FanPost

Changes before San Francisco Game

There are a few changes, Sean McVay, Wade Phillips, and the coaching staff should implement going into Week 6 at home vs San Francisco.

I haven't seen Week 4 or Week 5 snap counts, anywhere but I would be curious to see those if someone has links.

Change #1: Incorporate Greg Gaines more in base packages.

I'm not ripping on Sebastian Joseph-Day or saying that he should not see playing time anymore, but I am not opposed to see a changing of the guard here soon with Greg Gaines. SJD has a PFF grade of 38.1 & in a small sample size, Greg Gaines has a grade of 68.6. With the run-heavy 49ers coming to town, maybe Gaines could be a) more suitable option to defend run and/or b) at the very least keep legs fresh for the DL front.

Change #2: Don't hand over same number of snap duties to Samson Ebukam that Clay Matthews had.

This is a really good time to find out if Natrez Patrick or better yet, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo can provide a youthful motor to the Edge position. Clay Matthews 6 sacks look great on paper. But at times, he looks slow off the edge. Again, not disappointed with his recording of 6 sacks, but a number of those have been fortunate to circumstance or Aaron Donald creating opportunity for clean-up after a missed sack. Granted Donald gives all the rushers a chance to get to the quarterback, but I want to see if Obo or NP can inject some depth & energy into that position. Clay Matthews injury might be a blessing in disguise in some ways.

Change #3: Eliminate Tanzel Smart from the DL rotation.

I think the active DL on each Sunday should be: Donald, Brockers, Gaines, Joseph-Day, & Fox. And I think that Fox could take all of Smart's snaps. From what I have seen, Smart has made a "blip" of an impact within the defense. Despite different role types, even using Gaines over Smart as a DE seems more beneficial in my opinion. Unlike Smart, I see more "impact" from Fox in the DE spot.

Change #4: If Hager is still unavailable, consider T-Howard at ILB over Troy Reeder

Reeder isn't bad, I just don't think he's ready yet this year. Collecting tackles is great. But if he is getting abused doing so, it really doesn't do any good.

Change #5: Use Weddle as single high safety, not John Johnson III

JJ43 is better suited shutting down TEs and providing wood in stuffing the run game. Sometimes JJ's eyes get caught in the play action game (even as the high safety) and that leads to Rams DBs getting beat on deep pass plays.