Ernest Jones in the top 100 NFL players. #97

Ernest Jones in the top 100 NFL players. #97 Do we have any linebackers that can cover a tight end? Because adding Myles Garrett didn't make us any better at that.https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244529#msg-1244529Tue, 18 Aug 2026 07:14:55 -0400 Phorum 5.2.18 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1245010#msg-1245010 Re: Good points, and stillhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1245010#msg-1245010

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leafnose
felt that the club was never upfront with EJ

He mostly held his tongue, and the club let it simmer, and linger.
He got a rich payday for sure.

Never got that concise sign that they would let him shop....off with a whimper.

We will never know what conversations Jones and the Rams had. The Rams have been exceptionally good about keeping their business out of the public view and that was certainly the case here.

I get the sense that you are putting the blame on the Rams for them parting ways with Jones and I don't know how you got there with the total absence of any evidence. (e.g., how did you conclude that the Rams weren't up front with Jones?)

What if ...

Jones: I'm looking for a 3 years, $33M extension and I'd like it signed before the season starts.

Rams: No, we're not doing that.

Jones: In that case, trade me.

That is, of course, and over simplification of what was likely a series of meetings, but if the two sides were that far apart and the Rams sensed that Jones was gonna pout for the season what else would you want the Rams to do?]]> AlbaNY_Ram RamsFootballFans.comThu, 02 Jul 2026 11:21:44 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244996#msg-1244996 Re: Good points, and stillhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244996#msg-1244996
He mostly held his tongue, and the club let it simmer, and linger.
He got a rich payday for sure.

Never got that concise sign that they would let him shop....off with a whimper.]]> leafnose RamsFootballFans.comThu, 02 Jul 2026 09:33:17 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244982#msg-1244982 Re: Ernest Jones in the top 100 NFL players. #97https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244982#msg-1244982

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MalibuRam
It is unfortunate they both eventually ended up playing for Seattle.

And winning another Super Bowl after knocking us out.]]> Classicalwit RamsFootballFans.comThu, 02 Jul 2026 01:57:40 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244677#msg-1244677 Re: Ernest Jones in the top 100 NFL players. #97https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244677#msg-1244677
However we do have Dolac who is a fairly good coverage LB in my opinion. But, let's see if he can out compete Speights and get a starting role.

Second however though is that usually we and most other teams cover the TEs with safeties, not LBs. And, I think Lake for example does so this job fairly well.]]> Singapore Ram RamsFootballFans.comFri, 26 Jun 2026 22:49:42 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244676#msg-1244676 Re: Ernest Jones in the top 100 NFL players. #97https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244676#msg-1244676

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kw13
Do we have any linebackers that can cover a tight end?

Because adding Myles Garrett didn't make us any better at that.

So the answer to my question is, Mo we can't cover a tight end like Kittle, correct?]]> kw13 RamsFootballFans.comFri, 26 Jun 2026 21:27:10 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244627#msg-1244627 Re: Ernest Jones knee... lest we forgethttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244627#msg-1244627 Singapore Ram RamsFootballFans.comFri, 26 Jun 2026 01:39:08 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244624#msg-1244624 Re: Ernest Jones knee... lest we forgethttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244624#msg-1244624
Tough to let a well-loked team leader go in a contract year because the tea leaves tell you he won't perform.

Like all here I liked Jones as a player and the sort of young blood leader the defense could rally around. I was sad to see him go. It must have been tough for McVay and Snead to make that decision.]]> mtramfan RamsFootballFans.comFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:11:44 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244619#msg-1244619 Re: Simplehttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244619#msg-1244619 Singapore Ram RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 22:03:49 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244618#msg-1244618 Re: Ernest Jones knee... lest we forgethttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244618#msg-1244618
So, not being sure about his rehab and having other priorities, Jones got left out of the Rams plans.]]> Singapore Ram RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 21:58:11 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244615#msg-1244615 Re: Really like Jones, and thought he earned a 2nd contracthttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244615#msg-1244615
There's only so much coin to go around. Jones got 3-years, $33M from the Seahawks. Is that what he was asking from the Rams? Or was it more than that?

