Derion Kendrick

[FrantikRam]

Honest question for everyone - what numbers do you use to decide how well a CB is playing? I'll put this here from Pro Football Reference:

Ramsey 2022:

8 penalties, 91 targets, 62% completion, 659 yards, 7.2 yard per target, 5 TDs allowed, 4 INTs, 84.5 passer rating allowed

Kendrick 2023:

11 penalties, 71 targets, 59% completion, 543 yards, 7.6 yards per target, 3 TDs allowed, 1 INT, 91.5 passer rating allowed


If he had a few more INTs, that passer rating is probably identical.


Do I think Kendrick is as good as Ramsey? Hell no.

But is he playing close to as good as Ramsey did last year? Yes, and the stats bear that out.

Is less penalties and a few more INTs worth $20 million? Fuck no.

And the eye test bears this out as well - and the overall defensive numbers. Our defense is close to the defense from last year statistically, and Kendrick is a young ascending player. He has some warts - the penalties - that's about it though. If he cleans that up, he's trending toward becoming an above average starter.

 

[Merlin]

But is he playing close to as good as Ramsey did last year? Yes, and the stats bear that out.

Rams moving Ramsey was a great call. They got a title with him back there then got out before the floor dropped. He's still getting the benefit of calls that Kendrick does not get, which is to say refs allow him to pull and hold because of his elite status as well as he is the best at tactical holds in the pattern. But it won't be much longer before refs start calling them I think, and you don't want to be the guy depending on him when that happens. Have fun with that Miami.

 

[Merlin]

Re: Kendrick I have to say that he's earned some loyalty points with me with his general effectiveness. This game tonight they are going to start him again because this is not the game to fuck around with depth chart moves, as it is a playoff caliber type matchup where we need to win and advance. Just short of being a must-win, but damn near that level. And the Saints have a QB who can be excellent in streaks, plus we don't have the kind of rush to unsettle him (and the Saints' pressure allowed rate is third at 15.4%). Also Olave looks like he'll be a go, which makes that offense a lot more dangerous.

So the secondary has to play well tonight. And the front has to be timely at the least in their pressure. Really what Kendrick is playing for right now is his long term spot in this secondary. He's done much better than I expected this season but when you have no room for error due to lack of wheels it's hard to put up the consistency required to keep a job at this level. We'll see though. If he can finish strong over these games and maybe into the playoffs then I'd think the Rams will have him in their plans. Up to him.

 

[Ellard80]

Okay Kendrick haters. If he wasn't good enough to play every game McVay would bench him. I trust a winning super bowl coach over you guys any day. Sure he makes rookie boneheaded plays at times but if he sucked as bad as you guys are suggesting he wouldn't be on the field.

he sucks there just isn't anyone else on the roster.

 

[Angry Ram]

Honest question for everyone - what numbers do you use to decide how well a CB is playing? I'll put this here from Pro Football Reference:

Ramsey 2022:

8 penalties, 91 targets, 62% completion, 659 yards, 7.2 yard per target, 5 TDs allowed, 4 INTs, 84.5 passer rating allowed

Kendrick 2023:

11 penalties, 71 targets, 59% completion, 543 yards, 7.6 yards per target, 3 TDs allowed, 1 INT, 91.5 passer rating allowed


If he had a few more INTs, that passer rating is probably identical.


Do I think Kendrick is as good as Ramsey? Hell no.

But is he playing close to as good as Ramsey did last year? Yes, and the stats bear that out.

Is less penalties and a few more INTs worth $20 million? Fuck no.

And the eye test bears this out as well - and the overall defensive numbers. Our defense is close to the defense from last year statistically, and Kendrick is a young ascending player. He has some warts - the penalties - that's about it though. If he cleans that up, he's trending toward becoming an above average starter.

91 targets. No one was afraid to target him anymore. Started to get burned more and more. Carried from the 2021 playoffs into last season.

Based on the fact that the he started Bobby Evans multiple times last year? Zach Thomas at LT ring any bells?

Bobby Evans was given opportunities and when he showed he couldn't hack it he was benched then let go.

Zach Thomas was a one off due to injury and hasn't seen the field since. He doesn't count.

DK isn't costing games. He's not getting beat like a drum week in and out. Certainly not bad enough to deserve whipping boy status. This ain't Justin King.

 

[Snaz]

DK isn't costing games.

What games you watching? He easily could be with his DPI. And the two that occurred before the half.

