Stafford & the Ram Defense

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oldnotdead

Legend
Joined
May 16, 2019
Messages
5,406
Here is something I think people are overlooking. Having the D practice against an elite-level QB is only going to make them so much better. His ability to read the secondary play IMO will have an effect upon how Morris plays them. Having the defensive secondary which already is a strength of the team going against guys like Woods, Kupp, Jefferson, and Jackson with Stafford throwing to them is only going to sharpen their skills. They will understand there is no room for error when facing an elite-level QB.

The old adage of steel (iron) sharpens steel (iron) couldn't be more appropriate. Stafford's passing threat is only going to pay big dividends in the run game. Teams won't be able to simply load the box. Akers and Henderson are going to be facing light boxes and 11 personnel is going to be even more efffective. I can't imagine that Stafford won't have run/pass audible options on virtually every play. Once this offense gets rolling it's going to be a dominant force. I think 30 points per game will return to be the norm as it was in 2018. I simply don't see the offensive dead games the Rams suffered through.

But on the flip side having the Ram D face this level of competition every week in practice is only going to make this unit better. That is why I still expect this D to be a top 5 defense this year no matter what scheme Morris chooses to run.
 

Tano

Legend
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Messages
11,285
Here is something I think people are overlooking. Having the D practice against an elite-level QB is only going to make them so much better. His ability to read the secondary play IMO will have an effect upon how Morris plays them. Having the defensive secondary which already is a strength of the team going against guys like Woods, Kupp, Jefferson, and Jackson with Stafford throwing to them is only going to sharpen their skills. They will understand there is no room for error when facing an elite-level QB.

The old adage of steel (iron) sharpens steel (iron) couldn't be more appropriate. Stafford's passing threat is only going to pay big dividends in the run game. Teams won't be able to simply load the box. Akers and Henderson are going to be facing light boxes and 11 personnel is going to be even more efffective. I can't imagine that Stafford won't have run/pass audible options on virtually every play. Once this offense gets rolling it's going to be a dominant force. I think 30 points per game will return to be the norm as it was in 2018. I simply don't see the offensive dead games the Rams suffered through.

But on the flip side having the Ram D face this level of competition every week in practice is only going to make this unit better. That is why I still expect this D to be a top 5 defense this year no matter what scheme Morris chooses to run.
Unfortunately - if the offense is as good as people are saying they are going to be - we will be seeing a lot of late second half bullcrap TDs by other teams. This will probably lower our defensive standings a bit.
 

tempests

Hall of Fame
Joined
May 25, 2013
Messages
3,040
They were already the top defense in the league last year, what is it they were missing in practice? When they prepare for other teams, its the scout team that simulates the tendencies of their opponent.

I don't really subscribe to iron sharpens iron adage in football, at least there isn't that much empirical evidence in support of it. Otherwise teams with top offense would also have top defense, and that is rarely the case. Usually a contending team can claim one or the other. The 2000 Ravens D could not have been challenged that much facing Trent Dilfer and Tony Banks in practice.

What this offense can do to help the defense is sustain drives, score more TDs, less turnovers and give them the opportunity to play with a lead.