Nothing was ever published that I can see and I'm wondering how you place the blame on the Rams without knowing what each side was putting on the table.

BTW, I was a big Jones fan when he was on the team - I wore his jersey to most of the games I went to. I wanted the Rams to extend him, but maybe he priced himself out of that opportunity.]]> AlbaNY_Ram RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 20:04:36 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244614#msg-1244614 Re: Really like Jones, and thought he earned a 2nd contracthttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244614#msg-1244614
Solid player, and I thought a good egg.
In this case, the Rams were not the good guys. Nowhere as bad as the Goff transaction, but not blemish free, either.]]> leafnose RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 19:34:10 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244609#msg-1244609 Ernest Jones contract... lest we forgethttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244609#msg-1244609www.espn.com]

To me it seems that keeping Jones could easily have become a locker room distraction. Would not getting the payday he thought he deserved affect his attitude?

On top of that, not playing because of the knee only lowers his value and diminishes his worth as he approached his 2nd contract. Would that have compounded his discontent?

I think the Rams saw a problem on the horizon and found a way to avoid it.]]> AlbaNY_Ram RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 18:41:08 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244608#msg-1244608 Will be four Rams in the top 10 - starting a little "argument"/problem?https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244608#msg-1244608
Four Rams in the top 10 - you forgot AD.]]> since68 RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 18:29:40 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244607#msg-1244607 Re: Ernest Jones knee... lest we forgethttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244607#msg-1244607
His rehab and return to the full-blown starter effectiveness he enjoyed prior to injury was unlikely for the popular player - putting the Rams coaching staff and GM between a rock and a harfd place. Keep him and bench him, even though he's a warrior who wants to play, and deal;with the outfall? You don't park a team captain who wnts to play on the bench. Not feasable.

When traded to Tennessee it looked like the Rams had made the hard but wise decision. What they got in return, at the time, seemed equitable. Joines didn't play much for the Titans - looked washed up when he did. The Rams did him a favor by trading him instead of cutting him, giving him a chance at a new start.Unfortunately, it didn't last long..

His long-term rehab didn't fully complete, and his return to utility as a playuer didn't occur until after he landed with the Seahawks - a scenario the Rams couldn't predict at the time of the trade.]]> mtramfan RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 18:28:01 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244581#msg-1244581 Re: Simplehttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244581#msg-1244581
I'm not sure how the rest of the league values the Lb position but I've always been disappointed that it's been neglected to some degree. But I'm feeling better now with Garret.]]> Coy Bacon RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 14:48:52 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244579#msg-1244579 My three Beagles..https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244579#msg-1244579 sstrams RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 14:08:01 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244578#msg-1244578 Pete Prisco now has a Top 100 listhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244578#msg-1244578 Shecky RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 13:45:04 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244576#msg-1244576 Nothing has changed with himhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244576#msg-1244576
What we are seeing here is a ranking driven by title team consensus. Everyone loves a winner. :ROTF]]> merlin RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 13:13:25 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244550#msg-1244550 Simplehttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244550#msg-1244550

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Singapore Ram

On this point, I've always wondered why we didn't keep Wagner around. We were only paying him an average salary and it was incentive heavy. He's still playing pretty well over in Washington.

The simple answer is that the Rams just don't value the LB position and they haven't for a very long time going all the way back to London Fletcher in Stl.

Agreed on Wagner. I wondered that too. Didn't he "want" out of LA?

We had some good lb's over the years and let a few of them get away. One of my fav's although not on the below list was Roman Phifer. Such a good dude and talented too.

Top Rams Linebackers in History:

Les Richter (1954–1962): Acquired in a blockbuster trade that sent 11 players to the Dallas Texans, Richter more than lived up to the hype. A legendary middle linebacker and kicker, he was a 6-time All-NFL selection and was selected to 8 consecutive Pro Bowls. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Kevin Greene (1985–1992): Drafted in the 5th round, Greene evolved into one of the most prolific pass rushers in NFL history. While he had incredible success across his entire career, his 72.5 sacks in a Rams uniform make him a terrifying outside linebacker. He was voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Isiah Robertson (1971–1978): A true ball hawk at outside linebacker, Robertson was an immediate standout who won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1971. He made 6 Pro Bowls during his time in Los Angeles and anchored a consistently elite 1970s Rams defense.

Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds (1970–1980): Known for his immense toughness and legendary workouts, Reynolds was the emotional and physical anchor of the Rams' defense throughout the 1970s. He helped lead the Rams to Super Bowl XIV and went to 2 Pro Bowls.

The most "celebrated" lb??? How about Mike Jones???

Some notable mentions not listed...

Carl Ekern
Mel Owens
Jack Pardee

Here's a good article talking about the Rams Top 15 LB's over the years...

Rams Top 15 LB's]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 07:46:58 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244549#msg-1244549 Re: Rated 46th of 88 LBers by PFF last yearhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244549#msg-1244549

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since68
He's been in the league for 5 years.

PFF has ranked him 32nd, 42nd, 13th, 54th and 46th, usually of about 85 LBers rated.
Not too good.
In 2025 PFF had Landman #30, Speights #34 and Jones #46.
All 3 seem similar to me - good vs the run, not to good in coverage.

The Rams, 49ers, etc, love to pick on Jones in coverage.
He is too slow to keep up with legit NFL RBs and TEs.
Somehow he got 6 balls to be thrown right at him or bounce to him last year ending up in 6 INTs - which probably got him on the list.
He had 2 INTs in the previous 3 seasons.
I would guess he reverts back to 0 or maybe 1 INT next year? and drops off the list.

He is good against the run for sure and doesn't miss many tackles.

If I was ranking the players in the NFL, he would not be #97 for sure . . . but then again, I am no NFL expert and that's just my opinion.
Whoever did this ranking obviously sees it differently.

I agree with PFF on this one. I think he is a middle of the pack ILB. In my opinion I think he had an attitude issue and somehow it blew up and so the Rams just said "thank you, here's the door." It seemed to me that his head got much bigger than his actual production. That's what I thought anyway. He was always middle of the pack for the ILB position. Yep, I agree also that Landman, Speights and Jones are all right around the same. We all love Landman because of the peanut punch highlights, but down in and down out he's nothing super special. Reliable yes, super-star no.

On this point, I've always wondered why we didn't keep Wagner around. We were only paying him an average salary and it was incentive heavy. He's still playing pretty well over in Washington.]]> Singapore Ram RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 07:29:19 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244536#msg-1244536 Rated 46th of 88 LBers by PFF last yearhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244536#msg-1244536
PFF has ranked him 32nd, 42nd, 13th, 54th and 46th, usually of about 85 LBers rated.
Not too good.
In 2025 PFF had Landman #30, Speights #34 and Jones #46.
All 3 seem similar to me - good vs the run, not to good in coverage.

The Rams, 49ers, etc, love to pick on Jones in coverage.
He is too slow to keep up with legit NFL RBs and TEs.
Somehow he got 6 balls to be thrown right at him or bounce to him last year ending up in 6 INTs - which probably got him on the list.
He had 2 INTs in the previous 3 seasons.
I would guess he reverts back to 0 or maybe 1 INT next year? and drops off the list.

He is good against the run for sure and doesn't miss many tackles.

If I was ranking the players in the NFL, he would not be #97 for sure . . . but then again, I am no NFL expert and that's just my opinion.
Whoever did this ranking obviously sees it differently.]]> since68 RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 04:01:24 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244532#msg-1244532 Re: Ernest Jones in the top 100 NFL players. #97https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244532#msg-1244532
The Rams cut their SB MVP too.

It is unfortunate they both eventually ended up playing for Seattle.]]> MalibuRam RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 00:16:23 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244531#msg-1244531 Re: Ernest Jones in the top 100 NFL players. #97https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244531#msg-1244531I don't think anyone here was happy giving him up for a warm 6=pack]]> ScRAM RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 00:03:22 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244529#msg-1244529 Ernest Jones in the top 100 NFL players. #97https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244529#msg-1244529
Because adding Myles Garrett didn't make us any better at that.]]> kw13 RamsFootballFans.comWed, 24 Jun 2026 23:25:57 -0400