Rams CB Darius Williams may win a starting role in 2020...

Rams CB Darious Williams may win a starting role in 2020

[ramblinfan.com]

The LA Rams defense will not be simply lining up in a base 3-4 defense and running against whatever the offense designs to throw at them. Instead, the defense will use a four-man defensive front at a time. Other times it will be a nickel package with five defensive backs. And through it all, the LA Rams will be sliding defensive backs into unusual places, with unexpected responsibilities, and at odd alignments. It will all be part of the coaching philosophy of new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.

That could be the key to a very adept cornerback Darious Williams getting a starting role for the team in 2020. And if not a starting role, perhaps simply a significant share of the defensive snaps. Right now the LA Rams appear to be loaded, absolutely loaded, with talent in the defensive backfield. The Rams have presumed starters in cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Troy Hill, with safeties John Johnson and Taylor Rapp. The safeties had been augmented with rookies Terrell Burgess and Jordan Fuller, while the cornerbacks have returning veterans David Long Jr, Andonis Alexander, Donte Deayon, and Darious Williams to compete for playing time.

Watch for Wiliams work ethic

But it was Williams who stepped up in 2020. As the Rams continued to shuffle and retool practically all positions and roles, it was Williams who stepped up in the last three games. In fact, in his last two games, he had two interceptions, four passes defended, and five tackles. For the season, he played just 221 defensive snaps.

He is entering his third NFL season, a period for defensive backs where their careers either take off or plateau and begin a disappointing descent. Despite a small stature of just 5-foot-9 and 187 pounds, this guy has a great nose for the ball. Is it any wonder that he had the fewest starts and defensive snaps, yet still managed to tie for the team lead with two interceptions?

Ninja DB

The LA Rams defense is conceptual right now. A description of “here’s what they plan to do” story. And that’s all we can do until the guys line up and play football, whenever that may be. But the characteristics of the defense are not newly invented. Rather, Brandon Staley has borrowed much of his defensive strategy from that of his former mentor Vic Fangio. In Fangio’s defense, the team works hard to show one type of defense, but run with another. And that deception forces the quarterback to process what he sees for a fraction longer.

Williams is the type of defensive back who can force a pause out of the quarterback. He has a great instinct over reading the quarterback’s eyes and can follow the football’s arc to make a play. What he needs is a chance to play. That could be happening sooner than you expect. You see, the Rams will be running different rotations and groupings onto the field to keep the offense on their heels. With sub-package frequency, even “non-starters” can get as many as 40-50 percent of the defensive snaps in this defense. Even absent the starter designation, getting Williams on the field can be a huge boost to an already incredibly gifted defensive backfield.