Von Miller 'blown away' by Greg Gaines

[ROD-BOT]

View: https://twitter.com/ramsnfl/status/1522604098058690560?s=21&t=DGQ0G5DveMGG-NpcyoQM0w



View: https://twitter.com/ramsnfl/status/1522611647717658624?s=21&t=XBo2weZbQS6X35CeEKzSZw

 

[ROD-BOT]

Von Miller had never heard of Greg Gaines, but he's been 'blown away' by the Rams NT

Von Miller says Greg Gaines “looks like a substitute teacher” but when he puts the pads on, he’s a “totally different player.”

theramswire.usatoday.com

Von Miller had never heard of Greg Gaines, but he's been 'blown away' by the Rams NT​

Greg Gaines has become a key contributor to the defense of the Los Angeles Rams, especially with Sebastian Joseph-Day missing a decent portion of the season. When looking at Gaines, he doesn’t appear to be a player that would be able to rush the passer and clog running lanes consistently for an NFL defense.

Von Miller admits that he didn’t even know who Gaines was before he was traded to the Rams earlier this season. But with Miller getting to know the team more as the season has progressed, he now knows how talented Gaines is on the football field.

“I didn’t know anything about Greg Gaines. I wasn’t familiar with his game. I wasn’t familiar with the type of guy he is. Just to be honest, I had never heard of Greg Gaines, but that changed the very first game that I saw him play – like not that actual game, but when you turn on the film,” Miller said. “Greg Gaines is a red dot type of player. When you watch a film you have like the little laser pointer. They’re going to have the laser pointer on Greg Gaines whether he’s making the tackle or whatever. He is such a great football player and I’ve been blown away with the type of talent that he has.”

Gaines isn’t the most physically imposing nose tackle, standing 6-foot-1 and 312 pounds. But he moves like a defensive end and still possesses the strength you want from a nose tackle.

And despite looking like “a substitute teacher,” as Miller put it, Gaines has become an absolute stud for the Rams alongside Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd and Miller.

“When you talk to him, you see him, he kind of looks like a substitute teacher,” Miller joked. “But when he puts on pads and he’s playing football, he’s a whole totally different player. And Greg Gaines can play. He can play some really, really good football with the best of them. It’s an honor and a privilege to play with all of these guys, man. It’s been a pleasant surprise to get to know Greg Gaines and see the type of football that he plays. He’s a tough guy, too. He’s playing with a broken hand. He’s still out there. Sometimes guys get hurt and they kind of dread playing in the game. Greg, he was excited to play in this last game with a broken hand. And I’ve just been blown away with the type of guy he is, the type of character that he has and the type of football that he plays. It’s been a privilege.”

Gaines is amidst a career year in his third season with the Rams. Entering Week 18, Gaines has tallied career-highs in combined tackles (51), tackles for loss (4), and sacks (4.5).

When Gaines was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washington, many expected him to be a run-stopping nose tackle that would be solely inserted on clear running downs. However, Gaines has flashed tons of potential as a pass rusher this season, giving the Rams something to build on moving forward.

Miller was ecstatic to join the Rams with Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Floyd being present on defense. Even though he was unaware of Gaines’ skills when he first arrived, Miller now knows the potential that Gaines has for the future in this defense alongside some of the most gifted players in the league.

 

[Memento]

RE-SIGN THE MAN, MCSNEAD.

 

[PARAM]

Gaines made SJD expendable. Between Donald, Robinson and Gaines the Rams have a formidable DL. I can't wait to see Bobby Brown in there too. If they got that pick right, the Rams could have one of the best DL's in the NFL.

 

[RamFan503]

Gains is probably the sweetest surprise on this team. He's just a real football player. And by all accounts, a good guy and team mate.

 

[So Ram]

Gaines made SJD expendable. Between Donald, Robinson and Gaines the Rams have a formidable DL. I can't wait to see Bobby Brown in there too. If they got that pick right, the Rams could have one of the best DL's in the NFL.

Bobby Brown was looking the part coming out of OTA’s last season.Was surprised to see him basically sitting the pine his rookie season.
Greg Gaines took a little while to expand his game.He first made Morgan Fox expandable & now SJD69.

The depth is going to take a hit at the end of 2022 season with Gaines & Robinson being on there last year of contract.
Hoecht is a nice player,but to small as a DT imo.He has an excellent motor though & it shows by the extra work he puts in & his special teams ability.His under the scenes is over looked.

 

[Neil039]

The guy exemplifies teammate. Great 4th round pick by Snead.

 

[A.J. Hicks]

Fits the whole Mcvay and Snead picks to a T.

Draft a guy that you can teach and develop (Mcvay) that has the upside to fit a specific role (Snead). Draft guys who love football and are willing to learn and get better.

 

[Dodgersrf]

It's hard not to like Gaines.

The article was correct in stating, that most people thought he was just a run stuffer.

Hes turned into quite the o line wrecker.

 

[dang]

It's hard not to like Gaines.

The article was correct in stating, that most people thought he was just a run stuffer.

Hes turned into quite the o line wrecker.

He is a sponge hungry for advice interacting with Donald every game throughout the game.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I loved the pick after watching him in a bowl against PSU. I only wish he had gotten a chance to play more, earlier. Seabass is pretty good but I prefer Gaines.

 

[CGI_Ram]

It’s been a pleasant surprise to get to know Greg Gaines and see the type of football that he plays. He’s a tough guy, too. He’s playing with a broken hand. He’s still out there. Sometimes guys get hurt and they kind of dread playing in the game. Greg, he was excited to play in this last game with a broken hand. And I’ve just been blown away with the type of guy he is, the type of character that he has and the type of football that he plays. It’s been a privilege.”

Its hard to remember these guys are out there playing at a high level with injuries.

That is some high praise from Von Miller.

 

[RamDino]

I believe Wade Philips had a hand in drafting Gaines as well. Wasn't it Wade who called Gaines and told him he was being drafted by the Rams?

 

[Faceplant]

He's in on a lot more tackles than he probably gets credit for. The second to last play of SB56 comes to mind, but there are plenty of others. Him and AD are great together. Perfect compliments to each other.

 

[badcop]

A little digging and having watched him all through college and high school says he was always just what we have recently gotten to see.

 

[fearsomefour]

Gains is probably the sweetest surprise on this team. He's just a real football player. And by all accounts, a good guy and team mate.

Another mid round gem from Snead.

 

[tomas]

They have a potential All-Pro--- The Rams will resign Greg Gaines next year while waiting for salary cap space.

 

[tomas]

He's in on a lot more tackles than he probably gets credit for. The second to last play of SB56 comes to mind, but there are plenty of others. Him and AD are great together. Perfect compliments to each other.

I remember that play Gaines was on the bottom of the pile and received no credit.

 

[kmramsfan]

Gaines reminds me of another no name hustler and hard worker named D'Marco Farr. Roughly the same build, and they both just make / made, or caused big plays to happen.
Also, they're both guys from Washington.
But then again, I'm an Oregon guy when it comes to CFB.
So ...... screw the dawgs.

 

[TheGreenGuy]

Hell yeah!! He blew me too!