Rams sign LB Landman for 1 year

[WestCoastRam]

He’s supposedly got a high football IQ and is a physical freak.

Lake has the football intelligence and size but isn’t an athletic freak. Just like at any position, having both traits is what makes a player go from good to great. I think Emenwori definitely improves the defense and he’s have a year to learn it before becoming the full time ‘Star’. His athletic traits should put him high on Snead’s list.

Jordan said the Rams don’t draft safeties early but the same was said about offensive linemen and they took a guard early in round two. Plus not having many first round picks could also affect what positions they draft.

Right now, IMO, Emenwori seems like he has a shot to last until 26 because of positional value and of all players available at that spot, he’d likely have the biggest impact in the long term. It would be like getting a Ramsey back in that spot.

But it’s likely just wishful thinking at those point.

All things being equal, I think you want the CB who tilts the field over a safety.

Will be fun to see what Rams do, so much flexibility here.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I don't think so but Lake will be the green dot for as long as he is a starter on defense so shouldn't have to worry about it for a few years.
edit: for one more year at least hehe. Forgot Lake's contract has one more year. Next offseason will be an interesting one with some contracts.

I could have sworn that they made an adjustment during the season and Rozeboom started wearing the green dot.

 

[VegasRam]

Maybe you need new (sun)glasses.

 

[dang]

Safety could potentially be an early pick. I keep bringing up Emonwori, but a few rounds parer are a very good PSU safety in the draft. Kevin Winston Jr has a third round projection and has played a similar role as the Star position that Lake plays.

It ain’t gonna happen for the Rams but I got my eye on Emmanwori. I see him as a versatile tough nosed player that can play SS, NB, LB.

 

[Psycho_X]

I could have sworn that they made an adjustment during the season and Rozeboom started wearing the green dot.

I think it was other way around that Boom took over briefly after Reeder got injured and then Lake took it on after a few games... I could very well be remembering that wrong though. You are right though that they both had it at some point during the season. My assumption is Lake will have it if he is healthy though.

 

[shovelpass]

I could have sworn that they made an adjustment during the season and Rozeboom started wearing the green dot.

I think it was other way around that Boom took over briefly after Reeder got injured and then Lake took it on after a few games... I could very well be remembering that wrong though. You are right though that they both had it at some point during the season. My assumption is Lake will have it if he is healthy though.

https://www.therams.com/news/2024-b...d-versatility-led-to-career-year-team-captain

Lake took over defensive communication duties mid-season when linebacker Troy Reeder went down with an injury.

 

[JonRam99]

It ain’t gonna happen for the Rams but I got my eye on Emmanwori. I see him as a versatile tough nosed player that can play SS, NB, LB.

Emmanwori could play slot CB next to Lake, while he learns the D.
Kinchens at FS / Lake at Star / Emmanwori slot CB / Spoon CB 1 looks good to me. Nickel package adds another CB (Durant? who's left lol)

 

[Tano]

It came close to ruining our season until Reeder got hurt and they were forced to put in Speights who was 1000 times better than Reeder and that is not saying much.

I am going to re-emphasize this and believe that we would have gone 3-2 instead of 1-4 if we had used Speights instead of Reeder. Reeder was that huge of a downfall in our defense last year. I want him nowhere near our team this year.

 

[Psycho_X]

View: https://x.com/RamsNFL/status/1903136523262021988

 

[Londoner]

Not surprised that Landman is a sound tackler, given his rugby background:

Rams LB Nate Landman explains how his rugby roots give him a 'different instinct' on the field

Nate Landman grew up around rugby in Zimbabwe, which has helped him succeed as a linebacker in the NFL

theramswire-eu.usatoday.com

I have often wondered why NFL coaches don't use rugby tackling techniques, as some of the attempted tackles in American football are, to someone who watches rugby, laughable.

 

[Merlin]

I can honestly say that this season turned out so much better than I thought it would after trading Jones. I guess one day we'll know why

No need to wait: Jones was overrated. Very strong between the tackles and instinctive in drops but lacked range.

Once Speights came online in this defense he outperformed him because he didn't give up too much between the tackles but added some range.

