Like his predecessor, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has some big shoes to fill leading up to the 2021 NFL season.
Former defensive coordinator Brandon Staley proved he was more than up to the task after the Rams finished the 2020 campaign with the top-ranked defense. The onus will now fall on Morris to find a way to maintain this level of success moving forward.
Fortunately, the efforts of defensive tackle Aaron Donald have served as a stabilizing factor amid all the changes to the coaching staff in recent years. It seems he is looking forward to what is to come under the new regime.
Donald is embracing the potential adjustments that Morris plans on making to the scheme on defense, per ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry:
“I’m pretty sure he’s going to bring his own little twist to the defense, but overall I feel like we’re going to have similar things but at the same time, different things,” said Donald. “So just learning a new scheme, trying to see how he wants us to play certain stuff, but I’m excited. I hear nothing but great things about him, so I’m definitely pumped up to have the opportunity to work with him and be a part of this organization.”
Morris has made it clear that he does not plan to rest on the merits of what this defense achieved last season as the No. 1 group in the NFL. If the Rams are going to meet their Super Bowl expectations, then they will need to find a way to kick things up a notch in each phase of the game.
It also remains to be seen what kind of personnel will be at Morris’ disposal once the offseason comes to a close and training camp begins. This group could look quite different with safety John Johnson III, cornerback Troy Hill and a few others all leaving in free agency.
Luckily, Morris can take solace in having what he feels are two future Hall of Famers in Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Their presence should help pay huge dividends when it comes to incorporating his new adjustments to the base 3-4 scheme.
Donald has proven to be more than up to the task after registering 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles en route to NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors for the third time. Morris will be tasked with helping him replicate that success.
