St. Louis Rams Post-Game Roundtable: Preseason Game 1 vs. Saints

2. Staying with the theme of Rams starters missing in action, the Rams allowed the Saints to run all over them (with Drew Brees sitting out), but the Rams’ defense was missing Michael Brockers, William Hayes, James Laurinaitis, Janoris Jenkins, and Trumaine Johnson–just to name a few. Should we even be remotely worried about the mediocre defensive performance given how many starters didn’t play?

Aug 8, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) breaks a tackle from St. Louis Rams defensive back Cody Davis (38) and rushes for a 22 yard touchdown during the first half at Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Nathan K.: Not unless James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree get inured during the regular season. Ray Ray Armstrong and Jo-Lonn Dunbar struggled mightily in their split time in the “middle linebacker” role. Armstrong, in particular, regularly got lost in traffic and far too often was taken out of plays by an offensive lineman that made it into the second level; although, to be fair, the coaching staff leaned heavily on the nickel package, presumably in an attempt to get tape on their laundry list of defensive backs. At the end of the day, with essentially the entire starting front-seven and the two starting cornerbacks not being on the field, it might be a bit early to go into ‘worry mode’.

Anthony K.: Even though it was just the first game of the preseason and the Rams WERE missing many of their defensive starters, it was still frustrating to watch Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson running all over them. That being said, I’m not really worried about the Rams’ defense. Robert Quinn barely played, Chris Long had a big interception on a third down play, and the Rams ‘starting’ defense only allowed a field goal in the first 20 minutes of the game.

Also, Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams isn’t going to be showing off his exotic coverages and blitz packages during the pre-season. Once the Rams’ starting defense is out there–including their vaunted defensive line–the Rams WILL be a top-5 defense (barring major injuries). I have NO doubts about that.

Blaine G.: Tackling is always an issue in the first preseason game just with the restrictions with the CBA. If this is going to be a problem though, they’d better get it figured out soon because they go up against the best running back in the NFL week one in Adrian Peterson.

Like you said Anthony, from what we saw from the guys like Quinn, Long, and even Donald, I don’t think there is too much to be worried about. Once we get Brockers and Laurinaitis back to sure up the front seven, we’ll be fine.