Travin Howard out for the season

[LA_Rams_#29]

Damn!!

Rams LB Travin Howard to miss 2020 season with torn meniscus

Travin Howard was expected to be a starter at inside linebacker.

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Aww that really sucks for him. He finally got his shot to start and now he is out for the season. I feel for the guy.

 

[Corbin]

-_-

Young, time to step up. Read he was looking good to.

 

[MachS]

-_-

Young, time to step up. Read he was looking good to.

Sucks for Howard, I thought him and Kaiser would've made a pretty good young ILB duo. Now yea I hope Young gets the nod as well. At least he's a great athlete at LB, even if he is raw. If I see Reeder starting at ILB this year again I'll be cracking the whisky much earlier than normal.

 

[hotanez]

This sucks, now we have to go with the backups like Young and Reeder! Feel so bad for Howard.

 

[Merlin]

NFL is brutal man. Kid had a shot this year to make a name for himself but you gotta be able to handle the thumping at that off backer role. What a bummer.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

So I'm guessing now the depth chart is Kiser backed up by Reeder, and Young backed up by Johnson. Wouldn't be surprised if we look at the waiver wire. I like Kenny Young, but as a UCLA fan, I have a good memory so I'm a bit hesitant. lol.

I wonder if Natrez Patrick is an option to move back to ILB. Looks like he's put some size on, and I've seen where he may be ahead of Jaccahi Polite at OLB so he's probably going to stay there

 

[fearsomefour]

Sucks.

 

[Merlin]

IMO our "ILBs" are going to be Kiser / Rapp. Rapp was exceptional in run support last year and he can cover far better than the rest of the LBs.

Only exception to that will be the best run games. And even there I don't know that any of the ILBs will be better than Rapp in run support. He's not a stack and shed guy, but his instincts and ability to quickly diagnose help him there.

 

[BigRamFan]

IMO our "ILBs" are going to be Kiser / Rapp. Rapp was exceptional in run support last year and he can cover far better than the rest of the LBs.

Only exception to that will be the best run games. And even there I don't know that any of the ILBs will be better than Rapp in run support. He's not a stack and shed guy, but his instincts and ability to quickly diagnose help him there.

Although that makes some sense logistically I would be concerned about his durability at that position.

 

[dang]

Waiver Wire Watch!!!!

 

[SeminoleRam]

Any news/thoughts on Clay Johnston? I had (have!) hopes that he will make the Rams final roster this year and possibly earn a starting role one day in the future. Am I dreaming??? Just really like his FIRE & ATTITUDE!!! Will never forget his reaction to the phone call he received on Draft Day!!!

 

[Merlin]

Although that makes some sense logistically I would be concerned about his durability at that position.

Yeah I'm always concerned with safety sized guys at ILB. But if you review last season's film Rapp was used in run support a great deal and held up. I think they'll settle on him as a one year deal and Staley will get another addition or two after the season.

I just don't see any other answer. They might call it a big nickel or something else, but that should effectively be the way it works out. And when a big run game shows up, like SF/Baltimore/etc sub one of those other backers (Reeder/Young/etc) in there on run downs.

 

[BigRamFan]

Yeah I'm always concerned with safety sized guys at ILB. But if you review last season's film Rapp was used in run support a great deal and held up. I think they'll settle on him as a one year deal and Staley will get another addition or two after the season.

I just don't see any other answer. They might call it a big nickel or something else, but that should effectively be the way it works out. And when a big run game shows up, like SF/Baltimore/etc sub one of those other backers (Reeder/Young/etc) in there on run downs.

I don't disagree, and hopefully they are able to protect him during those run heavy games you mentioned.

 

[oldnotdead]

That is really a shame. So now it makes sense why they signed Derrick Moncrief. He went undrafted in the NFL but played in the CFL where he was a standout. What I like about him is he has excellent speed (4.5) and showed coverage ability in the CFL. For whatever reason, he was released by the Raiders this year and worked out and signed by the Rams. Last year Moncrief had an impressive year in the CFL, tallying 73 tackles, with 4 sacks, 3 INTs, and a FF.

I feel that Moncrief will take that #3 ILB position with his speed, and production in the CFL. That final, spot will come down to Reeder, Rozeboom, and Johnston. Reeder has the experience and although his play was inconsistent last year, it's not something that is unexpected from a raw rookie. If he built on that experience and showed well in camp he might make the cut. Rozeboom comes in as raw as most rookies but with good athleticism. He's got good speed for the position and showed impressive production last year in college, with 111 tackles with 6 TFL and 2 INTs. Both he and Moncrief fit the mold of what they seem to want at LB with speed and athleticism. Johnston though drafted, and is a fan favorite with his enthusiasm probably comes in the rawest of the bunch. Even if he doesn't make the cut I think he's a lock for the PS because he has upsides if he trains properly next offseason.

Personally I see the ILB position as now being Kiser & Young starting. Moncrief and Rozeboom in rotation and Johnston going to the PS.

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

We were going to be starting scrubs at LB anyway. Whoever starts will still be a scrub.

 

[oldnotdead]

I disagree. Young is likely to start and he has starting experience with Baltimore where he played very well. There is a reason Snead targeted him in the Peter's trade. Behind Kiser and Young, they have Montcrief who played in the CFL which often translates well to the NFL. He was a standout LB last year. Rozeboom is someone I like as well. He's got the size and speed you want at ILB and had a very solid career in college. IMO he probably would have beaten out Johnston for that last spot.

Besides as I've posted prior, the ILB position is a 1 or 2 down position. One will get pulled to bring in the nickel package. The way things are going in the NFL most teams play their nickel 40%-50% of their defensive snaps. The last ILB gets pulled to bring in the dime package. With the depth at safety, the Rams look to be fine overall and can easily play with only one ILB. Remember it's the OLB that is crucial to this defensive system and the Rams look very good there.

 

[dieterbrock]

I'm still a free agent....

 

[Snaz]

Out for Season seems long for that. Most don't require surgery.

If you have a partial or total meniscectomy, you can expect your recovery to take about a month. If your meniscus was repaired, it may take as long as 3 months

So must be bad.

 

[Ram65]

Too bad for Howard as he was ready to step in a get his big chance.

I wonder if Kiser will be expected to play three downs? Rams need his beef. I expect Reeder to back him up and could get some snaps against heavy run teams.

Kenny Young has to work on his play-action reads (reported this past week). He has a good chance to fill in for 1-2 downs with Rapp most likely moving down inside. Young can make plays he just has to be able to be where he is supposed to be.

It's hard to speculate on the rest without watching any practice or getting much reporting. I suppose if the Rams feel they need more help they could look at the waiver wire not sure if they would make a trade.