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May 29, 2021 at 2:31 pm #130177JackPMillerParticipant
ESPN predicts Rams to sign LB K.J. Wright to 1-year deal
Cameron DaSilva
May 28, 2021 5:22 am PTFor the most part, we know who the Rams’ primary starters will be at just about every position on offense and defense.
What we don’t know is who the starting inside linebackers will be. It’ll come down to a battle between Micah Kiser, Ernest Jones, Travin Howard, Troy Reeder, Kenny Young and possibly even Derrick Moncrief and Christian Rozeboom. It’s a position group that could use some more help, but the Rams seem comfortable with the guys they currently have.
If they were to look at outside options, former Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright would make a lot of sense. Bill Barnwell of ESPN predicted landing spots for several players – both via trade and in free agency – and he pegged Wright to the Rams on a one-year, $2.5 million deal.
Sherman’s former teammate played well last year in Seattle, but the market for veteran off-the-ball linebackers is typically bleak, and Wright has been one of the players squeezed. The Seahawks have talked about bringing Wright back, but coach Pete Carroll could also be ready to insert 2020 first-rounder Jordyn Brooks into the lineup as Wright’s replacement. Wright said he wouldn’t take a hometown discount to stay with the Seahawks, but he’s probably looking at a short-term deal in the $3 million range.
Just as Sherman used the opportunity of leaving Seattle to sign with a division rival in San Francisco, what about Wright making a move to Los Angeles? The Rams basically have a void at linebacker as a product of their cap issues and heavy spending elsewhere on the defensive side of the ball. Wright would step in on the weak side as an immediate starter, possibly alongside rookie third-rounder Ernest Jones.
Despite being almost 32 years old, Wright is still a good linebacker who can make an impact for whichever team he signs with. He started 16 games in each of the last two seasons and finished last year with 11 tackles for a loss – second-most in his career. He also had two sacks, one interception and broke up 10 passes, which were also the second-most of his career.
As a weakside linebacker, he provides value in coverage and leader in the second level. At $2.5 million, the Rams should consider signing Wright if their current linebackers fail to impress during OTAs or if an injury were to occur. With $7.2 million in cap space, they have the funds to sign Wright, too.
May 30, 2021 at 1:40 pm #130185znModeratorJust as Sherman used the opportunity of leaving Seattle to sign with a division rival in San Francisco, what about Wright making a move to Los Angeles?
Well, espn didn’t “predict” anything. They didn’t even really report anything. On one espn show, one analyst (Barnwell) speculated. That;s it, just a few words of sheer speculation.
May 31, 2021 at 10:51 pm #130217znModeratorfrom Travin Howard feels fully healthy after missing 2020 season with knee injury: https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2021/05/30/rams-travin-howard-knee-injury-recovery-update/
One great sign for Howard is that he’s not even wearing a brace on his knee. He’s had a sleeve on it in OTAs, but a brace hasn’t been needed. And after calling himself fast, he said there are no lingering effects from the injury slowing him down.
“Nah, I’m not wearing a brace,” he said. “I’ve got a sleeve on, but that’s as much as I’ve got right now. But I feel real confident, real comfortable and I’m ready to go.”
…
Howard said he doesn’t know exactly what his role will be or who the Rams plan to start at linebacker, but he’s taking it a day at a time. If he impresses in camp and the preseason, don’t be surprised to see him starting alongside Kiser, Ernest Jones, Troy Reeder or Kenny Young.
June 1, 2021 at 5:30 pm #130222znModeratorDonald.
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from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/01/rams-aaron-donald-best-pass-rusher-rankings-gaps/
Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire recently ranked the NFL’s best pass rusher from each gap and rather than Donald being placed at several different spots, he earned higher praise than anyone on the list.
His versatility warranted selection as the best pass rusher from everywhere, according to Farrar.
