LA Rams News: Secondary will swarm to the ball like angry hornets

LA Rams News: The secondary will push hard to be the best in the NFL this year. Almost everyone is playing for a new contract

The LA Rams defensive backfield has a lot of stars-in-the-making this year. As you look over the projected starters, each can make a strong case for competing for a Pro Bowl invitation this year.  And if you think you know how good they can be? Nobody does. You see, they haven’t played together before.

That also means that no offense has a clue what to expect.

So what can LA Rams fans expect? Well for starters, the Rams secondary is strong and deep. So strong that all four of the Rams starting projected defensive backs have been acknowledged as the top performers at their position in 2019.

So deep in that the Rams have enough depth on the roster to field two defensive backfields, and both would be capable of starting on many NFL teams. But perhaps the wildcard for the LA Rams secondary?  Only second-year safety Taylor Rapp is under contract for next season.

Playing for payday

That means practically everyone is auditioning for their next contract. So how can new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley manage so much future uncertainty? Simple. Scheme for each player to succeed, and then step back and watch them shine.

So far, that’s been quite the eye-opening surprise for Staley. It’s not just that he is seeing cornerback Jalen Ransey and safety John Johnson III on the field for the first time. Thanks to Johnson’s injury last year, it’s the first time they have been on the football field at the same time.

This is going to be good, folks!

They debut in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

Future Rapper

The Rams’ future as of today belongs to safety Taylor Rapp. While he is the freshest player in the defensive secondary, he will very likely step up the most after an already impressive rookie season.  Don’t forget about safety John Johnson III. After an injury-shortened 2019 season, he will push hard to be the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.

Of course, the real story of the Rams offseason is extending Jalen Ramsey. However, if you are as confident that will happen as we are, then the real story is Darious Williams versus Troy Hill at the other starting cornerback role.  While Hill is a standout at zone defense, you can pencil in Williams as the cornerback who starts opposite Ramsey.

That is not to say that Troy Hill is out of the competition just yet. He’s already responding well to Staley’s energy and is very much part of the Rams equation at cornerback. But of the two, he is likely more suited for the slot.

Base, nickel, dime packages

Both the Rams and the Vic Fangio defense have gone heavy on nickel and dime packages in the past.  While the team’s temporary loss of A’Shawn Robinson may force a 3-4 base until he rejoins the team, the Rams defensive backs are one of the most talented groups in the NFL today.

When the ball is in the air, ultimately the secondary will swarm. That’s just what great DBs do, and the Rams defensive secondary is loaded with talent. That means the Rams defense is going to be fun. This is not a defense that reacts this year but will dictate to the offense.  The word from the training camp so far from the defense is very positive. Stay tuned!