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Rams43
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dzrams
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Rams43
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dzrams
He also usually has some stud players.
We have some stud players on D, dz.
About 9 other ones. Might not be All Pros, but they make a cohesive D, just the same.
For me stud means elite.
The Rams have exactly 2 proven elite players on the team and one of them has been injured for the last few years.
Then yeah, we have different definitions of stud, dz.
For me, a stud is a strong top third of the league quality starter.
Rookies aside, and strictly on D, these players meet my definition of "stud".
Brockers
Quinn (Only if healthy, hasn't been elite for at least 2 years).
Ogletree
Barron
Barwin
TruJo
Joyner
Alexander
These are players one can win with. Type of players that are found on playoff teams.
Elite players are nice to have, but not required to make playoffs. By definition, elite players are rare.
BTW, how many games have the Rams won during AD's 3 seasons? They own a 17-31 record during that time.
My point? AD is a helluva DT. Clearly elite. But he is NOT a "must have".
IMO, of course.
I don't bother using the term "must have" because apart from QBs, no player is a must have.
Here is how I see the players you listed:
Brockers - average to slightly above average.
Quinn (Only if healthy, hasn't been elite for at least 2 years) - Agree. Elite if healthy.
Ogletree - average. He led the league in missed tackles. For a LB, you can't do that and be a strong top 3rd of the league player.
Barron - Average last year, above average the year before. Serious question about his fit as a ILB in a 3-4.
Barwin - Older, but above average if returns to prior form. He was below average the last two years.
TruJo - Not elite, but I'll agree to strong top 3rd of the league.
Joyner - at FS? Who knows... Above average at nickle last year
Alexander - above average at FS last year
To me the strength of the D isn't that any of those individual players are studs. It's that I don't see any below average players in the group.
The same logic that you used to discredit Donald could be used to discredit all of the above players. If all 8 of those guys are the types that are found on playoff teams, then when 7 of them, plus Donald, are playing in the same defense, the team probably should make the playoffs.
If record can be used as a negative reflection on our one elite player, then that same record is a negative reflection on all of those players too.
I don't believe the impact from losing an elite player, when there is an absence of other high above average players, should be underestimated.