There’s something about LA Rams rookie OLB Daniel Hardy

[fearsomefour]

Going up against a 6-8 330-plus pound mountain of a man like RT Havenstein should have made Chris Garrett fully realize his need to add power & strength to his game after his rookie season. CG might be a predominant right-side ER going up against those usually less powerful but quick & lengthy LT's.

I like that Snead has drafted these tweeners (Daniel Hardy/CG) late in his last two drafts. I hope he continues this pattern in the future too. Having the undersized Aaron Donald working with them each & every day is also a great plus for these two undersized ER's.

I have never understood the 5th rd selection of the 43 DE Ernest Brown...what are your thoughts on that?

This MR53 is likely to have both of these former 7th rd selections ER's assigned to it when the regular season begins.

I think the Rams had just lost Morgan Fox and needed some DL depth. With Ernest Brown I think they saw a guy who had some productive stretches in college and had good size and strength. 6'4" or 6'5" (Ive seen both listed) and coming out of college at 270 lbs.
Drafting in the later rounds you are always trying to find guys with something to develop.....Brown has a pro body and reportedly pro strength. He needs a lot of work on technique and pass rush Im sure.
I always assumed they would bulk him up to 290 pounds or more to sort of fill that Brockers role. When the Rams went 3/4....which is more of a hypothetical 3/4, Brockers would line up at DE plenty of times.
In fact, I think both Brown's were drafted to hope one sticks....if both do, fantastic.
Drafting in the 7th round is the same....Hardy has athleticism and speed.....but, he was sub 240 lbs when drafted.
Another tweener.
The further away we get from the draft the more I like this draft class.
That usually doesn't happen for me with Snead.....I am usually wrong thankfully.
A lot of intriguing picks the last two years.....so many players to look forward to.....both Bobby Brown and Ernest Brown, Ernest Jones (moving around I assume), Hollins, Hardy, both rookie CBs, Hill back in the fold, Rochel after being forced into duty last year, how Fuller and Burgess come back, will Rapp have a role, Scott battling for a starting S spot....so much young depth and talent. And that's just the D side of the ball. Really fun stuff.
As an aside, I think Hollins is going to excel for the Rams this year at OLB.

 

[fearsomefour]

Watching those videos I think, that is a 7th round pick........my good God am I an unathletic slug.

 

[fanotodd]

I see Hardy getting plenty of snaps on STs. That’s a good place to start. Littleton 2.0? Make enough plays and they GOTTA get you some snaps on defense.

Garrett was impressive last preseason. I just don’t know if he faced anybody who made a roster. With a year under his belt, he is more likely to see the field on defense before Hardy.

 

[So Ram]

Watching those videos I think, that is a 7th round pick........my good God am I an unathletic slug.

You have to remember how the game has evolved over the years.

Just like the article (one of ?) the articles said about Hardy. That he will try to make the 48 on special teams.

Downtown Rams Jake Bon had a Excellent interview with Hardy before or right after the draft(both) that showed who he is as a person.

He comes from a very solid family & never played football,until last year(s) of Highschool. Is very athletic & had good numbers.

Playing at a smaller school & just about having to play special teams has meant a lot to him.Working hard has what has got him to this point.

I like The young Man’s approach to training camp. Coach D has him on his list of players.

Hoecht last season was that type of player.I think how he stuck & played in 2021 is over looked Big-Time.

I’m a Jonas Williams Fan. Just an easy guy to cheer for,but special teams is not his M.O.

Garrett is a player is diverse,but is strictly an edge guy when it comes to where he is best suited.

Hardy will be fun to watch in the preseason.

 

[So Ram]

I think the Rams had just lost Morgan Fox and needed some DL depth. With Ernest Brown I think they saw a guy who had some productive stretches in college and had good size and strength. 6'4" or 6'5" (Ive seen both listed) and coming out of college at 270 lbs.
Drafting in the later rounds you are always trying to find guys with something to develop.....Brown has a pro body and reportedly pro strength. He needs a lot of work on technique and pass rush Im sure.
I always assumed they would bulk him up to 290 pounds or more to sort of fill that Brockers role. When the Rams went 3/4....which is more of a hypothetical 3/4, Brockers would line up at DE plenty of times.
In fact, I think both Brown's were drafted to hope one sticks....if both do, fantastic.
Drafting in the 7th round is the same....Hardy has athleticism and speed.....but, he was sub 240 lbs when drafted.
Another tweener.
The further away we get from the draft the more I like this draft class.
That usually doesn't happen for me with Snead.....I am usually wrong thankfully.
A lot of intriguing picks the last two years.....so many players to look forward to.....both Bobby Brown and Ernest Brown, Ernest Jones (moving around I assume), Hollins, Hardy, both rookie CBs, Hill back in the fold, Rochel after being forced into duty last year, how Fuller and Burgess come back, will Rapp have a role, Scott battling for a starting S spot....so much young depth and talent. And that's just the D side of the ball. Really fun stuff.
As an aside, I think Hollins is going to excel for the Rams this year at OLB.

