Defensive line thread

[TexasRam]

Some interesting defensive numbers after 6 weeks:

Rams rankings:

#13 in yards (330.3/g)
#13 in pass yds (208.2/g)
#22 in rush yds (122.2/g)
#9-t in Off TDs allowed (10)
#28 in FG allowed (15)
#12 in PPG (19.1)

Here's the interesting stats
#28 in blitz% (20.4%)
#29 in sacks (10)
#24 in pressure% (19.6%)
#20 in hurry% (7.1%)
#16 in QB KD% (8.8%)
#19 in PD (22)

but.....

#7 in QB rating (76.7)
#3 in comp% (56.9%)
#2 in Rec TD (4)
#3 in Pass TD% (2.0%)


So without a devastating pass rush, they're putting up good numbers vs the pass. What happens as they get better? Young is improving every week. Mathis has only played a few weeks. They've played Geno Smith, Purdy the Magnificent, Burrow, Richardson, Hurts and Dobbs. Not all top 10 QBs but not bad either.

Some interesting stats to chew on.

I can't help but to notice we are at the bottom in blitz%.

As has been pointed out before, that approach has a ton of negative impacts. Lack of turnovers, loss of Time of possessions, and most importantly, the QB can get comfortable. Which is why we often see mediocre QB's look like world beaters against us. I will concede that the 2 deep approach can be a good strategic approach vs certain teams. But, I would never go full safe mode all season. Predictablity is a QB's best friend.

I agree with others, and several analysts who have pointed out that adding a higher blitz% would really benefit the defense. To Raheem's credit, he has added some 5-6 man pressures in certain situations that really were timely. I just would like to see it a bit more to get that QB hurrying passes and seeing ghosts.

 

[shovelpass]

Sure, it's a power run, until one of his 4 run blocking WRs gets off his block and breaks up field and the QB can pass it to him....

I think that might be a penalty.

ARTICLE 4. OTHER PROHIBITED ACTS BY THE OFFENSE. Acts that are pass interference include:
(a) Blocking more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage by an offensive player prior to a pass being thrown.

Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched.

 

[PARAM]

We've already seen a season in which Aaron Donald is our lone pass rush threat under McVay and GB sent us packing home in the playoffs...

So that's why we didn't win the SB in 2020? I thought it was because we needed a legit stud QB.

They went after Von for a reason...

Glad they drafted Young and Mathis!!

 

[oldnotdead]

Some interesting stats to chew on.

I can't help but to notice we are at the bottom in blitz%.

As has been pointed out before, that approach has a ton of negative impacts. Lack of turnovers, loss of Time of possessions, and most importantly, the QB can get comfortable. Which is why we often see mediocre QB's look like world beaters against us. I will concede that the 2 deep approach can be a good strategic approach vs certain teams. But, I would never go full safe mode all season. Predictablity is a QB's best friend.

I agree with others, and several analysts who have pointed out that adding a higher blitz% would really benefit the defense. To Raheem's credit, he has added some 5-6 man pressures in certain situations that really were timely. I just would like to see it a bit more to get that QB hurrying passes and seeing ghosts.

This is why I keep saying Morris is focused upon defending the LOS not attacking the backfield. This is why the Fangio style of defense has fallen out of favor with the majority of teams. It's infuriating because when Morris does get aggressive it shows how good this defense can be. It's infuriating because you have to wonder why does he constantly revert to his passive style of front 7 play? Pleasant came in and changed how the secondary plays to a large extent. He can't override Morris' two deep concept but he changed how the DBs play it. He has single handedly stopped the ranking slide of the Ram defense. All the while Morris accepts the credit that isn't his to accept. You have to wonder if there is an agreement to allow it to get Morris hired as a HC with Pleasant's reward being to be promoted to DC. If that happens I'm sure he will return the front 7 to a one gap attacking style. This defense should be ranked anywhere from 9th to 12 or 13th with their present personnel IMO.

