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

[DzRams]

I don't think this collection of corners is anything more than them doing the best with what was available while they addressed bigger concerns.

This offseason will be that point where the corner room is the bigger concern. And also I think it's high time they stacked this secondary to be able to shut Shanahan's underneath fucking bullshite offense down.

I disagree. 9 years is a long time and sufficient time to be able to discern a pattern.

The Rams have had 24 premium picks - rounds 1-3 - in the McSnead era.

12 were used on offense, 12 on defense, so that's balanced.

4 were used on Safeties.

1 on a CB. That's a 4.17% ratio.

A 4% ratio indicates intent; it's indicative of a team building philosophy. They certainly don't put any offense positions or DL on the back burner while they address bigger concerns.

Moreover, the last time they remade the secondary was in 2022 and they used a 4th (Durant), two 6th (Lake, Kendrick), and a 7th (Yeast). Not one a premium pick.

I'd love to see am emphasis on the secondary where they're investing major resources, but given their pattern, I'm not expecting it. You gotta go cheap somewhere, and if they're gonna stick with their bend-not-break zone scheme, they can get away with inexpensive free agents and mid to late round CBs.

 

[Ramit]

I disagree. 9 years is a long time and sufficient time to be able to discern a pattern.

The Rams have had 24 premium picks - rounds 1-3 - in the McSnead era.

12 were used on offense, 12 on defense, so that's balanced.

4 were used on Safeties.

1 on a CB. That's a 4.17% ratio.

A 4% ratio indicates intent; it's indicative of a team building philosophy. They certainly don't put any offense positions or DL on the back burner while they address bigger concerns.

Moreover, the last time they remade the secondary was in 2022 and they used a 4th (Durant), two 6th (Lake, Kendrick), and a 7th (Yeast). Not one a premium pick.

I'd love to see am emphasis on the secondary where they're investing major resources, but given their pattern, I'm not expecting it. You gotta go cheap somewhere, and if they're gonna stick with their bend-not-break zone scheme, they can get away with inexpensive free agents and mid to late round CBs.

I agree! While an elite pass rushing D-Line is more fun to watch, elite coverage actually correlates much more significantly to future defensive success than pressure.

 

[Merlin]

I disagree. 9 years is a long time and sufficient time to be able to discern a pattern.

The Rams have had 24 premium picks - rounds 1-3 - in the McSnead era.

12 were used on offense, 12 on defense, so that's balanced.

4 were used on Safeties.

1 on a CB. That's a 4.17% ratio.

A 4% ratio indicates intent; it's indicative of a team building philosophy. They certainly don't put any offense positions or DL on the back burner while they address bigger concerns.

Moreover, the last time they remade the secondary was in 2022 and they used a 4th (Durant), two 6th (Lake, Kendrick), and a 7th (Yeast). Not one a premium pick.

I'd love to see am emphasis on the secondary where they're investing major resources, but given their pattern, I'm not expecting it. You gotta go cheap somewhere, and if they're gonna stick with their bend-not-break zone scheme, they can get away with inexpensive free agents and mid to late round CBs.

They made massive investment in Ramsey. Picks and cap space on top of that. He was paid for as the elite corner he was when they traded for him, and paid for as an elite corner in cap space.

After they moved on from him, they had to deal with shortfalls in the roster like AD moving on.

I think the Rams definitely subscribe to the front being more important than the back end. But the front is rebuilt. So again now you're going to see corner prioritized.

 

[OldSchool]

I disagree. 9 years is a long time and sufficient time to be able to discern a pattern.

The Rams have had 24 premium picks - rounds 1-3 - in the McSnead era.

12 were used on offense, 12 on defense, so that's balanced.

4 were used on Safeties.

1 on a CB. That's a 4.17% ratio.

A 4% ratio indicates intent; it's indicative of a team building philosophy. They certainly don't put any offense positions or DL on the back burner while they address bigger concerns.

Moreover, the last time they remade the secondary was in 2022 and they used a 4th (Durant), two 6th (Lake, Kendrick), and a 7th (Yeast). Not one a premium pick.

I'd love to see am emphasis on the secondary where they're investing major resources, but given their pattern, I'm not expecting it. You gotta go cheap somewhere, and if they're gonna stick with their bend-not-break zone scheme, they can get away with inexpensive free agents and mid to late round CBs.

All good points and good research. That said they also never really spent on a NT or an ILB and we signed Ford and extended Landman. Trends and habits can change.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I disagree. 9 years is a long time and sufficient time to be able to discern a pattern.

The Rams have had 24 premium picks - rounds 1-3 - in the McSnead era.

12 were used on offense, 12 on defense, so that's balanced.

4 were used on Safeties.

1 on a CB. That's a 4.17% ratio.

A 4% ratio indicates intent; it's indicative of a team building philosophy. They certainly don't put any offense positions or DL on the back burner while they address bigger concerns.

Moreover, the last time they remade the secondary was in 2022 and they used a 4th (Durant), two 6th (Lake, Kendrick), and a 7th (Yeast). Not one a premium pick.

I'd love to see am emphasis on the secondary where they're investing major resources, but given their pattern, I'm not expecting it. You gotta go cheap somewhere, and if they're gonna stick with their bend-not-break zone scheme, they can get away with inexpensive free agents and mid to late round CBs.

I think we have to include Peters, Talib and Ramsey in there to be fair and the treasure it took to get them.

 

[DzRams]

They made massive investment in Ramsey. Picks and cap space on top of that. He was paid for as the elite corner he was when they traded for him, and paid for as an elite corner in cap space.

After they moved on from him, they had to deal with shortfalls in the roster like AD moving on.

