Clearly S Fuller was key cog, but LA Rams defense machinery not broken

Clearly rookie Jordan Fuller was a key cog, but LA Rams defensive machinery is not broken

After a run-in with the most proficient passing offense in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills, the LA Rams learned that their defense is not “there” yet. The Rams allowed 35 points and 375 yards in the game.  While the team held the NFL’s top receiver, Stefon Diggs, to four of six receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown. The Bills were looking to connect to their second most proficient receiver, John Brown.  The LA Rams held him to zero catches out of two targets. So far, so good.

But it was the Bills depth at receiver that crushed the Rams hopes for a third straight victory.  YOu see, the same defense allowed pesky and battered receiver, Cole Beasley to gash their defense for six of seven receptions for 100 yards.  Seldom used rookie receiver Gabriel Davis was a perfect four of four for 81 yards. And the Bills doubled backup tight end Tyler Knott’s touchdown total from all of last season by affording him the chance to catch four of five passes for 24 yards and two touchdowns.

Clean up on game 3

The Rams are a young defense. This is a brand new scheme and the Rams had worked hard to develop good communication among the starting cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, Troy Hill, and safeties Jordan Fuller and John Johnson. Only, Fuller only saw action for eight snaps before suffering an injury.  At the time, there was no score but the Buffalo Bills offense was driving.

The Rams sent out Taylor Rapp, last year’s starter but certainly a player who has not had nearly the amount of practice snaps as Fuller. Suddenly, the wheels fell off the defensive cart. The Bills managed to put up 21 first-half points on the Rams defense that had not allowed 20 points for an entire game to either the Dallas Cowboys or the Philadelphia Eagles. In the post-game stats, the Rams had held the Bills running game in check, as well as the team’s top two receivers.  The Bills simply outflanked the Rams defense, by going deeper on their depth chart by getting three touchdowns from tight ends who had scored twice in 2019. And so it goes.

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Inconsistent play to be expected

Linebackers will learn, over time.  The Rams are raw at several key defensive positions. That means those players will focus on one or two things and do it very well. But they will struggle in the face of something new. And with so little experience, players like Kenny Young, Micah Kiser, and Taylor Rapp, will experience plenty of new.

If failure is an opportunity to learn, then the LA Rams have a week of Doctorate level learning to absorb this week.  The Bills clearly knew where and how to attack the Rams defense. Even though the next opponent, the New York Giants, may not be as talented on the offensive side of the ball, you can bet they will attempt to do the same thing. And the Washington Football team after that. It will keep happening until the Rams are able to shut down that leaks that sprang up in week three.

It will work out

This is a new defense. These are young players. The willingness to “just get rid of (insert player name)!” is already beginning on social media. But who will fill their place? Who is out there in the NFL right now to step up into a key role in this defense. Instead, the Rams will work with their players. This is a team, not an elimination tournament. The Rams faced the Cowboys, the Eagles, and the Bills. All three teams fielded good offensive lines when the Rams faced them. Toss week one, and the Eagles allowed three sacks in two games. The Cowboys allowed six sacks in three games. The Bills allowed eight sacks in three games. That averages just over two sacks per game.

Each week the Rams learn a bit more about the defense and each other. This is a 2-1 team that many expected to be 0-3 at this point. Need proof? The Rams were the underdogs in all three contests.  Now that the Rams will be favored for the next game, we will see how they handle adversity.  I remain optimistic. This is a team with a lot of fight. It will all work out.