Rams keep looking for ways to free up Aaron DonaldBy Alden Gonzalez
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Floyd Peters, architect of the great Minnesota Vikings defenses of the late 1980s, and John Teerlinck, regarded as one of the greatest defensive line coaches, helped popularize the 3-technique position, which deploys a defensive tackle to the outside shoulder of a guard, thus providing him more freedom to rush the quarterback.
"We’re doing the same thing that those guys created, with Aaron," Los Angeles Rams defensive line coach Mike Waufle said, referencing Aaron Donald, widely regarded the game's best interior pass-rusher. "It's really successful for him, because he gets on the edge of guards, and it's tough on the offense when he does that."
Donald's 11 sacks last season were tied with Geno Atkins of the Cincinnati Bengals and Kawann Short of the Carolina Panthers for the most by those who primarily play defensive tackle. Three came against the right guard, four came against the left guard and three came against the center, part of a series of complex schemes instituted by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who deploys stunts to minimize the number of double-teams against Donald.
But what about rushing from the edge, which typically allows players to create more pressure and compile more sacks?
Donald took only three snaps outside of the tackle last season, according to data from Pro Football Focus. Houston Texans star J.J. Watt -- perhaps the only defensive lineman better than Donald -- is a natural defensive end, but he has previously received a solid chunk of his snaps lining up where a defensive tackle typically would. Could the Rams do the inverse with Donald, giving him a few more snaps as a defensive end to keep offensive lines honest?
Donald smiled.
"Guess we'll have to wait and see, man," he said. "You never know."
Waufle believes Donald's "great asset is on the edge, but he can do it all. He's as good a power rusher as they come. I was with the greatest power rusher in the history of the NFL, in my opinion, in Michael Strahan, and he has every bit of that."
Pro Football Focus gave Donald a 99.9 rating in 2015, breaking Watt's record for the highest single-season grade ever awarded to a player. Donald led all "true" interior players in both total pressures and defensive stops in his second season, according to PFF. He's listed (generously) at 6-foot-1, but his quickness off the ball and his inordinate length (his arms measure 32 5/8 inches) more than make up for it.
"Power is a combination of force and speed -- force times velocity, strength times speed," Waufle said. "Aaron's got every bit of it, and that’s his greatest asset. He may not have the height that people would want, but his arm length is no different than a man who’s 6-foot-4. So the combination of those two things help him survive. He’s John Randle-like."
Regardless of where they line him up, though, Waufle understands that Donald will continue to draw frequent double-teams and will continue to be the focus of opposing offensive lines. The 25-year-old is helped by being on a star-studded defensive line that includes Michael Brockers, William Hayes and Robert Quinn, who is poised for a bounce-back season.
But Donald will continue to be the center of attention, regardless of the scheme.
"You can’t double them all, though," said Waufle, in his fifth year with the Rams after prior stops with the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders. "That’s the good news."