I think the Rams definitely subscribe to the front being more important than the back end. But the front is rebuilt. So again now you're going to see corner prioritized.

Ramsey, and to an extent, Peters before him, are valid exceptions as they both required premium picks in trade. Maybe a takeaway there is they prefer to trade for a CB piece.

Another may be that they'll allow one costly CB to anchor the unit.

That said corner being prioritized doesnt mean they'll expend a lot of resources. It was prioritized in 2022, when they had Ramsey, and they used four mid to late round picks to fill out the secondary.

I hope you're right that, since the front of the house is built up, now it's time to work on the back. If so, I'd amend my expectation to a major trade, a splash free agent pickup, or a very early draft pick, but inexpensive options beyond that.

 

[DzRams]

I think we have to include Peters, Talib and Ramsey in there to be fair and the treasure it took to get them.

See my post below yours seconds afterwards.

 

[DzRams]

All good points and good research. That said they also never really spent on a NT or an ILB and we signed Ford and extended Landman. Trends and habits can change.

Good point. You're right that trends can change. I'm kinda hoping they do in this case, but not expecting it to. It feels the league is trending more back to emphasizing stopping the run.

 

[WestCoastRam]

See my post below yours seconds afterwards.

Yeah the team has expressed on a couple occasions to reporters that they only ever want to pay one CB on the team. I think one can also infer that they like to pay for proven commodities at CB when they do.

Recently that commodity - though not a star - was Williams who has been blah with us after a stellar last season with the Jags. I believe Rams decided to not throw further capital at CB after that with this current team build and the focus being on the D line and cap generally taken up elsewhere.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Let me clarify that I'm not trying to say that this defense is all that and a bad of chips. I'm just pointing out that it's not AS bad as it has looked from time to time.

It's a complimentary unit that is good enough to win it all as long as the offense is doing its thing.

This is it. Not a ton of offenses worry me in these playoffs. And the ones that do have good offenses don't have good defenses to match. Our defense can hold water long enough for the Rams offense to put up 30 plus against anyone.

 

[Merlin]

I hope you're right that, since the front of the house is built up, now it's time to work on the back. If so, I'd amend my expectation to a major trade, a splash free agent pickup, or a very early draft pick, but inexpensive options beyond that.

I just see no way around it with 4 corners potentially being phased out or leaving in our secondary. I've been certain before, like thinking the Rams would draft OL and then they don't. But each situation is different. I'll be very surprised if they don't take one high and another one mid to late at the very least.

If they can get this secondary sorted next year we could be talking real rarified air in defensive production. I would love to see a unit that can get off the field on their own at a high rate and feed Stafford more chances to score.

 

[duanevalle22]

This is it. Not a ton of offenses worry me in these playoffs. And the ones that do have good offenses don't have good defenses to match. Our defense can hold water long enough for the Rams offense to put up 30 plus against anyone.

Actually we could have have had 44 points. Stafford was pretty magical yesterday. I have lowered my expectations of our D, but it might be good enough or not bad enough to get to a Super Bowl

 

[Ram_Rally]

Actually we could have have had 44 points. Stafford was pretty magical yesterday. I have lowered my expectations of our D, but it might be good enough or not bad enough to get to a Super Bowl

I don't see any matchups that terrify me regarding our defense. Maybe the Seahawks because of JSN. If we get to the Superbowl though, none of these offenses scare me.

 

[duanevalle22]

I just see no way around it with 4 corners potentially being phased out or leaving in our secondary. I've been certain before, like thinking the Rams would draft OL and then they don't. But each situation is different. I'll be very surprised if they don't take one high and another one mid to late at the very least.

If they can get this secondary sorted next year we could be talking real rarified air in defensive production. I would love to see a unit that can get off the field on their own at a high rate and feed Stafford more chances to score.

I myself think the Rams should look for OL in the draft..... Right now Stafford is the best QB in the NFL, but he's probably the slowest QB. So it's important to keep that dude protected. And based on his performances it looks like he has at least two more season if no major injuries occur.

 

[dang]

And he's barley even average at that.

Sure.

 

[dang]

I don't see any matchups that terrify me regarding our defense. Maybe the Seahawks because of JSN. If we get to the Superbowl though, none of these offenses scare me.

I know the Rams can beat the 69ers, Squaks, HOU, DEN. I’m just not sure how they lineup against CHI, BUF, and NE. I do feel they have to score 31 points to ensure a victory.

 

[duanevalle22]

I know the Rams can beat the 69ers, Squaks, HOU, DEN. I’m just not sure how they lineup against CHI, BUF, and NE. I do feel they have to score 31 points to ensure a victory.

I don't think our D is going to give up 25 points in one quarter..... I'm hoping the Bears won't have enough time of possession to get 24 points as long as we don't turn the ball over.

I think our offense is going to have a field day against the Bears D

 

[WestCoastRam]

I don't see any matchups that terrify me regarding our defense. Maybe the Seahawks because of JSN. If we get to the Superbowl though, none of these offenses scare me.

Umm... Chicago runs in breakers all day and our secondary hasn't been good with them since Lake went out and was absolutely cooked by them in Carolina.

Here's hoping Lake gets his legs back this week.

 

[duanevalle22]

Here's hoping Lake gets his legs back this week.

Ya maybe...... He looked good in a few spots, but his reaction time wasn't close to what we saw before the injury. If I were the Bears I would pass in his direction to test him.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Umm... Chicago runs in breakers all day and our secondary hasn't been good with them since Lake went out and was absolutely cooked by them in Carolina.

Here's hoping Lake gets his legs back this week.

Chicago caught fire in the second half last week against a Packers team who is unquestionably worse than us on defense though. They were contained most of the game. Same as last time they played.