Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Pick #5: Rams take Greg Gaines at 134
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May 10, 2019 at 6:41 pm #101246
znModeratoralyoshamucci
Gaines was underrated …He reminds me of Kevin Wolfe when he came out (drafted round 2?) … bigger than expected and moving faster and more disruptively than expected.
I expect him to have a considerable impact this year for a first year player, especially when it comes to tiring the offense. He gets better as the game goes on and if he catches you napping for a second he’ll eat your lunch. He has the motor of a LB.
SOME FOLLOW-UP
alyoshamucci
His senior bowl is what solidified him for me…I watched a lot of Washington games … but they didn’t play any O lines I was really impressed with. I wanted to see him one on one.
He really bothered everyone he went up against … every snap.
And I think one thing that gets downplayed with DTs, is their endurance. Gaines never came off the field in Washington’s defense.
What I think we’re looking at, is a guy who may not have been obvious for a higher pick, but someone who will outplay their draft slot. Possibly by a large margin.
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SOME DOUBLE-PLUS FOLLOW-UP
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alyoshamucci
Gaines was my “most watched” pick. I followed him through three years at Washington and then the senior bowl …
The main thing he does, is unrelenting disruption. He refuses to stay blocked, he eats up lanes, he has a nose for the ball, and he can jack an o Lineman off their base …
His best plays were in the opening and final quarter. First quarter because the Oline had to get used to how he plays, and the 4th because the O line would run out of the gas needed to deal with him.
When he was next to the Wash DT drafted last year (Vea) … he would often be the guy on the nose even though Vea was 335 lbs.
May 10, 2019 at 11:21 pm #101247
InvaderRamModeratorthe more i read about this guy the more i think aaron donald. not in terms of style of play or ability. but in terms of mentality.
i really like this pick.
still woulda like tillery too though. ha.
May 11, 2019 at 10:21 am #101253znModeratorThe new Suh: Rams turn to rookie Greg Gaines
Greg Gaines met with the Los Angeles Rams once. The interview at the Senior Bowl was the defensive tackle’s one, and only, interview with the defending NFC champions before the NFL draft.
So it came as a shock to Gaines when his phone rang after the Rams traded up into the fourth round, to the 134th overall pick.
“It was just amazing,” said Gaines, who spent five seasons at the University of Washington. “I’m super excited.”
The Rams traded out of the first round of the draft. They addressed needs in their secondary, on the offensive line and at running back on Day 2. And they began Day 3 with a specific target in mind.
“The first priority was to try to figure out how we could get to a spot in the draft and draft Gaines to fill the nose-tackle-type spot in our base defense,” said general manager Les Snead, who traded up 28 spots to make the pick.
Gaines, 6-foot-1 and 312 pounds, could start immediately in place of All-Pro Ndamukong Suh, who produced mixed results last season as he played on a one-year, $14 million contract.
“What Greg was able to do at Washington and then when you see the production he had at the Senior Bowl, that really is what we felt really strongly about,” coach Sean McVay said. “I think some of the things we talked about — how we get better specific to our scheme, but then also defensively in terms of playing the run a little bit better. I think that will be a key factor of being really stout inside and we feel like Greg will provide that.”
Throughout a 13-3 season that included a second consecutive division title, a conference championship and trip to Super Bowl LIII, it was apparent the Rams’ run defense needed improvement.
Despite a unit that boasted two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, seven-year veteran Michael Brockers and Suh, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, the Rams allowed a league-worst 5.1 yards per carry, and ranked 23rd in the league in average rushing yards allowed per game with 122.3.
Donald and Brockers will return in 2019. Suh, however, remains an unrestricted free agent and Snead said he was unlikely to return to L.A. due to budgetary constraints.
Suh undoubtedly leaves a sizable hole behind, one that could be daunting for a rookie to step into. However, the nine-year veteran never appeared to fully acclimate to playing nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme for the first time in his career. Suh had only four run stuffs last season, which tied for eighth on the Rams and tied for 261st in the NFL, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. (A run stuff is defined as when a defender tackles the ball carrier within a gain of two or fewer yards.)
Donald led the team with 16 run stuffs, followed by linebacker Cory Littleton with 10 and Brockers, who had nine.
Gaines is expected to play a significant role in stopping the run. “He’s going to get a chance to compete,” McVay said. “He is a guy that we identified that we feel like really will do a great job as a nose guard in our base package.”
Gaines described the role as his “sweet spot.”
“I like head-up nose,” he said. “Anywhere on the inside between the guards — anywhere in there. From guard-to-guard, I’m good.”
