5 must-have keys to find at LA Rams final scrimmage

1. Will the Rams starting ILBs please show up?

The Rams’ interior linebacker situation still feels a bit chaotic.  While I understand that the team is likely going to go with a starting linebacker tandem of Micah Kiser with Travin Howard. It’s not that this pair played that well, but rather nobody else has challenged them for the spot. And that’s the rub. I truly wish someone, anyone, and seized the job and run with it.

The Rams will likely grow linebackers this season. LInebackers will make tackles, and will likely lead the team in tackles. However the linebackers do or do not defend the pass, the team needs run-stopping linebackers. They will be tested all game against the Dallas Cowboys. Depending on the outcome of that game, they could be tested all season. While he may protest by claiming he can defend all three downs, Kiser is built with the power to shed blockers and bring down running backs.

Smiling new faces

The Rams did re-sign 6-foot-2 246-pound Daniel Bituli and add former 6-foot-2 220-pound ex-CFL All-Star Derrick Moncrief in a surprising roster move this week. While both are behind the eight-ball in terms of repetitions played versus the other ILBs, they were added because the coaches found the original group as lacking in some fashion.

With the late addition of new players, the inside linebacker position will be the best place to train your attention. If any linebacker makes a huge play, such as deflecting a pass, an interception, a tackle for a loss, or a quarterback sack, that player will immediately leapfrog into the discussion to make the team’s 53 man roster. Should nobody step into the spotlight, the team’s defense will likely do fine. But that nervous feeling of what may go wrong will haunt the team all season.