The Rams defense doesn't need to be even good..

[majrleaged]

Let us all not forget the Rams stopping them four straight plays inside the 2 yard line.

That really says a lot about our D. What it is capable of.

 

[FelixTheStone]

That's easy. Let the other team score on the first play of every drive and the D will get off the field in record time.

The goal of the D is to keep the opposing team's score as small as possible.

That being said, I would also like to see the Rams play with a hard D.

Hard D. Giggidy.

 

[Kupped]

rams rank 12th in ypg... which is solid.

If you take away the special teams snap - which in no way should go on the defense record

then they are like 4th in ppg.

So i agree the defense has looked soft - but overall the numbers are good.

They're top ten (without that special teams mishap) in points allowed, in sacks and in turnovers.
I don't know if the Bears and Colts have "good" offenses... I know they both have top-tier RBs and solid targets. Next week will be a completely different world.

 

[Mackeyser]

I LOVE our weapons I really do. But there's levels to this shit.

Mahomes is better than Stafford.
Hill is better than Kupp.
Kelce is better than Woods.

So yea we're nothing like the Chiefs tbh. We're great on offense, but they are arguably the most explosive and talented offense of all time.

We need our defense to finish top 10 to have a solid shot at winning it all. And I suspect we'll settle in more into this scheme and Raheem will get a better feel for play calling with this group.

I'll reserve judgment on Mahomes over Stafford until the season is over, but Mahomes after sitting a year, came in to the best OL, amazing weapons and offensive guru in Andy Reid. You know how good Stafford is? HE SURVIVED THE LIONS. How many QBs have been thrown to the Jets, Dolphins, Browns, Broncos, Bears, Jaguars, etc only to have them either fail outright or flail then fail? I think this gets missed. It's SUPER rare for a QB to survive a completely shit org like the Lions have been. What are those QBs doing now? They're in the studio, doing analysis.

Kupp is better than Hill. Not faster, but better in every other way. I'd take Kupp over Hill every day and 1000 times on Sundays.

Kelce is better than Woods, but how's that a knock on Woods? One of the best receiving TEs against a Pro Bowl level WR? Also, the drop off is there, but it's not as huge as you think.

Point being is that we're not nearly as behind as you may think.

We can disagree whether we're ahead (I think our combo is better than KC, but I get that that's a highly debatable point), but I wouldn't dismiss our Rams as being a 2nd tier team... at all.

Also, we don't need our D top be top 10. I legit think it will be, but we don't need that. I will agree that we will need that if we are going to continue to not sustain drives and rely on quick strikes, but I think Sony Michel's running style is much better suited to grinding it out in the ground game.

I have a slight beef with Morris, but I'll save that for a new post.

 

[Mackeyser]

Really?

I see tackling as a learned skill not a talent.

Yep.

And I'll say it again: Pete Carroll's tackling method which is now basically standard in the NFL is heads up, wrap up, drive through. It's what allowed his DBs to play so hard against the run and begin that whole Legion of Boom. And for the most part, they remained healthy.

None of this big hit stuff (especially with the shoulder... ugh) or DBs making "business decisions" as so many do (although against someone like Derrick Henry, I can kinda understand). Just get 'em on the ground.

So yeah, definitely learned. I like how teaching tackling seems to be back in vogue by these new coaches.

 

[Angry Ram]

Our offense going 3 and out, certainly won't help.

Our defense has been on the field, more than Our offense.

It's definitely something that we need to focus on.

That's also a good thing, because the O has also been having 1 play TDs or quick drives that just fly by.

 

[Dodgersrf]

That's also a good thing, because the O has also been having 1 play TDs or quick drives that just fly by.

Not so much yesterday.

We still got a win against a pretty good team, but having the defense on the field for an average of 33.5 minutes a game vs. 26.5 minutes on offense, may take its toll.

 

[TexasRam]

Good point by Merlin on the need for our defense to get off the feild due to a more quick strike style offense.

Our defense can’t be out there all day long or they will wear down, not to mention chance for injury.

The ironic thing though is since they have been on the field so much in the first two games, it’s allowed them to sort of get in play shape and knock the rust off - since they didn’t play in preseason.

