Los Angeles Rams 2018 "Defensive Personnel"

LA RAMS 2018 "Defensive Personnel"


The new NFL season is about to "kick-off" and even though it's a little bit later than usual, I decided it was time to release my annual roster presentations. With all of the Rams big name "Pro Bowl" acquisitions, moving roster parts, and their front office finally agreeing to a contract extension that locked up future "Hall of Fame" DT Aaron Donald, it was an obvious choice to release the "Defensive Personnel" first.

There will be some more subtle tweaks and changes but for now, this is what we have to go on and I've listed all the current defensive players that survived the first 53 man roster release.

We all remember how the 2017 Rams defense showed chinks in their armor throughout the regular season. The starting defensive personnel and backup depth simply was not talented enough to make a deep playoff run.

After ending their long grueling 13 year playoff drought, I think it's fair to assume that most of us fans believed the Rams roster as a whole was still talented enough to get a wild-card victory at home vs Atlanta.

No cigar, as the offense sputtered combined with special teams miscues, a tired worn down Rams defense eventually crumbled in the second half.

Of course there were other reasons to blame for the loss. Maybe coach McVay abandoned the run to soon? Early in the game Jared Goff was off the mark with his slow start. Those special teams blunders by all-pro returner Pharoh Cooper were paramount.

Aside from our personal opinions, the Rams defense got exposed in their quick exit from the wild-card round. The overall starting personnel on the 2017 defense and lack of quality depth, was not good enough to carry the team on a day when the offense and special teams struggled.

The current group of players on the Rams 2018 roster won't be as easily forgiven should they stay relatively healthy for the duration of the upcoming season. This unit as a whole has too much talent on paper to be a one and done playoff contender. There are still some question marks but they won't be answered until this squad gets a couple of games under their belts.

The off-season defensive roster pieces assembled by Les Snead and company, gives the Rams a real opportunity to field a unique special defensive group. If they trust in each other and gel like some of us believe they will, there is no reason they should'nt live up to their hype.

Like many of you wise Rams fans, I have faith they will stay the course and follow the guidance of their legendary oldschool, modern day DC. Wade Phillips has been given the players he needed to mold a championship caliber defense.


“He still dominates the people he plays. Let’s just say he Ndominates people.” “We’re going to do him the same as we do Donald,” Phillips said, referring to Suh. “When you get a great player, that’s what you do. He’s a good match up in most situations and he’s smart, too. Like J.J. Watt, it was the same thing with him. We could move J.J. around a lot, but he was also smart enough to know how to play it when he was moved around. Ndamukong, we’re going to move him around, sure.”

“Marcus Peters, a couple plays last year, he’s playing man-to-man, and they throw it to another player and he intercepts it. That’s what I’m talking about. ‘No, you cover your man.’ Well, if you intercept it when they throw it to somebody else, that’s great. So those are the kinds of guys they are.”

"We're going to have personality now. You bring in Aqib Talib, you're going to have personality," "It's not manage though. I don't manage players, I don't handle players, I just work with players. "I want them to have personalities. A lot of them are really good because of their personalities, they're confident in themselves."

This off-season bonanza by the Rams has garnered them the "all in" Super Bowl or bust label. Many pundits inside NFL media circles have speculated this team might implode when adversity comes knocking at their door. With all of the star studded hype that they've gotten, this team will constantly be under the media microscope and is one of the top 5 most anticipated NFL teams to follow in 2018.

Regardless of what the NFL media or any of us fans believe, this has been one crazy facinating off-season. There is a buzz around the Rams that has been an absolute joy for several of us fans that hold the team close to our hearts.

The reality of professional football reminds us there are no guarantees that this team will perform the way Les Snead, Sean McVay and Wade Phillips have visioned it. We all have our own visions and this should be one incredible and memorable ride for us Rams fans.


