The problem with our defense lies with our safeties

[TexasRam]

It can be both scheme and players at the same time. No need to be so binary about this.

mod edit: removed political comment

But seriously, it is both. 22 and 24 can't compete at this level. With the exception of 24 possibly having a LOS dime roll possibly. Let's see what Rochell has. Let's also get Reed, Burgess or Juju in there. Reed look excellent in preseason. What is there to lose?

But the scheme is clearly soft zone at time leaving dudes running untouched wide open for easy completions. That part is infuriating. We should be an agressive punishing defense with this talent. Crowd WR's and bump them at the LOS. Man up. QB's will start taking sacks and throwing into traffic because the WR doesn't have time to get into the route.

And please, stop the Star nonsense. This stupid analytics driven idea is killing us. We are becoming so smart we are stupid. I heard Jourdan parroting it and about puked. When there is no top WR's it can be used in a limited fashion. Otherwise use Ramsey to shut down one side of the field 1 on 1 and play the numbers game. Suddenly you have an extra man to cover the other guys. Like we did last year when we were the top D.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Agree with those who question Morris.

But let's not forget we lost a premier safety in John Johnson, who's getting paid over 11M per year by the Browns.

Put it another way-- how would JJ do as the starting safety under Morris? Having JJ back there instead of Rapp would make Morris seem a lot better...

Just a huge loss and still feels like a damn shame to me.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I also can't help but think that if we'd have been able to retain Aubrey Pleasant, we might've retained some of the intricate know-how of what Staley had going with our DBs.

 

[So Ram]

What are the odds that the people attacking Morris for the scheme now were complaining about the scheme when the Rams lost in the playoffs?

Agree - talk about a bunch of bitch fits. I say ALL that are negative can?

Oh well somebody had to say it.This to me is a bunch of people that aren’t looking at the big picture & live to complain?

It’s all good,but The Rams are 4-1 & lossing to Arizona from what I saw was more of the offense ? I don’t know the SeaHags game as well the defense made some good stops.

I noticed more of the David Long against Arizona just got picked on.Then RR31 he just needs more experience.I like them on an island & like the defensive scheme.

Raheem Morris is an EXCELLENT DC coach.The players play for him & they will get better.The DB depth is good.

I was more upset early in the season.I like when The Rams have Reeder in more than when he is off the field.

I could go on & Will if wanted.Just saying I don’t mind the negative & evaluation it’s just anyone who wants to get up on a PEDESTAL to talk crap
doesn’t appreciate this RAMS TEAM and the HISTORY of where it comes.

IMO - I’m Grateful with The Rams Franchise & this whole team means a lot to me.If this team starts to loss badly because of players then I’d probably be in the Majority in this post. — Cheers!!

I guess my question for this Sunday after a early win is Arizona or SF.This game has a lot of meaning on way or another. Rams 4-1 Hags 2-3 Nice job DB’s way to help out with the win Thursday. Good job Raheem only giving up 17 on the road.The last one was a little cheap.AD99 shouldn’t have taken that 15 yard penalty.

 

[wolfdogg]

We‘ve played some good passing offenses, but our defense doesn’t feel changed enough (personnel-wise) for some of what we are seeing.

For the year, we are top 13 in ppg… which isn’t garbage…

But its hard to ignore the early season swap with the Chargers in defensive ranking. That must raise eyebrows with McVay. Are we getting our best play out of this unit?

2020

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2021

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I know it's only 4 games in but that chart is trending the wrong way and it's better to understand that now and to do something about it now.

I look at the chargers as being the control group in a defensive scheme experiment.

 

[DVontel]

Sometimes it seems like a scheme issue. Sometimes its execution issues. I'm disappointed in Rapp so far. I'm also disappointed in how open receivers are underneath. Too many times its just pitch and catch. It puts a lot of pressure on defenders not to miss tackles. And they do miss some.

To be fair though, in their 4 wins they haven't given a lot of points. Its been 14/17/24/17. I'm not counting the punt block TD in Indy. 18 points per game for those 4 isn't bad in today's NFL.

The Cardinals did a number on them. But they've been doing it to everyone else too. Kyler Murray is reminding me of Lamar Jackson a couple years ago taking the league by storm. But it seems like teams have started to figure out Jackson. I don't see Murry sustaining that long term.

The defense clearly is not near as good as last year's defense. But they don't have to be. The offense should be much better this year. If the defense can be serviceable and not let games like the AZ game happen, they should win a lot of games. In the meantime they can work on getting better for the playoffs.