Gaines played at La Habra High School in a suburb of Los Angeles before he became a three-year starter at Washington. He appeared in a Washington-record 54 games and finished with 9.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss. As a senior he won the Morris Trophy, awarded to the Pac-12’s top defensive lineman, voted on by opposing team players.
But contingency plans remain in place if the 24-year-old rookie is not ready to play immediately in the NFL.
Brockers has experience at tackle and end, though he said at the start of voluntary workouts last month that he would prefer to remain at end, a spot to which he has adjusted in Wade Phillips’ two seasons as defensive coordinator. Snead and McVay also have expressed confidence in the development of tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, who made the 53-man roster after his selection in the sixth round last year, though he was listed as inactive all season.
But after studying Gaines at the Senior Bowl, where he competed against offensive linemen Garrett Bradbury and Chris Lindstrom, both selected in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons, respectively, the Rams are confident they found a talent who can contribute sooner than later.
“You look at a physical, stout player,” McVay said. “He was an outstanding, productive player for Washington. But then when you get a chance to really watch the Senior Bowl, where he’s going against some of the best interior linemen in this draft, guys that we really thought highly of — I think you got a sense for what a competitive player he is.”
May 13, 2019 at 10:22 am #101299znModeratorfrom: http://ramstalk.net/grading-greg-gainess-134th-overall-selection/
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The main reason experts thought Gaines would go lower is because of his size. He is undersized standing at 6’1″ but really that doesn’t matter as much as you might think. All things considered, Gaines is slightly taller than Aaron Donald. Now, I’m not saying they are equal talents, but I am saying is that he can still have a successful career. What is beneficial for Gaines is that he can learn from Donald and Wade Phillips.
WHAT EXACTLY DO THEY HAVE IN GAINES?
They have a relentless defender with a high motor. He keeps his feet moving and commands a lot of attention from offensive linemen. That’s exactly the type of player defenses desire to create more opportunities for linebackers. Gaines is a true nose tackle and if he continues to learn, the Rams definitely might have a steal. Keep this in mind, if Gaines pans out to the disruptive interior defensive lineman that he can potentially be, the Rams’ defensive line is going to be scarier.
This isn’t to say that Gaines will step in Week 1 and dominate. Gaines will have to learn how to adjust at the NFL level, and that isn’t easy.
May 13, 2019 at 8:00 pm #101321InvaderRamModeratorThe main reason experts thought Gaines would go lower is because of his size. He is undersized standing at 6’1″ but really that doesn’t matter as much as you might think.
actually it could potentially help him in terms of leverage. linemen will have a hard time getting a lower pad level on him.
he’s got short arms which i don’t like, but it might not matter as much at nt.
wilfork was short at 6’1″ too. didn’t seem to hurt him.
May 14, 2019 at 11:36 pm #101370znModeratorGreg Gaines looking forward to partnering with Aaron Donald
https://www.therams.com/news/greg-gaines-looking-forward-to-partnering-with-aaron-donald
Rookie defensive lineman Greg Gaines is known for being a run stuffer. When the Rams selected him at No. 134 overall in the fourth round a few weeks ago, head coach Sean McVay, general manager Les Snead, and defensive line coach Eric Henderson all touted his ability to be a stout presence in the middle of the defense.
As those individuals also stated, Gaines has a chance to be the nose tackle in Los Angeles’ base 3-4 defense. And if Gaines earns that role, he’ll be lining up next to two-time defending AP Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.
Gaines got a little taste of what it’s like to be around Donald on Tuesday, as the Rams have rookies and veterans on the field at the same time. And what was Gaines’ first impression?
“He’s a pretty good looking guy,” Gaines said in his Tuesday press conference, drawing laughter from assembled media.
In all seriousness, Gaines recognizes the opportunity he has in front of him to soak in knowledge from veterans on the D-line like Donald and Michael Brockers.
“I was just trying to watch every little thing that Aaron Donald did, and Michael Brockers — it’s just really cool having those guys here to learn from,” Gaines said. “That’s the coolest part to me about being here, is just being able to learn from guys like that and improve my game.”
When it comes to potentially starting Week 1, Gaines seems flattered by the compliments he’s received — but also knows that he has to earn that spot.
“It’s definitely cool that they think so highly of me. It’s definitely a good feeling,” Gaines said. “And I think I can bring it — I think I can be a starting nose-type guy. I’m really strong in the run game, and that’s what they want me to do here is just let Aaron Donald take the pass rush reps, and I’ll take the double teams on first and second downs.”
There’s a certain art to embracing that role, since it’s not necessarily one that comes with a lot of glory. But Gaines — listed at 6-foot-1 and 312 pounds — says he actually enjoys being the one to absorb blockers.
