Will Rams switch to 4-3 defense under Raheem Morris?
[
theramswire.usatoday.com]
Cameron DaSilva
The Los Angeles Rams traditionally deployed a 4-3 defense for years before Wade Phillips was hired as the coordinator in 2017, making the switch to a 3-4 front. But even when that change was made, there were elements of a 4-3 defense in Phillips’ system – something he’s said countless times before.
There was some unfounded concern about Aaron Donald’s fit in an odd front, which was quickly debunked when he won Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 … and then again the following year.
Brandon Staley kept Phillips’ 3-4 front when he was hired last season, though the Rams were hardly ever in base defense thanks to their heavy use of nickel and dime packages. But could Raheem Morris switch the Rams back to a 4-3 defense?
That’s a tough question to answer right now, but it’s one some fans have been asking. Coming from the Falcons, where Morris spent the last six years, it’s possible that Morris will want to install more elements of a 4-3 front. That’s what the Falcons ran under Dan Quinn, with a lot of Cover 3 looks.
When he was head coach of the Buccaneers from 2009-2011, his team also utilized a 4-3 defense. With such extensive experience coaching an even defensive front, it’s reasonable to wonder if Morris will carry that over in L.A.
But in all honesty, it doesn’t matter much at the moment.
The Rams were in nickel and dime packages this season more than they used their base sets, which wasn’t exclusive to Staley. Teams use nickel defenses on more than half their snaps now, with base sets being used about a quarter of the time.
For example, when an offense puts three-plus receivers on the field, the defense will counter with five or more defensive backs. More often than not, the Rams had Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, Troy Hill, John Johnson and Jordan Fuller on the field together. It’s part of the reason they ranked No. 1 in pass defense.
Under Morris, it’s expected that their heavy usage of nickel packages will continue, even if Johnson and Hill leave in free agency. So if that’s the case, it would mean the Rams would have a box of six defenders and five defensive backs. Whether those five defenders in the box are in a 3-4 or 4-3 front doesn’t matter. The concept remains the same.
Looking at the Rams’ roster, they fit better in a 3-4 mold simply based on their edge rushers. Assuming Leonard Floyd and Samson Ebukam leave, the Rams would have Terrell Lewis, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Derek Rivers and Justin Hollins at edge rusher. All of them fit better as stand-up rushers instead of defensive ends where they’d have to step up against the run more.
And when the Rams do use a base defense, they don’t exactly have the linebacker talent to successfully have three on the field together; Micah Kiser, Troy Reeder and Kenny Young all struggled this season and would all be base linebackers in a 4-3 front.
But the overarching point is that it won’t matter much which way the Rams lean under Morris. Whether it’s a 3-4 or 4-3 front will only come into play about a quarter of the time on defense. The Rams’ personnel fits best in a 3-4, but if Morris wants to make the switch, Los Angeles would be able to adapt.
