Michael Brockers

[Memento]

I love Brockers. He's my favorite player on the Rams. I don't think we keep him after this year unless he takes a pay-cut, unfortunately, but I'm really happy that we've kept him this year.

 

[Corbin]

This is talking scheme fit guys. Wade Phillips plays what is called a hybrid 3-4. Basically what that means is that it uses 3-4 type of dline but aligns them and plays them like a 4-3 scheme. The second DE is a OLB (Fowler) and instead of the usual 3-4 two gap scheme, it is played as a one gap penetrating scheme. Brockers is a natural 3 technique being played as a 5 technique DE. Normally you want a player that is fast, with good length at that position. Watch the games from last year. Brockers is only dealing with a single blocker and normally doesn't get much penetration especially on passing downs. He lacks the speed to get around the edge so he just tries to over power the LT (who usually is the best oline on an offense). He's also been part of the problem on run defense. He needs to be stronger at the POA.

He's not being paid $7M hes taking over $10M in cap space. Next year when he's not on the team that money will be reallocated towards Fowler. I have no doubt Fowler will play well enough to deserve it. He was on the team for about 8 games yet he outplayed Brockers. Both he and Brockers essentially play the same position, only on different sides.

I like Brockers but not for $10M a year especially as a DE with the limited impact he provides. In 2017 when they couldn't stop the run he was part of the problem. Fowler sets the edge on the strong side far better than Brockers on the weak side.

He will benefit this year from having Gaines at NT beside him in the run defense. But you don't pay a DE $10M to come off the field on passing downs. So he stays in and really simply occupies the LT. Thats what he did last year with limited success.

Brockers is the RDE which lines up to the offensive weakside. Fowler is an OLB who plays the rush LB in the hybrid scheme Wade runs and lines up as the 5 technique on the strong side. They are not side by side.

As a rookie back in 2012 Brockers ran the 40 in shorts at 5.18 which is slow for a DE. So at his age he's probably running closer to a 6 second 40. Most of the better DE's time in the 4.5-4.7 range. Yes he's dropped weight since then but he's pushing 29 and that's when they start to lose that first half step.

Go back and look at his play last year. I can't think of when he was double teamed yet he still couldn't get around LT's. If he couldn't push the LT with simple power he was out of the play. When he was the RDT in a 4-3 his first couple of years he played well, but go back and look at his last 4 years and it's a different story.

All I'm saying is that I don't expect him back, and don't expect more than what he did last year which was less than stellar. That's not much for $10M in cap on a team that is cap strapped. So that is why I'm saying why wait? Make the change before TC to finalize the position.

Seriously are you trolling? Because you'd have to be to be this wrong. Do you watch the games? Because hardly if any of your posts are accurate. Your new here so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. The only thing I will address which is ridiculous is that Brockers lines up over the LT on Donalds side. So your telling me they routinely line Brockers and Donald on the same side of the ball?

To be this blatantly wrong you have to be trolling.

 

[BonifayRam]

I like Brockers and I think that he’s gonna have a good year, if healthy.

But I also think that this is his last year as a Ram. Pure economics alone will dictate this.

The Rams were forced to let Saffold walk, so you can be sure that they’re willing to lose Brockers, too.

Either a current player must step up or Snead must draft a Brockers replacement next year.

Just the way it is for a loaded team in today’s cap world. Sigh...

At this time I see John Franklin-Myers as the leading prospect to move into the 5 tech post as a starter in 2020. However, I would not write off Morgan Fox as soon as most. His ability to pressure the QB could buy himself a moderate low-end pay raise resign contract in March of 2020 IF he sticks & works his way into the rotation this TC & preseason.

Another 5 tech rookie DL to keep an eye out for IMO is UDFA Marquise Copeland remember his name & number #93.

 

[Merlin]

Another 5 tech rookie DL to keep an eye out for IMO is UDFA Marquise Copeland remember his name & number #93.

Crackin that DL group at 5T is gonna be hard, we are straight loaded there with Fox coming back.

3T: Donald > Smart > Copeland > Thompson
NT: Gaines > SJD > Jones
5T: Brock > JFM > Fox > Roberts

Bolded are the guys I think make the final roster. Smart was never a NT, and is very much on the bubble. SJD looks great and all physically according to the media types, but I can't get excited about weight room heroes; the fact he never sniffed the field when Suh was out there drinkin effin pina coladas in the run game tells us more about his readiness than how much he can lift. Have him marked as making the cut due to the fact that Smart and most of the others aren't up to snuff moreso than having big hopes for him.

