Top 10 Seasons by a Rams Player

[Loyal]

Top 5 or 6? I remember that interview and Donald was already in the top 2 at that time, and arguably already #1. I wonder if Sapp put himself above Donald in that list. As great as Sapp was, I doubt any GM would take him ahead of Donald if they were in the same draft. Sapp also said at the time, IIRC, that he thought Donald needed to be better in his run D.

Sapp's somewhat backhanded compliments came off as very self-serving to me.

Well, memory wasn't correct. Sapp called Donald a 1st ballot HOfer and would join 5 others with distinction.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4C0RosRGb8&t=29s

 

[JYB]

Well, memory wasn't correct. Sapp called Donald a 1st ballot HOfer and would join 5 others with distinction.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4C0RosRGb8&t=29s

Credit where it's due -- props to Sapp for saying unequivocally that Donald is his superior; I'd forgotten that. But he also did say that Donald is "right there with all of us" (i.e., the only 5 first ballot HOF DTs -- Mean Joe Green, Merlin, Lilly, Randy White and Sapp) and he did belittle Donald's run defense. Unfairly and inaccurately, IMO.

 

[RamDino]

I'm not sure I'd include Sapp in that group. And Aaron Donald has twice as many TFL as Sapp has, which is a huge part of run defense.
And he is double-teamed constantly, even on run plays. Otherwise he would be in the other team's backfield on almost every play. Team's have to account for him on every play or he would be wrecking their offense. Sapp - lol.

 

[fanotodd]

I'm not sure I'd include Sapp in that group. And Aaron Donald has twice as many TFL as Sapp has, which is a huge part of run defense.
And he is double-teamed constantly, even on run plays. Otherwise he would be in the other team's backfield on almost every play. Team's have to account for him on every play or he would be wrecking their offense. Sapp - lol.

Excellent point. Another is maybe teams don’t run at him so much because the odds are not good!

I posted on another thread that I recently re-watched the 2018 Rams/chiefs game. It was week 11 and they said Donald was leading the league in sacks despite being double teamed 74% of the time!

Having the pleasure of watching Donald’s career in its entirety, I am no longer as impressed with sack/TFL totals from edge rushers.

1) they rarely get a sack when doubled. They aren’t doubled that often—certainly nowhere near 74% of the time. I doubt it’s even close to 50%.
2) how many times do you see a free sack because of a missed assignment or failed blitz pickup, letting an edge rusher go untouched to the QB? How is it possible that a “name” player isn’t accounted for on a pass play? You had better believe the opponent knows where Donald is the minute he comes out of the tunnel.
3) sometimes the opponent runs to one side, leaving little or no resistance on the backside. These guys are gifted athletes who can chase down plays if they read them fast enough.

When is the last time, IF EVER, you have seen Donald get a “free” sack/TFL? The closest he gets to charity is one on one.

 

[AvengerRam]

I’m certain that Warren Sapp didn’t have one of the top 10 seasons by a Ram.

 

[JYB]

I posted on another thread that I recently re-watched the 2018 Rams/chiefs game. It was week 11 and they said Donald was leading the league in sacks despite being double teamed 74% of the time!

Having the pleasure of watching Donald’s career in its entirety, I am no longer as impressed with sack/TFL totals from edge rushers.

I agree. To those who say Lawrence Taylor was the greatest defensive player ever, it should be pointed out that Taylor was frequently one on one with a lineman in front of him throughout a game. Yes, he made plays at critical times, but he could also be handled fairly consistently with just a single lineman. Donald is rarely blocked with one lineman, and when he is, he usually makes the offense pay for it.

 

[RamDino]

John Randle also had a better career than Warren Sapp.