Los Angeles Rams: The defense could still crash and burn in 2018
By Jason Reed
Although the Los Angeles Rams added plenty of new faces this offseason, fans should not be overly confident in what the defense will do during the year.
The Los Angeles Rams were the winners of the NFL offseason, at least on paper. Los Angeles added a slew of new talents to an already young and talented roster. The Rams are now the clear-cut favorites to win the NFC West as well as one of the Super Bowl favorites.
Three of the four big additions this offseason came on the defensive side of the ball. Los Angeles added two Pro Bowl cornerbacks, Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, to replace Trumaine Johnson.
The Rams also signed Ndamukong Suh to a reduced one-year deal solely based on the promise of playing alongside Aaron Donald and what that would do for his production.
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Offensively, the Rams added Brandin Cooks for a departing Sammy Watkins. Not only was Cooks a good replacement, he arguably was an upgrade from Watkins altogether.
It is the defense, though, that is leading to such high expectations next season. The Rams were already pretty stout offensively with Todd Gurley and Jared Goff carrying the workload. All LA needed was a solid unit under great defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, and the team would be a complete package.
Now, the Rams are undoubtedly a complete package, at least talent wise. However, there are some factors in play that may lead to the Rams defense crashing and burning next season.
And while the Rams will ultimately still be fine and will probably still be a playoff team, there should be at least some concerns heading into the season.
The Rams are not as surefire as everyone expects.
The biggest problem is the egos on the team. While the Rams did bring in nice talent, they also brought in guys in which their respective teams were willing to either give away or trade for cheap.
Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib have both had on the field issues due to their ego. Of course, there is also the foul play of Suh that has netted him suspensions.
If things are not going perfect, this is going to be the first thing that cracks the defense. Both Peters and Talib may go at each other, causing a toxic defense that is not on the same page. There is always the risk of Suh going haywire. If the front office cannot come to contract agreements with Aaron Donald, they are also losing out on production in Suh.
Having signed on the promise of playing with Donald, Suh would understandably be upset if there was no Donald to play alongside if there is a contract holdout.
Los Angeles needs the beginning of the season to go perfect and for there to be smooth sailing. If so, it is a lot easier for a defense to be firing on all cylinders when they are winning.
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It is when you take the winning out of the occasion and the true colors of certain players show. The Los Angeles Rams need to win early. If not, the defense may come crumbling down.