The defense

[NJRamsFan]

When you think you can't find ways to improve your game, that's when you are in trouble. There is always room for improvement. How do you think Donald or the other players on that defense, including coaches, feel about that performance. I'll tell you they are not pleased or satisficed with it, remember we are talking about the #1 defense from last season. If you can't admit the Rams defense was soft in the middle and got pushed around you need to watch the game again. They need to improve at MLBer, those guys are not run stuffers.

For some perspective only 2 teams gave up less points than the Rams D this week. Improvement? Sure. Don’t miss as many tackles and we’ll force more punts. But don’t act like the Rams defense played poorly. While being #1 last year they gave up 19.something pts per game they gave up 14 yesterday.

The defense is fine.

 

[Tano]

The one thing to remember is that Dalton thru 3 qtrs got rid of the ball in under 2.2 seconds on average.

The fastest overall last year was 2.4 seconds.

He was basically getting the ball and just throwing it to an open man short since the Rams were playing 7 - 10 yards off the line of scrimmage.

 

[NJRamsFan]

The one thing to remember is that Dalton thru 3 qtrs got rid of the ball in under 2.2 seconds on average.

The fastest overall last year was 2.4 seconds.

He was basically getting the ball and just throwing it to an open man short since the Rams were playing 7 - 10 yards off the line of scrimmage.

It's almost like that's what we gave them and what we wanted

 

[den-the-coach]

In the end they gave up 14 points, but I don't understand Nagy going for it on 4th downs, when they could have scored more points via the field goal. Again, IMO, Nagy knew the Rams were going to score, but I still would not go for it on 4th & 15.

Too many missed tackles and the ILB's were too far off the line of scrimmage for my liking. I do believe Rochel will take over as the 3rd CB because he just offers better press coverage then Long. Kenny Young made some plays, but I would not be shocked to see Ernest Jones soon, who IMO, might offer better resistance against the run.

Robinson should get better & even Donald missed some tackles that I don't believe will be happening down the line. Obviously we all would like to see a more aggressive approach, but overall, they did have 3 sacks an interception, a forced fumble recovery & gave up 14 points.

 

[Psycho_X]

I have zero worries about this defense. We will always play soft in the run defense because that's just how this defense rolls. But they aren't going to give up shit past 10 yards. For some reason Aaron Donald ALWAYS starts the season slow. It's not until week 3 or 4 where he really hits that dominant streak and then it's lights out all year. And its week 1, everyone is playing a half step slow imo. Add on that David Montgomery was arguably the best RB in football last season after Thanksgiving and I'm not surprised to see the Bears running it down their throat all game. But.... it didn't matter.

 

[Ramstien]

For some perspective only 2 teams gave up less points than the Rams D this week. Improvement? Sure. Don’t miss as many tackles and we’ll force more punts. But don’t act like the Rams defense played poorly. While being #1 last year they gave up 19.something pts per game they gave up 14 yesterday.

The defense is fine.

Do you think the Ram coaches and players feel that way? I'll bet you a dollar to a doughnut they know they have to up their game. I'll tell you right now they will not beat Tampa Bay playing defense like they did last night. Other teams are going to study this tape and learn how to control the clock and beat the Rams.

 

[Neil039]

So, you're saying Donald is over-the-hill; and suggesting now would be the time to move him while they can get something in return ... like a fourth round pick.

Always thinking out-of-the-box!

I’m color blind so I hope it’s in blue font …. If Houston wants 3 first rounders for Watson then the Rams could get at least 3 times that for an aged AD (imagine blue font)

 

[Allen2McVay]

I’m color blind so I hope it’s in blue font ….

Yes ... Yes ... and ... YES.

My comment was in Blue Font and Bold ... just joke.

I may be stupid ... but I am not crazy.

 

[NJRamsFan]

Do you think the Ram coaches and players feel that way?

Feel what way?
Happy that they won convincingly in their season opener? yes
Like they made big plays when they needed to? yes
Like they played a perfect game? no
That allowing 14 points is a good thing? yes

They played better than you think. 3 sacks an INT a FF and 14 pts allowed is actually pretty dominant. The time of possession and rushing yardage are the only reason anyone is saying differently and as I said better tackling will fix that.

I'll bet you a dollar to a doughnut they know they have to up their game.

This is literally the pinnacle of American Football everyone has things they can improve on week to week. No one out there played a perfect game. I assure you even Matthew Stafford (who was damn close to perfect) wishes he had a few throws back (Robert woods TD despite the unclean pocket). Yes the Rams D knows they have to tackle better and will likely emphasize it in practice. I highly doubt they feel like they played as poorly as you seem to be suggesting.