Lamar Jackson has more total yards than 12 NFL teams this year with really nothing at WR outside of Hollywood Brown, OL being not what it was in 2019, his 3 starting RBs on IR, while leading that 3-1 record with that 1 loss in OT. Not sure if I would call that “teams have started to figure out”, but I know some of this board dislike Lamar for some odd reason.

 

[Boston Ram]

5 weeks in with a new coach and some personal changes from last year. Too early to start playing any kind of blame game. Season is played in quarters.

Considering we didn’t have much of a preseason let’s see how this plays out. In theory the defense should improve each week. There will be a hiccup along the way.

Overall the defense has been solid. I’m more concerned with how we look in November and December. That is when we will know what kind of coach Morris is.

In the moment, Rapp has been a weak link.

 

[den-the-coach]

Rapp should simply play a nickel or dime LB type role.

I concur here, Rapp can't cover a bed and for some odd reason, Morris loves him. Don't understand why Burgess can't get on the field.

 

[Kupped]

It can be both scheme and players at the same time. No need to be so binary about this.

mod edit: removed political comment

But seriously, it is both. 22 and 24 can't compete at this level. With the exception of 24 possibly having a LOS dime roll possibly. Let's see what Rochell has. Let's also get Reed, Burgess or Juju in there. Reed look excellent in preseason. What is there to lose?

But the scheme is clearly soft zone at time leaving dudes running untouched wide open for easy completions. That part is infuriating. We should be an agressive punishing defense with this talent. Crowd WR's and bump them at the LOS. Man up. QB's will start taking sacks and throwing into traffic because the WR doesn't have time to get into the route.

And please, stop the Star nonsense. This stupid analytics driven idea is killing us. We are becoming so smart we are stupid. I heard Jourdan parroting it and about puked. When there is no top WR's it can be used in a limited fashion. Otherwise use Ramsey to shut down one side of the field 1 on 1 and play the numbers game. Suddenly you have an extra man to cover the other guys. Like we did last year when we were the top D.

The Rams ran a ton of zone last year, they were just great at picking up guys moving through and locking up.
Not this unit.
For me, I'm not done with the Star thing, but they need Rochelle to really grow to make it feasible to run as much as they want.

 

[majrleaged]

What are the odds that the people attacking Morris for the scheme now were complaining about the scheme when the Rams lost in the playoffs?

Most of us thought it was the injury to AD

 

[snackdaddy]

Lamar Jackson has more total yards than 12 NFL teams this year with really nothing at WR outside of Hollywood Brown, OL being not what it was in 2019, his 3 starting RBs on IR, while leading that 3-1 record with that 1 loss in OT. Not sure if I would call that “teams have started to figure out”, but I know some of this board dislike Lamar for some odd reason.

He's a good quarterback with his skill set. Much like Murray. A couple years ago they were blowing everyone out. Most games weren't close. But in the playoffs it seems like teams come up with a game plan to limit his impact. Keep him from making big plays with his running ability and he's not as effective. Its easier said than done. But they aren't as successful in the playoffs. So someone has been able to do it.

As far as Murray, I think he's the fastest QB in the league. When he's running the LB's can't catch him. But that size would concern me. How long can he keep running and stay healthy?

 

[BonifayRam]

All three of our playing safeties Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp & Nick Scott are performing far below last year's level. Why is that?

You can also add in Darious Williams is performing just as bad as those 3 safeties maybe even worse @ times.

In addition, DC Morris's favorite corner David Long should be on the practice Squad not on the MR53 I guarantee you would not have to worry about any other NFL team swiping him off our squad.

Finally what was one of the best DB's in the NFL last season Jalen Ramsey is far from being a dominant force @ his past all-pro level.

Wonder what has changed since last season?

 

[wolfdogg]

Agree - talk about a bunch of bitch fits. I say ALL that are negative can?

Oh well somebody had to say it.This to me is a bunch of people that aren’t looking at the big picture & live to complain?

It’s all good,but The Rams are 4-1 & lossing to Arizona from what I saw was more of the offense ? I don’t know the SeaHags game as well the defense made some good stops.

I noticed more of the David Long against Arizona just got picked on.Then RR31 he just needs more experience.I like them on an island & like the defensive scheme.

Raheem Morris is an EXCELLENT DC coach.The players play for him & they will get better.The DB depth is good.

I was more upset early in the season.I like when The Rams have Reeder in more than when he is off the field.

I could go on & Will if wanted.Just saying I don’t mind the negative & evaluation it’s just anyone who wants to get up on a PEDESTAL to talk crap
doesn’t appreciate this RAMS TEAM and the HISTORY of where it comes.

IMO - I’m Grateful with The Rams Franchise & this whole team means a lot to me.If this team starts to loss badly because of players then I’d probably be in the Majority in this post. — Cheers!!