2017 LA Rams Defensive Stats


DEFENSE
AVG Points Per Game 20.6 Rank #12
Total Yards Per Game 339.5 Rank #19
AVG Yards Per Play 5.3 Rank #18
3rd Down Conversion 37.8% Rank #14
Takeaways Fumbles/Int's (28) Rank #5
Total Team Sacks (48) Rank #4

Rush Yards Per Game 122.3 Rank #28
AVG Yards Per Rush 4.7 Rank #30
Pass Yards Per Game 217.2 Rank #13
AVG Yards Per Pass 6.3 Rank #10
Total Interceptions (18) Rank #6
Total Fumble recoveries (10) Rank #11
Red Zone Scoring (TD's only) 58.7% Rank #24





Rams 2018 Roster Preview "Defensive Personnel"



NFL Offenses Are Going To Get A



2018 Rams "OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS" (edge)

OLB #96 Matt LONGACRE 6'3 265 (AGE 26)

2017 Total Snaps 469) Tackles+Assists 23) Sacks 5.5) FF 1) INT 0

Summary: 2017 Fourth-year pro has played in 25 games & set career highs in sacks in 2017 with 5.5 and tackles 23. vs Indianapolis recorded his first career sack with one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and one pass defensed. at San Francisco registered three tackles (two solo), including one for loss & notched one sack and one quarterback hit. vs Seattle collected three tackles (two solo), including one for a loss along with three quarterback hits and 1.0 sack.

vs Arizona recorded two solo tackles, tallied first career forced fumble and registered his fourth sack of the season. vs Houston notched two tackles (one solo), two quarterback hits and one fumble recovery. at Arizona registered two solo tackles, including one tackle for loss, one sack and two quarterback hits. at Seattle recorded one tackle and combined with Michael Brockers for a sack & added one quarterback hit.


OLB #50 Samson EBUKAM 6'3 245 (AGE 23)

2017 Total Snaps 611) Tackles+Assists 31) Sacks 2) FF 1) INT 0

Summary: 2017 Played in all 16 games and made two starts & collected nine tackles on special teams. vs Houston earned his first career sack on Texans QB Tom Savage and caused him to fumble. Also had one solo tackle and one hit on the quarterback. vs New Orleans recorded two tackles (one solo), including one for loss with one sack. at Arizona Made his first career start at outside linebacker & notched a season-high seven tackles (three solo). vs Philadelphia saw action on defense and on special acquiring seven tackles (three solo).


OLB #91 Dominque EASLEY 6'2 273 (AGE 26)

2017 (ACL placed on IR 8/3/17)
2016 Total Snaps 494) Tackles+Assists 35) Sacks 3.5) FF 2) INT 0

Summary: Easley, a career defensive lineman, is getting a look at outside linebacker for a unit in need of players who can set the edge and rush the passer. Saturday, in his first game since the 2016 season, Easley showed he might be a viable option for a team with designs on a Super Bowl run. He played in rotation with Matt Longacre against Houston and disrupted several plays.

“It was great just to be out on the field again, just getting back with the guys,” Easley said Monday. “So it was just an all-around great experience.” The 6-foot-2, 263-pound Easley came off the physically-unable-to-perform list early last week. He is acclimating to a role that defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said could reduce the wear and tear Easley absorbed as a lineman.
[www.latimes.com]


OLB #62 Justin LAWLER 6'4 265 (AGE 23)

College: Tackles+Assists 226) Sacks 20.5) Tackles For Loss 40.5) FF 4) INT 0

Summary: The nation’s top-graded edge defender last season with a 91.0 overall grade, Lawler’s projection represents a classic battle between production and athleticism. He notched nine sacks, 12 QB hits and 36 hurries on 336 pass-rush grades while doing an excellent job against the run. He plays with power on his way to the quarterback, attacking offensive linemen with a variety of pass-rush moves.

The lack of athleticism does show up on tape as he was unable to turn quick pressures into sacks, but when it comes down to it, winning blocks and at least creating pressure is more valuable than not winning at all. Lawler’s low pad level and strong technique give him a chance to succeed at the next level
[www.profootballfocus.com]


OLB #49 Trevon YOUNG 6'4 259 (AGE 23)

College: Tackles+Assists 101) Sacks 14.0) Tackles For Loss 24.0) FF 2) INT 1

Summary: College: Appeared in 13 games, making 12 starts & had eight games with five or more tackles. Finished the season with a career-high 62 tackles and notched 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Named the recipient of the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award, bestowed to the ‘most courageous’ football player in the conference. Medical red-shirt for the 2016 campaign. In 2015 he notched a career best 8.5 sacks.


