The Los Angeles Rams finally got back on track after blowing out the Jacksonville Jaguars and it was encouraging to see them resemble the team that started the 2021 season.
The Rams played mistake-free football offensively while settling in and ensuring the Jaguars did not get many opportunities to score. One large reason the defense was so successful was rookie linebacker Ernest Jones, who had his best game as a pro.
Jones was recently inserted as a starter and the linebacker admitted that being announced as one at home was an exciting moment for him, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“That was probably one of the best moments of my life,” Jones said during a video conference with reporters Monday. “Just hearing that for the first time – I can say since I became a starter I’ve been waiting on that game.”
Rookies tend to take a while to get settled in the NFL, and Jones feels that he is finally starting to get his feet under him and make an impact on the field:
“It’s just been constant growth throughout these games,” Jones said. “Especially these last three, I kind of sensed myself being a lot more comfortable yesterday. I want to go out there and be myself, go back to being myself and having that excitement and that joy that I always show, and just fly around and make a lot of plays.”
Against the Jaguars, Jones racked up a team-high nine total tackles to go along with half a sack, a quarterback hit, and one pass breakup. It was the perfect showing from Jones who showed he could do a little bit of everything defensively, and his versatility gives the Rams a much-needed dimension for their defense.
While Jones has steadily improved each week, he has a much tougher test in Week 14 when Los Angeles hits the road to take on the NFL’s best team, the Arizona Cardinals.
