LA Rams News: DL Aaron Donald cautiously optimistic

LA Rams News: DL Aaron Donald cautiously optimistic over new DC Brandon Staley’s scheme

The LA Rams have two All-Pro talents on defense: cornerback Jalen Ramsey and defensive lineman Aaron Donald. For incoming rookie defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, he has already realized his career, and the success of the LA Rams this season will depend in part upon how well he unleashes their talents upon NFL offenses in his defensive schemes.

While the defense has yet to put the plan into place on the field, the team has had weeks of virtual dialogue to consider, vet, and adapt his methods, roles, and concepts. So what does the mad scientist of the LA Rams defense, Brandon Staley, have in store for the NFL in 2020? So far, that is behind the curtain, and all we have right now is the concepts of his mentor Vic Fangio, plus some commentary of the Rams defensive players.

AD Dilemma

So far, the reception of the LA Rams defensive backfield has been overwhelmingly positive. But there is the question of what and how to unlock the unmatched talent of Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald.

And while the defensive backs can visualize the coverage differences, Aaron Donald has a bit more pragmatic perspective.

Show me, then I’ll react

Aaron Donald is an NFL veteran who has seen quite a bit in his career. So the splash of a new defensive scheme means little when all he has to judge it from is the brochure.  And he comments to that effect in the recent article by ESPN correspondent Lindsey Thiry:

"“I can’t tell you if I love it or not because I didn’t have to go on the grass and do nothing yet,” Donald said during a video conference with reporters."

After all, talk is cheap. The Rams defense can plan to move defensive linemen around, to scheme for Donald to stand up and rush from a two-point stance, or even to drop the ever-versatile Donald into unexpected pass coverage. While anything short of a three-point stance mixing it up in the line of scrimmage is wasteful, other options would certainly be confusing to opposing offenses.

Until the LA Rams place these offensive and defensive concepts onto the football field, I understand exactly what All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald is saying. It’s hard to judge the effectiveness of a concept. Until the Rams get to the practice field and actually work out the defensive plays, the jury on the defense remains out.