Loved reading your post, Rock.
I’m in clear agreement with your assessment of our O and ST. Both are of SB caliber. As an aside, can you imagine what this O might accomplish if the D could become even top 10 status?
But our D has become a bit of an enigma to me. An example of the whole being less than the sum of it’s parts. Anti-synergistic, if there is such a word.
Opponents have exposed chink after chink in the D’s armor. The O has been able to overcome these mostly, with the exception of the Saints game, but it’s been far too close, lately. And the caliber of our playoff competition will be such that I’m not sure that the Ram D can withstand.
Let me put it this way. If someone had told me before opening day that the Rams would be averaging 33-35 points per game, I would have predicted an undefeated season ending with raising the Lombardi. THAT’S how much confidence I had in this D roster.
But after watching these guys play together for 10 games? I fear that we have position groups that simply aren’t good enough.
I love Wade. Just want to be clear about that. But I have to say that he seems to have made some miscalculations when assembling this D roster.
Suh impact
Brockers (seems to have largely disappeared)
Ebu
Longacre
Barron
Peters (jury still out but is MP a scheme fit?)
Joyner (can anybody explain his regression this year?)
Put another way, other than the obvious AD, and perhaps Littleton, is there a single D player that has exceeded expectations?
Man, I expected more from our D, and I don’t think I’m the only one.
My prediction for next offseason? Wade will remain because he’s having too much fun and he wants to “finish” his D before any thought of retirement.
But I do see significant turnover among D starters. Here are my likely goners as starters:
Suh
Ebu
Barron
Joyner
Unless Fowler earns an extension, there will be a 2nd opening outside, as well. That makes 4-5 new starters on D next year, a significant percentage, indeed.
I see a heavy emphasis on D through FA, trade, and the draft next offseason. The departures of Suh, Barron, and Joyner will provide some good cap relief for FA and trades. Draft will consist of BPA’s at DT, OLB, CB, S, and maybe ILB. Heck, that’s every position group, isn’t it? Lol.
It’s gonna be an “interesting” offseason, that’s for sure.
