LA Rams: This year’s defensive line could be McVay’s best ever

Big-bodied bruisers

The reason that this year could be the perfect junction for creating an ideal defensive line is that the LA Rams suddenly have both types of players available for the depth chart. On one side, the Rams boast strongmen, the type of defensive linemen who can hold their own against strong offensive line play. The Rams can fit veterans A’Shawn Robinson, Greg Gaines, and newcomer Bobby Brown III into that category.

These are the guys who can hold their own on the defensive line of scrimmage, and defeat double teams. They are important additions to the roster this year because they attract attention away from Donald and allow him to fill up the highlight reel with sensational plays. They are the tanks, the bigger more powerful players who take on offensive linemen by choice.

Los Angeles Rams

Imagine the return of Suh to this defensive front, and you will begin to understand the importance of getting powerful men upfront.  Those bigger bodies create a phalanx-like wall that stalls out any offensive push and will force offensive linemen to attack other players with double teams in an attempt to create running lanes.

These are the anvils of the defensive front. They are the big-bodied bruisers whose task includes holding their ground, gobbling up blockers, stuffing the run, and collapsing the pocket. That is a tall task when facing a double team. But that is the mission of the defensive line Dawgs that Coach Henderson loves to push in training camp. They are few but proud, and at the end of the day, everyone on that defense is thankful for the work that they do.

The Rams defensive front was pushed around a bit in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs by the Green Bay Packers. Well, until A’Shawn Robinson and Greg Gaines rotated onto the field. Like it or not, the big-bodied burly boys played very well in the playoffs. Robinson earned a 76.5 grade from Pro Football Focus for his playoff effort, while Gaines earned a 75.2 grade for the playoffs. Sometimes, you just need to put your bullies on the field to kick some ass. The Rams have some of those now and may add more to the lineup in 2021.