Where can we improve on defense?

[PARAM]

We finished #26 in yards allowed last year. Yes, we had a young group who should only get better. But where?

We were #22 vs the run (3793 yards allowed) but we only gave up 13 rushing TDs, which was our second lowest the last 4 years. Maybe because we were so stout in the Red Zone (#5) with only 50% of possessions going for a TD. Better ILB play would help. Our offense could help too. Play close games and we're going to face a lot of rushing attempts. Get decent leads and we'll face a lot of second half passing.

We need to improve on passing TDs allowed too. We gave up 29 last year (only 24 in 2023; 17 in 2021). With sustained pressure, perhaps better coverage by our ILBs (or pressure from them), our secondary might be better. Again, with leads and expecting the pass should put them in a better situation. Getting to the QB more often would also help. Just 38 sacks last year, down 3 from 2023; 12 from 2021. We do have the horses there though, don't we?

We could improve on 3rd down and we haven't been very good at that the last 4 years. We were lower (40.7% conversion rate) than in 2021 and we won the SB that season. These youngsters are more experienced this year, as Shula is also, so perhaps we'll get better there. Even if it's only marginal, maintaining that great Red Zone defense will help a lot. Forcing 3's instead of allowing 7's should go a long way.

We need to get more turnovers too. We were middle of the pack last year. 10.6% of opponents drives ended in a turnover (#15). Pass pressure does a lot and that should help in this area.

Hopefully our ILB corp will be much improved, faster and more impactful and our pass rush should get better. That will help in a lot of areas in which we need to improve. If all that happens, we'll lose another coordinator to a HC job but that's something McVay has been very used to covering.

 

[den-the-coach]

IMO, adding Poona Ford at NT & Nate Landman at ILB, should vastly improve the defense against the run the secondary will have its challenges, but if the Rams can get better coverage with Williams and Witherspoon playing hopefully fulltime plus better coverage from the Safeties the pass rush should be improved too.

One UDRFA that I have high hopes for is FS Nate Valcarcel from Northern Illinois. Showed great closing speed and is a sure tackler too. I thought Kinchens showed some promise, but Valcarcel could be a keeper.

 

[ottoman89]

Bringing in Poona Ford, Nate Landman (who I think people will be surprised by), drafting Hamilton and adding Paul Jr/Dolac at ILB for competition will help a lot in the Run Game.. I DO have concerns with not only our CBs in coverage but also in the running game.. some softer type CBs and don't excel in tackling. As long as the EDGE and LBs can keep them from hitting the edge, we should be a lot better.

 

[PARAM]

I have no good reason but I'm excited about Pooh Paul at ILB. I thought Speights was coming on towards the end of the season too. Landman has experience and leadership qualities. It would be nice to have a unit that was an asset. Not worried about the interior DL or OLB. Poona, the Conductor, Davis and Hamilton are intriguing. Verse, Young, Stewart and Jackson could bring some fury. I'm not as worried about the DBs as most.

 

[Jacobarch]

The rams grades in the first 5 games vs the last 12 games are vastly different. It's almost like a healthy team makes a difference in how the team performed. I digress...

In reality our CBs are the weakest link. Im mostly worried about Williams spot he just didn't have a good season last year. Now he's a year older so im guessing he'll be picked on during the year. Our safety room really came on strong once they understood their roles.

 

[TSFH Fan]

We were #22 vs the run (3793 yards allowed)

The Rams gave up 3793 passing yards last year, 2210 rushing yards.
The Rams defense was 26th in rushing yards per attempt at 4.6 yds/att.
-
A big area of improvement would be getting the hell off the field sooner:
29th in average drive time allowed
28th in plays per drive
29th in yards per drive
26th in points per drive

HOWEVER, as others have noted, we probably could use quarter and half season stat breakdowns.

 

[CoachAllred]

The Rams gave up 3793 passing yards last year, 2210 rushing yards.
The Rams defense was 26th in rushing yards per attempt at 4.6 yds/att.

