How the LA Rams have schematically transformed their secondary

Defending the middle of the field (Involving the linebackers)

In this type of scheme, the linebackers are important in pass coverage too. This season, the Rams have settled on linebackers Micah Kiser (week two NFC defensive player of the week) and Kenny Young. Let’s talk about how these two players are critical to passing coverage in this scheme.

Let’s start by talking about the traditional setup of linebackers in the NFL. Typically, you had a middle linebacker in a four-down front who played the heart of the field. The best middle linebackers are rare talents who can play sideline to sideline. As the game evolved, the rare talents became diamonds in the rough, especially when the downhill-run-bruiser style of linebacker rapidly declined.

LBs are more than run stoppers

Linebackers have to almost be defensive backs now. They are asked to plug gaps on run plays,  cover running backs out of the backfield (that are becoming better receivers every year), and tight ends downfield (becoming more athletic every year). The role of the traditional linebacker has become almost impossible for a single person to perform.

Brandon Staley has found a way to break this role into three players without compromising the interior of the defense. It is that approach that has enabled the Rams defense to flourish so far. Here’s what he has done.

Future NFL defense

Young and Kiser split the fields into halves – left and right. Their assignments revolve around those directions. One guy is always going left, one guy is always going right. Playing half field allows the linebackers to play more confidently, especially when a play moves toward the perimeter. It also allows them to react better to receivers moving in their zone.

This is the future of the NFL defenses: a four-man front with two linebackers splitting the field. The weak point of this defense is where the two linebackers switch directions, the middle of the field. The rover safety oftentimes plays this part of the field, and that’s why this position is so important.