Watching training camp & going over photos.This is a quick view I had.

Hollins is The Rams starting OLB/DE on the right side.Floyd is an amazing player.Garrett imo will be lined up 2nd string from the start.

At CB RR31 looks like a pure cover corner.Troy Hill coming back was huge & especially with RAMSey being hurt. The Rams will give there rookies a chance.

Mcvay in OTA’s was pushing T. Burgees.He knows the defense really well & looks really good in communication with the DB’s.I believe he picked up some of that being coached by Aubrey Pleasant.

 

[BonifayRam]

It's certain that this hand-in-the-dirt DE Daniel Hardy landed in a team where he is seriously needed.

The Rams 2022 DL unit will undergo reconstruction in the near future.

Its 5 starters have three, being UFA's ( DL Robinson/ NT Gaines/ DE Hollins) when this season concludes another has done nothing but ramble on @ retirement since the Rams completed the 2021 season his overall salary cap % is a near 18% in 2023. The Rams lost one starter from the 2021 roster to FA'cy.

Currently, the entire 3-man DL reserve unit is primarily made up of UDFA's like Copeland, Hoecht, Garcia & Willaims with a fraction of 2 third-day draft selections mixed in who have a very small fraction of snaps (2.3%) with the defense.

Rams Org has very little available in future cap funds to tempt the UFA's to resign when a massive amount of $$$ will offer up for these back-to-back NFL championships starting DL'ers. So this TC & preseason will determine much.

 

[Kupped]

Yeah, Garrett was a little “doughy” when he arrived. I wonder how his off-season strength work has gone?

Wondering exactly the same thing. Was he a guy who needed an NFL diet and strength plan? Or is he just a guy who doesn't get too ripped?

 

[Kupped]

The Rams 2022 DL unit will undergo reconstruction in the near future.

Its 5 starters have three, being UFA's ( DL Robinson/ NT Gaines/ DE Hollins) when this season concludes another has done nothing but ramble on @ retirement since the Rams completed the 2021 season his overall salary cap % is a near 18% in 2023. The Rams lost one starter from the 2021 roster to FA'cy.

Currently, the entire 3 man DL reserve unit is primarily made up of UDFA's like Copeland, Hoecht, Garcia & Willaims with a fraction of 2 third-day draft selections mixed in who have a very small fraction of snaps (2.3%) with the defense.

Rams Org has little available in future cap funds to tempt the UFA to resign when a massive amount of $$$ will offer up for these back-to-back NFL championships starting DL'ers. So this TC & preseason will determine much.

Um... "ramble"? I guess you missed the offseason workout videos, bro. Aaron Donald is Aaron Fucking Donald until he's not. Zero dropoff last year, despite my early season concerns and despite playing, in my opinion, too many snaps.

Also.. The Rams will pay at least one of Gaines and Robinson this offseason.. that's been the model of their team-build when it comes to the Dline.
They're also developing UDFAs and also have a legitimate prospect in B Brown coming up.
Also.. if Donald retires, that changes the cap.

 

[BonifayRam]

I think the Rams had just lost Morgan Fox and needed some DL depth. With Ernest Brown I think they saw a guy who had some productive stretches in college and had good size and strength. 6'4" or 6'5" (Ive seen both listed) and coming out of college at 270 lbs.
Drafting in the later rounds you are always trying to find guys with something to develop.....Brown has a pro body and reportedly pro strength. He needs a lot of work on technique and pass rush Im sure.
I always assumed they would bulk him up to 290 pounds or more to sort of fill that Brockers role. When the Rams went 3/4....which is more of a hypothetical 3/4, Brockers would line up at DE plenty of times.
In fact, I think both Brown's were drafted to hope one sticks....if both do, fantastic.
Drafting in the 7th round is the same....Hardy has athleticism and speed.....but, he was sub 240 lbs when drafted.
Another tweener.
The further away we get from the draft the more I like this draft class.
That usually doesn't happen for me with Snead.....I am usually wrong thankfully.
A lot of intriguing picks the last two years.....so many players to look forward to.....both Bobby Brown and Ernest Brown, Ernest Jones (moving around I assume), Hollins, Hardy, both rookie CBs, Hill back in the fold, Rochel after being forced into duty last year, how Fuller and Burgess come back, will Rapp have a role, Scott battling for a starting S spot....so much young depth and talent. And that's just the D side of the ball. Really fun stuff.
As an aside, I think Hollins is going to excel for the Rams this year at OLB.

