Article: A Look Ahead at the Chris Shula Defense in LA, and How their Youth Movement Can Fuel Success
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Fountain of Youth
May 3, 2024
A Look Ahead at the Chris Shula Defense in LA, and How their Youth Movement Can Fuel Success
Young stars, key free agents and splash rookies are in Shula’s arsenal.
As the game clock expires, players in teal and orange raise their leader onto their shoulders in celebration. A Superbowl ring is a dream. Never losing en route to one is historic.
17-0. Perfection.
Don Shula’s 1972 Miami Dolphins team legacy will forever be perfection. For all their laurels, their defense that season was dubbed their “No-Name Defense”.
This monicker was given after their Superbowl loss the year prior. Their defense performed so poorly, that media headlines blasted them for performing as “a no-name defense”. Taking that to heart, they used that as a motivating chip on their shoulder, boosting that 1972 team towards perfection.
Funny, what’s that phrase? “The apple doesn’t fall far from the coaching tree”?
No, we aren’t predicting a Rams perfect season now with Don’s grandson, Chris Shula, at defensive coordinator. However, Chris Shula was integral to the success of the 2023 Rams defense; whose preseason narrative was that besides Aaron Donald, this too was a “no-name defense”.
Now, armed with budding young stars, key free agents to bolster the secondary and a talented draft class; Chris Shula has the opportunity to take his own chip on his shoulder and turn it into a successful coordinator debut in 2024.
Creating His Own Legacy
Being the grandson of the winningest head coach in NFL history comes with some pressure.
That pressure and potential criticism used to make Chris Shula not even want to mention his last name when meeting people. The concept of nepotism in the NFL can tarnish your reputation with your players.1 Shula was able to take this as motivation to work even harder, to prove he earns every position in his career. Like many coaches in the NFL, climbed position by position before earning his new role as Defensive Coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
What he does bring from his family’s coaching tree, is the lessons learned about being accountable as a coach. Accountability to be prepared, “leaving no stone unturned” in making them confident every time they take the field. Nice sentiment, this is also backed up by the performances of the players under his direction during his time in LA.
His coaching hand has helped players reach career highs, examples:
2020: Outside Linebackers Coach – Leonard Floyd has 10.5 sacks.
2021: Linebackers Coach – Dante Fowler Jr. has 11.5 sacks.
2023: Pass Rush Coordinator & LB’s – Ernest Jones sets franchise record with 145 tackles.
Shula has shown the ability to develop players regardless of their experience, maximizing their potential within the defense. Why are we highlighting this? Because as we enter the Shula era, this trait will be the most important if the defensive unit is to experience success.
Youth Movement: Developing Rookies vs. Splash Free Agents
Under Raheem Morris (’21-’23) the Rams focalized their unit around Aaron Donald and implanted All-Pros at each level of the defense. In 2021 this approach earned a championship with Jalen Ramsey in the secondary, and Von Miller at linebacker. Their big names were supported by a mixture of young role players or veterans still looking to trancend to their own stardom. We’ll call it a “Big Name & Company” approach.
In ’22, a historic Superbowl hangover that resulted in Ramsey’s departure plus others alerted a rebuild of the roster. Just 2 years later, the defense appeared to be Aaron Donald…and a lot of rookies & backups. Preseason reports were scathing, to say the least.2
However, the coaching and development provided by Morris and assistants like Shula, were greatly overlooked.
In 2023, the landscape completely changed. The focus was now going to be: Find young leaders, and help them dominate quickly. This ushered the emergence of rookie stars Kobie Turner and Byron Young, and the growth of 2nd year starter Quentin Lake & the huge leap by Ernest Jones.
Done partly out of necessity. A cap-strapped Rams front office had to flex into success without being able to spend on big name free agents as they had in previous years.
This Donald + youngin’ defense seen as a bunch of “no names”, helped LA to a playoff berth. Though middle of the pack in yards allowed per game (20th) and points per game (19th), their youthful energy was translated through their aggressiveness: ranking 8th & 3rd in blitzing rate on 3rd/4th down, respectively.
So, in just 2 short years, the identity has changed. The Rams defense is now looking to thrive off talented young guys in the front 7, while still acquiring carefully selected veterans to bolster the also young secondary. We can look at who these key contributors are, by posing three questions that will be answered in Shula’s first year:
1. Will the STAR position be a major factor in this defense?
2. What is the ceiling for middle backer Ernest Jones?
3. Can the edge combo of Young & Verse dominate?
From this point on, the article will be extremely nerdy and hopefully technical. Advance if you wish.