Before we get into specifics, we should mention that while Donald doesn’t top the list at any one position, it’s because he’s so great… well, everywhere. It’s yet another way in which, when we talk about defensive linemen, there is Aaron Donald, and there is everybody else. Last season, including the playoffs, Donald had 14 solo sacks and 78 total pressures. Only Tampa Bay’s Shaquil Barrett and Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt had more total pressures, and Donald tied with Watt for the NFL’s most solo sacks. Keep in mind that while Barrett and Watt were most often detached form the formation and rushing from the edge, Donald was more often than not getting his work done from the inside, and as a constant focus of the opposing offensive line.
Last season, Donald had six sacks and 31 pressures as a 3-tech tackle, two sacks and 18 pressures as a 4i tackle, two sacks and nine pressures as a 4-tech tackle, one sack and seven pressures as a five-tech end, three sacks and nine pressures as a 7-tech end, and two pressures as a 9-tech end. Basically, wherever you line Aaron Donald up, he’s going to demolish your quarterback.
June 1, 2021 at 5:31 pm #130223znModeratorRobinson
.Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Sebastian Joseph-Day says that DL A’Shawn Robinson has “transformed his body” – toned up, looks explosive – after missing the first 6 months of the Rams season, including offseason, last year. Robinson will need to take on a big role in 2021 sans Brockers.Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams DL Sebastian Joseph-Day on fellow DL A’Shawn Robinson: “He looks thinner, he looks more explosive.”“I think he’s really going to a great job this season and put a great product out there on the field for us this season,” Joseph-Day said.
June 1, 2021 at 6:04 pm #130224znModeratorGreg Beacham@gregbeacham
“It’s definitely quieter. It’s definitely weird, that’s for sure.” –Rams DL Sebastian Joseph-Day on the absence of Michael Brockers, his close friend and a Rams D-line stalwart for 9 seasonsJune 7, 2021 at 5:03 pm #130340znModeratorfrom https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2021/6/7/22523201/rams-leonard-floyd-sacks-2021
How many sacks will Leonard Floyd have during the 17-game season in 2021?
The Chicago Bears took Floyd after he had posted 4.5 sacks in 13 games as a junior at Georgia. I’ve written several times before about Floyd’s career history but the short version of the story is that he showed promise as a pass rusher as a rookie and then that part of his game never developed. Prior to signing a one-year deal with the LA Rams in 2020, Floyd recorded three sacks — and zero tackles for a loss outside of those sacks — during 16 games with the Bears in 2019.
LA showed faith in Floyd that probably would not have existed if it weren’t for his draft status in 2016, but then he did respond with season totals that helped justify the signing.
Floyd set career-highs with 55 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 19 QB hits, and one forced fumble.
June 16, 2021 at 8:15 am #130500znModeratorHow Rams’ supporting cast for Aaron Donald looks, sounds different
Lindsey Thiry
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — An almost eerie quiet swept over the Los Angeles Rams defensive line while they stretched before a recent voluntary practice session.
The silence was broken when a player hollered, “Dang, I miss Brock, it’s quiet as hell!” defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day recalled.
NFL roster turnover is inevitable, and the 2021 Rams defensive line is not immune. After he was selected 14th overall in 2012 and played nine seasons with the Rams, defensive lineman Michael Brockers was traded to the Detroit Lions in March in an effort to create salary cap space.
Brockers’ departure means not only less noise, but a gaping hole along the front of the NFL’s defending top-ranked defense and marks the end of a seven-year run playing alongside three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who often praised Brockers’ efforts that helped but did not appear on the stat sheet.
“It’s different for sure and definitely an adjustment,” Joseph-Day said about the group’s dynamic sans Brockers. “But in this business it’s kind of what’s expected.”
The amount of turnover on the Rams’ defense has been significant since the unit led the NFL last season, allowing an average of 18 points per game.
The Rams hired Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator to take over for Brandon Staley after he departed following one season to become the Chargers head coach. The Rams also lost their cornerbacks and linebackers coaches to promotions elsewhere, and saw starting cornerback Troy Hill, outside linebacker Samson Ebukam and safety John Johnson III depart in free agency.