OLB #45 Ogbonnia OKORONKWO 6'1 253 (AGE 23)

College: Tackles+Assists 162) Sacks 21) Tackles For Loss 33) FF 5) INT 0 (PUP List)

Summary: (Foot Injury) It appears Okoronkwo will start his 2018 NFL rookie season on the PUP list. He will miss the first six games of the regular season but can return to the teams active roster if he's medically cleared. He recorded 21 career sacks to rank second in Oklahoma University history by a linebacker and tied for seventh overall. In 2017, Obo was named the co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 by the league’s coaches.


2018 Rams "INSIDE LINEBACKERS" (middle)

ILB #26 Mark BARRON 6'2 230 (AGE 28)

2017 Total Snaps 827) Tackles+Assists 86) Sacks 1) FF 0) INT 3

Summary: Seventh-year pro joined the Rams in 2014 and has played in 92 games with 81 starts. Has 568 career tackles (440 solo), including 8.0 sacks and eight interceptions. For his career he's complied 37 pass breakups and forced four fumbles. Shortly after the 2017 NFL season ended, Rams linebacker Mark Barron underwent shoulder surgery. A month later, doctors removed bone spurs from his left heel.

Despite playing much of the season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder and bone spurs in both heels, he became one of the defense’s top playmakers. He intercepted three passes. “I was playing through injuries the whole year and still performed well, but it’s always in the back of your mind: How would I be able to perform if I felt 100%.” “We’re in a great position to make a Super Bowl run,” he said. “When Mark gets back, I know he’s a leader,” Phillips said. [www.latimes.com]


ILB #58 Corry LITTLETON 6'3 228 (AGE 24)

2017 Total Snaps 645) Tackles+Assists 36) Sacks 1) FF 1) INT 1

Summary: Third-year pro, has played in all 32 regular season games since joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2016. In 2017 he played in all 16 games with four starts and played in one postseason contest. On a star-studded Rams defense, Cory Littleton quietly finds a role. Now as the Rams prepare for the 2018 season, Littleton, 24, has gone from an undrafted player to a starter at inside linebacker.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Littleton arrived at the training facility for the off season program having gained about 10 pounds, and it was then that coaches notified him that he would be switched from the "Mo" linebacker, the weak side linebacker in a 3-4, to "Mike," or the strong side. "There isn't a whole lot of difference," Phillips said of the transition between positions.

"He's done a good job of relaying the signals," Phillips said. "You know, it's harder for inside linebackers in the running game to show themselves with no pads on. He's obviously got coverage skills, and he actually can rush the passer really well from inside, so those are the kind of two things he's doing well, and I think he holds up in the run game too." [www.espn.com]


ILB #54 Bryce HAGER 6'1 237 (AGE 26)

2017 Total Snaps 467) Tackles+Assists 12) Sacks 0) FF 1) INT 0

Summary: 2017 played in all 16 games of the regular season and one postseason contest. Got limited action at linebacker but was a key contributor on special teams. at Arizona saw action at linebacker & recorded four tackles (one solo), one pass defensed. vs San Francisco started at linebacker notching (four solo) tackles. vs Atlanta saw action at linebacker and recorded one tackle.


ILB #54 Ramik WILSON 6'2 238 (AGE 26)

2017 Total Snaps 201) Tackles+Assists 16) Sacks 0) FF 0) INT 0

Summary: 2017 played in eight games with four starts. Had 16 tackles (14 solo) with three tackles for loss. vs Philadelphia collected four tackles (four solo) with two tackles for loss. At Chargers recorded three tackles (three solo) one tackle for loss. at Denver posted a season-high eight tackles (seven solo) and returned one fumble 11 yards. Ramik Wilson faired better in 2016 when he started 11 games collecting 76 tackles (61 solo) a forced fumble and snatching one interception.


ILB #54 Micah KISER 6'2 244 (AGE 23)

College: Tackles+Assists 405) Sacks 19) Tackles For Loss 33.5) FF 8) INT 1

Summary: Finished career ranked fifth all-time at Virginia with 405 career tackles. Kiser is the second player in ACC history to lead the league in tackles for three consecutive seasons. As a senior in 2017, was named Sporting News All-American first-team. NFL preseason at New Orleans, finished with a game-high 12 tackles, four (solo).


"OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS" Summary

1) OLB #96 LONGACRE 6'3 265 (26) If his back stays healthy, he could have a career year
2) OLB #50 S.EBUKAM 6'3 245 (23) Still has a lot to prove & looked avg in 2018 preseason
3) OLB #91 D.EASLEY 6'2 273 (26) Can he stay off the IR? if so he could wreck havoc at OLB
4) OLB #53 J.LAWLER 6'4 265 (23) Rookie flashed in preseason & will be given his chances
5) OLB #49 T.YOUNG 6'4 259 (23) Underdog made the roster, will he stay on the 53 all year?
6) OLB #45 OKORONKWO 6'1 253 (23) Could be a (mid-season) addition & "Surge" to the pass rush

"INSIDE LINEBACKERS" Summary

1) ILB #26 M.BARRON 6'2 230 (28) Vet LB should be healed from surgeries, He's a pro's pro
2) ILB #58 LITTLETON 6'3 228 (24) 2016 UDFA has been given the keys to quarterback the defense
3) ILB #54 B.HAGER 6'1 237 (26) Blue collar player & SP teams value made him a roster keeper
4) ILB #52 R.WILSON 6'2 238 (26) F/A castoff is depth & should get a chance to contribute
5) ILB #59 M.KISER 6'2 244 (23) Rookie tackling machine earned himself a roster spot


2018 Rams "DEFENSIVE LINEMAN"

DL #99 Aaron DONALD 6'1 280 (AGE 27)

2017 Total Snaps 861) Tackles+Assists 41) Sacks 11) FF 5) INT 0)

Summary: Earned All-Pro and PFWA All-NFL Team honors in 2015, 16 and 17. Has started 58-of-62 career games on the defensive line for the Rams. Donald is the first Rams defender to be named Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year following the 2017 season.

He's collected 205 career tackles (148 solo), including 39 sacks and 9 forced fumbles. The Rams signed Donald to a six-year contract extension worth $135 million with $87 million guaranteed. He received a $40 million signing bonus and is under contract for seven years at $141 million

Eagles (Center) Jason Kelce: “What Aaron Donald’s doing in L.A. right now is second to none. I mean, that dude is so impressive. The best guys have it all. Aaron Donald is one of those guys that has every aspect. He’s smart, he’s explosive, he’s competitive, he’s giving effort every single play and he’s powerful. So I mean, the guy has no weaknesses and that’s a frustrating thing for an offensive lineman to go up against.”


DL #93 Ndamukong SUH 6'4 313 (AGE 31)

2017 Total Snaps 894) Tackles+Assists 48) Sacks 4.5) FF 2) INT 0

Summary: 3 time First-Team All-Pro. Five time Pro Bowler. 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Leads all active interior defensive linemen with 55 tackles for loss. Suh's 51.5 sacks rank second among all defensive tackles. Ndamukong has started 99 consecutive games from 2010-17, the longest active streak among NFL defensive tackles.

Suh joins an already-talented defensive line featuring 2017 Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. And the 6-foot-4, 313-pound veteran is ready to put in work. “We’re in pretty good shape on paper, but we have a lot of things to improve on, really myself I always play with a chip on a shoulder and that’s kinda my focus is to come in here and put in a lot of work and make sure I prove my worth,” said Suh...


DL #90 Michael BROCKERS 6'5 305 (AGE 27)

2017 Total Snaps 810) Tackles+Assists 55) Sacks 4.5) FF 0) INT 0

Summary: 7th-year pro has played in 91 career games with 89 starts. Has 227 career tackles (162 solo), with 19.0 sacks. 2017 played in 15 regular season games, finished fifth on the team in tackles with 55. “It was just like all of a sudden it’s seven years in and I’m one of the older guys. So, now by nature, I have to set a good example for some of the younger guys that are in the group.”

Brockers isn’t the only “older guy” of the defensive line group. Los Angeles also signed star veteran DT Ndamukong Suh during late in free agency. Brockers said working with Suh during the off-season program was “awesome.” “He’s a smart guy. You hear all the tabloids about him, being mean, tough,” Brockers said. “If you get to know him, sit down and really just get to know him as a person, everybody enjoys him. He’s a great guy to be around, a great guy to come into this building with.”


DL #98 Ethan WESTBROOKS 6'4 287 (AGE 27)

2017 Total Snaps 344) Tackles+Assists 23) Sacks 4) FF 0) INT 0

Summary: Fifth-year pro has played in 51 games, starting eight at defensive end and notching his share of snaps in the the defensive line rotation as a DT tackle (interior) position. For his career he's collected 71 tackles (48 solo) with 8 sacks and one defensive touchdown. 2017 finished the regular season with 23 tackles (14 solo) and 4 sacks. Notched seven tackles for loss and one pass defensed. Westbrooks has been a solid reserve player on the Rams defensive line rotation.