This 2021 Snead 5th rd drafted 43 DE never saw a glimpse of the 2021 MR53 roster. Ernest Brown did not earn a roster spot in his rookie season. EB did play in all the preseason games though. When you review all the many reports on EB .....he is a pure 43 DE nothing else. Just maybe he might grow into a Ram 34 D Five Tech DL by the end of his 4 yr contract. Last season he rode the PS all season.

Overview
A 4-3 defensive end with NFL size and power, Brown has a natural sturdiness that shows up through contact. His play features heavy hands and he's generally able to give as good as he gets when it becomes a battle of wills at the point of attack. He lacks desired pursuit range, so his game would really benefit from learning to stack-and-shed the block more quickly so he can jump on top of the ball-carrier. His pass rush is too telegraphed and predictable when attacking off the edge, so developing his rush plan as a sub-package interior rusher will be critical to getting the most out of his potential.

"I see pro size and pro potential, but he needs an NFL strength and conditioning program and more work with his hands." -- Scouting director for NFC team

Earnest Brown IV Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

www.nfl.com

MSN

www.msn.com

Rams select EDGE Earnest Brown with pick 174 in the fifth round

Brown could potentially fill the void left by Morgan Fox

www.turfshowtimes.com

View: https://twitter.com/NUFBFamily/status/1361798072234311697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1361798072234311697%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therams.com%2Fnews%2Fget-to-know-earnest-brown-iv

 

[RamFan503]

I think Hollins is going to excel for the Rams this year at OLB.

QUACK! QUACK! QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK​

 

[RamDino]

I wasn't really a fan of Earnest Brown until I read that article. Smart kid, and obviously one of the reasons why Snead/McVay drafted him. Don't be surprised to see Earnest Brown get some playing time this year. I will be rooting for him.

 

[BonifayRam]

I wasn't really a fan of Earnest Brown until I read that article. Smart kid, and obviously one of the reasons why Snead/McVay drafted him. Don't be surprised to see Earnest Brown get some playing time this year. I will be rooting for him.

Where at in that DL?

 

[RamDino]

Where at in that DL?

Not sure. Maybe 5T? Raheem needs to figure that out. But first the Rams have to see where he's at from a strength and smarts and confidence standpoint. Has he put in the work? Can he hold up against bigger O-lineman? The preseason will tell but I like the kid a lot more than I did last year.

 

[fearsomefour]

This 2021 Snead 5th rd drafted 43 DE never saw a glimpse of the 2021 MR53 roster. Ernest Brown did not earn a roster spot in his rookie season. EB did play in all the preseason games though. When you review all the many reports on EB .....he is a pure 43 DE nothing else. Just maybe he might grow into a Ram 34 D Five Tech DL by the end of his 4 yr contract. Last season he rode the PS all season.

Overview
A 4-3 defensive end with NFL size and power, Brown has a natural sturdiness that shows up through contact. His play features heavy hands and he's generally able to give as good as he gets when it becomes a battle of wills at the point of attack. He lacks desired pursuit range, so his game would really benefit from learning to stack-and-shed the block more quickly so he can jump on top of the ball-carrier. His pass rush is too telegraphed and predictable when attacking off the edge, so developing his rush plan as a sub-package interior rusher will be critical to getting the most out of his potential.

"I see pro size and pro potential, but he needs an NFL strength and conditioning program and more work with his hands." -- Scouting director for NFC team

Earnest Brown IV Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

www.nfl.com

MSN

www.msn.com

Rams select EDGE Earnest Brown with pick 174 in the fifth round

Brown could potentially fill the void left by Morgan Fox

www.turfshowtimes.com

View: https://twitter.com/NUFBFamily/status/1361798072234311697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1361798072234311697%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therams.com%2Fnews%2Fget-to-know-earnest-brown-iv

Both Browns were drafted with the ideal of development.....like we have seen on the OL.
When injuries struck Copeland got quite a few snaps.
Ive like Copeland since he came on board and thought he would do a little more. He was a solid guy, didn't really make plays but for the most part didn't get blown off the ball.
I doubt the Rams drafted him without a concept of how they wanted him to develop and how they would be using him. Or maybe, being in the later rounds, they had his physical gifts rated higher than where they drafted him and that was enough.
So, the Rams depth on the DL is now B Brown, Garcia at NT, E Brown, Williams, Hoecht, Copeland at DE.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out and who makes the 53 man roster.