1. STAR: Quentin Lake’s Time to Shine
The STAR position can be viewed as a hybrid linebacker/DB/safety position. Used in passing especially when using a 3-down formation. The position calls for “short space quickness” and “increased toughness”3. This gives the defense the flexibility to have speed to cover the pass from the slot, while having the size to give run support.
For LA, Quentin Lake saw success here as last season progressed.
I’m a very vocal fan of Q. He’s vocally talked about how he feels comfortable in this role,.4 and I believe that should continue. He’s 6’1″ & 201lbs, making him the prototypical size for this position. Plus, his rookie scouting report highlights his strengths, which are critical for the STAR: “showing good understanding of route progressions…” & “gives up his body in run support”.
Here’s one play from week 16 vs. New Orleans that shows that flexibility Lake gives the defense at STAR.
Lake (highlighted) has the size and speed to allow 3 options to Shula:
Option 1: Have speed to cover the WR
Option 2: Support the run
Option 3: Blitz
The inside man motions across the formation pre-snap (red arrow).
Whether a predetermined call, or adjustment because of the motion: Lake takes option 3, BLITZ. His size and speed collapses the blocking RB, the result is a rushed pass, incomplete Saints.
2. Ernest Jones becomes an All-Pro
Ernest Jones’ rise in LA over his first three seasons needs to be talked about more. Since his rookie year he’s progressed and earned the right to not only be the unquestioned starting middle linebacker, but team captain.
His hard work translated on the stat sheet, racking up a franchise record 145 tackles.
Jones will come into 2024 as the unquestioned leader of this defense, and will be the supporting pillar of the defense. Shula has worked closely with Jones the past two seasons as his LB coach, so applause for assisting in his development. Look for Jones to be an annexation of Shula on the field as they grow their defense.
The middle linebacker position also is the Rams’ biggest perceived dropoff in ability and leadership of all the position groups. So let’s stay positive. It’s as simple as that: the 4th year vet can cement himself in Rams history with his first All-Pro season.
3. Byron Young & Jared Verse: Edge of Success
This is where this article comes full circle. From the change in how this defense is built personnel-wise, to the type of coach Shula might be: I believe the final piece to the Rams’ title chance is Byron Young & Jared Verse.
That’s a lot to ask of not just 1st round pick Verse, but also 2nd year standout Young. Hell, its pressure for the entire defensive line now that Donald is retired.
Championship teams typically have one trait in common: ability to pressure the QB consistently. Though Sean McVay knows you can never replace a Hall of Famer, you sure can work to “rush as one whether we’re bring 4, 5 or 6 guys”.
Those 4 or 5 guys will be spear-headed by the “thunder & lightning” attack of these two as edge rushers. Both extremely athletic, Verse known for his strength, while Young for his speed had 8 sacks as a rookie. Young showed progress all season, and having a full offseason under Shula should open up his pass rush ability further.
Young flashes on film not just with his raw ability, but with his eyes. His play recognition is great. This allows to him sit and set the edge on runs and the playaction, then can close on the ball with his elite speed. That combination makes us extremely excited about his potential.
THE VISION
This section is purely opinionated. Now there are obviously others that will contribute over the year (Kinchens, Curl, Durant, Williams, Fiske, etc.) but the players listed above are who I think are the most critical to the Rams’ success in 2024.
To conclude what I believe is the vision for Shula as DC:
-Continue the momentum from the youthful energy provided by the ’23 draftee leaders
-Attack with an athletic/young front
-Utilize veteran free agents in the secondary to supplement a high blitz rate
-Lean on pillar Ernest Jones to make another leap to All-Pro
-Develop the ’24 Draft Class to have an immediate impact
If this plan holds true, look out for the Shula Era Rams defense to make some noise in 2024.
#HelmetHornsMatter
“Well, the color is good, I like the metallic blue,” Youngblood recently said while laughing, via NFL Journal. “The horn is terrible. It looks like a ‘C.’ When I first saw it on the logo I honestly thought it was a Charger logo.
“Now when I see it on the helmet, it just isn’t a ram horn. There is no distinct curl like a mature ram horn. I don’t know how the Rams could get that wrong. That is your symbol and it has been for what? Seventy years or more? Longer than I have been alive? It’s just not us, it’s not the Rams.”---Mr. Ram Jack Youngblood
Fountain of Youth
May 3, 2024
A Look Ahead at the Chris Shula Defense in LA, and How their Youth Movement Can Fuel Success
Young stars, key free agents and splash rookies are in Shula’s arsenal.