But look at 5T. Just damn. So if the Rams keep 6 then Copeland has his work cut out, gonna be tough. If they keep 7 he might be able to swoop in there as a 3T/5T depth swing type.

 

[shaunpinney]

Say what you will about Brockers but he is a solid player that has shown that he is willing to do whatever the Rams need him to do without complaint. I know alot of people are talking up Fowler but he still needs to prove it at the NFL level. He is currently living off his lofty draft status and his performance while in college.

I've also hear Snead say that Brockers is a 'coachable guy', which in this Rams regimes goes a long way (IMO)

 

[BonifayRam]

Crackin that DL group at 5T is gonna be hard, we are straight loaded there with Fox coming back.

3T: Donald > Smart > Copeland > Thompson
NT: Gaines > SJD > Jones
5T: Brock > JFM > Fox > Roberts

Bolded are the guys I think make the final roster. Smart was never a NT, and is very much on the bubble. SJD looks great and all physically according to the media types, but I can't get excited about weight room heroes; the fact he never sniffed the field when Suh was out there drinkin effin pina coladas in the run game tells us more about his readiness than how much he can lift. Have him marked as making the cut due to the fact that Smart and most of the others aren't up to snuff moreso than having big hopes for him.

But look at 5T. Just damn. So if the Rams keep 6 then Copeland has his work cut out, gonna be tough. If they keep 7 he might be able to swoop in there as a 3T/5T depth swing type.

We would agree on this. I might place Morgan Fox in behind Aaron Donald @ the 3 Tech Merlin....he would be a very good right side DL & better than Tanzel Smart who I have little faith in after being here for two full seasons. I believe Fox & Donald would be a good tag team right side duo.

On Copeland...he just oozes 5 Tech ability even though he played started mostly @ NT. If Henderson & Wade desire seven #7 DL'ers on the roster or even just the PS ....Copeland would be a really good fit. Copeland is one tough dude who loves to hit RB's hard.

 

[oldnotdead]

1MaGoh One picture doesn't tell much. Everyone knows Wade moves his people around depending upon matchup and the defensive play call. I'm talking about his base position. He is carried on the depth chart as a DE meaning he is normally aligned as a 5T. Fowler is the WIL or rush LB and will flip side depending upon the defensive play call. He's the designated rusher of the LB's and plays as the second DE. In the photo Fowler is playing what looks like a 7T.

Last season despite being a WIL Fowler often played on the strong side. It all depends upon matchup. I'm not sure Brockers is even in the photo you posted. Suh is at 1T, Donald at 3T, you can't see who is playing the strong side at what looks like almost a 4T. But obviously this is a run defense alignment by the oline spacing and the way the LB's are aligned. So I don't know what you are trying to show using this particular picture. Defending the run is all about gap control so the defense is aligned accordingly.

 

[1maGoh]

1MaGoh One picture doesn't tell much. Everyone knows Wade moves his people around depending upon matchup and the defensive play call. I'm talking about his base position. He is carried on the depth chart as a DE meaning he is normally aligned as a 5T. Fowler is the WIL or rush LB and will flip side depending upon the defensive play call. He's the designated rusher of the LB's and plays as the second DE. In the photo Fowler is playing what looks like a 7T.

Last season despite being a WIL Fowler often played on the strong side. It all depends upon matchup. I'm not sure Brockers is even in the photo you posted. Suh is at 1T, Donald at 3T, you can't see who is playing the strong side at what looks like almost a 4T. But obviously this is a run defense alignment by the oline spacing and the way the LB's are aligned. So I don't know what you are trying to show using this particular picture. Defending the run is all about gap control so the defense is aligned accordingly.

Whatever bro.

 

[oldnotdead]

1MaGoh I assume you watched the NFC title game. If you did you would see what I'm talking about how Wade constantly moves people around to make it hard for the offense to take your best guys out of the play. In that game Brockers played inside and both sides outside. The problem for Brockers is that he's basically a 4-3 DT playing a 3T. Every where else he's out of position and it shows. Suh played a lot of snaps during the season outside exchanging places with Brockers and others. Brockers sub'd for Donald at the 3T as well. My point being he lacks the versatility to play in that manner. He doesn't have the speed to play 5T and he isn't stout enough against the run to play 1T. He lines up there on occasion but that doesn't mean he can consistently play well when he's out of position (i.e. 3T). Go ahead and watch the game if you have it or can catch it on NFL Channel. You will see how the Dline changes it's alignment on virtually every play. It's rare when they play the same alignment on consecutive plays. In that game note how ineffective he was when he had to line up wide outside. They don't like to do that with him for that reason but will on occasion. One thing Brockers likes to do is to bait the OT into over setting then jump the B gap just before the snap. The OT can't adjust or be penalized for a false start. He does that because he lacks the speed to turn the corner on a good OT.

