What will the Los Angeles Rams do at inside linebacker?

[dang]

Hager is a high motor guy and good special teams player. I believe he has a great team mentality as well. I have seen him be effective plugging a hole up the middle but his lack of speed or quickness keeps him from effective pursuit or coverage. I like him in camp battling for a spot on the roster. I will keep banging the drum for another vet ILB though - not sure of his mental approach but Jamie Collins is still available and "could" help the Rams out a lot if he stays focused.

I really wanted Zach Brown but that is why I am a wanna-be arm chair coach instead of the real thing.

 

[den-the-coach]

I really wanted Zach Brown but that is why I am a wanna-be arm chair coach instead of the real thing.

I liked him too, but had to be a price tag thing.

 

[shovelpass]

Smart signing, safety net. Hager has found a role as depth and ST, so I think if none of the new guys can prove that they are worthy of a roster spot you have Hager to fall back on.

 

[ReekofRams]

I may have over stated my point ?

who gets cut now though !! Kiser does not start over Littleton or Clay.

First thing that needs to be solved is where is Clay starting at? Is he starting?

 

[So Ram]

First thing that needs to be solved is where is Clay starting at? Is he starting?

I’m sure Clay is going to be One of The Rams starting LB’s. I’d say Wade is going to find all kinds of ways & formation for Clay Matthews. He is one of the most dynamic LBers in the last 10 years.

Not sure Kiser can even hold Clays jock.

 

[OldSchool]

Starting or not is so overrated. Who’s out there for the snaps and the most important snaps.

 

[Akrasian]

I really wanted Zach Brown but that is why I am a wanna-be arm chair coach instead of the real thing.

Haven't seen the figures yet, but I would be surprised if Hager got more than vet minimum plus up to $90k signing and workout bonus. That way he counts against the cap as if he were getting 3rd year minimum. Given the amount of cap space the Rams have, pretty much anybody they sign will have to accept that.

Hager is a useful player - not a star, not someone you want to start, but good on special teams, hard practicer, not useless when he gets in the game. I'm glad he's back.

 

[ReekofRams]

I’m sure Clay is going to be One of The Rams starting LB’s. I’d say Wade is going to find all kinds of ways & formation for Clay Matthews. He is one of the most dynamic LBers in the last 10 years.

Not sure Kiser can even hold Clays jock.

Can you?:neener:

 

[So Ram]

Can you?:neener:

Well with a tongue like that , I’m sure you can find better use than holding it !!! Not sure about the long blondes though.

I’m not a pro athlete so not comparable.Couldn’t come even close.

Will see what Kiser brings to The Rams ??
Right now he has not had much of an NFL
Career. If there was ever a time to doubt him ?? It’s now.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

I'd take this as another sign the Rams are satisfied going into training camp with Kiser as the assumed starter in the middle. The Rams have neither drafted nor acquired.....or in this case re-signed a player who would expect to compete with Kiser for that starting spot. (Yes Clay Mathews will line up inside on some packages) …

Hager's experience, and special teams play is important... I wouldn't say he's a total lock to make the final roster though because we've got some guys now who could push for that spot....specifically Traven Howard and Dakota Allen...

but I am glad we re-signed him

 

[den-the-coach]

Can you?:neener:

I've held a few jocks in my day!

 

[tklongball]

I just hope we see better production from our entire LB corp this year.

 

[ReekofRams]

I've held a few jocks in my day!

It must have been hard for you!

 

[Soul Surfer]

First thing that needs to be solved is where is Clay starting at? Is he starting?

He can play inside and outside.

It just depends how much they want to rotate him, where they want to rotate him to, and how many snaps per game they think he can handle at his age.

 

[RamDino]

Maybe see Kiser starting in the middle with Mathews splitting time with Ebukam at OLB? Take Kiser out on 3rd down and put Mathews in the middle? Either way, Ebukam will see a lot of action at OLB. Training camp will ultimately determine the starting line up, and also the amount of playing time they get, but Wade will have it figured out by around mid-season or so.

 

[BonifayRam]

Clay Matthews? Where might we see him lining up?

I expect to see Clay working off & on in any of the four base 34 D LB'er posts & when Wade goes to 4-1-6 defense Clay will be working @ the DE spots. With Clay's experience & built-in multi-adapters to work all over .....will keep Wade interested & happy.

 

[Merlin]

Rams ILB'ers
Clay Matthews
Micah Kiser
Cory Littleton
Bryce Hager
Travin Howard
Dakota Allen
Martez Patrick
Troy Reeder

Honestly it remains an ugly group. You have Matthews/Littleton and then a bunch of guys who are either one trick ponies vs the run or who bring a little balance but are limited athletically/physically. Matthews IMO still has some edge ability and that's going to result in him only part-timing at ILB, so basically things are wide open for these guys to get a lot of snaps next to Littleton. It's a very good opportunity.

Looking at them all just physically speaking, I have to think that Dakota Allen should be excited to get in there and compete. He's got limitations obviously (like being eaten by blockers) but some things like his lack of speed is made up for a bit by his short area burst. And while he's not going to be an option to man up on a lot of NFL backs and TEs... His zone drops show some natural feel.

I'm just hoping one of those guys steps up. And btw I think we can add Ebukam to your list Boni. He's probably going to be a liability in coverage but unlike most of those guys he brings physicality and some excellent closing speed that should show well in run fits.

My own expectation is that we're going to see a lot of sub packages with 3x safeties and Rapp in the box as a LB-lite.

 

[Soul Surfer]

when Wade goes to 4-1-6 defense Clay will be working @ DE.

...and Littleton at inside linebacker?

 

[OldSchool]

...and Littleton at inside linebacker?

Littleton is the guy with the helmet mic and he was the third best rated coverage linebacker last year. That’s perfectly fine to leave him on the field.

 

[BonifayRam]

...and Littleton at inside linebacker?

I see Cory Littleton as the #1 LB'er. CL rarely came off the field last year. CL can line up @ all the known Wade LB'er posts & play them well.