Travin Howard

[BonifayRam]

Hey Bonny....
I was away from the board since about week 10 or until just before the Super Bowl.
Missed this great place.
Had crazy work schedule and then had computer issues....
Anyway, I agree about Rapp and Reeder.
Rapp really played well in his first year, then, with Morris sort of fell off. He isn't a terrible player by any stretch but usually is not a difference maker. He can still develop as he is a young player still. A little different role in Morris' scheme is the reason for his fall off I think.
To me, Reeder is one step of quickness away from being a really good MLB.
He usually reads pretty well and is a physical player and certainly is a try hard guy.
Just that lack of quickness....that one step of quickness....compromises him in coverage and at time in the run game he often will over run a play to try and over come his limitations.
All of that said, Reeder has been a contributor his entire time in LA. Remarkable given he is an undrafted player.
To me, Reeder is an idea back up MLB.
He is good on special teams and if you need him to fill in for a stretch he can handle it and will bring high effort every time.
I like Howard as well and his contributions can't be over looked.
I am interested to see what the Rams do with Miller (I doubt he comes back, but, who knows?) and Hollins.
Hollins started kind of rough for the Rams, then developed into a contributing player, then got injured.
Hollins, Howard, Jones, Reeder, Lewis, Garrett....there is some talent there that can continue to develop.

From my POV it was a tough hard rough later part of the year in 2021 for all who are working citizens in this great country. Everyone was extremely busy!

I touched on the ILB'ers my follow up to @Allen2McVay thoughts......I would expect the Rams Org to go the opposite direction on the OLB'er cadre. Where they should attempt to beef this unit up with younger groom-able defenders. The loss of a starting OLB'er along with our top reserve OLB'er along with the damaged Terrell Lewis will be one of two top areas the Rams are sure to focus on.

Justin Hollins appeared to be not the player he was when the season began after being IR'd with that pec tear. Of course, his injury along with Terrell Lewis damaged knee caused the Rams to trade their high remaining draft selections in this year's draft for half a season rental on Von Miller now no longer under Ram contract. But Hollins has looked good otherwise enough to be a decent starter opposite Floyd if Von Miller signs elsewhere.

The only real other OLB'er under contract is the Rams 7th rd 2021 selection Chris Garrett. However, he did flash some in the preseason as a DL pass rusher only....so that's some encouragement as to his future but it sure looks more of a "designated pass-rushing DE" , not OLB'er. Bringing up that element .....

One thing NOT discussed is DC Morris has a long long career history with the Defensive 43 scheme. The roster does have a good amount of 43 DE edge defenders signed i.e. Jonathan Williams, Earnest Brown, Chris Garrett, Mike Hoecht, & there's Justin Lawler available too. I would keep an eye on this.

 

[Riverumbbq]

From my POV it was a tough hard rough later part of the year in 2021 for all who are working citizens in this great country. Everyone was extremely busy!

I touched on the ILB'ers my follow up to @Allen2McVay thoughts......I would expect the Rams Org to go the opposite direction on the OLB'er cadre. Where they should attempt to beef this unit up with younger groom-able defenders. The loss of a starting OLB'er along with our top reserve OLB'er along with the damaged Terrell Lewis will be one of two top areas the Rams are sure to focus on.

Justin Hollins appeared to be not the player he was when the season began after being IR'd with that pec tear. Of course, his injury along with Terrell Lewis damaged knee caused the Rams to trade their high remaining draft selections in this year's draft for half a season rental on Von Miller now no longer under Ram contract. But Hollins has looked good otherwise enough to be a decent starter opposite Floyd if Von Miller signs elsewhere.

The only real other OLB'er under contract is the Rams 7th rd 2021 selection Chris Garrett. However, he did flash some in the preseason as a DL pass rusher only....so that's some encouragement as to his future but it sure looks more of a "designated pass-rushing DE" , not OLB'er. Bringing up that element .....

One thing NOT discussed is DC Morris has a long long career history with the Defensive 43 scheme. The roster does have a good amount of 43 DE edge defenders signed i.e. Jonathan Williams, Earnest Brown, Chris Garrett, Mike Hoecht, & there's Justin Lawler available too. I would keep an eye on this.