DL #93 John Franklin MEYERS 6'4 288 (AGE 21)

College: Tackles+Assists 130) Sacks 17.5) Tackles For Loss 37.5) FF 5) INT 0

Summary:Completed his collegiate career fifth on Stephen F. Austin’s all-time career tackles for loss list with 37.5 over four seasons. Ninth in program history with (17.5) sacks. Collected 130 total tackles in four seasons, including 70 solo stops. Forced five fumbles and had 22 quarterback hurries throughout his career. Named to the 2018 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society for maintaining a 3.2 GPA or better throughout his collegiate career.


DL #92 Tanzel SMART 6'1 295 (AGE 23)

2017 Total Snaps 338) Tackles+Assists 14) Sacks 0) FF 0) INT 0

Summary: Second-year pro, has played in all 16 regular season games and one post season contest since being drafted. 2017 finished the regular season with 14 tackles (9 solo), one pass defensed and one quarterback hit. vs Indianapolis recorded two tackles and contributed one pass defensed in his first NFL action. vs San Francisco notched 2 tackles (two solo).


DL #69 Sebastian JOSEPH-DAY 6'4 310 (AGE 23)

College: Tackles+Assists 90) Sacks 3.5) Tackles For Loss 14.5) FF 2) INT 0

Summary: Fifth-year senior played in 50 career games overall, including 49 consecutive to end career. 2017 started all 12 games at nose tackle. Split the Homer Hazel Award for the team’s MVP. Named to the Academic All-Big Ten list for the third-straight year. Honored as the team’s recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. Collected 41 tackles with 4.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass batted down, one forced fumble one blocked field goal. As a junior, played in 12 games with 11 starts. Notched 30 tackles on the season with 3.5 for loss and 1 sack.

"DEFENSIVE LINEMAN" Summary

1)DL #99 A.DONALD 6'1 280 (27) Future Hall of Fame DT is now getting paid like one
2)DL #93 Ndam.SUH 6'4 313 (31) Vet DT is still a formidable Beast & wants a SB ring
3)DL #90 BROCKERS 6'5 305 (27) A leader, key component & sturdy brick wall of the DL
4)DL #98 WESTBROOKS 6'4 287 (27) A solid important piece of the DL rotation
5)DL #57 J.F.MEYERS 6'4 288 (21) Rookie could make a splash sooner than later
6)DL #69 Sebast.J-DAY 6'4 310 (23) Earned himself a spot on the bottom of the roster
7)DL #92 Tanzel.SMART 6'1 295 (23) Not a good preseason but found his way on the 53


2018 Rams "CORNERBACKS"

CB #22 Marcus PETERS 6'0 195 (AGE 25)

2017 Total Snaps 968) Tackles+Assists 46) Sacks 0) FF 4) Pass Def 9) INT 5

Summary: 4th year cornerback has started all 45 games played. Drafted 18th overall by the Chiefs in 2015. Peters has 19 interceptions in his first 3 NFL seasons, the most in the NFL since he was drafted. He's recorded 480 interception return yards. He's tallied a league high 55 passes defensed, forced six fumbles and recovered 5.

Last season, Peters never shadowed, and rarely ever strayed from his side of the field, spending 94 percent of his snaps lined up at left cornerback. PFF formula: CB Rating system = [Yards Allowed including DPI penalty yards] + [Touchdowns Allowed] – [Interceptions Caught] + [First Downs Allowed] / [Routes in Coverage] Cornerbacks (to play on at least 850 routes in coverage) over the past three seasons, Peters, impressively, ranks third-best by this metric.

Peters totals 19 interceptions throughout his three-year career, which is the most of any player over this stretch (by five interceptions), but also the fourth-most by any defender since the NFL merger. Peters also isn’t just a ball-hawk, ranking top-25 yards allowed per target.
[www.profootballfocus.com]

CB #21 Aqib TALIB 6'1 209 (AGE 32)

2017 Total Snaps 780) Tackles+Assists 31) Sacks 0) FF 1) Pass Def 7) INT 1

Summary: 11th year cornerback has appeared in 135 regular season games (121 starts). He's totaled 425 tackles (360 solo), one sack & has notched 34 interceptions. In his 10 seasons in the NFL, Talib has the most interceptions (34) in the NFL among active cornerbacks since (2008). He's one of two players at his position to be selected to the Pro Bowl from 2013-17. He ranks 1st in the NFL with 10 interceptions returned for touchdowns since 2009.

