The RAMS Forum

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 7:40 am**

I had to think about this one a bit.... But the last time that I went into the season with no worries about the defense was 1984 when the Rams got Gary Green to go with Leroy Irvin, Cromwell and Johnnie Johnson. That year was also my first year to where I knew the team intimately and became a total fan of the game. Not just to get close to my dad.

This current defensive team didn't disappoint in week one. Now granted, they haven't faced a Saquan or a D. Henry yet. But I remain extremely optimistic overall about this unit. I love what Shula does with the aggression. While not as creative as Fritz Shurmur, this unit nonetheless reminds me of a Shurmur defense during the Kevin Greene days. I still think Saquan or Henry of the world still get their 100 yard games.. But not the 150+ that cost them the game. That's the difference having Ford makes. I say that because of the nature of Shula's defense.. aggression all of the time. That tends to allow a 20 to 30 yard gash here and there by a running back. I love this defense and how Shula calls it.

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 8:15 am**

duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 7:50 am After the Rams sold off the Super Bowl defense and started replacing them with practice squad level talent, I really didn't have much expectation for the defense. I guess the thought was the offense would continue to score 30 plus points a game which obviously hasn't happened. Considering Atwell and Adams combine 2025 salary is more than the complete starting twelve Rams defense, I would dare to state the Rams are getting their moneys worth.... I guess somebody is doing something right..... Or Shula is that good.

Ahkello is the best value in the league period at this point IMO. The man had been shutdown since the last 4 games of last season. The defense is mostly manned by guys on their first deals. The Rams haven't had to really pay them to this point. And obviously they aren't scrubs. This is what happens when you draft well and scout well. Now, the cool thing about this is that Stafford is likely going to retire after this season or next. Which means they'll likely have a QB on their rookie deal.. Which further means they should be able to pay Puka and the key defenders. I love the position this team is in long term assuming that McVay remains the HC.

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 8:56 am**

duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 8:23 am Good post CR

I would like to see guys like Puka that gives 500% on every play get his due. Puka in particular is making $22 mil less than Adams and not one complaint from Puka. ...... I know this is going to make the Stafford cork sniffers upset, but I wasn't happy with Stafford crying about his contract.... I would have let him walk and let the other slow guy that get's hurt all the time (Jimmy Garoppolo) have a crack at it and look for elite offensive lineman. But that's just me.

So we're going to disagree on Stafford here. I do think the Rams front office is on the honorable side of things. But the NFL on the whole today, and historically is not. The problem was little or no guaranteed money in Staffords contract. Stafford wanted that. He deserves that IMO. He got that. And he's still not being payed near the top of QB salary. That's how out of control those salaries are. Funny you mentioned Puka and his 500% effort. Stafford is that guy and always was and still is. More importantly here... the Rams right now are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Which is why you keep him. Jimmy G is a decent QB, the perfect backup in this system who can win you a few games. But at this point of his career i doubt he's a playoff type guy. There's a reason why teams didn't sign him to be a stop gap starter this past off season.

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 9:40 am**

duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 9:09 am Well that's Stafford and his agents fault..... Stafford had plenty of leverage after the 2022 Superbowl, and instead of demanding a restructured 4-year $250 mil deal which he would have got, instead he and his agent sat back and watched Donald and "scatter-brain" McVay threatening to retire to get their contracts restructured.

Stafford is now 37 years old and looks like a pretty beat up QB. Maybe he can stay upright for the rest of the season, but if he doesn't I don't think we lose much with Jimmy Garoppolo if he can stay upright. We have two delicate flowers at the QB position right now.

Totally disagree... I see a 37 yr old QB still throwing laser 20 yard no look dimes.

Anything else about the defense? The post isn't about Matthew Stafford

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 9:50 am**

CierraRam wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 9:40 am
duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 9:09 am Well that's Stafford and his agents fault..... Stafford had plenty of leverage after the 2022 Superbowl, and instead of demanding a restructured 4-year $250 mil deal which he would have got, instead he and his agent sat back and watched Donald and "scatter-brain" McVay threatening to retire to get their contracts restructured.

