Rams are discovering there is far more to Kobie Turner than meets the eye

Perhaps the biggest challenge for the LA Rams defense in 2024 was the designation for a team captain. Typically that sort of honor is given to one of the veterans, an accolade to a player who has shown up week in and week out to help the team in not just the spotlight statistics, but in those areas where there are no visible effects. Yet, this defense is oh so young, and many of the veteran leaders are no longer suiting up in The Horns.

It's a new chapter for this defense. And as such, the Rams found themselves in need of a new defensive team captain. Someone who not only embodied the passion and energy of this young defense, but a player whose presence was infectious, and who knew the ups and downs of the NFL, and yet keeps coming back for more.

Second year defensive tackle Kobie Turner was the obvious choice.

Sometimes a captain must lead the team in statistics. But more often than not, they must do the dirty jobs like gobbling blockers, flushing a quarterback out of the pocket so that other players can get a sack, and simply filling his role so that other players can fill their roles.

And in Week 1, 'The Conductor' was more of a supporting role than a leading man in the team's defense. But he was thrilled with that role too:

The truth of the matter is that leadership is more than producing on the football field. It's about inspiring teammates to perform at optimal levels. It's about being an emotional leader, a great communictor whose words can align everyone on the team to one shared goal. And yes, Kobie Turner is that gifted of a speaker:

In their first game of the 2024 NFL season, DT Kobie Turner put up two tackles, no quarterback pressures, and no quarterback sacks. But he was frequently double teamed, allowing his teammates to make plays. Both outside linebackers Byron Young and Jared Verse recorded a quarterback sack. In fact, rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse was a wrecking ball on the defensive front. That was due, in part, to Kobie Turner's occupying two offensive linemen on many plays.

Don't panic. The Conductor will get his sacks and tackles this season. Not every offensive line that the Rams face this season will be as talented as that of the Detroit Lions. But one thing is clear. The Rams have a true defensive captain in Kobie Turner.

As always, thanks for reading.