Turf Show Times: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: Sounder At Heart for Seattle Sounders Fans!

Putting the attack back in the Rams defense

There's been plenty of talk about the change in approach on the offensive side of the ball, as you might expect for a team where offense became the brand for awhile. However, the Rams are set for a real sea change on defense, where a new philosophy and a new playbook are being installed. The Rams new head coach, Steve Spagnuolo, made a name for himself as an aggressive defensive coordinator. Now, as head coach he's hired former Panthers LB coach Ken Flajole to reshape the Rams defense. 

The fundamental change we're going to see is the role of the defensive front. Rather than moving side-to-side or relying on a few set plays and reacting to the offense, the system being implemented by Spags and Flajole calls for players in the front to move forward and attack. We'll get into the actual Xs and Os in a future post, but for now, one thing we can assume - based largely on what we've been told straight from the horse's mouth - is that the Rams will be attacking the QB more. 

The chart below looks at the Rams sack totals and sack rate (as described at Football Outsiders) since 2000. You can see the drop off since '04. The last time the Rams had a season above .500 was '03. Of course, injuries factor into this as well, but you can see the steady decline that's coincided with the team's slide.

Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Sacks 51 47 38 42 36 41 34 31 30
Rate 8.4% (5) 7.6% (7) 8% (6) 7.2% (5) 6.7% (16) 7.2% (14) 5.7% (18) 6.2% (17) 6.2% (16)

 

Under Spags, the Giants defense of the last two years ranked among the league's best in sacks and sack rate (2007: 53 sacks, 8.8% sack rate (1st); 2008: 43 sacks, 7.3% sack rate (6th)). More impressive is the fact that in 2008 they did that without Strahan and Umenyiora, though they still had an impressive array of talent filling their defensive front. Sp what can we expect to see with the Rams? Expecting top five sack totals may be too much, but the unit should be much improved with the new system, the continued development of Chris Long, wiser use of Leonard Little in the rotation, and what we hope will be better play in the middle.

0 recs  |  Comment 13 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Come on VanRam!!!!

You have Ken Flajole listed as the former Eagles LB coach. Let me help you out….
He was NEVER the Eagles LB coach. Actually, HE WAS NEVER EVEN AFFILIATED WITH THE EAGLES! He was the Panthers LB coach for 6 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Flajole

Geez….

On this team, we are all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
-- Lou Holtz

by RamsMan83 on Jun 4, 2009 8:32 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

it was early

corrected now

Turf Show Times

by VanRam on Jun 4, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

haha...

no hard feelings. I work in QA for a website so it’s my job to find these things. :-)

On this team, we are all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
-- Lou Holtz

by RamsMan83 on Jun 4, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

still gotta be on the stick with that stuff

but not too bad for a 6 a.m. without coffee

Turf Show Times

by VanRam on Jun 4, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

subtle ad placement for coffee

I approve

Your uncle molests collies.

by 3k on Jun 4, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Plus, Spags and Flajole never worked together, either!

On this team, we are all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
-- Lou Holtz

by RamsMan83 on Jun 4, 2009 8:36 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He got Faljole and Shurmur mixed up

Shurmur was the QB coach with the Eagles while Spags was there

Your uncle molests collies.

by 3k on Jun 4, 2009 11:36 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

and I got Faljole and Flajole mixed up

Flajole is our D-Coord. Faljole is, uh, nothing, I think.

Your uncle molests collies.

by 3k on Jun 4, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

you think that's bad

should hear me try to pronounce them…

Turf Show Times

by VanRam on Jun 4, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So...

On the next Turf Show Radio, VanRam pronounces the coaching staff. Be sure to tune in!!!

I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.

by Tackle Box on Jun 4, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i'll have the #4, please.

which includes the Chimichanga, a Soft Taco with chicken & extra sourcream, and 2 Flajoles.

by mooseknuckles41 on Jun 4, 2009 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

come on

Man anyone want to talk defense,what’s going on these commits are strange,any way I beleive that James at middle linebacker is going to do a lot for the D we just gave up so many big plays I mean right up the middle,and lets start talking special teams we get the lead and Rams fans know watch the guy run the kickoff all the way back,find some good tacklers and put them on special teams the Patriots use their best guys on special teams we need to to.

by 39jackson on Jun 5, 2009 8:47 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about St. Louis Rams.
Start posting about the Rams »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

St-louis-cardinals_small
The State of the Team

Recent FanPosts

Small
O-line grades
Ricky_prohel_small
Please thank Mike Karney and the offensive line for their job this season
Peter_small
Sent SJAX An "Honorable Tweet" + Shower Loofa
Dsc03827_small
A Link to the Jim Rome Radio Show
Images
The Draft
Images
Keys for success (with Boom Boom Pow help)
Saved_small
we here alot about the draft but...
Peter_small
Special Teams May Shine Today - Amendola
Ricky_prohel_small
If you really think about it, the Rams receivers aren't "that" bad
Small
Why our WRs are not Good

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Gang Green Nation
Join Us Sunday
Field Gulls
Open College Football Thread
Arrowhead Pride
Former Chief Believes Players Will Begin to Question Haley

Cover the web with Turf

Add a little Turf to your internet!

Become a fan of TST on Facebook.

Follow TST and talk more Rams on Twitter.


Managers

Turfshowtimes_small VanRam

Editors

Spags_victory_small 3k

Authors

340x_small kevinramsfan

Wildcat_small Tackle Box

Uncleface_small taiko

Small ram_rod

Dsc03827_small CoachConnors