Baldy's breakdowns captures NT Kobie Turner vs 6 Saints offensive linemen

If you have followed the LA Rams for any length of time, I'm quite certain that you can cite plenty of examples when former All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald was outnumbered by blockers on the line of scrimmage. Double-teamed as a rule, I recall seeing videos and images of three offensive linemen blocking him, and at least one time in which he faced four Seattle Seahawks blockers.

But I cannot recall ever seeing him facing six blockers. In fact, over many years of NFL play, I cannot recall any defensive linemen facing six blockers. Well, that is all in the past, because the latest Baldy's Breakdowns features LA Rams nose tackle Kobie Turner as the lone defensive lineman against six New Orleans Saints offensive linemen. Those are odds that no defender has a chance of overcoming.

That is despite Brian Baldinger's confidence in Kobie Turner's ability to overcome six-on-one odds:

Why did DC Chris Shula throw NT Kobie Turner against insurmountable odds like that?

The devil is in the details

Nothing tells a player "I trust you," more than being the lone defensive lineman up against six blockers. So it's clearly a message from DC Shula to The Conductor that he is the leader of the defensive front. And even though the odds are insurmountable, Kobie Turner retains his balance, occupies two to three New Orleans Saints offensive linemen, and keeps his eyes trained on the quarterback.

He even gets past one offensive lineman before reinforcements arrive.

While Turner occupied six offensive linemen, 10 defensive backs defended four Saints receivers. That's right, the Rams had double coverage on every Patriots route runner on that play. And that was only possible to close out the half thanks to The Conductor.

But there are other reasons for shaking up the defense with an unexpected and surprising defensive configuration. With this one-man defensive front on video footage, future offensive coordinators will need to prepare for that look in the weeks ahead. That gives the defense a slight advantage, as they may never deploy that formation again.

What I love about that play is the way that it demonstrates the way that Shula thinks outside of the box. Yes, the quarterback could have pulled down the football and run for daylight. But with time running out, Shula harnessed the down and distance to his advantage.

I love what Shula is doing with this defense. Its production will only improve over time as young players gain experience. And I can see the team improving the secondary via the 2025 NFL Draft, at least in terms of one very talented cornerback.

We'll see if the Rams mad scientist can brew a solid game plan for Week 14 to stop the Buffalo Bills incredible offense. Stay tuned. And thanks for reading.

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