When this Rams veteran steps on the field at training camp, a storm is unleashed

Symbolism is not something we talk about when covering the NFL. And yet, some symbols are part of the daily lives of the Los Angeles Rams personnel, players, and fans. The colors of the Rams uniform: Sol Yellow and Royal Blue, were selected from a palette of colors to convey meaning to fans about the quality of the football team. The helmets have horns insignia, representing the Rams' avatar. And the team embeds symbols that carry the Rams brand in almost every communication and merchandise.

Symbols convey meaning. And fans can see meaning in all types of images. Take the image of Rams DROY outside linebacker Jared Verse stepping onto the football field. When Rams fans see that, they know that a storm is about to be unleashed.

Curiously, many NFL analysts understand what a threat Jared Verse can be in rushing the passer. But when he steps onto the football field, he brings a ton of pain to running backs too. In fact, per Pro Football Focus, he is a select member of a prestigious group of NFL defenders who excel at rushing the passer and stuffing the run.

Jared Verse runs among the NFL's elite

The other two elite NFL defenders in that trio are Pittsburgh Steelers T.J. Watt and New York Giants Dexter Lawrence. Of the group, Jared Verse is the only rookie. TJ Watt is entering his ninth NFL season, while Dexter Lawrence is entering his seventh NFL season.

Just to state the obvious, outside linebacker Jared Verse is entering his second NFL season.

Verse may be dominating the NFL already, but he is by no means a finished product. He earned his elite status with an unstoppable power rush. But for 2025, he's added a speed rush to his bag of tricks. And it's going to level up his game. To stop a power rush, offensive linemen must dig in and lean forward, trying to stymie the defender. But with a speed rush, they have to be light on their feet, dancing nimbly to remain in front of the defender.

The thing is, blocking a power rusher leaves the blocker vulnerable to a speed rusher, and visa versa.

Training camp is the time to fix flaws

That is just one of the second-season upgrades planned by Jared Verse. He understands that just 'getting there' is not nearly as effective as wrapping up a ball carrier for a tackle. And his 20.5 percent missed tackle rate in 2024 is not good. It's one of the things that Verse has been working on improving in the off-season.

His 4.5 quarterback sacks to all of his pressures was not a good ratio either. But not only is he working to improve his quarterback sack rate, but the Rams are working to help him do so. The team hired Pass Rush Coordinator Drew Wilkens specifically to get Verse much more effective at getting to the quarterback, and not just after him. The result?

Whenever outside linebacker Jared Verse steps onto the football field at training camp, a storm is unleashed. Just imagine the CAT 5 hurricane that awaits the Rams' opponents in 2025.

As always, thanks so much for reading.

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