Gaines made the comment that the defensive scheme seems symplistic. Wade demands a high level of execution, plus the constantly changing look the offense has to contend with. This allows his guys to play fast, while perhaps forcing the offense to hesitate that half second to read the defense.

 

[1maGoh]

1MaGoh I assume you watched the NFC title game. If you did you would see what I'm talking about how Wade constantly moves people around to make it hard for the offense to take your best guys out of the play. In that game Brockers played inside and both sides outside. The problem for Brockers is that he's basically a 4-3 DT playing a 3T. Every where else he's out of position and it shows. Suh played a lot of snaps during the season outside exchanging places with Brockers and others. Brockers sub'd for Donald at the 3T as well. My point being he lacks the versatility to play in that manner. He doesn't have the speed to play 5T and he isn't stout enough against the run to play 1T. He lines up there on occasion but that doesn't mean he can consistently play well when he's out of position (i.e. 3T). Go ahead and watch the game if you have it or can catch it on NFL Channel. You will see how the Dline changes it's alignment on virtually every play. It's rare when they play the same alignment on consecutive plays. In that game note how ineffective he was when he had to line up wide outside. They don't like to do that with him for that reason but will on occasion. One thing Brockers likes to do is to bait the OT into over setting then jump the B gap just before the snap. The OT can't adjust or be penalized for a false start. He does that because he lacks the speed to turn the corner on a good OT.

Gaines made the comment that the defensive scheme seems symplistic. Wade demands a high level of execution, plus the constantly changing look the offense has to contend with. This allows his guys to play fast, while perhaps forcing the offense to hesitate that half second to read the defense.

Did you watch the video on Donald being the most dominant Interior D Lineman? If you did, did you notice how many times Brockers was lined up over the left tackle, left guard, or left side of the center? Out of over 8 minutes worth of plays, it was 3 times and one of those was as a 1T. Most of his snaps came with him playing on the right side of the right guard (from the perspective of the offense). Every time he was lined up on the left side of the line, Donald was on the right. Anyone who watches the Rams regularly knows that Donald is almost always on the left side of the line, frequently on the outside shoulder of the left guard.

That video doesn't show every play, but with the variety of formations and personnel it does show gives us a good idea of what was typical in the defense last season. Brockers lining up over the left tackle was atypical.

Until you can come back with better evidence, and not just some "it's so because I know so" to of statement, then I think we can lay this one to rest.

 

[So Ram]

I like Brockers and I think that he’s gonna have a good year, if healthy.

But I also think that this is his last year as a Ram. Pure economics alone will dictate this.

The Rams were forced to let Saffold walk, so you can be sure that they’re willing to lose Brockers, too.

Either a current player must step up or Snead must draft a Brockers replacement next year.

Just the way it is for a loaded team in today’s cap world. Sigh...

Predicting that far ahead with him is something I think sucks!! Brockers has been a big heart beat of The Rams even before they made the move to LA !! He was the first Ram drafted by Snead so he is a meaningful player to this organization.

I really hate Ram Fans bagging on him !! He is the Ultimate True Professional !!

My believe is he is going to have an excellent year. His roll will be more defined & having Suh gone & Aaron Donald in training camp will make a huge deference. I also think Henderson being brought in over Bill Johnson will only add to Brockers growth.

Brockers came into The Rams organization as a Raw Jr. from LSU !! He has been more mature than his years. I’ve been to like 5-camps in the LA area & he has always been one of the best all around team core guys. He and Ogletree were great together going back to his St. Louis days. He was there when Ogletree came into camp heavy. The next year they were cross training together.

Just saying to all those folks that talk crap about him. Enjoy his Ram career. He should have earned the trust of Ram fans. This defense is going to be special.

 

[Rams43]

Predicting that far ahead with him is something I think sucks!! Brockers has been a big heart beat of The Rams even before they made the move to LA !! He was the first Ram drafted by Snead so he is a meaningful player to this organization.

I really hate Ram Fans bagging on him !! He is the Ultimate True Professional !!