Stafford is now 37 years old and looks like a pretty beat up QB. Maybe he can stay upright for the rest of the season, but if he doesn't I don't think we lose much with Jimmy Garoppolo if he can stay upright. We have two delicate flowers at the QB position right now.
Totally disagree... I see a 37 yr old QB still throwing laser 20 yard no look dimes.

Anything else about the defense? The post isn't about Matthew Stafford

^ This

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 9:59 am**

CierraRam wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 9:40 am
duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 9:09 am Well that's Stafford and his agents fault..... Stafford had plenty of leverage after the 2022 Superbowl, and instead of demanding a restructured 4-year $250 mil deal which he would have got, instead he and his agent sat back and watched Donald and "scatter-brain" McVay threatening to retire to get their contracts restructured.

Stafford is now 37 years old and looks like a pretty beat up QB. Maybe he can stay upright for the rest of the season, but if he doesn't I don't think we lose much with Jimmy Garoppolo if he can stay upright. We have two delicate flowers at the QB position right now.
Totally disagree... I see a 37 yr old QB still throwing laser 20 yard no look dimes.

Anything else about the defense? The post isn't about Matthew Stafford

This^ also………

How many threads does someone need to mention his disdain for Stafford……..

Oh I forgot if one backs our HOF QB we are “cork sniffers”………….

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 2:52 pm**

I'll admit it. I was not thrilled with Shula being promoted to DC. I talked about how everyone in his family minus Don Shula had failed in coaching etc. With that said I'm not saying he's the next coming but the last X amount of games the D has been outstanding. Barkly put up some good numbers but the D still kept us in that game and we should of or could of beat Philly on our way to a SB win...

Still a long season to go but if his D keeps playing like this we have a legit shot at a SB run this year. I do have one wish though. I wish he was African American. Now hear me out. If he was African America we'd get a 3rd round comp pick after this year. I have no doubt he's going to get hired as a HC by some team if his D keeps playing lights out...

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 3:46 pm**

I too hated the Shula hire and I automatically lumped him in with all of the failed Shula's since Don. Seriously, I did.

Between the front office getting the players and his deployment of them it's just fascinating to watch evolve before our eyes. Because the rise has been happening since mid point last season. It's to the point that I actually like seeing the defense play as much as the offense.

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 3:52 pm**

duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 9:47 am just glad we have an actual tough as nails linebacker (Landman).... Something I haven't seen in a Rams uniform in quite some time.

Great so far. London was the last primary ILB that made a majority of his tackles near the LOS. Laurenaitis was great at making tackles.. Just not always where you would have liked him to. Speights is fine as the second ILB. There was a noticeable improvement once he started.

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 3:59 pm**

CierraRam wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 7:40 am I had to think about this one a bit.... But the last time that I went into the season with no worries about the defense was 1984 when the Rams got Gary Green to go with Leroy Irvin, Cromwell and Johnnie Johnson. That year was also my first year to where I knew the team intimately and became a total fan of the game. Not just to get close to my dad.

This current defensive team didn't disappoint in week one. Now granted, they haven't faced a Saquan or a D. Henry yet. But I remain extremely optimistic overall about this unit. I love what Shula does with the aggression. While not as creative as Fritz Shurmur, this unit nonetheless reminds me of a Shurmur defense during the Kevin Greene days. I still think Saquan or Henry of the world still get their 100 yard games.. But not the 150+ that cost them the game. That's the difference having Ford makes. I say that because of the nature of Shula's defense.. aggression all of the time. That tends to allow a 20 to 30 yard gash here and there by a running back. I love this defense and how Shula calls it.

It is so much better than the Morris defense of letting the team get 5-8 yards every play. If we get burned, we get burned, but I like the more aggressive defense. I will admit that Schula has better players than what Morris had, but that is the only benefit I will give him.

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 3:59 pm**

CierraRam wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 9:40 am
duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 9:09 am Well that's Stafford and his agents fault..... Stafford had plenty of leverage after the 2022 Superbowl, and instead of demanding a restructured 4-year $250 mil deal which he would have got, instead he and his agent sat back and watched Donald and "scatter-brain" McVay threatening to retire to get their contracts restructured.

