Grade the Rams DEs

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jul 16, 2009 4:59 PM CDT

I'm getting together again with the NFC West bloggers from SBN for a look at the Rams defensive ends. Since this is a community deal here at TST, I wanted to get everyone's input on our DEs.

Grade them in the poll below, but, more importantly, explain your grade.

Personally, I like our group of DEs, and I also like Spagnuolo's track record of taking unheralded spare parts kind of players and turning them into solid contributors on the defensive line. This year, we should see Chris Long emerge into a top-flight player. I've said before, he's probably not a Mario Williams type, but he'll be a regular feature at the Pro Bowl in the years to come. Leonard Little has something left to give used situationally to save his legs. James Hall, last year's sack leader, which is no great complement, could be a useful role player, but he's the oldest player on the team. Victor Adeyanju is something of a wild card. He's been useful against the run, but needs to ascend to the next level. He's the kind of guy that could really blossom under Spags and Flajole.

Those are the most likely candidates to make the roster at DE, so grade that group and justify it in the comments.

Poll

What grade would you give the Rams DEs?

A

16 votes

B

218 votes

C

264 votes

D

29 votes

F

13 votes

540 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

B

I’m not sure Long has the partners in crime that Spags was able to line up in NY. You guys know that one good DE doesn’t mean much without guys who attract attention in the other spots. Unless you have an LT, which so far appears that we don’t.

Little, to me, is very questionable because he’s at an age that a lot of good linemen struggle. 34 is up there. He better bring it full-on, every down he plays, or Long will see extra blockers rolling his way all game long. Long has the motor to handle that, but I’m not sure his ability to beat doubles is high enough yet. On occassion, sure. Frequently? Let’s see.

Maybe Long’s ready, but bottom line is you really need someone else distracting blockers if you want big success for any one guy. Mario Williams isn’t on his own either, he plays on an under-rated (and well coached) D line.

Adeyanju, yeah whatever. Our depth is nothing to get excited about, and probably shallow enough to hurt us if Long gets hurt. Hall is just as old as Little and was never as good.

Anyway – until they show me great stuff, B.

Lived in LA during the Rams and Raiders days. Now based in NorCal, I am still a die hard Rams fan and Raiders season ticket holder.

by CoachConnors on Jul 16, 2009 6:17 PM CDT reply actions

C

When James Hall is your sack leader, something is rotten in the state of Rammark. We should all be in accord that Long will improve on his 4 sacks from last year, but having a great #2-style DE doesn’t impress as much as a top-tier #1. Little continues to age, and we need to accept the decline of a great contributor. Adeyanju is a run-stopping DE who can contribute in depth, but is not much to rely on. Hall had an impressive season statistically; I’m skeptical as to whether he can step in as Little fades, but I’m hopeful that Spagnuolo can work his D-line magic and make something special out of something not-so-special.
C at this point, but with a lot of light at the end of this tunnel.

Your uncle molests collies.

by 3k on Jul 16, 2009 6:33 PM CDT reply actions

B/C

Chris Long poised to have a great year. However we are weak in the middle which will effect the play of the DE’s. Based on pure talent of the DE’s they deserve a B, but since the middle isn’t great, they will perform like a C

by PCarn on Jul 16, 2009 7:16 PM CDT reply actions

C

Little should be headin towards more bench time and I would really like to see Adeyanju start across Long. Long doesn’t have the speed to be a real sack master and lacks the size to become a true power DE so i could see him ending up as a level headed player who doesn’t make mistakes but not the playmaker i wish he was. Adeyanju has size and a little quick step to make some plays but when you look at Long and Adeyanju together i’m not impressed.

I’m not trying to stir the pot, but i really dunno if i would take Chris Long and James Laurinaitis over Glenn Dorey and Rey Maualuga right now.

by kinzav29 on Jul 16, 2009 9:19 PM CDT reply actions

B/C

i dont think u can compare Chris to Mario thats not fair. Mario is a freak of nature. Chris Long may make a pro-bowl or two but i dont expect him to be as good as his old man. He’ll be more like Grant Winstrom. High motor/Hard worker solid player. Little…idk….pending on how much gas he has left. If hes stays healthy im intreseted to see wat he does under Spags. Adeyanju and Hall are solid back up/ situational guys. i would like to see another edge rusher added but this unit isnt bad

by Dj Oxygen on Jul 18, 2009 5:14 AM CDT reply actions

C'mon

40% of people on TST rate the Ram’s DE’s as “above average?” HELLO, this team has won 5 of its last 32 games. The DE’s and the DT’s, i.e. the D-Line, stunk up the field last year. We allowed > 29 points per game. There was virtually no pressure on any opposing QB’s, and RB’s consistently blasted through holes in our line big enough to drive a truck through. Little and Hall are done. Carriker needs to show something. And Long didn’t have a stellar rookie season. We’re still sick puppies on defense.

by edpjr on Jul 18, 2009 6:23 PM CDT reply actions