“Yeah, a lot of guys get frustrated just sitting there eating double teams all day,” Gaines said. “I like to keep track of those stats — how many double teams I take on. And it’s something I really enjoy doing, and that’s, I think, why I’m so good at it.”
Given Donald’s success over the last two years — as a reminder, he’s racked up a ridiculous 31.5 sacks from the interior — No. 99 faces a lot of double teams as well.
And in an ideal world…
“I’m trying to alleviate that for him a little bit,” Gaines said.
We’ll see if it works out over the course of the 2019 season and beyond.
May 20, 2019 at 6:24 pm #101484
AgamemnonParticipant
AgamemnonMay 20, 2019 at 6:37 pm #101491AgamemnonParticipant AgamemnonMay 20, 2019 at 7:27 pm #101508InvaderRamModeratordare i say i don’t think the defense skips a beat.
June 13, 2019 at 6:22 pm #102095znModerator“He’s a smart player and we always say smart players get better.” Phillips’ gives initial impression of rookie DT Greg Gaines
The Rams selected five defensive players in the 2019 NFL Draft, who now have a month under their belt as professional football players in Southern California. On Tuesday, the group’s 71-year-old defensive guru outlined a two-step process that’s well underway for the newcomers.
The defensive class is headlined by a pair of former University of Washington Huskies in safety Taylor Rapp and defensive tackle Greg Gaines, each of whom could contribute in year one. For Gaines, step No. 2 in Phillips’ process played a role in helping him get to know his new defensive coordinator — even before Phillips addressed his rookies for the first time back in May.
“My first impression of Wade Phillips came from his playbook, I think seeing that and just how simplistic it is,” Gaines said in his introduction to the Los Angeles media. “He definitely seems like a good guy.”
Gaines wrapped up his UW career with 149 total tackles — 21 of which came behind the line of scrimmage — 9.5 sacks, and an interception in 51 games, and earned All Pac-12 First Team honors in his senior season. He’s since welcomed a newborn son and officially had his name tossed around in conversations surrounding the vacancy left in the middle of the defensive line with the departure of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
“It’s definitely cool that they think so highly of me — it’s a good feeling. I think I can bring it, I think I can be a starting nose type guy,” Gaines said, when asked about the prospect of a starting job. “I am really strong in the run game and I think that’s what they want me to do here, is just let [DT] Aaron Donald take the pass rush reps and I’ll take the double teams on first and second down.”
With nothing set in stone and much to learn ahead of Week 1 in Carolina, Gaines has been getting the majority of his reps with the second group in OTAs — second-year defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day with the top unit. The pair of candidates for the nose spot could be set for battle, depending on what transpires in next month’s training camp, especially considering Joseph-Day didn’t step on the field in his rookie season.
“I think [Gaines] obviously works hard at what he does, I think he’s a grinder, we said that, and I think he’ll be stronger in pads, where you can see his power and stuff,” Phillips said. “No pads and no contact, it’s hard to utilize that. I think once he gets the pads on, it’ll help him.”
“He’s done a good job so far,” Phillips continued. “He’s a smart player and we always say smart players get better. So he’s one of those guys.”
July 13, 2019 at 11:00 am #102898znModeratorfrom NFL Team’s Biggest Sleeper Heading into Training Camps
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Los Angeles Rams: DL Greg Gaines
The Los Angeles Rams may line up a Day 3 rookie sleeper next to four-time All-Pro Aaron Donald. The front office didn’t re-sign Ndamukong Suh, who inked a one-year pact with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but general manager Les Snead added some bulk to the defensive line in April.
The Rams selected Greg Gaines in the fourth round of this year’s draft; he’s a 6’1″, 312-pound defensive lineman who can eat up blocks and force his way into the backfield. He logged 9.5 sacks between his sophomore and senior seasons at Washington.
Per Clarence Dennisof the Rams’ official website, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips pointed out another quality that should help Gaines flourish in the pros—his football IQ:
“I think [Gaines] obviously works hard at what he does, I think he’s a grinder, we said that, and I think he’ll be stronger in pads, where you can see his power and stuff. No pads and no contact, it’s hard to utilize that. I think once he gets the pads on, it’ll help him. He’s done a good job so far. He’s a smart player and we always say smart players get better. So he’s one of those guys.”
Gaines could carve out a starting role alongside Donald and Michael Brockers on the interior. He’s not going to rack up the impact statistics—sacks and tackles—at a high volume, but the former Husky should provide a boost to the run defense and clear pass-rush lanes for Donald.
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