Are We Going To Take A Step Back On Defense?

[Juice]

I'm just curious to hear from the great posters on this board about whether we are going to take a step back on defense this year or are we going to keep getting better as a unit.

You guys know a lot more than me, but I wonder about our run support. I know that we got a lot better as the year went on, but is our line backing corps going to be good enough to stop the run? I'm excited about the pass rush, and the secondary, but we are going to have to draft some CBs next year.

What do you guys think?

 

[Merlin]

I think our defense was garbage most of last season. It would be hard to do worse than that tbh.

My expectation is top 5 in scoring D. Best pass defense in the league. Above average run stopping.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

Im worried about rush def but I expect our edge and dbs to be so much better that our overall step is forward.

 

[A.J. Hicks]

I agree with @Merlin. I think our D should be much improved from last season to this season.

 

[OC--LeftCoast]

I’m leaning the other direction, step forward

Replacing Suh my biggest concern, Barron (at least last years Barron) and Joyner? Pretty sure we’ve upgraded on two of the 3 aforementioned

Now as for the Offense, my take step back or forward hinges on can Allen and Noteboom get it done (Captain Obvious)

 

[tempests]

My hope is that Marcus Peters returns to form and that Dante Fowler is motivated for a big contract.

Those two things happen and with good heath we should be better than last year.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I think; better

I like the CB’s and depth, plus improved at S.

I also think it’s possible our run D is better w/o Suh.

I’m intrigued by the changes at LB. We weren’t great last year... so the bar is not high to improve.

 

[Faceplant]

I like the youth mixed with exoerienceat at LB. It may take a few games, but I think we are better this year. Gotta stop the run tho.

 

[Legatron4]

Even if we’re average it’s an improvement. Our defense allowed 24 ppg. That’s doesnt win you many games unless you have an elite offense. Gotta keep it around 20.

 

[Loyal]

Top 3 Defense this year. Regular season Suh is gone, and we have a much better secondary with Mattews and Weddle, coupled with returnees Talib, Peters, and Coleman.

My God, we are gonna rock teams all year!

 

[ramfan46]

With Weddle on the back end and Talib healthy, I think they should be good to start the year. They should really be clicking by week 10. Will be interesting to see how Matthews and Rapp are used.

 

[OldSchool]

A step forward. I'd look for our playoff defense during the regular season if anything.

 

[Zaphod]

What we'll be taking is decisive disciplined steps into our oppositions backfield.

 

[Liberator]

Stopping the run is important but stopping the pass is IMO a more pressing concern, especially if our offense keeps putting up points and getting us ahead in games. Our DB's are top 5 in the NFL and with AD applying pressure up the gut we should be fine. Could be downright elite at play making if Matthews can regain some form (doubtful) or if Fowler can take that step everyone has been hoping for. Could be a fun year for the D making big plays, like last year.

 

[Ram65]

Last years defense stepped up late in games. Suh played his best late in games. Even though he didn't always seem to play hard, he was positive in the run game compared to the rest of the front. He was better in the playoffs. That's the main concern moving forward combined with Barron's fill in at MLBer. So far it's still unsure what the Rams have in their replacements except for young inexperienced players.

We all know the defense has added quality veteran players in Weddle at safety and Mathews at LBer. They have Donte Fowler settled in off the edge with rookie Taylor Rapp ready to get major playing time sub-packages. The big concern is in the middle of the defense. Rookies and young players are expected to take over at NT and ILBer. We haven't seen them play a down together. I'm hopeful and see improvement however I'm not sure how much and if they will be able to turn it on late in games.

 

[fearsomefour]

The Rams D was bad against the run for almost the whole year and habitually gave up big pass plays over the top. It was a bad, bad mix.
There is no reason the D backfield shouldn’t be better. The run D? Not sold yet.
With two new green lineman getting zero game reps with the offense it will be interesting to see how the O adjusts.
The D cannot expect the O to put up 40 points a game out of the gate to cover for the lackluster performance.
With Donald, Brockers, Mathews, Littleton, Fowler, Talib, Peters, Johnson and Weddle the Rams certainly have enough proven talent to be a solid defense.
The D should be better.
The D needs to be better.
I am really interested to see how a Day, Gaines rotation works inside.
Interested to see if Fowler can fulfill his substantive talent (and contract), also, how Mathews abs Rapp are used.
I expect to see Rapp on the field a goodly amount early, particularly with Kiser down and if no other LB steps up.

