3 reasons why the LA Rams were right to pay Jalen Ramsey

Three reasons why extending DB Jalen Ramsey was the right move by the LA Rams

The LA Rams, like all NFL teams, has a bit of duality when it comes to creating an NFL roster. There is a need to get the most talent possible. But there is also the opposing force of trying to get NFL talent for the cheapest deal possible. Top-shelf talent at bargain-basement prices.  It’s the same across the league. Everyone wants a champagne flavor on a beer budget.

The secret to NFL success is held by those coaches and general managers who learn along the way.  Some roles can be short-cut. Other roles must be the best available talent in the NFL. Only the few who have been to the pinnacle know this.  LA Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay were just 11 points away from hoisting the Lombardi. They have an idea of what it takes.

The power of a shutdown cornerback

As a result of that near-experience, the pair is actually in on pretty solid ground when judging where the team must invest for the future, and for a championship-caliber team.  Clearly, the team sees a shutdown cornerback as a critical component for a championship team. In almost all successful teams, the secondary is strong enough to stop the opposing offense.  A starting quarterback can struggle if the secondary neutralizes the top receiver.

The best cornerbacks in the NFL are game-changers.  They can literally change the momentum of the game. But perhaps even more importantly, they can prevent the opponent from ever generating momentum. Nothing is more frustrating to an NFL offense than the dreaded three-and-out.

Mentor to younger players

Investing in a star player can go either one of two ways. Either that star shows up and plays well, then moves on. Or that star can multiply his impact on the team by helping to coach up his teammates. Whenever that happens, the money invested in paying the player not only delivers on game day but on the practice field and future rosters as well.

The true NFL stars make players around them better. Not just with their play, but with encouraging words. It’s a tough business, and young players hoping to realize their dreams need more than an opportunity at times. The words of encouragement, wisdom, or just friendship can mean so much.

True stars learn to shine in the lives of others in their darkest moments.

Mentoring multiplies

Mentoring reinvests expertise back into the roster. It is an almost certain means to ensure the development of younger stars. Not just players from the same position, but players who play opposing positions as well. That voice of a veteran carries a lot of weight. Not only because it comes from the mouth of an NFL star, but because it occurs when the understudy is most receptive to guidance.

Coaching is batch processing. Coaches must instruct multiple players simultaneously. After instruction, players must work out the play by demonstrating the action through a series of repetitions. Young players with no NFL game experience are naturally curious about “what its like” in a game. To hear what it’s like from the personal experience of star cornerback Jalen Ramsey is a truly memorable lesson that can change a young player’s career.

Dominating on the football field

The LA Rams have installed a brand new defense. This is a never-seen-before constructed defense from new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. And while this Staley-style defense has amplified the impact of the Rams defensive starters, there is no doubt that the Rams 2-0 start while holding both opponents under 20 points has been a result of having Ramsey in the secondary.

He is elite in coverage.

The funny part is that these stats occurred as the player was disgruntled and looking over his football shoulder to his contract situation. Now that he is financially secure, his football performance will take off.

Domination is more than denial

He started with 0 completions in 2016. He just had a defensive standout game against the Philadelphia Eagles resulting in 2 targets and 0 completions.  While some will focus upon the 0 completions, let’s discuss just two targets. After all, the Philadelphia Eagles offense is a phenomenal blend of various types of receivers. The teams boast deep fast receivers, route-running receivers, and big physical receivers. Through it all,  the team is banking on a momentary lapse.

That three-prong attack of a defensive secondary is by design. The plan forces defenses to overcompensate to eliminate what works, which then allows the offense quick-strike ability. But Ramsey eliminates that possibility, forcing the quarterback to look elsewhere for an open receiver. Even when a receiver gets a step, the quarterback is so used to looking elsewhere that the play ends without a completion.

Loyalty is perhaps his greatest quality

The attribute that I enjoy more than any other quality is the loyalty factor that Jalen Ramsey exhibits. He is a passionate player who has the backs of those he cares about. That is something that is both rare and incredibly valuable in the modern NFL. When Ramsey jumped to the defense of his agent on social media, many just let the event pass.

But that was just one example of the fine loyalty of the incredibly talented cornerback. Loyalty is that passion to belong to a greater whole. It’s the willingness to commit. It goes beyond getting paid to a belief of significance in both self and the group. That’s why it is so rare nowadays. It’s confidence in the individual, but also the team.

In the end, Ramsey will have the Rams’ back.

The importance of loyalty

In a world where loyalty is nearly lost, perhaps its significance has diminished as well. Loyalty is that glue that builds a team that is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s the culture that promotes complimenting the actions of teammates, from a source of self-confidence. It’s the ability to follow coaching instructions to execute plays to the best of one’s ability, rather than dig in the heels and fight to do it differently.

Loyalty is running both ways. The Rams committed to Jalen Ramsey when they traded for him. The team has now paid him. To some, it’s window dressing. But to Ramsey, it’s proven that the Rams can be trusted to take care of him. Now? It’s about Ramsey taking care of the Rams each Sunday. After all the noise, the what-ifs, the second guesses, and the fear of not coming through, the Rams have certainly come through for Jalen Ramsey. Now it’s up to Jalen Ramsey to come through for the Rams.  If you have any worries, you needn’t fret. He will come through too.