The Eye Test is Lying: Why This Defense is Better Than You Think.

[majrleaged]

There were a few plays where coverage was great (the Panthers last TD - Curl was right there with Coker).

Two of their TDs were bolstered by some pretty ticky tacky PI calls - considering they didn't call a single defensive secondary penalty against Carolina (and we saw the egregious one that Greg Olsen pointed to where Adams got slung down)....you can make a case both were fouls, but similar plays to both both are constantly let go AND if they aren't calling it both ways, neither should have been called IMO.

What we lack on defense is a closer. And while the CB room needs an upgrade, the DL playing against a backup LT and G....against an already average OL....has me wanting an upgrade at edge

Part of why PIs are called is what the Refs expect to see from the players and how obvious it looks, Devante's non call aside. If the CB is known to be physical the refs let shit slide cause otherwise they would be calling fowls on every play. The rams have weaker CBs. To be physical it looks more obvious. Also to get away with obvious holds just turn your fucking head Durant.

The rams have gotten stronger and more physical all over the team. Just not at CB. That should be their next project.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Also, there were 3 DB's who normally contribute (except for maybe Kendrick ) on the inactive list yesterday.

I thought Kendrick contributed to yesterday's victory.

 

[OldSchool]

I thought Kendrick contributed to last night's victory.

In hindsight I'd have rather him on ST than Ingle

 

[dang]

A couple observations:
- The front 4 are good at applying pressure but too often aren’t able to contain a running quarterback. I’d like to see more blitzing to help with that.
- Landman and Speights are good physical LBs, but they lack speed and coverage. Hindsight is 20/20 but Ernest Jones IV appears to be more effective. The Rams need another fast coverage LB.
- The CBs are not physical enough to handle the more physical WRs. the Rams need two new starting CBs via free agency and draft.

 

[Jacobarch]

How much does Lake going out contribute to the pass defense decline? Personally I'd say it was huge though I'm also one of the most vocal that we need an upgrade at CB and have for a few years.

Agreed. Noticeable difference w lake out there. He popped up the ball for the int and was always around the ball in coverage. He also showed up in run support.

Rams coaching staff also needs to figure out how to get Landman off the field on 3rd and long. He's really bad in coverage

 

[OldSchool]

A couple observations:
- The front 4 are good at applying pressure but too often aren’t able to contain a running quarterback. I’d like to see more blitzing to help with that.
- Landman and Speights are good physical LBs, but they lack speed and coverage. Hindsight is 20/20 but Ernest Jones IV appears to be more effective. The Rams need another fast coverage LB.
- The CBs are not physical enough to handle the more physical WRs. the Rams need two new starting CBs via free agency and draft.

Your 2nd point about Landman and Speights is the problem with the 1st point. The pass rushers are doing what they're supposed to do and generally have lane discipline. But we do not have an ILB who can spy on and take care of a running QB like we should. Landman is great at what he does but this and coverage are weaknesses for him. We need to upgrade Speights to somebody with some speed and lateral ability.

 

[RamWoodie]

Good points! The defense shut it down when they had to... so...'nuff said!!! Carolina has good corners supposedly better than the Rams but the Rams have the better front. Everything works together though. The Rams are gonna play with the cards they have...and right now things are looking good.

 

[lilshapta]

The defense is exactly how it looks, lol. Good front four, below average secondary. The secondary actually looks better than they are because the front four masks their deficiencies. It was a weakness last year...not sure why we didn't draft or sign a CB. I don't think Lake is somehow going to magically turn the secondary around. Thankfully, the QB play in the NFC is average (Darnold, Purdy, Williams, Hurts). We'd have ZERO chance if prime Rodgers or Brees were still around, lol. That would get ugly fast.

 

[RamWoodie]

The defense is exactly how it looks, lol. Good front four, below average secondary.

I disagree! The Ram secondary is AVERAGE at the lowest...and we've seen those guys play very well too!!!

 

[Merlin]

Pinch yourselves: Neither this defense nor its CBs are as bad as they seem!

Full cred to you for the positivity. However I am not interested in self delusion with my team. That shit happens enough as it is in life, like when my pants don't fit and I tell myself my wife washed the MFers in hot.

When it pertains to my team I'd rather say "yeah they suck but maybe they can improve." Which I think is the case here. This secondary has zero confidence right now. But maybe Lake can instill that back into these boys. I am hopeful.

 

[MansSearch]

I thought the front line and LBs put a ton of pressure on Young (21/40), as Young was sacked twice and the Rams got pressure at a 45.5 percent rate. But the D-backs were below average in coverage.

• Cobie Durant: 3/7 for 88 yards, penalty, INT
• Quentin Lake: 7/11 for 83 yards, PBU, penalty
• Emmanuel Forbes: 3/4 for 26 yards
• Nate Landman: 2/2 for 17 yards, penalty
• Ahkello Witherspoon: 1/1 for 15 yards

 

[DzRams]

I'd say that the stats are lying.

But first, what do they say regarding the last 5 or so games?