Stafford is now 37 years old and looks like a pretty beat up QB. Maybe he can stay upright for the rest of the season, but if he doesn't I don't think we lose much with Jimmy Garoppolo if he can stay upright. We have two delicate flowers at the QB position right now.
Totally disagree... I see a 37 yr old QB still throwing laser 20 yard no look dimes.

Anything else about the defense? The post isn't about Matthew Stafford

Don't feed the animals...

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 4:24 pm**

Bulldawg wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 3:59 pm
CierraRam wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 7:40 am I had to think about this one a bit.... But the last time that I went into the season with no worries about the defense was 1984 when the Rams got Gary Green to go with Leroy Irvin, Cromwell and Johnnie Johnson. That year was also my first year to where I knew the team intimately and became a total fan of the game. Not just to get close to my dad.

This current defensive team didn't disappoint in week one. Now granted, they haven't faced a Saquan or a D. Henry yet. But I remain extremely optimistic overall about this unit. I love what Shula does with the aggression. While not as creative as Fritz Shurmur, this unit nonetheless reminds me of a Shurmur defense during the Kevin Greene days. I still think Saquan or Henry of the world still get their 100 yard games.. But not the 150+ that cost them the game. That's the difference having Ford makes. I say that because of the nature of Shula's defense.. aggression all of the time. That tends to allow a 20 to 30 yard gash here and there by a running back. I love this defense and how Shula calls it.
It is so much better than the Morris defense of letting the team get 5-8 yards every play. If we get burned, we get burned, but I like the more aggressive defense. I will admit that Schula has better players than what Morris had, but that is the only benefit I will give him.

Yeah, Raheem was just frustrating like that. Like 3 seasons of watching that same defense from him. Any of us could've called plays well against that.

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 4:28 pm**

Bulldawg wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 3:59 pm
CierraRam wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 9:40 am

Totally disagree... I see a 37 yr old QB still throwing laser 20 yard no look dimes.

Anything else about the defense? The post isn't about Matthew Stafford
Don't feed the animals...

I actually didn't know other posts had been hijacked until after the fact. I just got frustrated with him going on and on with Stafford.. lol

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 5:12 pm**

CierraRam wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 4:28 pm
Bulldawg wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 3:59 pm

Don't feed the animals...
I actually didn't know other posts had been hijacked until after the fact. I just got frustrated with him going on and on with Stafford.. lol

On the other note of defense...I loved hearing Puka saying he wanted to get back on the field so he could hit people. He enjoys punishing and hitting people. Maybe he should be converted to LB!

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 5:45 pm**

CierraRam wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 7:40 am
While not as creative as Fritz Shurmur, this unit nonetheless reminds me of a Shurmur defense during the Kevin Greene days.

Well, I have some less-than-wonderful memories of Fritz Shurmur's defenses with our team.

The Rams lost games to the Bills and Vikings during the 1989 regular season when their "D" couldn't stop their opponents from scoring at the end, even though in both cases they didn't get the ball until time was running out.

In the NFC playoffs that league year, the Good Guys' defense performed solidly in road upsets over the Eagles and Giants, only to fall apart vs. the 49ers in the conference championship game.

In the '90 season opener, Shurmur's "D" managed to make a Packers' backup QB named Anthony Dilweg look like a Hall of Fame prospect for that one game, which resulted in him being named Offensive Player of the Week before he vanished forever from the NFL.

Kevin Greene was an awesome performer though, he and Les Richter were arguably the best LBs ever to play for our team... ;)

:geek:

RAM SEASON!!

--The Commish

Posted: **September 10th, 2025, 6:05 pm**

Commish wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 5:45 pm
CierraRam wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 7:40 am
While not as creative as Fritz Shurmur, this unit nonetheless reminds me of a Shurmur defense during the Kevin Greene days.

Well, I have some less-than-wonderful memories of Fritz Shurmur's defenses with our team.

The Rams lost games to the Bills and Vikings during the 1989 regular season when their "D" couldn't stop their opponents from scoring at the end, even though in both cases they didn't get the ball until time was running out.