But as long as the front 7's base is a read/react mixed two gap / 1 1/2 gap style they won't get pressure no matter who is at the edges. Because that style isn't about pressure and disruption, it's about defending the LOS. If Raheem doesn't get hired like I honestly think will happen, then McVay will have to fire or "promote" him up to consultant status. Why would a team hire a coach who basically only gets mediocre play from his players? In other words do what he did with Kromer. Jimmy Lake can then move to be DB coach a position which fits his background.

If McVay and Snead are serious about being a perennial contender for Lombardis they can't have that dead weight at DC. I think they are keeping Morris to hope for comp picks. But too many people know he's too conservative and plays favorites with his players. IMO that is why he can't get a HC gig. C'mon at Tampa Raheem went 17-31 so I don't believe for a second this shit about what a great coach he is. He had his shot and he blew it big. His defense didn't work there and doesn't work here. His defense went from #1 when he took over to #19 in 2 seasons. Under Morris the Rams went from being #1 under Staley to #15 in 2021 to #19 in 2022. Suddenly the addition of Pleasant and they are in the upper half again. Hmmm wonder why....

 

[shovelpass]

Some interesting stats to chew on.

I can't help but to notice we are at the bottom in blitz%.

As has been pointed out before, that approach has a ton of negative impacts. Lack of turnovers, loss of Time of possessions, and most importantly, the QB can get comfortable. Which is why we often see mediocre QB's look like world beaters against us. I will concede that the 2 deep approach can be a good strategic approach vs certain teams. But, I would never go full safe mode all season. Predictablity is a QB's best friend.

I agree with others, and several analysts who have pointed out that adding a higher blitz% would really benefit the defense. To Raheem's credit, he has added some 5-6 man pressures in certain situations that really were timely. I just would like to see it a bit more to get that QB hurrying passes and seeing ghosts.

I don't know if those blitz rates are from a different source, or just up to date, but here's a blitz rate chart prior to the game on Sunday. A slightly below average blitz rate, and it looks like they show the difference between run and pass blitzes. If so they're blitzing above average on passing downs.

 

[PARAM]

Some interesting stats to chew on.

I can't help but to notice we are at the bottom in blitz%.

As has been pointed out before, that approach has a ton of negative impacts. Lack of turnovers, loss of Time of possessions, and most importantly, the QB can get comfortable. Which is why we often see mediocre QB's look like world beaters against us. I will concede that the 2 deep approach can be a good strategic approach vs certain teams. But, I would never go full safe mode all season. Predictablity is a QB's best friend.

I agree with others, and several analysts who have pointed out that adding a higher blitz% would really benefit the defense. To Raheem's credit, he has added some 5-6 man pressures in certain situations that really were timely. I just would like to see it a bit more to get that QB hurrying passes and seeing ghosts.

That's why I found those numbers I posted so interesting. Lack of pressure makes QBs comfortable and yet the Rams D has allowed the 13th fewest passing yards, 7th lowest QB rating, 3rd lowest comp pct and 2nd fewest TD receptions. It's not like the DBs are killing it........they're #19 in PD. The highest pressure stat they have is #16 in QB knockdowns.

 

[Tano]

That's why I found those numbers I posted so interesting. Lack of pressure makes QBs comfortable and yet the Rams D has allowed the 13th fewest passing yards, 7th lowest QB rating, 3rd lowest comp pct and 2nd fewest TD receptions. It's not like the DBs are killing it........they're #19 in PD. The highest pressure stat they have is #16 in QB knockdowns.

I think even though we have a lower than average passes defensed we still have CBs and Safeties that are close to the receivers for the most part making the QBs throws more difficult.

Then again - there were some plays where the receiver was wide open deep and the QB just missed the throw.

 

[PARAM]

- there were some plays where the receiver was wide open deep and the QB just missed the throw.

And there were some where the coverage was good but the QB made a great throw and/or the WR made a great catch. One that comes to mind is Hurts to AJ Brown in the closing seconds of the first half. Great throw, one handed catch vs good coverage.