Aqib Talib has always flashed talent, but it wasn’t until 2016 that he put it all together and had a dominant season without lapses. He was able to back it up in 2017 despite a change in scheme and a pivot to more zone coverage. Talib gave up just 250 receiving yards all season. In the last two seasons combined, he hasn’t allowed a catch longer than 32 yards and now he returns to the scheme that allowed him a career year in 2016, reuniting with Wade Phillips in Los Angeles on a dominant looking Rams defense. [www.profootballfocus.com]


CB #23 Nickell R-COLEMAN 5'8 180 (AGE 26)

2017 Total Snaps 755) Tackles+Assists 49) Sacks 0) FF 1) Pass Def 9) INT 2

Summary: 6th year cornerback enters his second season with the Rams. He's played in 79 career games with 19 starts. Has four career interceptions and two returned for touchdowns. 2017 finished the regular season with 49 total tackles (39 solo), including two for loss. Forced one fumble and had one fumble recovery. On 03/13/18 Nickell agreed to terms on a 3-year deal worth more than $15.75M with $8M guaranteed.

A criminally-undervalued player in the free agent market last off-season, Robey-Coleman allowed only 0.80 yards per coverage snap inside for the upstart Rams in 2017. He was impressively consistent, allowing more than five completions or 65 yards into his coverage just once, and in that game he broke up three passes. Like King and Robinson above him, Robey-Coleman has the potential to be one of the best role players on a defense that could, by season’s end, be in the conversation for the league’s best unit.
[www.profootballfocus.com]


CB #37 Sam SHIELDS 5'11 178 (AGE 30)

2015 Total Snaps 754) Tackles+Assists 39) Sacks 0) FF 0) Pass Def 13) INT 3
2016 Played 1 game & retired due to concussions
2017 Was sitting on a beach in the Bahamas

Summary: 7th year pro has played in 80 games with 62 starts and 11 postseason contests. On 02/13/17 Shields was released by the Packers. He suffered the 4th known concussion of his NFL career on 09/11/16 against the Jaguars and never returned. Shields had one season left on the four-year, $39 million contract signed in 2014. For his career, he has 245 tackles (214 solo) 66 passes defensed with 1 sack & 18 interceptions.

“Man it’s a blessing,” Shields said of his return to football. “I mean two, almost two-and-a-half years out and you know it’s hard mentally for anyone to come back and put these pads on.” “He’s doing a great job,” McVay said of Shields. “He’s one of those guys you talk about a lot of the big-time guys that we’ve signed, but I think people forget what a productive player Sam’s been in this league.”

To serve as a reminder: Shields won Super Bowl XLV as a rookie with Green Bay in 2010. In the NFC Championship en route to earning a ring, Shields was a nightmare for Chicago, recording four solo tackles, two deflected passes, two interceptions, a sack, and a forced fumble in a 21-14 victory.
[www.therams.com]


CB #32 Troy HILL 5'11 183 (AGE 27)

2017 Total Snaps 422) Tackles+Assists 18) Sacks 0) FF 0) Pass Def 4) INT 0

Summary: Fourth-year pro has played in 27 games as a pro getting seven at the cornerback position. For his career he's collected 64 tackles (56 solo) with 6 passes defensed. 2017 played in 12 games of the regular season getting three starts and one postseason start. NFC Wild Card vs Atlanta got the start at cornerback and notched six tackles (five solo) with three passes defensed. Hill had somewhat of a shaky preseason performance in 2018 but the Rams brass still believe in him as he quietly landed back on their 53 man roster.


2018 Rams "SAFETIES"

S #20 Lamarcus JOYNER 5'8 191 (AGE 27)

2017 Total Snaps 692) Tackles+Assists 49) Sacks 0) FF 1) Pass Def 9) INT 3

Summary: Played in 52 games with 27 starts and one playoff start. The 5th year pro has logged 227 career tackles (178 solo) 4 sacks & 3 interceptions. He enjoyed a stellar season when new DC Wade Phillips moved him to free safety. In 2017 he started in 12 games with one postseason start. Finished the 2017 regular season with 49 tackles (39 solo) and 9 passes defensed, and collected 3 interceptions. On 03/06/18, the Rams placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Joyner that comes with a one year salary tender of $11.2 million.