Fifth-year pro Morgan Fox, a rotation player on the defensive line who had six sacks last season, also departed in free agency, signing a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.
“We have the right kind of guys in this building to be able to pick up the slack or pick up exactly where those guys left off,” said Joseph-Day, a sixth-round pick in 2018 who is entering his third season as starter. “I think that’s going to be the story of what’s going on here.”
Donald, who attended a portion of the voluntary offseason workouts but was not made available to reporters, will now lead a group that includes Joseph-Day, A’Shawn Robinson and Greg Gaines.
The Rams also added depth in the draft, selecting Bobby Brown III in the fourth round from Texas A&M and Earnest Brown IV in the fifth round from Northwestern.
“There’s a lot for me to learn,” said Bobby Brown, who was the first defensive lineman drafted by the Rams since Gaines was selected in the fourth round in 2019. “I don’t think I’ve completely made the transition yet but also I would say it just shows me that I’m not a premier defensive lineman no more. I have to learn all over again and I have to be just as humble as I was pretty much my freshmen year again.”
Gaines has played in 26 games the past two seasons and has recorded 31 tackles and two sacks.
Robinson reported to the offseason program in the best shape of his career after dedicating himself a new diet and workout regimen. Listed at 330 pounds last season, Robinson says his goal is to play this season between 300 and 305 pounds.
“I just wanted to be the best for these guys,” said Robinson, a second-round pick by the Lions in 2016. “I’m not going to go out here and slack and let any of these guys down.”
A sixth-year pro, Robinson was signed to a two-year, $17 million free-agent contract during the 2020 offseason to take over for Brockers, who at the time agreed to terms in free agency with the Baltimore Ravens but ultimately returned to Los Angeles. after the deal fell through.
Robinson spent the first half of last season sidelined due to unspecified health issues and played in eight games. Through organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, teammates noticed his readiness to step up.
“He’s really locked in,” Joseph-Day said. “I think a lot of guys are locked in especially with the departure of Brock. A lot of guys are locked in, a lot of guys are ready to step up and that’s a huge, positive.”
As for how quickly the group can come together, Robinson emphasized the importance of the offseason program, which wrapped up last week with a three-day mandatory minicamp that Donald did not attend (Rams coach Sean McVay indicated the two communicated and it was an excused absence) and Joseph-Day did not fully participate in.
“That’s what OTAs is for, the foundation, you build the ground up,” Robinson said. “… Everyone has been seeing how everyone needs to do this, how everything comes together and putting the puzzle pieces together.”
June 16, 2021 at 9:03 am #130501InvaderRamModeratori love brockers and i’m sad to see him go, but i wonder if this front seven could be even better. a motivated and slimmer robinson and a young athletically freaky 20 year old. i’m just really excited to see the dline. but also a guy like ernest jones who doesn’t look spectacular on paper but it’s about everything that’s above the shoulders with him. i think he could really stabilize the inside of that front seven.
i don’t know who takes that other outside linebacker spot. maybe okoronkwo? who knows but i think morris does have some potential to select from. there’s a lot of talent. maybe even a jonah williams could emerge as a dark horse.
either way it’s exciting.
June 16, 2021 at 4:33 pm #130502HramParticipantI think the rookie is a year or two away even if he does reaches potential, but I agree with everything else Invader.
June 28, 2021 at 5:19 pm #130653znModeratorPFF: Rams DL at No. 4 entering the season
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 28, 2021
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from PFF, Ranking all 32 NFL defensive line units ahead of the 2021 season: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-all-32-nfl-defensive-line-units-entering-2021-season
.4. LOS ANGELES RAMS
The Rams don’t have the same quality of depth as the other top-five defensive lines in these rankings. But does it matter when they boast the single most disruptive force in the NFL? Aaron Donald’s 456 pressures over the past five seasons are 86 more than any other defender despite the fact that he saw a consistent barrage of double and triple teams. The attention he commands frees up other players to enjoy career years, as Dante Fowler Jr. and Leonard Floyd can attest. Los Angeles will have to replace Michael Brockers, whose 5,658 regular-season snaps since joining the Rams in 2012 rank ninth among all players at the position.