Aside from this years defensive personnel improvement
Last year our offense was stymied with WR's and oline injuries.
We allowed opposing offenses more possessions = more yardage

I hope we have a clock chewing run game . And opposing defenses
sucking air throughout 2 half.
I know without doubt that our RB room can make this happen.
We just need the oline to stay healthy.

 

[CoachAllred]

Both working hard all offseason in film room as well as learning new techniques.
2nd year jump om its' way

 

[TexasRam]

Possible sources of improvement

1. Young dudes - we have several young dudes that could crack the lineup and have an impact similar to Speights last year as as an updrafted player.

2. Scheme - Shula shows potential to be a creative top notch DC. We could see big improvement this year as he refines his scheme and onboards his own guys.

3. FA adds- Poona and Landman

4. 2nd year players - Verse, Fiske etc might make a jump in year 2 as the game slows down.

5. Complementary units - Offense might be more productive and score quicker putting pressure on opposing offenses, benefitting the defense.

6. Cheerleaders - new talent may give the guys an extra oomph, if you know what I am saying.

7. Performance enhancing drugs - new methods of juicing and hiding the evidence may be implemented.

8 Halftime speeches - new players might take a shot at hyping the boys and tap into undiscovered talent.

9. Fan base - fans might actually show up for home games or Demoff might do some illegal shit to keep opposing fans out our house.

10. Weed - Merlin might toke up and drop a bomb ass post that gets read by a Ram player and motivates him to greatness.

 

[CoachAllred]

The rams grades in the first 5 games vs the last 12 games are vastly different. It's almost like a healthy team makes a difference in how the team performed. I digress...

Sir. I too would digress , After posting such nonsensical, outrageous shenanigans' such as these.

My thumb I indeed bite toward you ,Sir.

 

[Memento]

Sir. I too would digress , After posting such nonsensical, outrageous shenanigans' such as these.

My thumb I indeed bite toward you ,Sir.

"Come bite my thumb, I hope you know the stakes! I'll put a slug between your shoulder blades, then ask what light through yonder poser breaks!"

...If thou dost not know what I'm referencing, I bite my thumb toward you.

 

[PARAM]

The rams grades in the first 5 games vs the last 12 games are vastly different. It's almost like a healthy team makes a difference in how the team performed.

On both sides of the ball.
We allowed 16 sacks the first 5 games, 12 over the next 11. Forget week 18, that was all backups.
We scored 90 points the first 5 games (18 PPG). Over the next 11 we scored 230 pts (20.9/g). Nothing to write home about but those extra 3 PPG and our defense being much better made a huge difference.
Our defense allowed 373.8 yards per game the first 5 weeks, 16 TDs, 7 FGs (26.6 PPG)
Over the next 11 we allowed 20 PPG.
We turned the ball over 6 times in the first 5 games. Over the next 11 just 7 times.
Our defense had 4 takeaways over the first 5. 16 over the next 11.
We played better complimentary football over the 11 (9-2).
Yes, a tale of two teams. The slow starting offense and young defense, then the awaken offense and seasoned defense.
Here's to a faster start (much) on both sides of the ball.

 

[RAMSinLA]

Keep the defense off the field longer with good offense and special teams plays

 

[Ground Chuck]

Possible sources of improvement

1. Young dudes - we have several young dudes that could crack the lineup and have an impact similar to Speights last year as as an updrafted player.

2. Scheme - Shula shows potential to be a creative top notch DC. We could see big improvement this year as he refines his scheme and onboards his own guys.

3. FA adds- Poona and Landman

4. 2nd year players - Verse, Fiske etc might make a jump in year 2 as the game slows down.

5. Complementary units - Offense might be more productive and score quicker putting pressure on opposing offenses, benefitting the defense.

