Floyd/Miller tandem perfect fit for LA Rams DC Raheem Morris

Attacking the quarterback.

If there is one catchphrase that boils down to the comparative differences of the Raheem Morris defensive philosophy over the various versions of NFL defenses, and previous LA Rams versions of defenses,  it would be that simple phrase.  Raheem Morris loves to attack the quarterback.

The LA Rams defense is not about confusing quarterbacks. The defense is not content with just pressuring quarterbacks. It’s an entirely new mindset, a game of stalking NFL quarterbacks for all 60 game minutes. If the pass rush doesn’t get them, the defensive backs will. Some may not crack, but many will do so.

The LA Rams had decisions to make with their roster and which free agents the team should extend. Since the team only had sufficient funds to retain one key veteran, the decision was as much about who the team would not bring back as who the team would bring back.

Step I: Resigning Leonard Floyd

The fans who dared to weigh in lined up in two camps: Those who wanted the team to extend DB John Johnson III, and those who wanted the team to extend outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. Those who wanted to retain the best edge player on the roster won out.

The faith that the team placed in Leonard Floyd appears to have been well placed. In just eight games, Floyd is already at a team-high 6.5 quarterback sacks. That’s very impressive, particularly considering that he has sat in the fourth quarter of two games so far. He is on pace for 15 sacks this year, a total that will dwarf his previous totals.

Morris loves to get the quarterback. As such, he often dials up blitz packages on the Rams defense. At times, the blitz works. At other times, agile offenses use the Rams blitz to create open lanes or spots to run through or throw to.  Blitzes can work, but not as a staple for the defense.

Step II: Acquiring Von Miller

So Morris lobbied that the team needed one more player. The defense needed one more swiss-army knife off the edge who can do it all but at an elite level. A Von Miller type of player. So the Rams went out and got Von Miller.

Millier is the creme de la creme of NFL outside linebackers, a ten-year NFL starting edge rusher who has played at both the inside and outside linebacker position in his career. His 110.5 quarterback sacks are averaging nearly 11 sacks per season, and 2021 is only at the midpoint.

And then there is the Aaron Donald effect.

The Aaron Donald effect

Throughout his career, Von Miller has been double-teamed with offensive linemen, tight ends, and running backs. Much like Donald, Miller has powered through the numerical disadvantages, harboring hope that his play would free up another player on his defense to make the play. Now offenses are facing one helluva dilemma. Do they double or triple-team Aaron Donald and assign one man to stop Von Miller? Or do they double-team Von Miller, and let Aaron Donald face just one blocker?

The Aaron Donald effect elevated the Play of Donte Fowler Jr. from four quarterback sacks to 11.5. The same AD effect elevated Leonard Floyd from three quarterback sacks to 10.5.  Now imagine that same effect on Von Miller, who put up 8.0 quarterback sacks in 2020. Will he flirt at besting his career-high of 18.5 sacks?

No team has the likelihood of restoring the Von Miller of old to the NFL like the LA Rams.  The Rams are ever-improving in their use of scientifically and medically sound strategies to aid professional athletes remain healthy and productive. Miller, in the Rams defensive scheme, will no longer be the primary focus of offensive coordinators and offensive linemen.

Attacking the quarterback? The LA Rams just brought in an armored division.