July 12, 2021 at 9:42 am #130851znModeratorfrom https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/11/rams-rookie-max-roberts-workout-video-footwork/
Max Roberts
There’s a lot still to be decided at outside linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams behind starter Leonard Floyd. Terrell Lewis should make the team, as should Justin Hollins. But Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Chris Garrett, Justin Lawler, Max Roberts and John Daka will be fighting for some of the final roster spots come September.
Roberts is training hard ahead of training camp and recently shared a video on Twitter of his impressive footwork. He went through several drills showcasing his quickness, looking explosive coming out of his breaks.
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Last but not least of our Eagle hopefuls is Maximilian Roberts. Roberts began his college career at Fordham before moving on to Maine. This past season, he of course came over to Boston College to begin his Masters and push for the opportunity to play at the next level.
Some may remember his electric debut against Texas State. Announced he would be joining BC only about an hour before the game, Roberts brought an immediate spark to the game, tallying a sack and a half and adding five tackles. His energy was infections and jumped off the screen. The defensive end would go on to lead the team in sacks (4.5) and tackle for loss yards in only eight games. An Ohio native, two of his three years at Fordham were spent at linebacker. At Maine, Roberts tallied 19 tackles, four sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles.
Throughout his career, he’s undergone three knee surgeries, but has had no problems since his arrival at BC. He was also invited to the Hula Bowl, a post-season college football all star game.
What does he bring to an NFL team?
Roberts sees himself as an outside linebacker/Edge. He has the ability to rush the passer and even drop into cover. At 6’2, 254-pounds Roberts brings plenty of athleticism. He had some of the best numbers at BC’s post day, posting 10’3 broad jump, 36.5 in vertical jump, and solid speed as well. He also has a great passion for the game and plays with a fire.
To start, he can contribute immediately on special teams, and rotate in as a pass rusher. Per PFF, of P5 rushers in this draft Roberts has the second highest pass-rush win rate.
Where will he get drafted?
Roberts is likely to be a late round pick or at worst a priority free agent.
Where could he go?
Maximilian has met with a number of teams including the Jets, Raiders, and Chargers. After the aforementioned Hula Bowl, he alos met with the 49ers, Giants, Titans, and Seahawks. That’s a mix of teams that run both 3-4/4-3 defenses, so each team could view him differently.
July 20, 2021 at 3:51 am #130983znModeratorRams preview: Aaron Donald will be his dominant self, but whose turn is it to step up along the defensive line?
Jourdan Rodrigue
Highlighted by a historic third Defensive Player of the Year award by defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the Rams defensive line was among the best in the NFL in 2020, and certainly in the top three in most relevant categories.
The Rams ranked second in sacks (53) and in sacks per game (3) but also held opponents to just 91.2 rushing yards per game (third best in the league in 2020) and only 3.8 rush yards per attempt (also third best).
We know that teams specifically build game plans around dealing with Donald and have done so for years. In speaking with some NFL coordinators this offseason, I also learned what probably should have been obvious: It’s not enough to scheme around Donald when he’s in the game. Coaches also must account for when he’s not in the game. To keep Donald fresh (or, in the case of a rare injury such as the one in last year’s divisional-round game in Green Bay), the Rams play him for about 85 percent of the defensive snaps, and they rotate quite a bit along the front. Teams know their window for taking advantage of his absence is small, and some have specific calls (or tempo switches) for use during that time. That’s how big Donald’s effect is, on and off the field.