Von Miller is a must re-sign imo, if not our OLB depth is going to take a big hit. As it is we are likely losing Okoronkwo to free agency, and I'm not seeing an immediate boost at this position thru the draft. Hollins, Lewis & Garrett should provide decent rotation for a season. I see the appeal obviously, and while adding depth here is important, we may have to wait until very late in the draft like we did last year with Garrett, or possibly even have to rely on a quality UDFA to pop up. jmo.

 

[BonifayRam]

Von Miller is a must re-sign imo, if not our OLB depth is going to take a big hit. As it is we are likely losing Okoronkwo to free agency, and I'm not seeing an immediate boost at this position thru the draft. Hollins, Lewis & Garrett should provide decent rotation for a season. I see the appeal obviously, and while adding depth here is important, we may have to wait until very late in the draft like we did last year with Garrett, or possibly even have to rely on a quality UDFA to pop up. jmo.

Without those early selections in this year's draft, is going to be enormously problematic to replace the talent level lost with the departures of veteran OLB'ers Von miller & Og Okoronkwo.

I do not see this ER/OLB'er unit being anything close in talent to what the Rams went into the four-post regular season with. I would say it will be in a weakened state. That's why I brought out the 43 compared to 34 defense. if you do not have both the edges covered with talented defenders this defense will trend downward.

Rams interior DL ( Donald/ Gaines/ Robinson/ B. Brown/ Copeland/ Hoecht) will be as good or better as we saw in the post regular season 4 gms. thus the big need is on the edges. The problem as we all know the rest of the NFL will be selecting them much earlier in the draft also.

I do think there is a chance that Og Okoronkwo can be resigned for a short-term moderate contract if he believes he has a real opportunity to start outside next to Aaron Donald.

 

[FarNorth]

Without those early selections in this year's draft, is going to be enormously problematic to replace the talent level lost with the departures of veteran OLB'ers Von miller & Og Okoronkwo.

I do not see this ER/OLB'er unit being anything close in talent to what the Rams went into the four-post regular season with. I would say it will be in a weakened state. That's why I brought out the 43 compared to 34 defense. if you do not have both the edges covered with talented defenders this defense will trend downward.

Rams interior DL ( Donald/ Gaines/ Robinson/ B. Brown/ Copeland/ Hoecht) will be as good or better as we saw in the post regular season 4 gms. thus the big need is on the edges. The problem as we all know the rest of the NFL will be selecting them much earlier in the draft also.

I do think there is a chance that Og Okoronkwo can be resigned for a short-term moderate contract if he believes he has a real opportunity to start outside next to Aaron Donald.

I will be very surprised if Von Miller does not resign with the Rams.

 

[wolfdogg]

I will be very surprised if Von Miller does not resign with the Rams.

Unfortunately multiple teams will be throwing more money at him than the rams may be able to afford, Denver likely to be one of those teams.

Hey, Von, welcome back and thanks for the 2 draft picks. I think if Denver gets a serious qb in FA, they will be the favorite to sign him. Having the first black owner will make that even more tempting.

 

[dang]

Hey Bonny....
I was away from the board since about week 10 or until just before the Super Bowl.
Missed this great place.
Had crazy work schedule and then had computer issues....
Anyway, I agree about Rapp and Reeder.
Rapp really played well in his first year, then, with Morris sort of fell off. He isn't a terrible player by any stretch but usually is not a difference maker. He can still develop as he is a young player still. A little different role in Morris' scheme is the reason for his fall off I think.
To me, Reeder is one step of quickness away from being a really good MLB.
He usually reads pretty well and is a physical player and certainly is a try hard guy.
Just that lack of quickness....that one step of quickness....compromises him in coverage and at time in the run game he often will over run a play to try and over come his limitations.
All of that said, Reeder has been a contributor his entire time in LA. Remarkable given he is an undrafted player.
To me, Reeder is an idea back up MLB.
He is good on special teams and if you need him to fill in for a stretch he can handle it and will bring high effort every time.
I like Howard as well and his contributions can't be over looked.
I am interested to see what the Rams do with Miller (I doubt he comes back, but, who knows?) and Hollins.
Hollins started kind of rough for the Rams, then developed into a contributing player, then got injured.
Hollins, Howard, Jones, Reeder, Lewis, Garrett....there is some talent there that can continue to develop.

