Do you think the defense…

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

Merlin

Damn the torpedoes
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2023 TOP Member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
43,130
Just busting balls
Yeah I know. I just always feel guilty whenever my expectations go in the shitter. Did the same shit midway through our recent title season, even though I knew a McVay team tends to recover well from a midseason swoon. But I'm just depressed as hell by the combo of the LT situation plus 9's back. Hard to imagine good QBing but of course with McVay anything's possible.
 

DzRams

Pro Bowler
Joined
Mar 12, 2024
Messages
1,883
Name
Desmal M
I hope I’m wrong but depth at Edge and below average CBs could hold them back a bit.
I feel that while there are no standouts amongst our CBs, they are average. And hopefully an elite pass rush will help them look better than they are.
 

RamFan503

Grill and Brew Master
Moderator
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
36,486
Name
Stu
Well if you want to play games and try to characterize me as negative due to a negative take carry on with your bad selves. But I've been on this site long enough with the both of you that you know that's not true.

LT is a problem until it isn't. QB is a problem until it isn't. And our secondary is completely dependent on that elite rush.
Or…. LT isn’t a problem unless it is. QB ain’t a problem unless it is. And our secondary is completely dependent on our elite rush unless it isn’t.
 

LARAMSinFeb.

Hall of Fame
Joined
Mar 27, 2016
Messages
4,839
I agree things hinge on Alaric Jackson’s availability over the course of a season. McVay won’t play him unless he’s “return to performance,” but he was consistently reliable last year. I’m more concerned about him than I am Stafford—Stafford plays through shit every year.
 

Merlin

Damn the torpedoes
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2023 TOP Member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
43,130
Or…. LT isn’t a problem unless it is. QB ain’t a problem unless it is. And our secondary is completely dependent on our elite rush unless it isn’t.
If that's the way you see it I actually envy you. Congrats. Must feel great.
 

fearsomefour

Legend
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Messages
18,256
I hope I’m wrong but depth at Edge and below average CBs could hold them back a bit.
Edge depth is interesting.
Stewart is the key there I think. I hope the Rams keep Thomas on the active roster as well. He sets the edge well and seems to make plays on the rare opportunities he has gotten.
Jackson hasn't shown much so far and may end up being more of an edge setter than a big rusher/play maker.
We will see.
 

Mojo Ram

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Messages
24,031
Name
mojo
I think the defense will be very good this year.
A fast, swarming, hard piping, hungry buncha dudes. The secondary will have the occasional mental lapses.

The offense? Decent. Experienced, efficient but still slowish with limited quick strike ability. That’s WITH Stafford.

Avoiding another dreadful start to the season is a must have.
 

RamFan503

Grill and Brew Master
Moderator
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
36,486
Name
Stu
If that's the way you see it I actually envy you. Congrats. Must feel great.
I say that because our secondary played pretty damn well the last several weeks of the season, they sound like they have some things figured out with AJ, and Matty Ice seems to always have some controversy at the beginning of the year that goes away.

I’d rather see what unfolds instead of gripping hard when all we really have is tidbits and speculation.
 

fearsomefour

Legend
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Messages
18,256
I say that because our secondary played pretty damn well the last several weeks of the season, they sound like they have some things figured out with AJ, and Matty Ice seems to always have some controversy at the beginning of the year that goes away.

I’d rather see what unfolds instead of gripping hard when all we really have is tidbits and speculation.
The secondary was excellent down the home stretch and in the playoffs.
As was the defense as a whole. Three consecutive must win games and the D gave up under 10 points in each game. Three consecutive games under ten points, in todays NFL with all the advantages toward offense, is pretty remarkable.
The question is, can it carry forward?
Poona and Landman reason to improve the run D.
Speights not being green and thrown into the action should improve as well.
If Forbes can stay healthy and play anywhere near his first round draft grade, the DBs may be a positive as well.
I love our S group and the versatility that is available with the depth and quality of safeties along with added young talent at LB and DL should, hopefully, make the Rams D a force from day one.
 

