Greg Wms and the Rams big nickel D

from off the net

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BonifayRam

Nobody uses more big Nickles or big dimes like Gregg Williams does. It would be very hard not to argue that his base is more 4-2-5 than 4-3-4. Plus GW has all these different Nickles not just using 3 CB’s but using 3 strong safety types in place of having Lb’ers on the field.

Defensive Captain is 28 yr old JL with 7 NFL campaigns under his belt. Even though many fans desire his replacement…. I sure want no part of that. in 6 Ram seasons he has 96 starts. JL has 743 tackles over that period of time.

GW added a Fisher high 2nd round draft selection back into the fold this season with 25 yr old OSLB’er Akeem Ayers who was projected to be selected in the middle of the 2011 first round due to his talent. The reason we saw GW go out & drag in UFA LB’er Ayers is he can flat out can cover all tight ends. Ayers looks to be a serious contender for the starting SSLB post.

That move will place 30 yr old Jo-Lunn Dunbar as the top reserve. NOT bad since he has played in 96 NFL games with 63 starts @ all three LB’ing posts.

Starting WSLB’er Alec Ogletree is entering his 3rd season & is only 23 yrs old. Big Big things should be the order of the day from this play-maker. Tree is also versatile too be able to play all the Lb’ing post & was a starter several yrs @ deep safety @ UGA.

Darren Bates who played most of his Auburn college ball as a Strong Safety & now has figured it out that if he wants to play in the NFL he must be a LB’er. This 24 yr old entering his 3rd season Bates can do some special stuff on ST’s. Bates also has ran a consistent 4.43 in the 40 too when he was lighter. Bates will be seen in TC & pre season @ all three LB’ing posts he is also versatile.

Rams may have found a jewel in the 7th round in this draft with very smart LB’er Bryce Hager this MLB is going to give the GW a steady back up to JL.

Once should not conclude here with out mentioning an important Ram who played a ton of LB’er late last season not yet mentioned…..Mark Barron. I would think that we will see more of the BIG NICKLE this 2015 season too. Then there is last yrs 4th rd Ram draft selection Maurice Alexander who saw action in 9 games last season but most on ST’s Late last season he was over 225 pounds on a little over 6-1 LB’er frame. GW may want to keep the Big Nickle going after Barron departs in 2016 so Alexander may take Barron spot playing the OLB in the Big Nickle.

I really like this LB’ing cadre unit & find it very hard not to be pleased with it.