Reeder can’t change direction and often gets juked with one stutter step. He does give 100% effort though.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

Justin Hollins appeared to be not the player he was when the season began after being IR'd with that pec tear. Of course, his injury along with Terrell Lewis damaged knee caused the Rams to trade their high remaining draft selections in this year's draft for half a season rental on Von Miller now no longer under Ram contract. But Hollins has looked good otherwise enough to be a decent starter opposite Floyd if Von Miller signs elsewhere.

Bonifay,
I agree with your assessment of J. Hollins. He just didn't play as well as I had hoped after his recovery from injury. But my question is can he be shifted to ILB and play next to E. Jones next year?
He has more size than T. Howard and is more physical and is certainly more athletic than Reeder which will help in pass defense..
What say ye?

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[BonifayRam]

It's my belief that Justin Hollins is far better outside than inside. The size of our probable front five DL is large. It's more than capable of keeping those big Ol'ers off Jones & Howard.

Yes, they are small for interior LB'ers by NFL standards but the speed & tackling abilities are above average & both are very young & very capable of improvement are they not?

I find no issues with Howard playing on the weakside ILB'er post. Plus I am sure that Reeder will be here in 2022 to add the needed size in those situations when needed along with MLB'er Christian Rozeboom who will start his 3rd season with the Rams. We also know the Rams just signed the backup to WSILB Travin Howard, Antoine Brooks Jr.

OLB-Floyd/ Hollins
MLB- E.Jones/ Reeder(RFA)/ Rozeboom
WSLB-T.Howard(ERFA)/ Antoine Brooks Jr
OLB- T.Lewis/ Garrett


DC Morris needs Hollins far more outside than inside IMO.

 

[fearsomefour]

Reeder can’t change direction and often gets juked with one stutter step. He does give 100% effort though.

Yep.
Just missing a little athleticism.
That lacking step makes him over play or over commit to plays sometimes..

 

[BonifayRam]

I will be very surprised if Von Miller does not resign with the Rams.

Rams just hired one of Von Miller Denver's Coaches for the last 9 seasons.

 

[Ram_Rally]

They don't seem to trust Howard. And frankly, I think we sorely need a quality starting ILB.

What's your opinion on Jones?

 

[jrry32]

What's your opinion on Jones?

Promising player. Think he can be a quality guy for us. But we need a guy next to him who offers speed and cover skills.

 

[Karate61]

I can't recall who mentioned this, but an upgrade at corner would be great. Stephon Gilmore, FA from the Panthers, would be a nice pairing with Ramsey. He should be good for a 1-2 year contract.

 

[dang]

I can't recall who mentioned this, but an upgrade at corner would be great. Stephon Gilmore, FA from the Panthers, would be a nice pairing with Ramsey. He should be good for a 1-2 year contract.

How about someone like Rashul Douglas at CB for half the price of Gilmore?

 

[Dxmissile]

Howard is our best coverage linebacker and he’s a sure tackler he should definitely be in the mix as a every down guy with Jones.

 

[Karate61]

How about someone like Rashul Douglas at CB for half the price of Gilmore?

Love that idea...a lot! He's big too for a corner at 6'2". Runs a 4.5 forty. Just read he had a terrific season in GB.

 

[Ram65]

This secondary needs some dogs IMO. Even just one guy with some real fight in him and ability to break on the ball will help tremendously.

+++ The Rams can't rely on the pass rush, dropped passes or poor QB throws all time. A DB besides Ramsey that can make a play on the would do wonders for the defense.

 

[majrleaged]

Yep.
Just missing a little athleticism.
That lacking step makes him over play or over commit to plays sometimes..

I watched the NFCC game and Reeder could not tackle Deebo. Reeder had a terrible game. He is a back up at best. I hate to see him out on the field.

 

[hotanez]

I watched the NFCC game and Reeder could not tackle Deebo. Reeder had a terrible game. He is a back up at best. I hate to see him out on the field.

Hopefully he's will be just a backup and STer from here on out.

 

[fearsomefour]

I watched the NFCC game and Reeder could not tackle Deebo. Reeder had a terrible game. He is a back up at best. I hate to see him out on the field.

He is a contributor that helped the team win a championship.
To me, he is an ideal back up player.....but, is a back up.
In fairness to Reeder, no one has an easy time tackling Samuel.
That said, a MLB that can't tackle well or is a step late is a liability.
I am looking forward to continued development from Jones.