6. Cheerleaders - new talent may give the guys an extra oomph, if you know what I am saying.

7. Performance enhancing drugs - new methods of juicing and hiding the evidence may be implemented.

8 Halftime speeches - new players might take a shot at hyping the boys and tap into undiscovered talent.

9. Fan base - fans might actually show up for home games or Demoff might do some illegal shit to keep opposing fans out our house.

10. Weed - Merlin might toke up and drop a bomb ass post that gets read by a Ram player and motivates him to greatness.

1-5 thread winner
6-10 what your evil twin Ned get a hold of this?

Though #9 has some merit

 

[den-the-coach]

Both working hard all offseason in film room as well as learning new techniques.
2nd year jump om its' way

View attachment 71656

Kobe going old school with the footwear, love it!

 

[RamBradford85]

Run defense I’m not worried about secondary like most I think we gotta stop the run imo that’s why we lost most games cause we couldn’t stop the run

 

[Ramstien]

Run defense was improved this offseason with the additions of Ford and Landman, the secondary is the big question mark for me.

 

[OldSchool]

Nice change from last year. Topics last year ranged from he was a nepotism hire to he would prove to be way in over his head.

I think free agency and the draft solidified the run defense. So much so that we won't have the slow start and growing pains of last years first 5 or 6 games.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

We finished #26 in yards allowed last year. Yes, we had a young group who should only get better. But where?

We were #22 vs the run (3793 yards allowed) but we only gave up 13 rushing TDs, which was our second lowest the last 4 years. Maybe because we were so stout in the Red Zone (#5) with only 50% of possessions going for a TD. Better ILB play would help. Our offense could help too. Play close games and we're going to face a lot of rushing attempts. Get decent leads and we'll face a lot of second half passing.

We need to improve on passing TDs allowed too. We gave up 29 last year (only 24 in 2023; 17 in 2021). With sustained pressure, perhaps better coverage by our ILBs (or pressure from them), our secondary might be better. Again, with leads and expecting the pass should put them in a better situation. Getting to the QB more often would also help. Just 38 sacks last year, down 3 from 2023; 12 from 2021. We do have the horses there though, don't we?

We could improve on 3rd down and we haven't been very good at that the last 4 years. We were lower (40.7% conversion rate) than in 2021 and we won the SB that season. These youngsters are more experienced this year, as Shula is also, so perhaps we'll get better there. Even if it's only marginal, maintaining that great Red Zone defense will help a lot. Forcing 3's instead of allowing 7's should go a long way.

We need to get more turnovers too. We were middle of the pack last year. 10.6% of opponents drives ended in a turnover (#15). Pass pressure does a lot and that should help in this area.

Hopefully our ILB corp will be much improved, faster and more impactful and our pass rush should get better. That will help in a lot of areas in which we need to improve. If all that happens, we'll lose another coordinator to a HC job but that's something McVay has been very used to covering.

With a young defense and new coordinator, wouldn’t it be best to look at the second half of the season numbers for a more accurate account?

Plus with the offense’s injuries it was harder to sustain drives, so the defense may have played more snaps and in a less favorable situation for the first half.

 

[Noregar]

I have high hopes for this year’s defense and will be disappointed if they are not top 10 unit (injuries aside).

The full season ranks/stats are very misleading. The defense improved every week and by the playoffs the Rams pass defense was hitting on all cylinders. The secondary, that so many are worried about, played very well down the stretch and into the playoffs. It held some really good WR groups in Minnesota and Philadelphia in check.

To start the season Williams was dealing with a hamstring, the defense was really young, and the DC was new. It took some time for them to gel and for things to come together. Three things really helped the secondary. Dumping White and bringing in Witherspoon was a big one. Also getting Williams healthy (hamstring) gave the secondary a boost and he played much better down the stretch. The final piece was Shula fine-tuning the defense after the bye. Having a healthier offense really helped down the stretch but I would argue that except for the Buffalo game the defense carried the team during its 5-game winning streak.