S #43 John JOHNSON 6'0 209 (AGE 22)

2017 Total Snaps 895) Tackles+Assists 75) Sacks 0) FF 0) Pass Def 11) INT 1

Summary: Second-year pro played in all 16 regular season games and one postseason contest for the Rams since being drafted in 2017. Started 11 contests as a rookie. Johnson provided a ton of value for a 3rd round selection. PFF gave him a grade of 85.9 which equates to a quality starter. According to PFF, the only rookie safety that performed better was Saints 2nd round draft pick Marcus Williams.

New Rams cornerback Marcus Peters, sees Johnson becoming an All-Pro in the near future. “He’s going to be an All-Pro soon. Him and Lamarcus Joyner, they’re ball hawks. They’re big hitters, they’re smart and they communicate,” he said during his press conference Thursday. Despite Johnson’s lack of starts, Peters views him as a smart player with great instincts.

“He ain’t no young dude, though. He’s got some knowledge to him. He knows how to play football,” Peters said. “He plays fast and that’s what you want out of a safety. You want him to play fast and you don’t want him to overthink things and he reacts real good.” [theramswire.usatoday.com]


S/CB #24 Blake COUNTESS 5'10 191 (AGE 25)

2017 Total Snaps 487) Tackles+Assists 25) Sacks 0) FF 0) Pass Def 1) INT 1

Summary: Third-year pro has appeared in 21 games for the Rams. In 2017 he notched 25 tackles (19 solo) with one INT. He has 45 career tackles (31 solo). Countess was elevated to the Rams active roster from the practice squad on (11/18/16). He was was originally selected by the Eagles in the sixth round, 196th overall, in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Eagles released Countess on (9/3/16).


S #41 Marqui CHRISTIAN 5'11 207 (AGE 23)

2017 Total Snaps 305) Tackles+Assists 9) Sacks 0) FF 0) Pass Def 0) INT 0

Summary: Third-year pro, acquired by the Rams via waivers from Arizona. Has a reputation for being a big hitter and putting his body on the line. Marqui has played in 23 games for the Rams in spot duty mostly on special teams. He has 11 career tackles (5 solo). In 2017 played in 12 games before being placed on injured reserve (12/27/17). Finished the regular season with 9 total tackles.


5) CB #27 ISAIAH JOHNSON 6'1 210 (AGE 26)

2017 Total Snaps 47) Tackles+Assists 6) Sacks 0) FF 0) Pass Def 0) INT 0

Summary: Third-year pro has played in 10 career games and one postseason contest. Four games with Rams and six as a member of the Lions. 2017 made his season debut in Week 17 and played in one postseason game. vs San Francisco saw action at corner and special teams. Tallied five tackles (four solo) and made one special teams tackle. vs Atlanta played on special teams.


"CORNERBACKS" Summary

1) CB #22 M.PETERSON 6'0 190 (25) Can the shutdown corner turnover machine keep his cool?
2) CB #21 A.TALIB 6'1 209 (32) Will the moody all-pro vet become a leader of men?
3) CB #23 N.R-COLEMAN 5'7 170 (26) Little man plays big & is a superb slot corner
4) CB #37 S.SHIELDS 5'11 178 (30) If his concussion issues are gone, could be a star
5) CB #32 T.HILL 5'11 183 (27) Looked flat in preseason but he's proven he can play

"SAFETIES" Summary

1) S #20 L.JOYNER 5'8 184 (27) Franchise tagged because he has an all-pro skill set
2) S #43 J.JOHNSON 6'0 209 (22) Was a steal in the 3rd round & could end up a great one
3) S #24 B.COUNTESS 5'10 191 (25) ALL purpose defensive back seems to be a coaches favorite
4) S #41 M.CHRISTIAN 5'11 194 (23) Hits like a truck and should get some quality snaps
5) S #27 I.JOHNSON 6'1 210 (26) For the time being, he scrapped his way on the final 53






At Oakland (Week 1) Monday Night 09/10/2018



Hope all of you "Awesome" Rams fans enjoyed this years 2018 "Defensive Personnel" presentation.

GO 2018 RAMS!