 |
| Quinn will look to better his 19 sacks of last yr. Photo Credit: Getty Images |
In part one of this two part article series on the Rams, you saw that I addressed the offensive side of the ball for the Rams. In part two, I will address the defense. The Rams have handed the helm of the defense back over to Gregg Williams after firing Tim Walton after one season. In the fans eyes, they were not head over heals over defensive coordinator Walton, and many are happy to have Williams back.
By: Niqko Marshall
The Rams come into the 2014 season with a talented defense. Through the draft, they bolstered the defense adding Aaron Donald, who too many was the best interior defensive linemen. They also drafted Lamarcus Joyner, who was a star defensive back for the national champion Seminoles last year they also added Mo Alexander and Michael Sam. Look for Joyner and Donald to make an immediate impact for the Rams when the season starts.
The defense is headlined by an excellent front four that finished third in total sacks last year. All-Pro defensive end Robert Quinn finished second in the NFL with 19 sacks and has been on record saying he wants to best that total this year. Chris Long is also a splendid pass rusher who compliments Quinn well on the opposite side. On the inside of the line, the Rams have Kendall Langford and Michael Brockers. Langford is no slouch and Brockers looks like he will become a stud for the Rams. It doesn't stop there, the Rams have depth as well with Will Hayes, Eugene Sims, and adding Donald. Can’t forget about Alex Carrington either who was a starter before injury in Buffalo last year. Could the Rams lead the league in sacks this year? They certainly can.
At linebacker, the Rams have the ever consistent James Laurinitas in the middle, Alec Ogletree and Jo-Lonn Dunbar on the outside. Laurinitas by some fans would be viewed as an underrated guy compared to the attention other linebackers get around the league. He is not flashy, but he gets the job done being the leader of the defense in the middle for the Rams.
Ogletree is entering in his second season with the Rams and looks to improve on his rookie season. Ogletree is athletic and has shown flashes that he can be a good linebacker in this league he struggled in coverage sometimes but by all accounts Ogletree will get better. He led the team in total tackles last year and was tied for third in the NFL with six forced fumbles.
Dunbar is in his third season with the Rams and wants to bounce back on a disappointing last year where he was suspended for the first four games. Gregg Williams is back with the Rams and Dunbar is very familiar with his style having played with the Saints for four years and winning a Super Bowl with them as well. The familiarity should only help Dunbar re-group.
Last but not least the Rams secondary is young but could be promising. A lot of people think the Rams have serious question mark at safety after a not so great year last year. The Rams secondary features Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson on the outside at corner and rookie Joyner in the slot. If all goes right under D-Coordinator Williams, this cornerback, unit can be a very good one. Jenkins, who was regarded by many as the best cover corner in the 2012 draft, is known by his high-risk high-reward play. He enjoyed a rookie season full of highlight plays made only to take a step back his second season.
Jenkins should be back at his rookie form this year but much better. Johnson is a tall corner who likes to press and can be a good starter in the league. Joyner is a versatile corner who played on the outside, slot, and even safety at his four years at Florida State he is known for his aggressive play and is a superb blitzer out of the slot.
At the safety position, the Rams have TJ McDonald and Rodney McLeod. After a good start to his rookie season, McDonald went down a few games with a leg injury but he came back showing the promise he showed before his injury. McDonald is aggressive, and a hard hitter just like Williams likes his safeties to be. Look for McDonald potentially to have a big year. McLeod may not be the most talented player but he will but he will need to do just enough to keep the Rams secondary consistent.
The Rams defense will be very good this year and potentially a top 10. Gregg Williams will expect excellence out of his group, and the players expect the same out of themselves.