Our Linebackers play this year has been one of the more disappointing things about the season. There is much to be desired........
Not so sure about what I am about to say here so I may need some assistance on this specific comment but I was of the understanding that the 2014 DC Gregg Williams defense placed Jo Dunbar & Alex Ogletree in opposite roles some from the roles they played in 2013 under Walton? That Tree would be more involved with the strong side & more involved with the TE's coverage. ????? The 2013 left side right side junk trashed and a new inserted strong/weak standard alinement lineup?
Bottom line we have certainly not seen Tree as the playmaker as he was as a rookie...same could be said about Dunbar who also has had less of an impact. One could also think that the Rams have been in a position where injuries to our CB's before the season began placed much more responsibilities on the LB'er cadre??
I need to remind myself that our defense was newly inserted this season. Our DC has been forced heavy to rely on four rookies in his defense since the season began. On Aug 16 our DC lost our top reserve CB Brandon McGee. McGee had been working as the Nickle & also on the outside CB post before injuring that foot. McGee is still unable to fully practice to this date! McGee is still listed week to week. This is a nagging oozing sore now for two yrs. Thus the Nickel post was turned over to a free safety
rookie Joyner. One week later DC lost his best starting CB Trumaine Johnson to a knee injury. TJ is still limited in practice but may be closer to return than McGee. Thus we have another
rookie who was a late third day draft pick EJ Gaines starting the season as a starting CB post! Thus the
four current healthy Ram CB's playing since the season began has been
THREE ROOKIES & Jenkins. Loss of Chris Long forced
rookies Donald & Westbrook onto the field early.
Once the more experienced DB's young vets Johnson & McGee return to play we could also see another rookie enter. Our 2014 4th rd selection Mo Alexander who missed all of the OTA's after surgery on a knee he was also slow to be involved with the defense in camp too. So this rather large safety
ex Lb'er 6-1 223 pounder could begin to show up on the field close to the LOS in certain defenses could help out the LB'er cadre some.