fingers crossed ..

One of the great things about playing with the Rams is that our receivers know how to block. On most long runs you can be sure that a receiver has executed a critical block that sprung a feature back rolling for a big gain.

 

[BonifayRam]

UDFA/cut/ released & former WWC & now Rams CB Darious Williams!

 

[iamme33]

i'll go with van jefferson on of and clay johnston on df. the high lights of jefferson at the senior bowl and johnston attitude makes it so i can't help but root for those two more then most. bring it on.

 

[Snaz]

Team Dr. Keeping the Covid-19 in check.

 

[Corbin]

You just reminded me of that playoff game vs the Falcons when Brockers went down and they ran the ball dien our throats after!

 

[kurtfaulk]

You just reminded me of that playoff game vs the Falcons when Brockers went down and they ran the ball dien our throats after!

I wonder what would have happened if Ogletree didn't whiff on that tackle on 3rd and 12 in the first drive after the half? Could have changed the game. I was ready for him to be cut there and then.

.

 

[OC--LeftCoast]

I wonder what would have happened if Ogletree didn't whiff on that tackle on 3rd and 12 in the first drive after the half? Could have changed the game. I was ready for him to be cut there and then.

.

That one missed tackle was everything, beyond huge, and it’s not like it wasn’t a dump off, he had him lined up served on a platter and whiffed (biggest missed tackle in rams history imo)

Atl may have only gotten a FG on that drive, but the toll on the D annnnnd the momentum swing was devastating