Mark Barron on trying to earn respect in the NFL: “We’ll just take it”.

Mark Barron on trying to earn respect in the NFL: 'We'll just take it'

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Here are four takeaways from the Rams 35-30 victory over the Cowboys Defense makes big halftime adjustment Rams overcome Sammy Watkins’ disappearance Todd Gurley puts the game on ice Sean McVay remains patient with play calling

Entering this season, no one pegged the Rams as legitimate contenders. They had some of the worst odds to win the Super Bowl with Seattle being a near-unanimous selection to take home the NFC West crown.

Well, through four weeks, the Rams are among the best teams in the NFL and hold a one-game lead in the division. They boast the highest-scoring offense, the second-leading rusher and a quarterback with the third-highest passer rating in the NFL.

Yet, there are still plenty of people doubting the 3-1 Rams after they started with the same record last season. Mark Barron doesn’t seem to mind, though, saying they’ll simply take everyone’s respect if they can’t earn it.


Trumaine Johnson remembers starting 3-1 last season, as well, but this team has a different feeling to it. The offense has been explosive, and each of their three wins has been more impressive than the last.

He’s excited about the way Los Angeles has played, but he wants to remind his teammates to remember that it’s a long season.

“We’re 3-1, but I remember that feeling when we were 3-1 last year and we won one game of the 12 after that,” Johnson said, via ESPN “Be humble.”

Aaron Donald, who had nine quarterback pressures and a near-sack against the Cowboys, hasn’t experienced this level of optimism since he joined the Rams three years ago. The defense still has to get better, but Donald likes what he’s seen thus far.

“We keep playing like this, we’re going to do some special things,” Donald said.

Up next, the Rams will face the Seahawks, who just trounced the Colts by a score of 46-18. It’s the second real test Los Angeles will face this season, and if Sean McVay’s squad is able to knock off the defending NFC West champions, that respect will continue to come.