Ex-Patriots DB Gilmore could be key boost to LA Rams defense

Go back, Jack, do it again

The Rams have tried to get mileage out of defensive back David Long Jr., but the early results have been disappointing so far. So disappointing, that the Rams have been shredded on two consecutive weeks. Not only are the Rams giving up miles of real estate, but this defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 71.2 percent of their passes.

That’s good enough for a 28th ranking in the NFL.

Let’s point out that the Rams secondary, the secondary that has both Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams, now allows a higher completion rate than the secondaries of the Atlanta Falcons, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Kansas City Chiefs. And yes, the word is that the Chiefs are in the market for secondary help.

Well, that sounds like the Rams ought to be in the market for secondary help as well. They are getting shredded in just four weeks, but they have two games against Seattle Seahawks, other games against the Arizona Cardinals, a game against the New York Giants, the Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers, and more. In short, there is no end to offenses that are finding success passing the ball this season.  At the current rate of this Rams defense, they’ll find a great deal more success passing the ball when they face the Rams.

The Rams have started a not-so-good-pass-defender safety Taylor Rapp and completely benched pretty-good-pass-defender safety Terrell Burgess, and nobody has a good explanation. The Rams started a struggling cornerback in David Long Jr. and completely benched a very athletic rookie cornerback Robert Rochell, and nobody has a good explanation.

The Rams are not shutting down the pass. The Rams are not shutting down the run. The Rams need to be calling in Stephon Gilmore. The Rams need to be calling in Jaylon Smith too.