 

[SteveBrown]

If it weren't for the 3 game playoff run, I wouldnt have believed we weould be better. But, Barron, Suh and Brockers seemed different in the playoffs---that said, you can't do worse than 5.1 avg per carry...so the run D will improve. Brockers/Gaines/Day will be better, and Barron was washed out against 300 lb guards coming at him.


Wade changed the coverages to zone style, and that worked because Talib and Peters are so smart. Now with Weddle we have a guy lining people up---Lemarcus coudn't do that. I think there will not so many big plays.
HOWEVER, no way we are in top 5 pass defense with Talib and Peters who can't cut at full speed, and do not even have a 3rd gear. WRs like Baldwin, who was experienced, could cut and had great timing would embarrass our CBs...before you get mad, Edelman was what happened already. and that will continue to happen to the Rams. Fortunately not many teams have those guys, but enough do. Because the Rams offense puts up so many points, teams will go for it on 4th and 2 a lot---just like teamd did against he 2000-2001 Rams....putting a lot of pressure on a defense that can't tight play man coverage.

Fowler and Donald and Samson and a few others will rise higher than 2018 for sure....but how far, IDK.

 

[XXXIVwin]

From a pure $ standpoint, the “market” would indicate the Rams’ D would take a step back.

Lost Suh ($9 M), Barron ($6 M APY), and Joyner ($10 M APY). All of their replacements will cost considerably less.

However, as with all y’all that follow this team closely— yes, I think Rams D should be improved this year. High hopes for Weddle, especially.

 

[dang]

So assuming the defense can pick up where it left off factoring in any key losses or key adds:

- ILB - (Improves) Kiser would have been a more physical less athletic replacement for Barron; I think he would have struggled in some situations this year so I am hoping it motivates the Rams to pick up a more experienced/reliable run stuffing option - allowing Allen/Howard a year of on the job training
- NT - (Maintains) hard to think Gaines or SBJ will be better than a motivated Suh but when exactly was Suh motivated (Lions game? playoffs?) - so I think they will be as effective as Suh on average
- FS - (Improves) Weddle's above average experience/skills will be a couple notches above the below average play of Joyner from last year
- OLB - (Improves) Matthews/Ebukam/Patrick tandem will be an improvement over Ebukam's below average play (other than KC game) from last year

For returners - I expect a top 10 floor and a top 5 ceiling defense this year as the play of Fowler/Peters/Johnson/Brockers/Littleton improves and Donald/Talib/NRC maintains.

 

[NoCoNite]

We have an elite defense this year. The only thing that will cause their PPG to be high is garbage time touchdowns.
Clay Mathews had multiple sacks called back last year and he never played with a player like Aaron Donald.
We replaced knuckleheads such as Joyner with Eric Weddle. He might of lost a step but he’s not going to put himself in a position for us to lose a game. He’s also really football smart. I don’t think we will see many players out of place like we did last year.
Not too mention our young guys are turning into vets.

I think the biggest stand out this year is Fowler. Being a professional athlete is such a mental game. He’s been beat down, called a bust, placed on the bench, and forgotten about. Ppl forget how much talent this young man has. You match that talent with confidence and a great group of guys around him, that bust label will be gone. He’ll be labeled a steal by the rams. I think him and Aaron have 15+ sacks each. Teams won’t be able to triple team Aaron this year. If they do we have savy vets that will get to the QB.
Even if we don’t beat the sack record, those pressures will lead to interceptions, bad plays, and 3 n outs.

I’m really excited for our defense this year.

We lost suh, suh what. He didn’t turn it on until the playoffs.