How do we improve our pass rush?

[viper]

One of the biggest problems that the Rams have had over the last several years is no pass rush. Quarterbacks have been able to sit back and pick us apart at will.

What do you think we need to do to get a consistent pass rush from our defense. What is the problem?

[viper]

I hate to say this, but I'm beginning to wonder if Leonard Little may be part of the problem. He doesn't seem to be the impact player of years past. It seems to me like he runs himself out of the play more often that not. We may want to consider going after a beast of a defensive end early in the draft to help our defense get some penetration and sacks.

[NJ Ramsfan1]

I hate to say this, but I'm beginning to wonder if Leonard Little may be part of the problem. He doesn't seem to be the impact player of years past. It seems to me like he runs himself out of the play more often that not. We may want to consider going after a beast of a defensive end early in the draft to help our defense get some penetration and sacks.

I agree with you, Viper. Little is on the last legs of a good career. He is no longer a top tier defensive end. Chris Long is a work in progress. Carriker is hurt. Gary Gibson is a guy out there because we have nobody better. We simply do not have the horses to get 3 or 4 sacks every game and put consistent pressure on the quarterback.

The best way to rectify this in the short term is to be creative when sending guys after the QB. Blitz. Get tricky with stunts. Mix it up. It's the only way to survive and prevent getting picked apart by the better QBs we face.

[makersncoke]

I agree with you, Viper. Little is on the last legs of a good career. He is no longer a top tier defensive end. Chris Long is a work in progress. Carriker is hurt. Gary Gibson is a guy out there because we have nobody better. We simply do not have the horses to get 3 or 4 sacks every game and put consistent pressure on the quarterback.

The best way to rectify this in the short term is to be creative when sending guys after the QB. Blitz. Get tricky with stunts. Mix it up. It's the only way to survive and prevent getting picked apart by the better QBs we face.

I agree as with both of you, Little has lost a step over the last couple of years, there's nothing wrong with that he's getting older and that happens but he no longer commands as much respect as he once did, Long is going to be our best pass rusher in time, he needs to get bigger though and that will happen. I think the defense will continue to improve as Spags and Devaney put more of their fingerprint on this team, it's just going to take time. This team should be alot better by the end of the year than they are now. I hope.

[HUbison]

Dunlap, Wooten, Graham........all names to watch.

[GROUND DOG 39]

If this trend continues over the next 2 weeks regarding LL, something drastic has to be done. I dont agree leaving the younger, bigger Victor A on the inactives. Carrikers
loss has done more damage than I thought.
Surely theirs someone with some juice - Boy, I knew we were not great, but whats
transpired is begining to hurt. The worst team in the league hurts me to hear?
KEEP THE FAITH - GO RAMS

[viper]

The weakness at the DE position has made me question why we would have Adeyanju on the inactive list for the first two games. I know he's known as more of a run stopper. But, he seems like more of a disruptive, strong presence than Little at this point.

[btimsah]

One of the biggest problems that the Rams have had over the last several years is no pass rush. Quarterbacks have been able to sit back and pick us apart at will.

What do you think we need to do to get a consistent pass rush from our defense. What is the problem?

It's simple. The QB's can pick us apart because people are wide open because our corners suck. Also, linebackers have not done a tremendous job of covering either.

I contend the reason our pass rush sucks is because our pass coverage does. Fix the pass coverage and then you'll fix the pass rush.

It's not like these QB's always have 8 seconds to throw. They have about as much as time as any other QB, the only difference is - someone is always open it seems like. That equals poor coverage. Not sure we can fix this, this season either.

[AvengerRam]

I hate to say this, but I'm beginning to wonder if Leonard Little may be part of the problem. He doesn't seem to be the impact player of years past. It seems to me like he runs himself out of the play more often that not. We may want to consider going after a beast of a defensive end early in the draft to help our defense get some penetration and sacks.

I think you're right on the money here.

You also have to factor in that Little lines up on the left side against opposing RTs. I'm beginning to wonder if the Rams might be better off letting Long have that spot. Little might be best suited, at this point in his career, to come in as a blitzing OLB on passing downs. Imagine him lined up on the same side as Long.

All that stated... I readily acknowledge that Spags knows 100x as much as I do about defensive schemes. Given that fact, if my thoughts on Little have any merit, I'm sure he's aware of the situation and will deal wit it.

[AvengerRam]

It's simple. The QB's can pick us apart because people are wide open because our corners suck. Also, linebackers have not done a tremendous job of covering either.

I contend the reason our pass rush sucks is because our pass coverage does. Fix the pass coverage and then you'll fix the pass rush.

It's not like these QB's always have 8 seconds to throw. They have about as much as time as any other QB, the only difference is - someone is always open it seems like. That equals poor coverage. Not sure we can fix this, this season either.

Could not disagree with you more. Bartell and Wade are doing a good job. Most of the receptions they have given up have been underneath throws that, absent a major push up front, are nearly impossible to prevent.

The coverage down the middle of the field against opposing TEs, on the other hand, has been a problem.

[btimsah]

And as far as the defensive line itself. Leonard Little is purely a speed rusher who (as others have said) runs himself out of the play more often then not.

I think we need big guys inside who can collapse the pocket with power. Pressure up the middle is like gold for a pass rush. The qb has almost nowhere to go when you get the pocket collapsed up the middle like that. Ask Bulger.

[BarronWade]

Simple face the packers O-line

[btimsah]

Could not disagree with you more. Bartell and Wade are doing a good job. Most of the receptions they have given up have been underneath throws that, absent a major push up front, are nearly impossible to prevent.

The coverage down the middle of the field against opposing TEs, on the other hand, has been a problem.

The curl routes, weather deep or short are open almost all day. That's what Hasselbeck killed us with. This is a problem because they open up so fast that the pass rush has no time to get there.

Undoubtedly it's a collective effort of suck, but just as people excuse Bulgers poor play because of the offensive line, I will excuse the defensive line's poor play because of the secondary's inability to cover.

[jkramsfan]

well you have one of the best of all time in the dome this weekend, pick his brain and see what Deacon has to say,maybe a little time spent with him will help.grasping at straws here but they need to try something.

[AvengerRam]

The curl routes, weather deep or short are open almost all day. That's what Hasselbeck killed us with.

Really? Then why was Seattle's longest completion to a WR only 13 yards?