We also know that Donald’s presence creates opportunities for others. He usually occupies multiple blockers (he was double-teamed about 70 percent of the time in 2020), and that means others either get one-on-one matchups or aren’t blocked at all. But as the Rams continue to shape their defensive line after losing such key players as Michael Brockers and Morgan Fox this offseason, it won’t be enough to hope to scheme Donald open or into more favorable matchups when he’s in the game. Young players must now step into larger roles and produce — not only when playing alongside Donald but also when the Rams rotate into fronts without him.
Additions: Bobby Brown III, Earnest Brown IV, George Silvanic.
I think Brown III could have a real shot at competing for rotational minutes, even as a rookie. The Rams believe he can “dominate the line of scrimmage” and in the pre-draft process noted his explosiveness and power, and also his versatility (he has played nose tackle, three-technique and five-technique).
Brown IV, as described to me by a source at the time of the draft, is a great candidate for the “Fox development plan” (Fox became a versatile inside-outside rusher and posted a career sack season before departing in free agency), although the Rams hope a year of Brown’s development is not delayed by injury, because they’d like for him to contribute earlier in his career.
Subtractions: Brockers, Fox.
Projected starters: Donald, Sebastian Joseph-Day, A’Shawn Robinson.
Robinson mentioned this spring that he’s leaned up quite a bit from last year and could get even leaner. He’ll play at around 300 to 305 pounds this season after shedding about 25 pounds from his playing weight in 2020. His decision to transform his body (he switched to a vegetarian-pescatarian diet in the spring and added yoga to his workout regimen, among other adjustments) points toward the Rams’ hope that he becomes a more dynamic nose tackle in the same vein as Brockers, versus the space-eater role he was asked to play in Detroit.
Without Brockers (who, ironically enough, was the reason Robinson was signed by the Rams in the first place in the spring of 2020), Robinson needs to become a difference-maker now that he’s poised to take meaningful snaps. Without an offseason in 2020 and having missed the first half of the regular season while on the non-football injury list, he got a late start in contributing and was behind the whole time. Now on an even footing, plus feeling better than he has in a while, Robinson will get a chance to prove himself.
Joseph-Day, in my mind, is a candidate for a breakout season because of the work he did this offseason and the fact that he’s entering his contract year. Speaking to The Athletic earlier in the spring, Joseph-Day mentioned adding to his pass-rush arsenal as well as developing identification-to-movement techniques that will better serve him when he has to switch instantly from run to pass, depending on what the quarterback does after the snap.
Keep in mind that the Rams will feature a steady rotation along this front, so naming “starters” here, other than Donald, is pretty conceptual.
Projected backups (in no particular order): Greg Gaines, Eric Banks, Brown III, Michael Hoecht, Jonah Williams, Brown IV, Marquise Copeland, Silvanic.
Though Gaines is the only player here who has played relevant game snaps, head coach Sean McVay and others have praised the development of last year’s undrafted free agents, Banks, Hoecht, Williams and Copeland. Banks and Hoecht are working with Ed McGilvra, the private pass-rush coach with whom Fox and Joseph-Day also have worked during the past two offseasons.
2021 outlook: We don’t really ever have to worry about Donald. But the Rams’ success along the defensive line in 2021 will also depend on what the guys around him are able to do with their opportunities — and the competition in camp for those opportunities will be important to watch.
Long-term outlook: Defensive line coach Eric Henderson has drawn praise since he arrived in 2019 for his hands-on coaching style and for bringing balance to a room full of some of the biggest dudes — and biggest personalities — on the roster. Though Henderson may have coordinator or head coach aspirations in the long term, the work he has done with the defensive line (especially in developing younger players) has drawn attention in coaching circles around the league, and he is probably someone McVay will work to retain if other opportunities do come up. Henderson’s role has increased this offseason, and not just because of the added “run game coordinator” title. His input was sought by the Rams’ scouting and personnel departments during the draft, and he closely connected with Brown III in the run-up to the draft.
