Will Dolac Overtake Speights?

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kurtfaulk

kurtfaulk

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Speights is bigger but Dolac is faster. And the defense needs some quickness in the middle.

I like how Speights stops runners stone cold but he's a little slow and that sometimes leads to trouble.

Dolac seems like a solid tackler and should make more plays. But I'm not sure if he's big enough to take over in that spot.

Can he do it or is he just a back up to Landman?

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Correct me if im wrong, but doesnt Shula use Lake as a hybrid linebacker? I didnt see a problem with our LB personnel until he got injured. Although I do think Dolac is the answer to Speights once Speights needs a new contract.
 
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I like Rams said:
Correct me if im wrong, but doesnt Shula use Lake as a hybrid linebacker? I didnt see a problem with our LB personnel until he got injured. Although I do think Dolac is the answer to Speights once Speights needs a new contract.
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Shula actually uses McCullough as the hybrid linebacker and he's quite good at it.

When we're talking finding another LB, lots of people are looking to replace Speights but the guy you're really looking to replace is McCullough. Speights will be in there during base but we don't play base that much. MCC is pretty good at dimebacker.

Unless some unicorn overtakes Landman I think we'll be okay.

Lake often plays nickel and yes his run defense from there is lights out and we did take a hit when he was gone.
 
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WestCoastRam said:
Shula actually uses McCullough as the hybrid linebacker and he's quite good at it.

When we're talking finding another LB, lots of people are looking to replace Speights but the guy you're really looking to replace is McCullough. Speights will be in there during base but we don't play base that much. MCC is pretty good at dimebacker.

Unless some unicorn overtakes Landman I think we'll be okay.

Lake often plays nickel and yes his run defense from there is lights out and we did take a hit when he was gone.
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Yea I really like McCullough, and hope to see more of him this season.
 
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Dolac getting hurt right away killed any hopes I had of him serving in a key role for us. And that probably is me not being fair to him, but you gotta be able to take a beating in there as a LB.

Also I have a ton of respect for Speights. His range holds him back a little, but I love how runners stop in their tracks when he hits them. ILBs can increase their range by diagnosing quicker and getting their feet moving a second earlier too. So I don't think our backers are great or anything, but they're probably good enough if everything else is on the level.
 
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I think it would be Landman coming off the field if Dolac gets any playing time.

Dolac and Speights would offer better coverage on obvious passing downs.

It could very well be a combination of both Landman and Speights coming off at various times depending on the defensive call. But I would bet that the Rams will change that up this year. The middle of the field was left too wide open too often last year.
 
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Merlin said:
Dolac getting hurt right away killed any hopes I had of him serving in a key role for us. And that probably is me not being fair to him, but you gotta be able to take a beating in there as a LB.

Also I have a ton of respect for Speights. His range holds him back a little, but I love how runners stop in their tracks when he hits them. ILBs can increase their range by diagnosing quicker and getting their feet moving a second earlier too. So I don't think our backers are great or anything, but they're probably good enough if everything else is on the level.
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He didn't get hurt until week 18 against the Cardinals.
 
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gogoat1 said:
Might have paid Landman too soon.
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I'm not too worried about his $7M cap hit, but I agree they should have at least let him play out the first season. Seems like after he got paid his play petered out a bit. Hopefully we see him back in that early season form the rest of the way.
 
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Merlin said:
I'm not too worried about his $7M cap hit, but I agree they should have at least let him play out the first season. Seems like after he got paid his play petered out a bit. Hopefully we see him back in that early season form the rest of the way.
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I could not agree with you more here on ILB'er Nate Landman.

By the NFC Championship game I was viewing him & ILB'er Omar Speights as our big weak spot in the middle of the field. Very disappointing!

The Rams went hunting for a certain type ILB'er in FA'cy & came away with a high ST player...Grant Stuard. Then Rams signed a SEC ILB'er Nikhai Hill-Green, who in my mind is capable of pushing Speights off the field. I like this new ILB'er.

You throw in Elias Neal (been here since early 2024)& Shaun Dolac (who looked very good in cameo appearances), the ILB'er competition is going to be very heated this summer. It needs to be.
 
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There's still one FA coverage LB, a name that has been mentioned many times = Bobby Okereke.


atozsports.com

The Rams have an obvious free agent fit left outstanding that should be their last priority of the offseason

There's only one free agent left on the board the Rams should do whatever it takes to land.
atozsports.com atozsports.com

AI = Okereke directly addresses the Rams' LB weaknesses​

According to Rams‑specific breakdowns:

  • Okereke is an immediate upgrade in coverage over current options
  • Has the size, length, and athleticism to handle tight ends
  • Brings route recognition and zone awareness the Rams currently lack
    One Rams analyst explicitly notes that even in dime, Okereke would still be better in coverage than the LBs currently on the roster
 
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