As the game clock expires, players in teal and orange raise their leader onto their shoulders in celebration. A Superbowl ring is a dream. Never losing en route to one is historic.
17-0. Perfection.
Don Shula’s 1972 Miami Dolphins team legacy will forever be perfection. For all their laurels, their defense that season was dubbed their “No-Name Defense”.
This monicker was given after their Superbowl loss the year prior. Their defense performed so poorly, that media headlines blasted them for performing as “a no-name defense”. Taking that to heart, they used that as a motivating chip on their shoulder, boosting that 1972 team towards perfection.
Funny, what’s that phrase? “The apple doesn’t fall far from the coaching tree”?
No, we aren’t predicting a Rams perfect season now with Don’s grandson, Chris Shula, at defensive coordinator. However, Chris Shula was integral to the success of the 2023 Rams defense; whose preseason narrative was that besides Aaron Donald, this too was a “no-name defense”.
Now, armed with budding young stars, key free agents to bolster the secondary and a talented draft class; Chris Shula has the opportunity to take his own chip on his shoulder and turn it into a successful coordinator debut in 2024.
Creating His Own Legacy
Being the grandson of the winningest head coach in NFL history comes with some pressure.
That pressure and potential criticism used to make Chris Shula not even want to mention his last name when meeting people. The concept of nepotism in the NFL can tarnish your reputation with your players.1 Shula was able to take this as motivation to work even harder, to prove he earns every position in his career. Like many coaches in the NFL, climbed position by position before earning his new role as Defensive Coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
What he does bring from his family’s coaching tree, is the lessons learned about being accountable as a coach. Accountability to be prepared, “leaving no stone unturned” in making them confident every time they take the field. Nice sentiment, this is also backed up by the performances of the players under his direction during his time in LA.
His coaching hand has helped players reach career highs, examples:
2020: Outside Linebackers Coach – Leonard Floyd has 10.5 sacks.
2021: Linebackers Coach – Dante Fowler Jr. has 11.5 sacks.
2023: Pass Rush Coordinator & LB’s – Ernest Jones sets franchise record with 145 tackles.
Shula has shown the ability to develop players regardless of their experience, maximizing their potential within the defense. Why are we highlighting this? Because as we enter the Shula era, this trait will be the most important if the defensive unit is to experience success.
Youth Movement: Developing Rookies vs. Splash Free Agents
Under Raheem Morris (’21-’23) the Rams focalized their unit around Aaron Donald and implanted All-Pros at each level of the defense. In 2021 this approach earned a championship with Jalen Ramsey in the secondary, and Von Miller at linebacker. Their big names were supported by a mixture of young role players or veterans still looking to trancend to their own stardom. We’ll call it a “Big Name & Company” approach.
In ’22, a historic Superbowl hangover that resulted in Ramsey’s departure plus others alerted a rebuild of the roster. Just 2 years later, the defense appeared to be Aaron Donald…and a lot of rookies & backups. Preseason reports were scathing, to say the least.2
However, the coaching and development provided by Morris and assistants like Shula, were greatly overlooked.
In 2023, the landscape completely changed. The focus was now going to be: Find young leaders, and help them dominate quickly. This ushered the emergence of rookie stars Kobie Turner and Byron Young, and the growth of 2nd year starter Quentin Lake & the huge leap by Ernest Jones.
Done partly out of necessity. A cap-strapped Rams front office had to flex into success without being able to spend on big name free agents as they had in previous years.
This Donald + youngin’ defense seen as a bunch of “no names”, helped LA to a playoff berth. Though middle of the pack in yards allowed per game (20th) and points per game (19th), their youthful energy was translated through their aggressiveness: ranking 8th & 3rd in blitzing rate on 3rd/4th down, respectively.
So, in just 2 short years, the identity has changed. The Rams defense is now looking to thrive off talented young guys in the front 7, while still acquiring carefully selected veterans to bolster the also young secondary. We can look at who these key contributors are, by posing three questions that will be answered in Shula’s first year:
1. Will the STAR position be a major factor in this defense?
2. What is the ceiling for middle backer Ernest Jones?
3. Can the edge combo of Young & Verse dominate?
From this point on, the article will be extremely nerdy and hopefully technical. Advance if you wish.
1. STAR: Quentin Lake’s Time to Shine
The STAR position can be viewed as a hybrid linebacker/DB/safety position. Used in passing especially when using a 3-down formation. The position calls for “short space quickness” and “increased toughness”3. This gives the defense the flexibility to have speed to cover the pass from the slot, while having the size to give run support.
