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The_Zone
This is exactly what happens when you don't play players I. Preseason and use those games to work out the bugs.
Phillips will be fine but he was saddled with under-achievers on D. I am very critical of this Defense but I also can't help but think the Rams have spent alot more time focusing on getting the Offense going and ST and D have suffered because of it.
Rams Receiving half of the ST muffed punt return, fumbled KO return, and allowed a onside kick because Johnson was waiting for the. All instead of attacking and received a push to the throat for his lack of effort.
I used to have the same gripe about Fisher's playing vanilla all preseason, instead of playing the way you plan to play in the season, and then being surprised when your team starts off slow. I understand with Quinn's history you want to take it slow but all starters on this defense needed as many snaps as possible in the preseason to understand a completely different defense, position and responsibilities. I remember when the 3-4 was all the rage after the success the Pats and the Panthers and the zone blitz stuff but I also remember it being said it takes time to understand the concepts and finding a NT for it wasn't easy to do.
Also the Rams were considered a scary 4-3 defense because of their investment in quality defensive linemen which is what is necessary for that defensive scheme to be successful. Considering last year when the Rams were running a 4-3 they still had to convert Barron a Safety to linebacker to fill one of those 3 roles should show you that we didn't have many. For Wade to come to a team with a surplus of good DL and a lack of LB's and then switch to a defense that deemphasizes the DL and needs a bunch of linebackers is mystifying. I would have hoped he would have looked at personnel designed a good 4-3 and then start collecting linebackers through FA and the draft to fulfill his dream 3-4 and switch once he has them. I will give Wade time but consider me concerned.