For this draft I want more of that added to this room. Range on top of a guy who is good enough between the tackles. Prioritize tackling in space for corralling running QBs. We need speed and open field tackling.

 

[majrleaged]

Not surprised that Landman is a sound tackler, given his rugby background:

Rams LB Nate Landman explains how his rugby roots give him a 'different instinct' on the field

Nate Landman grew up around rugby in Zimbabwe, which has helped him succeed as a linebacker in the NFL

theramswire-eu.usatoday.com

I have often wondered why NFL coaches don't use rugby tackling techniques, as some of the attempted tackles in American football are, to someone who watches rugby, laughable.

Rugby has no helmets, so nobody is trying to spear you with their head instead of raping up.

 

[Corbin]

Safety could potentially be an early pick. I keep bringing up Emonwori, but a few rounds parer are a very good PSU safety in the draft. Kevin Winston Jr has a third round projection and has played a similar role as the Star position that Lake plays.

We agree a lot but with this man I have to disagree with Drafting another Safety is like drafting another DE high.... why?

Absolutely see them not doing that. At least in the top 5 rounds.

 

[PhillyRam]

We agree a lot but with this man I have to disagree with Drafting another Safety is like drafting another DE high.... why?

Absolutely see them not doing that. At least in the top 5 rounds.

I can see a strong safety who can play in the box. The South Carolina kid could be a LB on 3rd down/ passing situations. He's built like one with freakish athletic ability. Kinchens is our FS and Lake plays star and pretty much all over the place. So no problem taking a freak playmaker at SS. Curl likley gone after this upcoming season, so a spot is there for a guy if he is truly a special talent.

 

[Corbin]

I can see a strong safety who can play in the box. The South Carolina kid could be a LB on 3rd down/ passing situations. He's built like one with freakish athletic ability. Kinchens is our FS and Lake plays star and pretty much all over the place. So no problem taking a freak playmaker at SS. Curl likley gone after this upcoming season, so a spot is there for a guy if he is truly a special talent.

Would you like to Make a bet on the sportsbook we don't take a safety until the earliest 6th round?

 

[Loyal]

SUPER BOWL!!!

 

[Loyal]

I completely agree with his assessment.

Although his play improved quite a bit, I saw way too many times where he was stuffing his face into the grass after missing a tackle.

What's a guy to do when hungry? ~ Boom

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

No need to wait: Jones was overrated. Very strong between the tackles and instinctive in drops but lacked range.

Once Speights came online in this defense he outperformed him because he didn't give up too much between the tackles but added some range.

For this draft I want more of that added to this room. Range on top of a guy who is good enough between the tackles. Prioritize tackling in space for corralling running QBs. We need speed and open field tackling.

Yeah... that's not why. We didn't cut a defensive captain who took over as a starter in his rookie season and helped us win a super bowl based on the potential of a UDFA.

you'd need to make an argument that Reeder and Rozenboom was a better option than Jones because they were are starters after we traded Jones.... and by no measure has either of those guys ever been better than EJ...

I'm inclined to believe Whitworth take that EJs level of conditioning coming into camp and the attitude of his agent while looking for an extension led to us moving on. Because ultimately.. from a talent perspective, pairing Speights and Jones in the long term would have been the better option.

EJ earned his starting spot... showing enough for us to trade Kenny Young during our super bowl season, and give a rookie a starting job. Rozenboom on the other hand was brought back from the Chiefs practice squad when Travin Howard got hurt...and really ended up inheriting a spot being the only guy left. It worked out as he did improve last year as the season progressed... but from a talent perspective he's still not seeing Jones

 

[Ramstien]

Jones shot himself in the foot when he insisted that the Rams trade him. He ended up on a crappy Titians team and the Rams nearly went to the Superbowl with Roseboom. HaHa!

 

[Merlin]

EJ was never fast and that bum knee killed his mobility. Last season the Titans thought they had a grand slam trade value after one game, but then realized what he was and moved him. He is a between the tackles ILB now. Plus rusher, sure. And I like his instincts in his drops. But the dude has limits on range and that is easily upgraded.

That 3 year deal he signed with Seattle... They will cut him before that is done. Watch and see.