Secondary: is it bad?

[Loyal]

Keep seeing that comment. Let's take a look. We'll start with PFF rankings:

Witherspoon: 57.1
Kendrick: 44.3
Durant: 42.3
Fuller: 59.2
Yeast: 70.5

According to PFF we have one guy doing his job at a starter level.

Now let's see how well the actual league rankings compare (Top 15 Top 10 Top 3):

Opponents PPG: 21.5 (12th)
Opponents 3rd Down Conversion: 22.22% (2nd)
Opponent Average Passer Rating: 88.5 (16th) <note: last year was 90.8 for reference>
Sack Percentage: 5.56% (24th)
Opponents Passing Yards Per Game: 159.4 (4th)
Opponents Yards Per Pass: 5.9 (T-10th)

What stands out here is that this secondary is playing quite well. They are limiting yards, teams are throwing against them carefully, and they are getting off the field. These things do not happen with a shit secondary.

Also on top of that it's not like they are being protected with a top front. The boys up front are getting some timely pressures but that needs to improve. So overall if you were to tell me this offseason that our defense would be inside that top 15 in points allowed alone I would have been surprised and quite happy. But they are showing signs of potency besides that.

So if you are loading PFF for your takes I suggest you take them with a grain of salt. Because clearly what we are getting here is recognition bias in the gradings. I am not saying all these guys should be grading out as top starters. Rather that it seems unlikely they're that bad when they are showing so well in key metrics.

stat geek!

 

[OldSchool]

Nope it's pretty young and we're going to have mistakes by young guys. Only one guy listed is not on his rookie deal. These kind of mistakes will happen when you run this young. It's going to be a good learning experience for the guys can't wait to see them grow

 

[Ramhusker]

I don't know what to make of them yet but the numbers look excellent for such a young group. The arrow is definitely pointing up.

 

[fanotodd]

I think we'll find out just how good they are when they start playing some of the better QBs in the league. Playing a healthy Joe Burrow would've been a great chance to find out.

This ^^
The Rams haven’t faced a real test from an opposing QB yet. They might not until week 5 vs the eagles; but of course, they will have a lot of playing time under their belts by then.

The burrow injury is just what the doctor ordered for this young secondary, but their receivers are still a handful.

Another aspect is the AD effect. We have seen mostly dinking and dunking for two games. Purdy missed on the few he tried and by the time the Seahawks started throwing deep, they HAD to.

 

[CGI_Ram]

This is a great thread @Merlin

I have enjoyed reading the opinions.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I like a lot of what I am seeing, I even like Kendrick, once he settles in I think he could be very good. He takes chances and bad penalties because he plays emotionally but he could be very good. I am sure this is an unpopular opinion.

 

[Cjcinec]

They got lucky the shitters didn't connect on some of those deep passes bc they def got cooked at times. But they don't look terrible terrible.

Lucky? They were playing against a QB that is extremely accurate in the 10-25 yard range and kinda weak at throwing the ball down field. You try to take away their strength and make them beat you with their weakness. Rams had no other choice but to jump the short routes because the Niners offense is efficient and rarely in long yardage situations. The game turned on the two turnovers that led to the 10 points by the Niners.

 

[Cjcinec]

Keep seeing that comment. Let's take a look. We'll start with PFF rankings:

Witherspoon: 57.1
Kendrick: 44.3
Durant: 42.3
Fuller: 59.2
Yeast: 70.5

According to PFF we have one guy doing his job at a starter level.

Now let's see how well the actual league rankings compare (Top 15 Top 10 Top 3):

Opponents PPG: 21.5 (12th)
Opponents 3rd Down Conversion: 22.22% (2nd)
Opponent Average Passer Rating: 88.5 (16th) <note: last year was 90.8 for reference>
Sack Percentage: 5.56% (24th)
Opponents Passing Yards Per Game: 159.4 (4th)
Opponents Yards Per Pass: 5.9 (T-10th)

What stands out here is that this secondary is playing quite well. They are limiting yards, teams are throwing against them carefully, and they are getting off the field. These things do not happen with a shit secondary.

Also on top of that it's not like they are being protected with a top front. The boys up front are getting some timely pressures but that needs to improve. So overall if you were to tell me this offseason that our defense would be inside that top 15 in points allowed alone I would have been surprised and quite happy. But they are showing signs of potency besides that.

