This should be Terrell Burgess’ moment in the LA Rams secondary

The LA Rams secondary is in a bit of a pickle heading into the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs. It’s pretty obvious that the LA Rams free agency moves, signing three agent defensive backs to restock the depleted secondary was not made in haste out of the belief that they are just incredibly valuable assets to have on the roster.  The team is in a tough way, and there is no sugar-coating it.

But when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Right now, second-year defensive back Terrell Burgess has been buried on the depth chart. Now? It’s his time to shine.

For whatever reason, The development of rookie defensive back Terrell Burgess stalled in 2021. Did he suddenly forget how to play the game? Or did he lose favor as he plays a more cerebral pass defense style, while the new LA Rams defensive philosophy is less concerned about position and pass defense and more about just hitting someone?

Burgess plays pass defense on a pass rush team

I think it’s more of the latter, as the team’s overall secondary performance has waned in 2021. Per Pro Football Focus, Taylor Rapp’s 2020 grade of 67.5 dropped to 65.5 this year. Darious Williams 2020 grade of 80.0 plummeted to 65.1. It’s as though the defensive backs on the team are struggling a bit to flourish in the new defensive philosophy.

Of course, it’s also true that the secondary has struggled with continuity this season. Darious Williams was injured for three games. Donte Deayon, a player who has gotten a significant number of snaps, missed Week 10 and Week 14.  Even All-Pro Jalen Ramsey missed Week 14.

And Terrell Burgess stepped up then. So why not expect him to setup up this week?

I won’t lie. I like what I’ve seen from Burgess when I’ve seen him play. He seems to be in the right spot to make a play, always near the football. He may be beaten on good throws, but he doesn’t seem to completely blow the coverage assignment.

He’s been dealt these cards before

He was part of the LA Rams secondary in Week 14 that helped the team defeat the Arizona Cardinals. While the Rams allowed Murray to throw for 383 yards, they did not surrender a touchdown but did intercept him twice.

The Cardinals won’t have DeAndre Hopkins on the field for this one, allowing Jalen Ramsey to opt on either Christian Kirk or Zach Ertz. Will Burgess be up to the task in this one?

I believe he will be. Of course, I could be wrong, but I don’t think it gets much worse than the pass defense in Week 18. If the Rams gain a lead and continue to move the chains on offense, I think Terrell Burgess can put up enough resistance to give the Rams a victory.

But let’s be clear. The Rams offense and defense do not operate independently. If the Rams offense does too many three-and-outs or tosses pick-sixes, this is simply not a strong enough defense to hold the line, particularly not with so many injuries to defensive backs. To win in the Wildcard Round, the offense will need to control the clock and score points. Then? Well, Terrell Burgess will help do the rest.