For LA, Quentin Lake saw success here as last season progressed.
I’m a very vocal fan of Q. He’s vocally talked about how he feels comfortable in this role,.4 and I believe that should continue. He’s 6’1″ & 201lbs, making him the prototypical size for this position. Plus, his rookie scouting report highlights his strengths, which are critical for the STAR: “showing good understanding of route progressions…” & “gives up his body in run support”.
Here’s one play from week 16 vs. New Orleans that shows that flexibility Lake gives the defense at STAR.
Lake (highlighted) has the size and speed to allow 3 options to Shula:
Option 1: Have speed to cover the WR
Option 2: Support the run
Option 3: Blitz
The inside man motions across the formation pre-snap (red arrow).
Whether a predetermined call, or adjustment because of the motion: Lake takes option 3, BLITZ. His size and speed collapses the blocking RB, the result is a rushed pass, incomplete Saints.
2. Ernest Jones becomes an All-Pro
Ernest Jones’ rise in LA over his first three seasons needs to be talked about more. Since his rookie year he’s progressed and earned the right to not only be the unquestioned starting middle linebacker, but team captain.
His hard work translated on the stat sheet, racking up a franchise record 145 tackles.
Jones will come into 2024 as the unquestioned leader of this defense, and will be the supporting pillar of the defense. Shula has worked closely with Jones the past two seasons as his LB coach, so applause for assisting in his development. Look for Jones to be an annexation of Shula on the field as they grow their defense.
The middle linebacker position also is the Rams’ biggest perceived dropoff in ability and leadership of all the position groups. So let’s stay positive. It’s as simple as that: the 4th year vet can cement himself in Rams history with his first All-Pro season.
3. Byron Young & Jared Verse: Edge of Success
This is where this article comes full circle. From the change in how this defense is built personnel-wise, to the type of coach Shula might be: I believe the final piece to the Rams’ title chance is Byron Young & Jared Verse.
That’s a lot to ask of not just 1st round pick Verse, but also 2nd year standout Young. Hell, its pressure for the entire defensive line now that Donald is retired.
Championship teams typically have one trait in common: ability to pressure the QB consistently. Though Sean McVay knows you can never replace a Hall of Famer, you sure can work to “rush as one whether we’re bring 4, 5 or 6 guys”.
Those 4 or 5 guys will be spear-headed by the “thunder & lightning” attack of these two as edge rushers. Both extremely athletic, Verse known for his strength, while Young for his speed had 8 sacks as a rookie. Young showed progress all season, and having a full offseason under Shula should open up his pass rush ability further.
Young flashes on film not just with his raw ability, but with his eyes. His play recognition is great. This allows to him sit and set the edge on runs and the playaction, then can close on the ball with his elite speed. That combination makes us extremely excited about his potential.
THE VISION
This section is purely opinionated. Now there are obviously others that will contribute over the year (Kinchens, Curl, Durant, Williams, Fiske, etc.) but the players listed above are who I think are the most critical to the Rams’ success in 2024.
To conclude what I believe is the vision for Shula as DC:
-Continue the momentum from the youthful energy provided by the ’23 draftee leaders
-Attack with an athletic/young front
-Utilize veteran free agents in the secondary to supplement a high blitz rate
-Lean on pillar Ernest Jones to make another leap to All-Pro
-Develop the ’24 Draft Class to have an immediate impact
If this plan holds true, look out for the Shula Era Rams defense to make some noise in 2024.
#HelmetHornsMatter
“Well, the color is good, I like the metallic blue,” Youngblood recently said while laughing, via NFL Journal. “The horn is terrible. It looks like a ‘C.’ When I first saw it on the logo I honestly thought it was a Charger logo.
“Now when I see it on the helmet, it just isn’t a ram horn. There is no distinct curl like a mature ram horn. I don’t know how the Rams could get that wrong. That is your symbol and it has been for what? Seventy years or more? Longer than I have been alive? It’s just not us, it’s not the Rams.”---Mr. Ram Jack Youngblood
| Subject | Author | Views | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ramsdude | 220 | May 04, 2024 08:14AM |
| Rams43 | 66 | May 04, 2024 08:24AM |
| Ramsdude | 44 | May 04, 2024 08:35AM |
| den-the-coach | 64 | May 04, 2024 08:48AM |
| BerendsenRam | 60 | May 04, 2024 08:57AM |
