Troy Reeder leads the Rams donut defense again, and it's uglier than ever

Darn, the donut defense is back

This Rams defense no longer boasts All-Pro DB Jalen Ramsey nor All-Pro DT Aaron Donald. There are no veteran blocker gobblers on the defensive line. And both 2020 star defensive backs, John Johnson III and Darious Williams, are on injured reserve.

But ILB Troy Reeder is back. And so is that darned donut defense. The problem with the return of both is that this Rams defense knows what a weak presence at the inside linebacker posiition causes the defense, and the entire team. Because the Rams can no longer impose their will to stop opposing offenses, they are vulnerable to determined running backs.

In three games so far, Chicago Bears veteran RB D'Andre Swift had rushed 37 times for 68 yards. That was only good enough for a 1.8 yards per carry. But he only needed 16 runs to put up 93 yards and a touchdown against the Rams defense.

The problem is, we can expect more of the same. So far, the Rams have not faced a strong rushing attack. The San Francisco 49ers faced the Rams in Week 3 without RB Christian McCaffrey.

The Rams allowed Detroit Lions RB David Montgomery to put up 91 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, Arizona Cardinals James Conner to put up 122 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, 49ers RB Jordan Mason to put up 77 yards on 19 carries, and Bears RB D'Andre Swift to put up 93 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Just check out how easily both Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder were absolutely helpless to shed blockers and make a play on Swift's touchdown run:

Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder play the same style of passive defense. Neither is particularly gifted at shedding blockers, stuffing runs, or soloing at tackling. The pair has combined for 67 tackles, eight missed tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, and have allowed 15 of 20 passes to find their mark. But the biggest problem is how passively both linebackers attack the ball carriers.