LA Rams defensive line looks good in training camp drills

The LA Rams defensive line looks good in their two-gap drills at training camp

The LA Rams defense is the talk of Los Angeles right now. It’s all due to the fact that the Rams hired rookie defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, and gave him a blank canvas to innovate an entirely new defense that would rival head coach Sean McVay’s innovated and entirely new offense from 2017.

That new defense is expected to be very similar to that of Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, who Staley had studied under for several years as his outside linebackers coach. While the particulars will likely be customized to fit LA Rams personnel, the premise of the defense rests in three basic fundamentals:

Brandon’ basics

I – The defensive line must control the line of scrimmage with two-gap responsibilities, shedding blockers to make the tackle.
II- Defensive backs will disguise coverages and will be versatile enough to manage different receivers.
III – Defense will emphasize DBs for pass coverage, and rely upon strong DL and minimal linebackers to stop the run.

So far, clues suggest that the Rams will be going with a 3-3-5 base defensive package.

While that doesn’t surprise, it does suggest that the Rams will be looking at a base of five defensive backs.

Is Ramsey as the DB wildcard likely?

So far, the signs are pointing towards a defensive secondary where either John Johnson III or Jalen Ramsey will be calling specific coverages for each play. In doing so, Ramsey takes on the persona of part-safety, part-slot, part-outside receiver. Offenses will attempt to dictate mismatches in coverages by formations, sending their best receivers to line up against weaker defensive backs.

To counter that, Staley’s defense will likely realign coverages to foil those mismatches but will do so in various ways to keep the offense and especially the quarterback, guessing. A quarterback who is guessing will hesitate. That hesitation will play into the defense’s pass rush.

We won’t get to see this defense before the season begins. But we are piecing together clues. From what we’ve discovered so far, this will be a lot of fun to watch.