Before the season I said I expected the Detroit game to be one of those losses that forces the Rams to see through their internal rationalizations on some of their players on the depth chart. Turns out the team played very hard and damn near upset a Lions team that had significant advantage on defense, which is admirable. But I still do think this game will force some changes.
LT. This one is quite ugly. But obviously we're about to see a change here. I imagine the Rams are scouring the market today and tomorrow. We'll see who they bring in. But anyone will be better than Noteboom and clearly Arcuri was not ready to step in there either.
ILB. Nothing against Reeder, who I think played about as good as he can in that Detroit game. But he takes bad angles at times, has limited range, and too often (for a guy of his size) gets dragged for extra yards. Nothing but respect for a guy who shows up for us and gives his all but this is a business and he's not good enough. I will say again his job will be gone by SF week. Because we cannot have him in there vs SF. But they will want to get Speights a full dry run vs Arizona to get him ready for SF so I expect the change is made this week at ILB.
Z WR. Even if Puka is ok I expect they rest him against Arizona in preparation for SF. So this should be a start for Johnson, who played very well in Detroit and deserves a chance to show what he can do. Also Arizona is a divisional game, so this is a really big opportunity for Johnson. Hope he makes the most of it.
NT. I don't think Brown played particularly well vs Detroit. Davis probably didn't do too much better, if at all, but I think Davis has more power to hold up in the middle in a prominent role than Brown. Brown is one of those guys who showed some improvement last season, but still comes up short I think and lands in that group the Rams try to convince themselves will be good enough. Now if Davis didn't do enough to jump him (which is certainly possible as he was rather invisible in his limited looks) I still expect him to eat up more snap real estate vs Arizona and I think that change will help the defensive front.
WILB. Rozeboom I felt was solid, but the pairing overall felt like they were limited in range vs the Detroit backfield and speed will continue to be something we need more of even vs Arizona. Because you'll have Murray breaking contain like crazy in the early going I am sure, with the Rams adjusting that as the game goes on. But inserting Hummel would be an excellent way to help in this regard, so I figure Hummel gets a bump in snaps. Won't be a starter change, but Hummel to that pairing next to Speights is the inevitable destination IMO.