So if you are loading PFF for your takes I suggest you take them with a grain of salt. Because clearly what we are getting here is recognition bias in the gradings. I am not saying all these guys should be grading out as top starters. Rather that it seems unlikely they're that bad when they are showing so well in key metrics.

Secondary is young and has had their struggles but you can have great corners back there and they would struggle if you don’t have any pass rushing presence. Purdy gets rid of the ball quickly and most of his throws are in the short to intermediate range because they are always in good down and distance situations. Really hard to cover those quick passes especially when they come on play action plays. The only really poor series was the one just before the half. I think that the Rams lost their edge when they went ahead and almost played not to lose instead of playing to win. Those first few intermediate passes on that drive put the Niners in position to score with plenty of time before the half. It came down to one second when they scored but they went down the field to be in that position too quickly. That’s a situation when're the youth in the secondary has to learn from and the coaching staff needs to be more aggressive. It was a game that they can benefit and learn from.

 

[Tumak61]

I think our Safety group is the best it's been for the last few seasons. We'll see about Corner. Feel like somebody needs to step up and take Kendricks spot. Teams are looking to light him up.

 

[FrantikRam]

I think you always have to take PFF with the eye test and form an opinion.

Thinking about last week, do we think the DBs covered well? At times, but I'd say they got beat more often than not. The Niners didn't throw for a ton of yards and Brick missed a few.

Against Seattle I think they were better.

But this highlights what I think is THE biggest ingredient to success in the NFL: luck

The best QB we were going to play this year was Burrow, followed by Dak, Hurts and Lamar - Burrow is hobbled and other three aren't all that scary throwing the ball.

Not a knock on our secondary at all....but not playing many great QBs is going to make them look better than they are. And from a luck perspective, that's a break we needed. It will build confidence...you feel good, you play good. So I think that is going to be a critical aspect to watch all season

 

[majrleaged]

Seems like an okay unit. Our guys have flaws. Kendrick can get roasted at times. But they're not terrible.

Kind of an Apple kind of CB.

 

[majrleaged]

I like a lot of what I am seeing, I even like Kendrick, once he settles in I think he could be very good. He takes chances and bad penalties because he plays emotionally but he could be very good. I am sure this is an unpopular opinion.

He just needs to learn to turn his head. That PI becomes a no call if he just runs in to him looking for the ball.

 

[rdlkgliders]

He just needs to learn to turn his head. That PI becomes a no call if he just runs in to him looking for the ball.

Agreed! he needs to learn some of the subtleties like getting his head around and not biting on double moves. He has a lot of game that he could develop into quality starter talent.

 

[brucebruce]

We've played 2 playoff teams and have come out with the #2 O and #6 D. I think our secondary must be doing something right because they're left hanging out there a long time every play. QBs have time to watch mountains form via tectonic processes back there.

long live morris?

 

[swmizzou83]

Keep in mind that the 9ers have a very talented offense. Most teams we play do not have the firepower the 9ers do. I think they will be just fine.

 

[WestCoastRam]

The best QB we were going to play this year was Burrow, followed by Dak, Hurts and Lamar - Burrow is hobbled and other three aren't all that scary throwing the ball.

Have you ever watched Lamar play? Guys an incredible passer. Wonder where you get the idea that he's not...

Or even Hurts or Dak (who definitely have their limitations but can sling it)?

 

[So Ram]

Have you ever watched Lamar play? Guys an incredible passer. Wonder where you get the idea that he's not...

Or even Hurts or Dak (who definitely have their limitations but can sling it)?

I like Mattew Stafford

 

[OnceARam]

I think the talent level is low and that the defensive coaching staff, yes Morris, is limiting their exposure as much as humanly possible - explaining the good aggregate numbers.

The CB can not tackle.

And Kendricks remains a QB's best friend.

If you look at the snap counts you'll notice that we're playing with 3 safeties at an abnormally high rate, which is because our CB are a liability.

After watching two weeks of football I'm beginning to realize how important coaches are. Morris is maxing out our talent level - i.e., the sum is greater than the parts.

 

[Classic Rams]

Good, bad or luck? I was just happy to see Purdy mouth's overthrows because he had a few guys who had beaten coverage.

3rd playoff team in a row coming up, we'll see.

 

[OnceARam]

Only time will tell.

This ^^^^