Is it possible the competition has improved? Or that Shula's defense has been figured out?

He covered the last 5 games or so issue with the below quote:

Regarding the eye test, we have to acknowledge that recency bias is real—and it correlates directly with the injury to Quentin Lake. I remember the Rams being 2nd in PPG allowed at one point before he went down.

#2 in scoring defense when Lake went down and then to fall to #10 to end the season over the last 7 weeks is strong evidence that Lake was a key piece.

 

[RamFan58years]

The Rams made a conscious decision in the draft and free agency to not add DBs, but to rely on the front to make up for the back end deficiencies. If the front can't get pressure then it's finger-crossing time.

 

[Ramit]

Full cred to you for the positivity. However I am not interested in self delusion with my team. That shit happens enough as it is in life, like when my pants don't fit and I tell myself my wife washed the MFers in hot.

When it pertains to my team I'd rather say "yeah they suck but maybe they can improve." Which I think is the case here. This secondary has zero confidence right now. But maybe Lake can instill that back into these boys. I am hopeful.

Maybe I'm just a little more of a glass half full type than you are Merlin! I'm not delusional, I very well understand that the cornerbacks specifically and secondary generally are not even close to playing at an elite level.... I wouldn't even call their play above average... But. I also firmly believe that they are–at their worst–solidly a middle of the pack average secondary with some upside potential.

As long as the Rams offense is able to keep pressure on the opponent to score, This secondary is good enough for a Superbowl with our front 7 pinning their ears back. The defense will keep any team from blowing the Rams away so long as the offense is operating at 75% of its potential or better.

So yeah, it's not THAT bad imo...it sure as hell could be a lot worse!

 

[OldSchool]

Maybe I'm just a little more of a glass half full type than you are Merlin! I'm not delusional, I very well understand that the cornerbacks specifically and secondary generally are not even close to playing at an elite level.... I wouldn't even call their play above average... But. I also firmly believe that they are–at their worst–solidly a middle of the pack average secondary with some upside potential.

As long as the Rams offense is able to keep pressure on the opponent to score, This secondary is good enough for a Superbowl with our front 7 pinning their ears back. The defense will keep any team from blowing the Rams away so long as the offense is operating at 75% of its potential or better.

So yeah, it's not THAT bad imo...it sure as hell could be a lot worse!

Unfortunately even for good people and good posters it's easier to get really upset even about things we can't control. And you're 10000% right it could be worse. Even with the bad run while Lake was out and Poona was limited and not having a CB1 we still finished 8th in defensive scoring with one of if not the hardest schedule. Most people would call that acceptable.

 

[RamsinNV]

Good thread and conversation. This whole defense has been rebuilt and in a way that I generally approve of; from the lines out. Unfortunately, CB is a premium position. Much like top OT’s they don’t hit FA often. I feel I should mention that going into the season the Rams have the least money invested in the defense of the entire league. IMO this sinks the battle ship of any one arguing that other teams have gotten more out of the defense with less.

Positional Spending | Over the Cap

Positional Spending | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

Edit: I linked next year. Only Eagles had less money invested in the defense this year per OTC. Easy to change the year on the link I provided.

 

[majrleaged]

Just on this bit:

Opposing QB's completion %, yards per completion and TD's are down from 2024. We have more sacks, pressures and hurries. Also rushing yards per attempt is down.

By those numbers the front 7 is doing better than last year though most of those are marginal improvements except for rushing.

IT doesnt feel like it. I double checked and even compared last 8 games in both seasons. Last year had only 4 more. Aware of the better run D and love it.

 

[Ramit]

Just on this bit:

Opposing QB's completion %, yards per completion and TD's are down from 2024. We have more sacks, pressures and hurries. Also rushing yards per attempt is down.

By those numbers the front 7 is doing better than last year though most of those are marginal improvements except for rushing.

IT doesnt feel like it. I double checked and even compared last 8 games in both seasons. Last year had only 4 more. Aware of the better run D and love it.

I have no doubt that the addition of puna Ford and land shark helped to solidify our run defense; however, I also know that the offensive improvement has contributed to the run D. statistical improvement.

The question is how much of the statistical improvement can we contribute to actual scheme and player development/acquisition as opposed to opponents playing from behind

 

[OldSchool]

I have no doubt that the addition of puna Ford and land shark helped to solidify our run defense; however, I also know that the offensive improvement has contributed to the run D. statistical improvement.

The question is how much of the statistical improvement can we contribute to actual scheme and player development/acquisition as opposed to opponents playing from behind

Opponents ran the ball against us 40 times less this year than last so that's 2.35 attempts difference a game. Three fewer TD's and we all know the long runs against us were nonexistent. I'd say the free agents were a huge reason and the score less so.

 

[dang]

Opponents ran the ball against us 40 times less this year than last so that's 2.35 attempts difference a game. Three fewer TD's and we all know the long runs against us were nonexistent. I'd say the free agents were a huge reason and the score less so.

I do recall at least one big run against our defense.