Look he had me in his corner the last two games then stunk it up again against Washington.
Such a short week, and no one better at this time. But I'm again, thanks to his boneheadedness against Washington, ready to move on and have him ride the bench. But also want to make the Playoffs and of others are too injured or to inept to replace him then stuck with him.

 

[Ellard80]

Honest question for everyone - what numbers do you use to decide how well a CB is playing? I'll put this here from Pro Football Reference:

Ramsey 2022:

8 penalties, 91 targets, 62% completion, 659 yards, 7.2 yard per target, 5 TDs allowed, 4 INTs, 84.5 passer rating allowed

Kendrick 2023:

11 penalties, 71 targets, 59% completion, 543 yards, 7.6 yards per target, 3 TDs allowed, 1 INT, 91.5 passer rating allowed


If he had a few more INTs, that passer rating is probably identical.


Do I think Kendrick is as good as Ramsey? Hell no.

But is he playing close to as good as Ramsey did last year? Yes, and the stats bear that out.

Is less penalties and a few more INTs worth $20 million? Fuck no.

And the eye test bears this out as well - and the overall defensive numbers. Our defense is close to the defense from last year statistically, and Kendrick is a young ascending player. He has some warts - the penalties - that's about it though. If he cleans that up, he's trending toward becoming an above average starter.

Ramsey wasn't great last year

but your breakdown doesn't include the 13 penalties that DK has... including some really bad ones.

I really don't agree that he is an ascending player.

Can anyone honestly think of another player in the past 10 years that got beat that bad on back to back possessions?

And then get a penalty on 4th down?

 

[InfiniteRam]

This thread has reached comical levels. Kendrick is a JUST turned 23 year old, 2nd year player, with less than a years worth of starts, and showing clear and demonstrative improvement from last year. But proceed.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Okay Kendrick haters. If he wasn't good enough to play every game McVay would bench him. I trust a winning super bowl coach over you guys any day. Sure he makes rookie boneheaded plays at times but if he sucked as bad as you guys are suggesting he wouldn't be on the field.

He's not a rookie tho so this is laughable. No one is denying McVay is a great coach but he's human and he's going to make bad decisions sometimes a la Evans, Demby, Allen Robinson for example. I personally don't think its a bad decision of playing Kendrick this year due to salary cap constraints, but once we have more cap room, he needs to be replaced since there should be much better standards for our starting CBs vs now. In no way should Kendrick be a starting CB next year, but he'd be a great depth piece. It's also hilarious to see how butt hurt the Kendrick fierce supporters are for calling Kendrick non-starter material.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

This thread has reached comical levels. Kendrick is a JUST turned 23 year old, 2nd year player, with less than a years worth of starts, and showing clear and demonstrative improvement from last year. But proceed.

Improvement is not owning the most pass interferences since 2013. That shows he doesn't have discipline when getting burned because he's too slow. That's the type of CBs that usually get replaced by better talent of the cap situation allows it.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Honest question for everyone - what numbers do you use to decide how well a CB is playing? I'll put this here from Pro Football Reference:

Ramsey 2022:

8 penalties, 91 targets, 62% completion, 659 yards, 7.2 yard per target, 5 TDs allowed, 4 INTs, 84.5 passer rating allowed

Kendrick 2023:

11 penalties, 71 targets, 59% completion, 543 yards, 7.6 yards per target, 3 TDs allowed, 1 INT, 91.5 passer rating allowed


If he had a few more INTs, that passer rating is probably identical.


Do I think Kendrick is as good as Ramsey? Hell no.

But is he playing close to as good as Ramsey did last year? Yes, and the stats bear that out.

Is less penalties and a few more INTs worth $20 million? Fuck no.

And the eye test bears this out as well - and the overall defensive numbers. Our defense is close to the defense from last year statistically, and Kendrick is a young ascending player. He has some warts - the penalties - that's about it though. If he cleans that up, he's trending toward becoming an above average starter.

He's not trending to an above average at all so that part is funny. I think Morris is putting our D in great positions based on the talent we have on that side so I actually give more credit to him on that side. Kendrick is replaceable for sure and more of a CB3 or CB4. We'd be much better off with him as depth.

 

[InfiniteRam]

He's not a rookie tho so this is laughable. No one is denying McVay is a great coach but he's human and he's going to make bad decisions sometimes a la Evans, Demby, Allen Robinson for example. I personally don't think its a bad decision of playing Kendrick this year due to salary cap constraints, but once we have more cap room, he needs to be replaced since there should be much better standards for our starting CBs vs now. In no way should Kendrick be a starting CB next year, but he'd be a great depth piece. It's also hilarious to see how butt hurt the Kendrick fierce supporters are for calling Kendrick non-starter material.

