Where can we improve on defense?

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I hope we have a clock chewing run game .

Best defense there is.

 

[PARAM]

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

Perception, not entirely reality. Not saying we were great run stoppers, we weren't. But we could have done better in those first 5 games even with shaky run defense.

We lost to Detroit (in OT) because it was a tough opponent.
We lost to Arizona because we went for it on 4th down twice in the first half and failed. Cardinal RBs had 13 carries for 56 yards in the first half (4.3). By then Arizona was up 24-3, they scored on their first possession of the 2nd half (31-3) and RBs ran the ball 21 times for 115 yards in the second half. In the game, Murray had 59 yards on 5 scrambles.
We lost to Chicago because of turnover (strip sack of #9) that resulted in an easy TD for the Bears, a missed FG and being stopped at the 7 and opting for a FG. 6 point loss.
We lost to Green Bay because of turnovers and dumb decisions. We went for it early trailing 7-0 on 4th down at the 4 and were stopped. We fumbled at the GB 27 and #9 later threw a pick in Green Bay's side of the field.

That was 1-4 and we went 9-2 over the next 11. Win 2 of those 4 we lost and we're 12-5. Win 1 and we're 11-6.

But yeah, better run defense will help immensely.

 

[PARAM]

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.

Absolutely.

Our defense (and offense) were waaaay better from game 6 through game 16 (17 was a basic forfeit as we already had the division).

 

[Ground Chuck]

I am very excited to see the run defense tighten up this year. We seemed to be susceptible to bad lane discipline. Guys at the second level not going to the ball, or worse yet, some 300lb Olineman making it to that level to take our guys out.

Hopefully Shula and the other coaches have schemed things up better, and the talent level increases to shut down the run.

My hope for the best defensive lineup opening day:


Witherspoon Agent 0 Conductor Poona Kingfish V8 Durant

Landman Speights
Lake
Kinchens


With Williams, Curl rotating in on dime packages, and DL rotations as well.


As the season wears on, best case scenario talent wins out, maybe Pooh, and Stewart and the 135lb skeleton work their way in more.

 

[muggmeister]

I am very excited to see the run defense tighten up this year. We seemed to be susceptible to bad lane discipline. Guys at the second level not going to the ball, or worse yet, some 300lb Olineman making it to that level to take our guys out.

Hopefully Shula and the other coaches have schemed things up better, and the talent level increases to shut down the run.

My hope for the best defensive lineup opening day:


Witherspoon Agent 0 Conductor Poona Kingfish V8 Durant

Landman Speights
Lake
Kinchens


With Williams, Curl rotating in on dime packages, and DL rotations as well.


As the season wears on, best case scenario talent wins out, maybe Pooh, and Stewart and the 135lb skeleton work their way in more.

Agree completely with Paul and Stewart assessment. If they, along with Forbes EARN meaningful snaps this year this defense has the potential to be amazing. This is by far the deepest defense we have fielded in several years and hopefully we have a problem on who to pay in the coming years because they're so fucking good! How's that for a little optimism?

 

[PARAM]

Agree completely with Paul and Stewart assessment. If they, along with Forbes EARN meaningful snaps this year this defense has the potential to be amazing. This is by far the deepest defense we have fielded in several years and hopefully we have a problem on who to pay in the coming years because they're so fucking good! How's that for a little optimism?

I just got Phil Steeles 2025 College Football Preview and was cross checking some of his rankings from his 2022 and 2024 Previews. He had Emmanuel Forbes ranked as his #1 CB going into the 2022 season. Forbes was picked #16 in the 2023 draft, so that was a pretty solid evaluation. It didn't work out in Washington for whatever reason. Rivera's last year and then Quinn's first year might have had something to do with it. But if the kid can play anywhere near his projections (by multiple sources), the Rams have stolen a valuable piece of D.