It goes without saying that the Los Angeles Rams have been dubbed the winners of the offseason thus far on paper. As a result, they are considered heavy favorites to go all the way in the 2018 NFL season.
Rams players have proceeded with caution when it comes to buying into their own hype. However, even cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman could not help himself.
He recently asked how teams plan to pass against their star-studded defense through a post on Twitter:
I never really been the type to make bold predictions but I’m just wondering how teams are going to throw the ball?!.. but I’m asking tho lol 😂
— NickellRobey-Coleman (@slotgod23) April 22, 2018
While his post may seem a bit brash this early on, it is certainly a legitimate question. Los Angeles was already solid against the pass during their stellar 2017 campaign. The defense ranked fifth in passer rating allowed and six in interceptions. Those numbers figure to increase with the addition of a pair of All-Pro cornerbacks in Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib.
They are backed by a talented safety tandem in Lamarcus Joyner and John Johnson. Joyner was one of the best safeties in the league after officially making the switch from corner. Meanwhile, Johnson showed plenty of promise last year after being promoted to full-time starter. Not to mention, Robey-Coleman is one of the best slot defenders in the league.
As if that was not enough the Rams also boast the most formidable defensive line in the NFL. Los Angeles already possessed a stout interior thanks to defensive tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. The signing of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is just the icing on the cake. That said, quarterbacks are going to have little time to get the ball out before succumbing to the hounding pressure of this trio.
Unfortunately, it is not the passing ga,e that Los Angeles needs to worry about. It became evident early on that the Rams were extremely vulnerable up the middle. Given the lack of linebackers and edge rushers currently on the roster, it seems that much is true thus far.