My believe is he is going to have an excellent year. His roll will be more defined & having Suh gone & Aaron Donald in training camp will make a huge deference. I also think Henderson being brought in over Bill Johnson will only add to Brockers growth.

Brockers came into The Rams organization as a Raw Jr. from LSU !! He has been more mature than his years. I’ve been to like 5-camps in the LA area & he has always been one of the best all around team core guys. He and Ogletree were great together going back to his St. Louis days. He was there when Ogletree came into camp heavy. The next year they were cross training together.

Just saying to all those folks that talk crap about him. Enjoy his Ram career. He should have earned the trust of Ram fans. This defense is going to be special.

Easy, So Ram. Lol.

I’m not talking crap or bagging on Brockers. Please re-read my post.

I love Brockers. He’s been one of my favorite Rams for years.

I’m just predicting that he will be a cap casualty, that’s all. If it happened to Saffold (another of my favorites), it can happen to Brockers.

Just the way it is when you have a loaded roster that’s always right up to the cap.

 

[So Ram]

Easy, So Ram. Lol.

I’m not talking crap or bagging on Brockers. Please re-read my post.

I love Brockers. He’s been one of my favorite Rams for years.

I’m just predicting that he will be a cap casualty, that’s all. If it happened to Saffold (another of my favorites), it can happen to Brockers.

Just the way it is when you have a loaded roster that’s always right up to the cap.

I get the sigh & your positive position. Saffold was a FA & signed a big time contract somewhere else.(Tenn.) which will give The Rams a comp pick.

A guy like Barron was a player I thought should have been cut last season. Then again he was a core player & The Rams were light at LBer. He also was not ready for camp & OTA’s. Brockers has always been a leader.

Tru signing a second Franchise tag blew my mind ?? Why Snead let that position get so thin ?? Made some excellent trades for Peters & Talib !!
Then again because Snead let The DB position gets so thin he even Franchised Joyner which blew my mind as well. Having Weddle at FS will be amazing for this Rams defense. Joyner will bring a comp pick as well.

I just don’t see how The Rams cut Brockers if he is not a FA. If he is a FA, then will see where his value is at.

My point being why not enjoy watching Brockers & know that he is one of the hardest working Ram . He leads by example & has been a SOLID Pillar that Spags use to talk about. He has helped change the culture in The Rams locker room.

Talib & Whitworth were big additions for this.
Aaron Donald has not been that guy except in OTA’s he was solid in voluntary workouts which shows his character .

 

[snackdaddy]

I'm pretty glad we didn't release him to save the money. After the loss of Suh, Brockers became more valuable. Without him it woulda been Donald and a bunch of unproven players on the line. That coulda been a recipe for disaster. Kudos to the Rams for recognizing what could have been without him.

 

[dang]

I prefer to focus on this year and worry about next year at the end of this season. He may or may not be back NEXT year but Brockers will be a big part of the Rams defense THIS year. I trust he will make Rams fans proud of his play and leadership.

 

[Ram65]

I thought at times Brockers was over rated a little in the past. Granted it's hard to tell everything that goes on in the trenches. He was steady but not great by any means. As @Akrasian stated he had a weight change and injuries that looked to effect his play last year. I think he bounces back this year being a contract year, with better health and having more experience at DE. I do think it's his last year as a Ram.

I can't see the Rams cutting or trading him this year. He is a leader and respected player on the Rams. It would send a bad message to the team. It will be interesting to see how they split the playing time with him and JFM. Brockers played about 67% to almost 30% for JFM. Look for Brockers to have a bounce back year. Snap counts could tell how much they like JFM.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/2018-snap-counts.htm

I posted this today in this thread. Can't believe I didn't comment in this thread.

https://ramsondemand.com/threads/about-the-projected-2019-ram-o-and-d.58340/

 

[So Ram]

I posted this today in this thread. Can't believe I didn't comment in this thread.

https://ramsondemand.com/threads/about-the-projected-2019-ram-o-and-d.58340/

Yes- it will be interesting how the rotation plays out,especially with Henderson as DL coach. Where does Barry(c) or #52 play out as de/lb ?
This defense should be more aggressive without Suh & with Gaines. Suh seemed to take plays off.I’m not complaining,just very curious of how Weedle & Gaines play out vs Suh & Joyner.

Big #52 fathead fan !! This defense is going to be more aggressive. ** Brockers will get more chances to make plays. His size also helps disrupt passing lanes.