I'll tell you right now they will not beat Tampa Bay playing defense like they did last night.

In this hypothetical are we still playing offense the same way we did last night? because that definitely impacted TOP right? I like our shot if were still throwing 50+ yd bomb TDS and putting points up on most of our possessions.

Other teams are going to study this tape and learn how to control the clock and beat the Rams.

You have to admit that part of the reason Chicago dominated TOP so handily is that we scored so fast right? IF we went on 10 play drives instead of 60 yd TDS it would have evened out significantly. That is a problem I am willing to live with.

 

[Ramstien]

The time of possession and rushing yardage are the only reason anyone is saying differently and as I said better tackling will fix that.

Yea better tackling and stouter up the middle, that is exactly what I am talking about.

 

[fastcat]

This looks like the defense we had in st Louis, when they hired that guy from Detroit to be the DC. The cbs were 15yds off the ball rather it was 3rd and 2 or 3rd and 25. And we never adjusted until Fisher took over the D, halfway through the season. Smh

 

[…..]

The run defense is a known weakness. The lack of starpower in our ILB’s is a thing we knew about.

Theres nothing new to see. We already knew we were going to roll with things the way we saw them.
The only real thing that isnt known is how Fuller is going to. He got in a couple good licks last night. But theres big shoes to fill.

 

[RamWoodie]

When the season starts, normally defenses are behind offenses. I knew the Bears would try to throw the Ram D' off by using Fields.

The Rams played a "bend but don't break" defense last night. It was really based on the trick/misdirection plays Nagy is known for, (which none of them worked).

I'm not worried about the D' at this point. I look at the scoreboard and only see 14 pts...let them get another game or 2 under their belt.

 

[Classic Rams]

Can't remember the last time I was cringing throughout our defensive series in a 20-point blowout. That's the irony. But like Memento said that's how Staley's D started last year and people here were questioning too. So I'll take this joyful win for the week and hopefully won't be cringing as much next game vs Colts. Seriously I was shuddering a lot for such a lopsided win when big plays vs the D were happening.

 

[PARAM]

Some observations to keep an eye on:
-piss poor tackling.

Agree. Is that something that is the result of zero preseason play? I expect that to improve.

On defensive concerns, 14 points allowed is 2.8 below last years average (16.8).

 

[Jorgeh0605]

Why is it hard to understand? When you quickly jump to a 10 - 0 lead with the explosive style offense we have, your defensive gameplan should be to protect against the big plays and let the opposing team waste time inching their way down the field, taking advantage of mistakes they make along the way. Could the run defense have been better? Sure. But running the ball was the last thing Chicago wanted to do in this game. We gave it to them. And the defense executed really well.

 

[fearsomefour]

Pass rush wasn’t there but Dalton was getting rid of it quickly and the Rams were helping him out with that shell coverage.
The Bears also helped the point total by going for it over and over on fourth down. A couple FGs make the score more respectable.
But, I did see a lot of athleticism and the D got stops on those fourth downs.
Ramsey was all over the field in his new role.
Not overwhelmingly impressed with the often massive holes in the run game.
But, time is needed to make any sort of judgement.

 

[bluecoconuts]

When you think you can't find ways to improve your game, that's when you are in trouble. There is always room for improvement. How do you think Donald or the other players on that defense, including coaches, feel about that performance. I'll tell you they are not pleased or satisficed with it, remember we are talking about the #1 defense from last season. If you can't admit the Rams defense was soft in the middle and got pushed around you need to watch the game again. They need to improve at MLBer, those guys are not run stuffers.

I didn't say they were perfect, but we can enjoy the win for at least a day.

Even the coaches and players give themselves a day to enjoy a win.

Honestly, I'm about ready to petition the board for a victory Monday rule. Similar to the vent threads only being open for 24 hours, we should have a 24 hour block after a win where we just enjoy it. Then on Tuesday's all the Debbie downers can come out and talk about how the shade of yellow isn't yellow enough.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Listening to local radio the defense played as designed to per game plan.
Give up the run and force Chicago to take time off the clock even if they did score.
The Rams felt they could score at will and quickly

 

[Curt760]

The one thing to remember is that Dalton thru 3 qtrs got rid of the ball in under 2.2 seconds on average.

The fastest overall last year was 2.4 seconds.

He was basically getting the ball and just throwing it to an open man short since the Rams were playing 7 - 10 yards off the line of scrimmage.

Exactly