In the NFC playoffs that league year, the Good Guys' defense performed solidly in road upsets over the Eagles and Giants, only to fall apart vs. the 49ers in the conference championship game.

In the '90 season opener, Shurmur's "D" managed to make a Packers' backup QB named Anthony Dilweg look like a Hall of Fame prospect for that one game, which resulted in him being named Offensive Player of the Week before he vanished forever from the NFL.

Kevin Greene was an awesome performer though, he and Les Richter were arguably the best LBs ever to play for our team... ;) :geek:

RAM SEASON!!

--The Commish

The Eagle (3-5-3) defense Fritz conjured up in 1989 was done so because the team had a serious lack of talent on the defensive side of the ball because of injury as I recall. It generated over 40 sacks with exotic looks and blitzes and a TON of pressures. He would often shift the look pre snap to confuse the QB. It's the defense that allowed Kevin Greene to become..well, Kevin Greene. That's what im referring to here with Shula's defense in comparison. Shula does a fantastic job of disguising his pressures.. much like Fritz did in 89

Posted: **September 11th, 2025, 5:00 pm**

duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 11th, 2025, 10:25 am This Rams defense looks more like the 2022 Super Bowl Defense, than any of the older Rams defenses of the 80's.

The only question marks I see with the defense is the reaction time of the DB's in cover-2, they seemed a bit slow to react. But the DB's look like better tacklers and are more aggressive in 1on1 coverage...and we have a legit MLB. Shula is doing a great job.

I didn't say Shula's defense looked like Fritz's Eagle. The disguising is similar. Like the Eagle defense I have no idea where this Ram pass rush is coming from pre snap. It's not very predictable and it's most always aggressive. Which is also similar to that 3-5-3

Posted: **September 12th, 2025, 4:08 pm**

CierraRam wrote: ↑September 11th, 2025, 5:00 pm
duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 11th, 2025, 10:25 am This Rams defense looks more like the 2022 Super Bowl Defense, than any of the older Rams defenses of the 80's.

The only question marks I see with the defense is the reaction time of the DB's in cover-2, they seemed a bit slow to react. But the DB's look like better tacklers and are more aggressive in 1on1 coverage...and we have a legit MLB. Shula is doing a great job.
I didn't say Shula's defense looked like Fritz's Eagle. The disguising is similar. Like the Eagle defense I have no idea where this Ram pass rush is coming from pre snap. It's not very predictable and it's most always aggressive. Which is also similar to that 3-5-3

C, we all know what you meant. Well, almost all but one it seems.

Posted: **September 12th, 2025, 5:15 pm**

DelMar wrote: ↑September 12th, 2025, 4:08 pm
CierraRam wrote: ↑September 11th, 2025, 5:00 pm

I didn't say Shula's defense looked like Fritz's Eagle. The disguising is similar. Like the Eagle defense I have no idea where this Ram pass rush is coming from pre snap. It's not very predictable and it's most always aggressive. Which is also similar to that 3-5-3
C, we all know what you meant. Well, almost all but one it seems.

There's just some ya gotta spell it out.. otherwise they turn it into what they want it to be otherwise

Posted: **September 12th, 2025, 11:09 pm**

duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 8:23 am Good post CR

I would like to see guys like Puka that gives 500% on every play get his due. Puka in particular is making $22 mil less than Adams and not one complaint from Puka. ...... I know this is going to make the Stafford cork sniffers upset, but I wasn't happy with Stafford crying about his contract.... I would have let him walk and let the other slow guy that get's hurt all the time (Jimmy Garoppolo) have a crack at it and look for elite offensive lineman. But that's just me.

And this is why nobody on here takes your dumbass serious. Let go of a SB winning QB because your feelings got hurt is some lame shit. Stop typing you dipshit.

Posted: **September 12th, 2025, 11:12 pm**

duanevalle22 wrote: ↑September 10th, 2025, 9:47 am just glad we have an actual tough as nails linebacker (Landman).... Something I haven't seen in a Rams uniform in quite some time.

Yeah, your stupid ass is definitely Safety Blitz.

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