5 LA Rams who can apply QB pressure not named Aaron Donald

IV – Polite

LA Rams outside linebacker Jachai Polite has played just one defensive snap. And in one defensive snap, he nearly had a sack on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott.  Polite faced off against undrafted free agent offensive tackle Terrence Steele, and he beat Steele with a speedy burst and was well on his way to the quarterback.

But Steele knew that when your man beats you, you bend the rules to protect the quarterback. So his right-hand grabs the helmet of Polite and uses that to crowbar the Rams pass rusher to the ground. No penalty was called. That’s football.  While the media and Cowboys fans continue to embarrass themselves over challenging a call in the game that they didn’t like, the facts are that the Rams were hurt more often by “no penalty” infractions that seemed to be part of the Cowboys game plan.

A second chance is a Polite thing to do

While the LA Rams wait for Terrell Lewis to get sorted out, they need edge rushers who can play defensive snaps at the edge. While Polite may not be ready to start in the NFL, he has certainly earned the right to line up for the defense and see what he can do.

He can do plenty. He has a quick burst, an arsenal of pass rush moves, and the audacity to continue after the quarterback relentlessly.  And this week is set up for Rams players to show up big. While the team will get Lane Johnson back at right tackle, they will still be working with a sore-kneed veteran Jason Peters at left tackle. And Johnson will still be working off a sore ankle. Polite can have a big game, but only if he gets to play.