DB Nick Scott has earned the right to start for LA Rams in SB LVI

When the LA Rams 2021 NFL regular season ended, the team had earned the right to advance into the postseason with a 12-5 record and by winning the NFC West Division. Unfortunately, however, the season did end for defensive back Jordan Fuller, whose ankle was stepped on by San Francisco 49ers offensive center Alex Mack.  In the same game, his partner, defensive back Taylor Rapp, suffered a concussion. He was entered into the NFL concussion protocol and has yet to be released to regular duty.

As a result, the Rams front office and coaching staff were forced to scramble a bit to backfill two starting safety positions. How has the team gone about patchworking the starting secondary?  Well, with a bit of superglue, duct tape, and a few players who may not have been on many persons’ radar before the playoffs hit.

The Rams opted to start second-year defensive back, Terrell Burgess, on running downs. When the down and distance were passing play scenarios, the Rams substituted formerly retired defensive back Eric Weddle in. On the opposite side, the team started seldom-used defensive back, Nick Scott. The gambit has paid off handsomely and we will be happy to dissect the other elements of the Rams solution at their safety position.

Nick Scott delivered The Hit

But this moment belongs to Nick Scott and The Hit that was heard around the NFL.

The LA Rams have oftentimes found hidden gems on their roster when an injury has forced the team to rely upon a backup player. That is how the team uncovered the potential of DL Greg Gaines. It’s also how the offense has discovered the potential of TE Kendall Blanton. In the time of need, the backups have found ways to step up for this team in very impressive and unexpected ways. Both have proven their worth on this roster.

But there is something more about the way Scott plays center field for the Rams. Even as teams know that the Rams’ secondary is not at full strength, he has been exemplary in his performance. How good? His Pro Football Focus grade for the playoffs so far has been 82.0. That is a far cry better than the 65.5 grade of Taylor Rapp this season.

Scott has earned the right to start one more game

Not only has he been very stingy in his pass defense, but he has been dynamite in his run defense as well. His bone-jarring hit on San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel not only dislodged the football from what would have been a first down, but he mowed down Samuel with such force that Samuel was ineffective for the rest of the game.

The LA Rams front office makes no bones about the fact that the team loves to add game-changing talent to the roster. The team needs to apply that same principle to each player, no matter where or how they arrived on the roster. Right now, Nick Scott has added to, not detracted from, the team’s defense.

I am not so foolish to assert that the Rams will start Nick Scott over his teammates in Super Bowl LVI, any more than I believe that the team will start the very capable inside linebacker Travin Howard over his teammate, Troy Reeder. But the proof is in the pudding. Right now, Nick Scott is delivering outstanding defense for the team. And borrowing from the old adage about tinkering with success.

‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’

DB Nick Scott has earned the right to start for LA Rams in SB LVI, Let’s hope that the coaching staff gives him that opportunity.