Rams front office has figured out how to make lightning strike twice

The LA Rams may be the forebearers of a new NFL trend of the future. That trend? Harnessing the power of friendly competition. For the past two seasons, first by accident, then by deliberate planning, the front office has managed to pair up two defenders whose friendly competitive nature has created inhouse rivalries that has boosted on-field production.

In 2023, the team stumbled into the unique experience, as Tennessee OLB Byron Young and Wake Forest NT Kobie Turner forged a bond of friendship at the 2023 Rams training camp. They not only became good friends, but fueled their competitiveness in training camp and throughout the 2023 NFL season by trying to outdo the other. Ultimately, Turner bested his friend and teammate Young at quarterback sacks by a narrow margin: 9.0 to 8.0.

Was the rivalry between Byron Young and Kobie Turner truly a factor? You tell me. But before responding, keep in mind that both Rams rookies led the entire 2023 draft class in quarterback sacks in 2023. And both heard their names called out in Round 3. Either all NFL Draft analysts and 31 NFL GMs all slipped up together, or the Rams stumbled onto something big.

Lightning strikes twice in the same spot for Rams

With the benefit of seeing how NCAA forged friendships can fasttrack a rookies impact and development in Year 1, the Rams front office leveraged that knowledge into a unique and perhaps risky strategy in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Rams selected Florida State OLB Jared Verse, which was a mild surprise as he fell to the 19th overall selection despite projections among the Top 10 rookies of 2024.

And then the Rams traded up in Round 2 to ensure that they could select his teammate, Florida State DT Braden Fiske. Many draft analysts chided the front office for an 'overpay,' to move up, but we were and continue to be excited over the strategy. The Rams found themself uniquely positioned to direct lightning to strike twice in the same spot.

And their gamble paid off, as in hitting the jackpot.

After 10 games, the LA Rams have the top two rookies in quarterback sacks. Curiously, after Week 11, it is DT Braden Fiske who has taken the lead among all rookies in sacking the quarterback. His teammate OLB Jared Verse has 4.5 QB sacks. But with two sacks in Week 11, Fiske has surpassed Verse to stand at 5.0 QB sacks.

Friendly rivalry, with a twist

Including this strip sack that changed the momentum of the game against the New England Patriots.

Fiske ended the game with two quarterback sacks and three tackles. Verse ended the game with no sacks and five tackles. Let the competition begin!

How heated is this competition between former Florida State teammates? Over the past four games, Verse has generated 3.5 quarterback sacks and 16 tackles. Fiske has generate 4.0 quarterback sacks and nine tackles. If one Rams rookie doesn't get to the quarterback, the other will.

Therein lies the secret to this friendly rivalry factor that the Rams appear to have harnessed in the past two drafts. While the natural passion and competitive nature of professional athletes pushes them to be the best at whatever they do, their friendship and football IQ diffuses that energy to applaud the achievements of their teammates. In essence, Jared Verse said it best in a mic'd- up performance against the Minnesota VIkings (at the 1:17 mark) :

He embraces being double-teamed, acknowledging that it will only make him a better player in the long run.

"I love it. You double-team me? We got Kobie (Turner). We got (Braden) Fiske. We got B.Y. (Byron Young). We got (Michael) Hoecht)"

- OLB Jared Verse

Ultimately, the Rams defense boasts a bunch of swarming pass rushers.

In the past, the Rams struggled to generate any pass rush against their Week 12 opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles managed to double-team All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald on every play. But how can the Eagles attempt that strategy in Week 12? If they double one guy, several others get a one-on-one and can make the play.

The Rams front office has found a way to make lightning strike twice. Now the question is, how good can the defensive front play in a very important Week 12.

Thanks for reading.

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