I guess my question for this Sunday after a early win is Arizona or SF.This game has a lot of meaning on way or another. Rams 4-1 Hags 2-3 Nice job DB’s way to help out with the win Thursday. Good job Raheem only giving up 17 on the road.The last one was a little cheap.AD99 shouldn’t have taken that 15 yard penalty.

So, you don't mind a negative evaluation but as soon as a few people make reasonable negative evaluations, all of a sudden they're ungrateful fans slinging crap from their pedestals onto a team they don't respect? Seems a bit harsh, and like the rams defense against the cards, highly ineffective in producing a positive outcome.

The cards beat up on the entire rams defense all day long and anyone thinking mcvay just shrugged that off needs to step into the blue tent.

Fortunately, the game against the Seahawks was a significant improvement and part of that improvement looked to be a change in scheme and play calling, likely due to the same obvious negative evaluations you have criticized, cheers!

 

[So Ram]

So, you don't mind a negative evaluation but as soon as a few people make reasonable negative evaluations, all of a sudden they're ungrateful fans slinging crap from their pedestals onto a team they don't respect? Seems a bit harsh, and like the rams defense against the cards, highly ineffective in producing a positive outcome.
He
The cards beat up on the entire rams defense all day long and anyone thinking mcvay just shrugged that off needs to step into the blue tent.

Fortunately, the game against the Seahawks was a significant improvement and part of that improvement looked to be a change in scheme and play calling, likely due to the same obvious negative evaluations you have criticized, cheers!

As long as you are saying a win is at least a win.I always things there is trial by error.

 

[TheTackle]

We have two weeks to fix the problems and expect either a change to the scheme with more sub-packages or a change to the starters if Rapp doesn’t improve in the next game

The good news is that we have plenty of depth, and experienced coaches, so this is something to watch closely

If we can continue to fire in the running game and tighten up on defense then look out!

 

[jacktheripper85]

Agree with those who question Morris.

But let's not forget we lost a premier safety in John Johnson, who's getting paid over 11M per year by the Browns.

Put it another way-- how would JJ do as the starting safety under Morris? Having JJ back there instead of Rapp would make Morris seem a lot better...

Not looking very premier lately-especially yesterday. Yikes!!

 

[FrantikRam]

We‘ve played some good passing offenses, but our defense doesn’t feel changed enough (personnel-wise) for some of what we are seeing.

For the year, we are top 13 in ppg… which isn’t garbage…

But its hard to ignore the early season swap with the Chargers in defensive ranking. That must raise eyebrows with McVay. Are we getting our best play out of this unit?

2020

View attachment 48845

2021

View attachment 48846

That's not an ouch worthy post. We're 13th in points allowed and have played the GOAT, a HoF QB and the MVP front runner.

We're about to play three bad offenses which should bring that number down.

 

[BonifayRam]

This team is holding up injury-wise after playing five weeks & should continue to win more than it loses.

This offense should be on a roll by now even with the injuries to the RB's since TC.

Rams DEFENSIVE front 5 DL of Floyd/ SJ-D/ Gaines/ Donald/ Lewis has & can carry this team to win enough games to make the playoffs. We have zero issues currently in these five positions.

DC Morris's secondary is in disarray & not improving & shows NO signs of it improving.

I would like to see a member who has a positive opinion of this secondary put forth a well-detailed post to address why that DC Morris's 3 starting safeties need to remain in the positions they are playing now.

Or is the real problem the HC/ DC's scheme?

 

[wolfdogg]

As long as you are saying a win is at least a win.I always things there is trial by error.

Of course a win is a win. I'm talking about the loss to Arizona and how that particular game exposed some weaknesses of our new bending scheme. Weaknesses that will be exploited when we face more aggressive offenses.

 

[Tano]

Lamar Jackson has more total yards than 12 NFL teams this year with really nothing at WR outside of Hollywood Brown, OL being not what it was in 2019, his 3 starting RBs on IR, while leading that 3-1 record with that 1 loss in OT. Not sure if I would call that “teams have started to figure out”, but I know some of this board dislike Lamar for some odd reason.

I have yet to see Lamar do well in the playoffs.

That's why I do not like Lamar.

Lamar is great in the regular season when most teams do not know how to play him but once he gets to the playoffs where he probably faces an above average defense, he sucks.

Same reason why I do not like Kyler. However, I think Kyler definitely has a better arm than Lamar so I could be wrong about him. We will see. I just can't get over Kyler's height. I should probably stop stereotyping short people in the NFL since I didn't like the Rams taking Tutu in the second round.