I think it’s worth noting - there is a talent drop off. Rapp cannot cover anywhere near what JJ was able to. Or another way to look at it - Fuller can’t fill the JJ void. Long is way behind Hill as well. Hill wasn’t maybe consistent play in and play out, but he could make several PBU or coverage plays every week. Long is no where near that - Long is currently heavily targeted.

We need to see more Burgess out there. And Overall the tackling needs to get better - and it will.

There is a reason we are better at the goaline. We don’t play the deep
She’ll coverages.

 

[fastcat]

Really?

I see tackling as a learned skill not a talent.

Tackling is learned... It also has a lot to do with the will of a player.

 

[Ballhawk]

Make one wonder if the players are pacing themselves due to the lengthened season?

 

[Memento]

Now we know what you like to read ...

View attachment 48139

Somebody shoot me.

 

[thirteen28]

Somebody shoot me.

Read this before you take the bullet (keep mouth clear of liquids while reading)

Dave Barry Learns Everything You Need to Know About Being a Husband From Reading "50 Shades of Grey"

You need to have an honest, no-holds-barred conversation about sex with the special woman in your life — provided you're a superhot billionaire who can move without being seen

time.com

 

[Angry Ram]

Not so much yesterday.

We still got a win against a pretty good team, but having the defense on the field for an average of 33.5 minutes a game vs. 26.5 minutes on offense, may take its toll.

Their TD drives yesterday were 5 mins, 3.5 mins, and 2 mins.

I know they had that stumble in the 3rd with some 3 and outs. It will be fine and even out eventually.

 

[PressureD41]

The secondary has a few new guys, the communication and trust needs time to get on the same page.
Need another 4-5 games to know what we have as a whole imho

 

[TheTackle]

Last year we ran more of a ball control offense, from the first minute to last, which ate up more clock. I don’t think there is much drop off in terms of the players - though we are not playing as a unit as well as we were entering last years playoffs

If other teams have more time of possession, it would be a little naive to think we will capture the title of no1 defense again, even if we do clean things up a little

The D is stocked with impact players and we have seen that many times already. I tend to agree with Raheem Morris that points allowed is a much more important indicator and we are looking sharp so far in that category

 

[Dodgersrf]

Their TD drives yesterday were 5 mins, 3.5 mins, and 2 mins.

I know they had that stumble in the 3rd with some 3 and outs. It will be fine and even out eventually.

We have a great coaching staff. I'm sure they'll get it worked out.

Stafford had an off day as well. He under threw quite a few balls. He's just going to get better as the season progresses.

With a new QB and a new DC, we should expect some growing pains.

 

[snackdaddy]

Its early in the season. A few changes with players and coaches. It shouldn't be surprising if they aren't looking like last year's number one defense this early.

With that said, the defense has given up 14 and 17 points. In the age of offensive football. And we're not happy with that. Tough crowd.

 

[JYB]

With that said, the defense has given up 14 and 17 points. In the age of offensive football. And we're not happy with that. Tough crowd.

That's because better teams won't screw up in the red zone like the Bears and Colts did. But both of those teams -- not known for their offensive prowess -- routinely drove the length of the field. We cannot play like that against top tier teams and hope they'll implode in the red zone. Because most of them won't.

 

[snackdaddy]

That's because better teams won't screw up in the red zone like the Bears and Colts did. But both of those teams -- not known for their offensive prowess -- routinely drove the length of the field. We cannot play like that against top tier teams and hope they'll implode in the red zone. Because most of them won't.

Its early in the season. We have to expect some parts of the defense, and offense to still be feeling their way through. Just because it was like that last time is no guarantee it will be the next time. Some people are assuming "They struggled against a bad team. We're screwed now because a good team will make us pay for it". Not necessarily. Things do change from week to week.

 

[JYB]

Its early in the season. We have to expect some parts of the defense, and offense to still be feeling their way through. Just because it was like that last time is no guarantee it will be the next time. Some people are assuming "They struggled against a bad team. We're screwed now because a good team will make us pay for it". Not necessarily. Things do change from week to week.

I understand rust, missing assignments, poor tackling, etc. But I don't understand conceding 7 yard passes as a defensive strategy. Unless you're in 3rd and 15.