 

[BonifayRam]

Not sure. Maybe 5T? Raheem needs to figure that out. But first the Rams have to see where he's at from a strength and smarts and confidence standpoint. Has he put in the work? Can he hold up against bigger O-lineman? The preseason will tell but I like the kid a lot more than I did last year.

I believe that you are over the target in this 3 DL post lineup. He is not a good fit but that is the only spot.

Now if DC Morris were to shift to a 4 position DL now with Wagner here ...things change up greatly for over a half dozen defenders like Ernest Brown, Jonah Williams, Brayden Thomas, Terrell Lewis, Elijah Garcia, Benton Whitley & Keir Thomas who all are 43 DE types.

 

[PressureD41]

I believe that you are over the target in this 3 DL post lineup. He is not a good fit but that is the only spot.

Now if DC Morris were to shift to a 4 position DL now with Wagner here ...things change up greatly for over a half dozen defenders like Ernest Brown, Jonah Williams, Brayden Thomas, Terrell Lewis, Elijah Garcia, Benton Whitley & Keir Thomas who all are 43 DE types.

If we use 4-3 package how would this effect E. jones?

 

[BonifayRam]

If we use 4-3 package how would this effect E. jones?

Not an advocate of 34 D but he would be on the field as much as Wagner.

Most likely as the weakside OLBer position with Wagner in the middle.

 

[PressureD41]

Ya that’s what I figured. Both ILB’s too talented to take off the field

 

[Merlin]

After so many years of seeing the Shitters and Seahawks with great linebacking it feels weird to think we might be one of those teams now. I'm really excited to see those two settle in back there together.

I do think Jones will be the guy who comes off the field in big passing situations. But that's no shot at him when the other dude is Wagner.

 

[BonifayRam]

LA Rams rookie outside linebacker Daniel Hardy is flipping good​

LA Rams rookie outside linebacker Daniel Hardy is flipping good

In LA Rams News: Rookie outside linebacker Daniel Hardy is flipping good, and here are some reasons why he should make this team.

ramblinfan.com

If there is such as thing as a gut feeling, then the LA Rams rookie outside linebacker Daniel Hardy is both the cause and the beneficiary this year. There is a bias toward uncovering the positive intrigue about a rookie class at the conclusion of the NFL Draft, and we can be as guilty as anyone for looking for the silver linings with each and every newly selected rookie.

But some rookies have more than ‘on paper,’ positives. Call it a hunch, a gut feeling, a swagger. Whatever you are comfortable with naming that set of unquantifiable qualities that make you feel especially optimistic about a player’s chances. After evaluating his draft profile, we were sold on the young man. And the more we learn about this young man at camp, the more we are convinced that he will break the tradition of redshirting rookies.

He is such a positively charged player, so much so that it’s fun tracking his training camp progress:

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1553826365761134592


He gives his all each day, every day, at practice. He is the outside linebacker whose pads popped loudly enough against TE Kendall Blanton that the sound was heard all over the football field.

View: https://twitter.com/StuJRams/status/1520526348019593216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1520526348019593216%7Ctwgr%5Ef93aa89593ff3fed7909df6a9de6b5761de51800%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Framblinfan.com%2F2022%2F08%2F07%2Fdaniel-hardy-flipping-over-la-rams-training-camp%2F

I have a soft spot for young men who embrace the grind, embody a solid work ethic, and who are not looking for spotlights or headlines

Perhaps it’s that stubborn and relentless attitude that triggers that gut feeling. After plenty of years on this planet, I’ve learned never to discount anyone who won’t surrender. There are some people in life who get tougher as the competition stiffens, who seem to find a way to always come out on top.

Daniel Hardy seems to be that type of player. At 6-foot-3 and 248-pounds, he is neither the biggest nor the most powerful edge rusher. But from what we are learning so far, he may be the most determined. He is one of the hardest hitters in training camp, appears to be a lock to make coverage units on special teams.

Will he earn defensive snaps? He is determined to do exactly that.