from Brock Vierra: https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/04/13/rams-offseason-draft-puka-nacua-mailbag/89572821007/
Q: What has led to the perceived increase in value of early-round LB’s (draft prospect meetings)? Is it Jimmy Lake’s input or scheme change?
A: It’s Sam Darnold whipping the Rams for 6.5 straight quarters. It’s one-legged Mac Jones acting like Joe Montana, while Kendrick Bourne cosplayed Jerry Rice on Thursday Night. It’s the fact that the Shanahan system has dominated Chris Shula’s scheme time and time again, with none of it being Shula’s fault.
All three teams in the NFC West, outside of the Rams, run a Shanahan-based offensive scheme. Trust, that Mike LaFleur scheme in Arizona is Shanahan with the McVay offense being added in like garlic salt. It flavors, but it doesn’t overpower.
The reason Shula has struggled is that he’s using round pegs to fill square holes. Omar Speights is meant to go one direction and that’s towards the action. He’s the one you want on the wall and quite frankly, should be allowed to blitz more often. What he’s not built to do is be forced to cover miles of space.