Duke SHELLEY

[Memento]

I think the coverage is going to be the best we've seen since 2020. In 2021 our defense was better overall due to the rush, but it masked some serious problems on the back end that got exposed last season. This should be a bounceback season in terms of just the coverage quality itself.

Of course the rush is still the most important thing in pass defense. But I really feel like when we do get into third and longs this defense should be solid.

Unless we're starting Kendrick and Witherspoon. I don't entirely trust either in coverage, especially not Kendrick against speed; he simply doesn't have the burst to take on receivers like that. It's why I want THT on the outside with Durant on the other side as starters with Witherspoon in the slot. ...Can you tell I don't trust Kendrick?

 

[Loyal]

This is a great example of why we can't have nice things.

I think another Super Bowl trophy would be VERY nice!

 

[TheTackle]

Gee, ya think they liked how he played in the joint practices?

 

[Merlin]

Unless we're starting Kendrick and Witherspoon. I don't entirely trust either in coverage, especially not Kendrick against speed; he simply doesn't have the burst to take on receivers like that. It's why I want THT on the outside with Durant on the other side as starters with Witherspoon in the slot. ...Can you tell I don't trust Kendrick?

I figure Durant will travel with the opponent's top draw. All threats being equal it seems the Rams like him in the slot too, which still irritates me but I get it given how much that seems to drive first downs in today's NFL. I mean look at Kupp. And I'm with you on Kendrick playing the slot but the Rams favor him outside. My guess is that is due to how well he uses the sideline and his physicality.

I believe a lot of Ramsey's slot use had to do with the fact he was like an ILB vs the run, that and the fact you can get help inside much easier in coverage. But either way I am glad I don't have to watch him out there blaming others for his fuckups. This secondary might be young with potential of being BBQ'd time to time but they're gonna play the call, play together as one unit, and play hard. So I am looking forward to seeing them all together.

 

[ReekofRams]

Great point.

My main concern isn’t the same as everyone else’s though.
I’m more worried about stopping the run.

There is no worse football, than Rams football with a poor run defense.
Watching teams gash us for 6-7 yds a run, driving down the field and eating 8-10 minutes of clock. That just drives me insane. I hate it more than anything.

I’d much rather a team score quickly on us and get our offense back on the field.

When Shelley became the starter in college he then became the leading tackler of the defensive backfield.

 

[shovelpass]

I'm with you on Kendrick playing the slot but the Rams favor him outside. My guess is that is due to how well he uses the sideline and his physicality.

Imo, you want to have quicker guys play the slot. There's more ground to cover, more directions. Put Kendrick outside, the sideline limits the WRs options and with a safety over the top he's got less to worry about.

 

[BuffaloRam]

Witherspoon is 6'2", Kendrick is 6'0", & Durant is 5'11

Witherspoon looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane

 

[TexasRam]

Potential.

That is what our defensive backfield has. But looking at said potential it’s a bunch of players either cut by other teams or past on by other teams in the draft.

In Durants case it’s a player that made some interceptions but also got torched at times and steamrolled other times.

Potential is perhaps better than no potential. I for one am excited about several of these young guys. If we got even one starter out of this CB group it would be progress and a good place to be going into next season.

I doubt we have a solid group yet though. Just being realistic.

 

[oldnotdead]

I think what this would seem to mean is that Tomlinson will be starting outside opposite Durant and Shelley will be the SCB. Shelley is about as good as you are going to get off the waiver wire to play SCB. He brings experience with enough speed that he can stay with most slot WRs. It pushes Witherspoon back into the CB4 role played by Rochell. He's a proven player and IMO only improves the secondary.

I think Jolly stays as a placeholder until week 4 when they must sign their PK to the active roster. Bigger is not always better, i.e. Kendrick.

 

[RamFan503]

Durant dislikes contact.

Wait. Whut? I've seen him stick his nose in. I have to disagree on this.

 

[RamFan503]

Defensive front feels like they're putting too much on AD to me.

This I'll agree with. It will be interesting to see in real action.

 

[OldSchool]

Everybody is a damned critic

Mugsey Bogues

 

[oldnotdead]

Put Kendrick outside,

Yep let's put the slowest CB on the team (4.79 timed) paired up on a WR who runs 4.4. Kendrick will be eating a whole lot of dust and the safety will have to be right there to pick up the coverage. Yup sounds like a plan. Why not Witherspoon who is 2" taller and runs a 4.45?

I'd rather have a short fast guy than a taller completely slow guy. His lack of speed was exposed as legit when he was started and promptly smoked. His lack of enthusiasm in tackling was also exposed in his infamous Deboo non-attempt. Oh yeah, I forgot Kendrick always looks good in camp where everything is scripted.

 

[RamFan503]

Everybody is a damned critic

Mugsey Bogues

"No one likes a stool pigeon" - Bugsey Seagull.

"Those who can't - inspect." - My Dad.

 

[Loyal]

"No one likes a stool pigeon" - Bugsey Seagull.

"Those who can't - inspect." - My Dad.

"Those that don't like pineapple on pizza - Grill" ~ Somebody Brilliant

"Oh shyte, I agree!" ~ @Memento

 

[shovelpass]

Yep let's put the slowest CB on the team (4.79 timed) paired up on a WR who runs 4.4. Kendrick will be eating a whole lot of dust and the safety will have to be right there to pick up the coverage. Yup sounds like a plan. Why not Witherspoon who is 2" taller and runs a 4.45?

I'd rather have a short fast guy than a taller completely slow guy. His lack of speed was exposed as legit when he was started and promptly smoked. His lack of enthusiasm in tackling was also exposed in his infamous Deboo non-attempt. Oh yeah, I forgot Kendrick always looks good in camp where everything is scripted.

Read what I was responding to. The discussion isn't playing Kendrick over Witherspoon, or any one else for that matter. The discussion is where would we play Kendrick.

But i get it. You don't really care. You just want to beat the same old drum you've been beating.

 

[OldSchool]

Oh but I thought the guy couldn't play cause he was short


View: https://twitter.com/PurpleForTheWin/status/1636746100521545730

 

[So Ram]

Read what I was responding to. The discussion isn't playing Kendrick over Witherspoon, or any one else for that matter. The discussion is where would we play Kendrick.

But i get it. You don't really care. You just want to beat the same old drum you've been beating.

Yeah - Oldbutnotdead thinks he knows everything with no real proof.

 

[8to12]

Well, I am certainly glad that Les took my January Free Agency/Mock suggestion of signing Shelly seriously......


CB - Duke Shelly
Shelly played 2 seasons with the Bears, after being drafted in the 6th round(2019), before being released last Summer. The Vikings signed him to the practice squad and was called to the active roster in game #6 and played 11 consecutive games. He flourished with 8 passes defensed and 1 INT. He was one of the highest rayed CB’s per PFF in the 11 games he played. At 5’9” he can compete as a slot corner. He should come relatively cheap to sign considering his short resume and the Vikings being over the Cap, worse than the Rams, and their other starting CB’s are FA’s this year also.

 

[TexasRam]

I formally declare our new secondary shalt be called...

The Sofi Smurfs.

Going to be fun watching a bunch of midgets running around in blue, zipping in front of every pass for a knockdown or pick 6.

Swarming to RBs like ants to a dying insect. Sometimes bouncing off the ball carrier.


Spycam Live footage Below Tomlinson, Shelley and Durant presenting the week 1 gameplan to Mcvay.....



View: https://media0.giphy.com/media/JJRqncRFUrpHIdaZV0/200w.webp?cid=ecf05e47tob1s7d95ti1kpjxvvdqg56nt4e8gtul9odte4s9&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200w.webp&ct=g