Steve808

Hall of Fame
Joined
Nov 27, 2017
Messages
2,076
Name
Steve
If our offense improves, that will take a lot of pressure off the defense. Our defense really came on strong last season. One less breakaway run by Barley and the Rams might have won that game. It looks like the weak spot may have been addressed. A good front 7 really helps your DBs. Last season, our O-line was a wreck and our new defense struggled. But had our offense been scoring a ton of points, it would have helped out the defense tremendously.
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2024
Messages
52
Name
Steve Davis
I say that because our secondary played pretty damn well the last several weeks of the season, they sound like they have some things figured out with AJ, and Matty Ice seems to always have some controversy at the beginning of the year that goes away.

I’d rather see what unfolds instead of gripping hard when all we really have is tidbits and speculation.
How can you be around this long and call him Matty Ice? You should delete that while some level of credibility still exists.
 
Joined
Sep 1, 2024
Messages
58
Punk in the 70s and grunge in the 90s weren’t for everyone but they recalibrated rock back to its raw honest core. Punk/new wave killed disco and grunge killed hair metal. For that I am grateful.
And i WILL say i was a big Grunge fan IN the 90's (age 26- 32). Huge Alice In Chains fan, big Nirvana. Just dont think it aged well like Floyd, Who, Beatles etc did. And like I said, a bunch of narcissistic crybabies to boot.
 

PARAM

Hall of Fame
Joined
Aug 3, 2013
Messages
4,891
Or…. LT isn’t a problem unless it is. QB ain’t a problem unless it is. And our secondary is completely dependent on our elite rush unless it isn’t.
.....and that's the positive perception. I noticed you didn't feel compelled to add; "if you want to paint me as positive just because it's a positive angle, have at it"........:cool:

Reality is QB/LT is neither an asset nor a problem because the season hasn't started, so all we have to go on are perceptions. I remember Stafford's neck injury was going to be a problem in 2023; maybe even career ending. :eyeroll:

The defense.....across the board......was much improved towards the end of the year and perception is, they've improved it.
 
Last edited:

muggmeister

Starter
Joined
Jun 17, 2022
Messages
837
I hope I’m wrong but depth at Edge and below average CBs could hold them back a bit.
I'm hoping the versatility of our safeties will help cover for the marginal talent at CB. I think Stewart and Jackson will be fine for rotation purposes. I just don't see Verse and Young coming off the field much except for breathers here and there. I believe our front 3 will be exceptional with the starters and not much fall off when we got to the bench as they need to be rotated more than our edge players. ILBers are finally going to be a strength of the defense, not their Achilles heal as the last several seasons. I truly believe this defense will hunt this year. They might not lead the league in sacks but they will be top 3 in pressure, that will lead to a lot of chaos for the opposition. Damn I love Thursday mornings.
 

muggmeister

Starter
Joined
Jun 17, 2022
Messages
837
And i WILL say i was a big Grunge fan IN the 90's (age 26- 32). Huge Alice In Chains fan, big Nirvana. Just dont think it aged well like Floyd, Who, Beatles etc did. And like I said, a bunch of narcissistic crybabies to boot.
I was stationed in Okinawa during the early nineties, my brother, who was living in Seattle at the time, came to visit and brought tons of grunge with him along with his guitar. I really got into it and still listen to it today. Good memories of my youth.
 

Ramstien

Hall of Fame
Joined
Oct 15, 2016
Messages
2,763
Name
Ramstien
I think McVay is one of those type of coaches that plays things close to the vest and not show a lot in preseason. I honestly believe when the regular season starts Stafford and Jackson will be ready to go and kick ass.
 

Faceplant

Still celebrating Superbowl LVI
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
10,505
And i WILL say i was a big Grunge fan IN the 90's (age 26- 32). Huge Alice In Chains fan, big Nirvana. Just dont think it aged well like Floyd, Who, Beatles etc did. And like I said, a bunch of narcissistic crybabies to boot.
You better get AIC's name oucha MF mouf. Facelift and Dirt are still 2 of the finest albums ever written. Younger generations are discovering them and eating it up. Good music is good music. Period.

All of this is subjective, of course, but if you liked them in the 90s, I am not sure HOW you can't like them now. Unless you were really just a casual fan back then... Shame shame.