There's no "butthurt" supporters. Kendrick is and will be a fully capable starting CB in the NFL.

Improvement is not owning the most pass interferences since 2013. That shows he doesn't have discipline when getting burned because he's too slow. That's the type of CBs that usually get replaced by better talent of the cap situation allows it.

What does this even mean? Most "pass interferences" compared to who? The "too slow" argument is old and tired. The P.I.'s aren't even related to speed - do you even watch the games?

 

[Ellard80]

There's no "butthurt" supporters. Kendrick is and will be a fully capable starting CB in the NFL.


What does this even mean? Most "pass interferences" compared to who? The "too slow" argument is old and tired. The P.I.'s aren't even related to speed - do you even watch the games?

Not related to speed? I saw McLaurin leave him in the dust twice. Also the fact the he is slower is exactly why he feels the need to grab and hold - it's like when you are playing basketball and you know the guy you are guarding is quicker..... often times the fouling starts because can't keep up.

IF Kendricks could get rid of the penalties, he would be at least average.

When you add his penalties to the equation, he isn't good.

He is 3rd in the nfl in total penalties and #2 in yardage.

 

[Angry Ram]

What games you watching?

ALL of them. i made this thread after the Bengals game.

He easily could be with his DPI. And the two that occurred before the half.

SO could any other CB on any other team in any other game. Getting PIs isn't exclusive to DK.

Look he had me in his corner the last two games then stunk it up again against Washington.
Such a short week, and no one better at this time. But I'm again, thanks to his boneheadedness against Washington, ready to move on and have him ride the bench. But also want to make the Playoffs and of others are too injured or to inept to replace him then stuck with him.

So one game all year he gets burned and and that's it? Why do other corners get a pass but DK gets shat on? Numbers were provided earlier, he's allowed 3 TDs all year. I'll take that with any corner especially ones against AJ Brown, JaMarr, DK etc etc.

Are you expecting lock down island with him?

 

[Kupped]

If Witherspoon is good to go, I wouldn’t be shocked if Durant got the start.

 

[Ellard80]

ALL of them. i made this thread after the Bengals game.



SO could any other CB on any other team in any other game. Getting PIs isn't exclusive to DK.



So one game all year he gets burned and and that's it? Why do other corners get a pass but DK gets shat on? Numbers were provided earlier, he's allowed 3 TDs all year. I'll take that with any corner especially ones against AJ Brown, JaMarr, DK etc etc.

Are you expecting lock down island with him?

expecting my Cornerback not to be the #1 most penalized DB in the NFL.

 

[Snaz]

So one game all year he gets burned and and that's it?

Nope was down on him all year. He is too slow. Then the boneheaded penalties. But the last couple games Ravens and Browns were thinking he was playing better, then back to same routine vs Washington. I am not a fan, nope. Seen too much negative from him.

 

[fanotodd]

Honest question and statement
#1 we need to improve our secondary.
#2 No way Raheem wants us to lose so he is likely using the best player available for the role, Rah has shown the ability to adjust to the talent or lack there of that we have available at any given time.
#3 Isn't it possible that Durant or anyone else just pose a worse problem or maybe a new set of problems that don't help the situation as a whole?
#4 We are undertalented by a large margin in the secondary and our subs may only change the way it hurts us not stop it from hurting us.

You’re spot on. It seems like too many here have forgotten the preseason conversations. We knew the secondary was going to be a weakness and that the Rams would need a good enough pass rush to protect those 2nd year guys. The biggest surprise has been how well the secondary has played DESPITE our pass rush struggling.

Too much has been made, IMO, of THT riding the pine, although he does play STs. He’s probably 5th or 6th on the depth chart. So? He’s an undersized rookie CB. Does anybody think that he could actually be the answer to upgrading the secondary?

Kendrick is the best option the Rams have right now. It could be a lot worse.

 

[Snaz]

Too much has been made, IMO, of THT riding the pine, although he does play STs. He’s probably 5th or 6th on the depth chart. So? He’s an undersized rookie CB.

THT is injured now. Witherspoon Hurt. Durant has been hurt but think is okay this week. Shelley is hurt.
So we may see Witherspoon and Durant and/or Kendrick.

 

[RamWoodie]

Like I said before...everyone in the secondary gets a pass when they screw up but Kendricks. Perhaps deservedly so because his penalries come at the most inopportune times.

This I will say...that young man shakes it off and keeps playing and that should help him get better. He'll make his own bed at this point.