 

[Tano]

And there were some where the coverage was good but the QB made a great throw and/or the WR made a great catch. One that comes to mind is Hurts to AJ Brown in the closing seconds of the first half. Great throw, one handed catch vs good coverage.

Probably offsets the times where the receiver was wide open and was missed

 

[shovelpass]

 

[Kupped]

What a bargain.
Unbelievable draft class.

 

[WestCoastRam]

What a bargain.
Unbelievable draft class.

Yes, this draft class will go a long way to keeping this team competitive for the next four years as long as the QB position doesn't fall off a cliff.

 

[Memento]

Yes, this draft class will go a long way to keeping this team competitive for the next four years as long as the QB position doesn't fall off a cliff.

2022's has some gems as well: K-Will, Durant, Yeast, and Lake are all starters (and if we keep Kendrick, he's a useful starter as well).

 

[WestCoastRam]

2022's has some gems as well: K-Will, Durant, Yeast, and Lake are all starters (and if we keep Kendrick, he's a useful starter as well).

I like Lake's long term potential and Williams for what he is... for me, I haven't seen enough in Durant or Yeast to think they'll be more than average talent at best (which is fine, the rosters needs them).

2023 has multiple players with "plus" level talent that could even get better.

 

[simonblaze]

So that's why we didn't win the SB in 2020? I thought it was because we needed a legit stud QB.

Glad they drafted Young and Mathis!!

Adding Young and Mathis doesn't replace Von Miller

 

[So Ram]

Adding Young and Mathis doesn't replace Von Miller

Depends!!

Tell me how much Von Miller is making & how his contract would look as a Ram.

Then let us know Young’s stats vs. Von Miller in 2023.Plus remember Byron Young is a late 3rd rd Rookie who has 3 more years as a Ram & there(his) future. Mathis has never been through a NFL training camp & just starting his process as a DE.

Your going by a pencil roster & team.Game in & game out is the reality of it.

Taylor Rapp sure isn’t as good as yeast.Floyd is playing better for the Bills than Von Miller & was a better Ram.It’s just nice that The Rams moved on & might be a better defense now than last season.Maybe at the end of the season it’s Raheem Morris’s best defensive team as a Ram

 

[Riverumbbq]

Adding Young and Mathis doesn't replace Von Miller

I'm looking at Byron Young more as the eventual premier replacement for Leonard Floyd while we bring in an elite free agent that replaces Von Miller. Mathis & VanValkenburg could end up as our top rotational pieces. Hoecht goes back to the DL.
jmo.

 

[Memento]

I like Lake's long term potential and Williams for what he is... for me, I haven't seen enough in Durant or Yeast to think they'll be more than average talent at best (which is fine, the rosters needs them).

2023 has multiple players with "plus" level talent that could even get better.

Yeast is a solid cover safety who can come up and bring the wood. I like him a lot.

I’d love Durant more if he was on the outside instead of the STAR (where he simply isn’t physical enough for that position). He had three picks (one for a touchdown) his rookie year, sticky coverage, and awareness to the ball. I refuse to believe that’s all disappeared.

 

[Malibu]

Sorry, but the lack of pass rush is going to catch up eventually, imo.

Agreed unless we address at trade deadline

 

[oldnotdead]

Durant isn't a slot CB. He doesn't have the agility to match up as SCB. Also, SCB is the most difficult CB position to play because of the multiple route options open to the receiver. You need agility and acceleration to play it well. Shelley is a good SCB. Durant belongs on the outside. I think he will replace DK though I'd rather have Ojemudia. Regardless hopefully Durant won't be the PI generator that DK was.

Tomlinson has never played SCB but IMO it's his best fit. He should simply redshirt this year and learn the position.

I anticipate Witherspoon, Durant on the outside and Shelley at SCB going forward. If they need to play a dime then they can go with 3 safeties since they play zone anyway. I have always felt that Lake has the highest ceiling between him and Fuller and Yeast. Morris doesn't play SS and FS he plays right and left. So the dime safety would be in the middle (Lake, Yeast, Fuller).