July 20, 2021 at 8:48 am #130985znModeratorJustin Hollins
Ht: 6052 / 6′ 05″ | Wt: 248Hollins was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round (156th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Ourlads’ Profile:
2019 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about JUSTIN HOLLINS: Oregon 6052 248 4.48 Three year starter from Arlington, TX. Versatile player having started as a defensive end and outside linebacker. Has experience backing off as well. Fast twitch athlete with tremendous upside. With his hand on the ground is quick at the snap with a burst to bend around the corner in the pass rush. Quick with his hands to punch and work a block. Has a two way go that keeps tackles off balance. Quick inside move with a finishing burst is effective. Plays off blocks on the perimeter and sets the edge versus an outside run. When backed off shows natural instincts to locate the ball. Hand usage is solid here as well as shedding blocks on the move. Changes direction quickly with no wasted movement. Range in pursuit is what NFL teams need as he can chase across the field and make plays in space. Solid fundamental tackling ability with knee bend and explosive finish. Not often used in coverage but has natural fluidity dropping and can flip his hips in a zone reacting to route pressure. Sees the quarterback and receivers and can close a void and break on the ball. Inconsistent with the play right at him as he can get locked up and neutralized at times. Versus cutbacks on the backside sometimes has trouble getting leverage to the ball as a blocker can wash him out of the play. Has had some outstanding games and some so-so games, so consistent production can be an issue. Has the versatile tools that any NFL team can put to use as he can fit a variety of schemes. He had as good of an East-West game as we have seen from an individual. He still has upside and is a likely second day pick.
July 23, 2021 at 7:32 pm #131055InvaderRamModeratorI think Brown III could have a real shot at competing for rotational minutes, even as a rookie. The Rams believe he can “dominate the line of scrimmage” and in the pre-draft process noted his explosiveness and power, and also his versatility (he has played nose tackle, three-technique and five-technique).
i really like this guy. after akers this was the guy i want to see the most. not because he’s the best. but because his potential is out of this world. seriously. i do not exaggerate. his size coupled with his speed and explosion are rarely seen.
July 30, 2021 at 6:48 pm #131220znModeratorAaron Donald on A’Shawn Robinson: ‘He knows we need him to step up big time’
Cameron DaSilva
* https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/30/rams-aaron-donald-ashawn-robinson-step-up-camp/
A’Shawn Robinson was one of the Rams’ big free-agent additions last offseason, signing him to a two-year contract worth $17 million. His first season in L.A. didn’t go according to plan, however, as he missed the first eight games while on the non-football injury list.
Hopefully he can bounce back with a better 2021 campaign now that he’s fully healthy and even slimmed down, playing at 308 pounds. He’s expected to step in as the starting defensive end after Michael Brockers was traded, and those in Los Angeles know how important a player he is.
Aaron Donald said this week that Robinson knows the Rams are counting on him to come through.
“He knows we need him to step up big time for us this year, it’s that leadership role for him now. So, he’s got to be ready, he’s got to be pure because we’re depending on him. He put the body of work and it’s going to pay off this year for himself,” Donald said.
Not only does Donald believe Robinson must step up, but he’s confident the former Lions defensive lineman will hold his own in place of Brockers.
“Him being gone, there is definitely going to be a void,” Donald said of Brockers. “But A’Shawn is going to step up big time for us and hold it down and make a lot of plays for us.”
Losing weight was a goal of Robinson’s this offseason after talking to his coaches and trainers, and he’s shed about 22 pounds. He feels lighter and more explosive, which is a great thing for the Rams.
Donald doesn’t really care what weight Robinson is playing at as long as he can do his job and hold up against double teams.
“As long as you can still hold your double team, do what you need to do,” Donald said. “You might play a three-(technique), you might play a shade, you might play a four-(technique), might play a five-(technique). You just got to be able to transition to wherever they put you and be able to hold your own.”
Robinson doesn’t have to be a Pro Bowler next to Donald and Sebastian Joseph-Day. He just has to help fill the shoes of Brockers as a run defender and offer some help as a pass rusher. There’s no reason to believe he can’t do that
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