Re: Rams' D-linemen respond to Coach Jeff Fisher's challenge

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RamBill
The Rams’ defensive line is supposed to be the team’s strength, a cornerstone for a unit that must be stout as the offense seeks to develop an identity beyond running back Todd Gurley.

So defensive tackle Aaron Donald took Coach Jeff Fisher’s words as a challenge.

After the Rams’ exhibition opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Fisher said his team was not ready to play run defense and that it would be a focus of attention this week in practice.

“It’s a challenge to us,” Donald said after Tuesday’s workout. “We have to improve our game.

Hmmmmm. Fisher showing concern for his run defense. Not sure if I recall him paying much attention to that in the past.

It's not, of course, anything of genuine substance. But, it is a bit encouraging to hear Fisher focusing on that.

Our porous run defense is IMO a core team and unit weakness. It hurts us in scores of ways, from the ease of teams converting on 3rd down to time of possession to stress on our pass defense. No great defense has ever been weak against the run. And our run defense is a major reason why our most talented unit underperforms each year. Hell, we have lost numerous winnable games because we couldn't stop the run.

Everybody talks about penalties. But there are top teams with lots of penalties: e.g. SEA. Penalties can be overcome if you're competitive enough.

But you can't compete consistently unless you stop the run. And we have really been poor at it under Fisher. Give me a choice: A) cut the penalties or stop the run. I'll take B.