10 reasons to believe LA Rams defense makes the difference this year

VIII – Rams linebacker play is better than you realize

If you follow the box scores religiously and base your opinion of player value on that information, skip ahead. This will not benefit you. While I believe in including all information, there are limits to what statistical information reveals about the player. Players on defense are more than just sacks, tackles, and interceptions.

Players who sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others never show up in statistics, but their role is just as crucial to the defense as the player who makes the play. So it goes with the LA Rams at linebacker.  So far, that role had been anchored with first-year starter Micah Kiser. And in his rookie season, he’s been pretty good.

Respectable season

His partner is Kenny Young.  When Kiser is hurt, the Rams promote Troy Reeder. Now, none of these players have put up a headliner type of season. But they’ve all been nose-to-the-grindstone workers who give a solid effort.  Even missing two games, Kiser leads the team in tackles. Despite getting just two starts, his backup Troy Reeder is seventh on the team with 36 tackles and fifth on the team with 27 solo tackles. Kenny Young is tied with Reeder for seventh on the team with 36 tackles.

Kiser was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Week after an outstanding performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. His backup recorded three sacks in one game against Washington. The team has two of the highest-paid players in the NFL on the roster, so they must economize elsewhere. That means that the Rams either draft for more talented players at the position or find affordable veteran options. Right now, the Rams are getting good bang-for-their-buck at linebacker.