Camryn Irwin sits down with D’Marco Farr and Michael Brockers to preview Saturday’s Los Angeles Rams preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. The crew previews the Rams’ first preseason matchup, highlights key players on the defensive line, and shares advice for rookies looking to earn a spot on the roster.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
Welcome to Between the Horns, presented by your Southern California
toil to dealers. Kimeron Or went alongside to Marco Farr
and our very special guest to get us ready for
the preseason. We got Michael Brockers in house. Yes, sir,
I can guarantee you this is starting. It's going to
be a defensive of a Between the Horns Rams of course,
kicking off the preseason. It's starting tomorrow at four pm
(00:27):
and Sofi Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Remember what I told you you were my favorite Ram. Yes,
I do, and that stands true. Yes, every weekend, week out,
day and day out, first off of us, first at practice,
first onto the field. It's an honor to have you here.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Man, Thank you, thank you, Thank you for somebody of
your caliber to see that it means it means tremendous
to me.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
And you look so handsome. He's really you, man, Thank you.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
Yeah, I made for TV, man, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
And then tell me to dress up and put the
ear ring on.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Well, the good news is you said you're made for TV.
You're getting a little TV debut tomorrow. Part of the
ABC seven crew alongside JB. MJD and Meda comes. How
are you feeling about getting ready for broadcast?
Speaker 4 (01:08):
I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
I'm actually excited, you know, to do to do a
broadcast of the team that Like I'm a fan now,
so like I get to watch as a fan, I
get to talk as a fan. So, uh, there are
some things I might say that might be a little objective.
So I'm just excited to see what what what is
all about? You know, this media side is a little different,
but I think I got.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
You're most certainly not a fan. You know, you know
you're not a fan. You're an analyst. Yes, sir, there
we go. But I mean it's funny. I mean you
have to like learn how to be honest like a dude.
You like, you have to critique them, you have to
tell them. How do you think it was for me
telling you about you, watching you play and then asking
you questions after the game?
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Same thing?
Speaker 2 (01:47):
You gotta be honest, Yeah, have fun with it.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Yeah, But I mean we both were both players, and
I think that's the biggest thing is like I don't
I'm not disrespecting you when I'm asking you these questions.
I just really want to know how you're doing what
you know what's going on?
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Why did you suck today?
Speaker 4 (02:00):
Right?
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Well, then this is the perfect segue. Time to put
on the analyst cap. No longer a fan. As we
look ahead to this season, of course, we've got Matthew
Stafford coming back for his seventeenth year, the addition of
Devonte Adams, we talk about the emergence once more of
Puka Nakua. The defensive side of the ball is only
going to get better with the young secondary as well
as the additions in it's going to be an exciting year.
(02:25):
But the biggest news in the last week has been
the extension of Kien Williams three years. He is back
with the Los Angeles Rams and it's huge in so
many different ways. But why was it such a big
deal to get Kien Williams back in the backfield?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Okay, I have a thought and tell me if you
think I'm wrong about this. Kyroen is the type of
guy you want on your football team. He's like you,
he's a hard working dude, he leads by example, and
he's he's a damn good football player. So I think
he's earned every penny of that contract. And if he
doesn't get it, that sends the wrong message to the
locker room, right, you know what I mean, Like, if
(02:59):
you don't pay Kiren, then what why do I need
to work hard?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
You feel the same way absolutely, You know, when you
have a guy like you said that that comes into
work every day and puts his you know, grabs his
pale and his lun you know, his lunch bag, and.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Like he's ready to work.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
He's ready to you know, get on the feel and
do whatever he has to do for the team. I
don't think he he's a guy that you know, focuses
on self, you know, accolades. He's all about winning, and
I think that's what I love about McVeigh and and
his whole you know, his whole leadership is about it's
about the team first. It's about everybody giving what they have,
uh for the common you know, same common objective objective
(03:36):
is to win. So I think Karen you know, fits
that that scheme perfectly. And you know, I'm glad that
he also got got his deal done and you know
he's it's a guaranteed deal three years, you know, yeah,
three million.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
So yeah, this is what I mean.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
You're not a fan because like from the fans, perspective.
You may point out the negatives of Kiren, but you're
you're you're missing all the positives and right brings and
what the energy that he brings to the football team
and how he lifts other people. That stuff is so important.
So I am so glad, and I thought he was
smart that he showed up during all this, Right, he
didn't miss a day. Right, you know, it shows him
that he's really involved and he wants to be here.
(04:13):
So I thought that was It was awesome to get
that deal done. Great for him, great for the football team.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
You you called him a workhorse. I mean he had
the third most carries only short of Saquon and Derek
last year, and he was just one yard short of
trying to find the magical thirteen hundred in terms of
total rush yards eighty one percent of the snaps. The
question remains, he had obviously touchdown after touchdown fifteen plus
in terms of scribbage shutdowns back last two seasons. Do
(04:38):
they need to lessen his load? Do they look somewhere else?
Speaker 2 (04:41):
That's a great question. You faced off against Saquon right
and Derrick Henry. You know, when that guy back there
is a factor. So I mean if you could be
a bell cow back and be a guy that carries
it every single time and still threatens the defense, that's awesome.
But for guys like I think it's smart that if
(05:02):
you have a secondary back that can take some of
those carries to keep him fresh, I think you get
a better Kyen Williams that way.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Absolutely absolutely, Like you said, I mean, I agree with
you if you could take the load off his legs
a little bit, have two back system where he can
come off to feel a little bit.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
Because you said he had.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
Eighty percent of the snaps, So yeah, if you could
take some of those snaps off his legs and have
somebody else take it and still get the same production,
I think that'd be good for him.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, like three hundred and thirteen carries. I was looking
around the league and I think he might be the
only back with that many carries that didn't have another
guy that took at least one hundred, like Saquan had,
Jalen Hurts who took carries. He can run lamar obviously
with Derek Henry, it was Kiren and then the next
was fifty eight with Blake Korn. Wow, that's a dude.
That's playing a lot, So if you can just take
(05:47):
some of those carries away, you might get a fresher
kyen in the fourth quarter.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Yeah, and maybe this is too easy of a question,
but who is that second back? And especially just considering
I look at Jarquis Hunter what he did at training
camp and he seems awfully dangerous. Is it him? Is
it Blake Korham, Ronnie Rivers? Where do you think those
other touches are going to We'll.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Find out tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Yeah, this is what I like.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
I mean, we will Yeah, I mean I could pick
my guy, but I mean, look, we'll find out who
wants that job.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
You know.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
I think all jobs are open when you come to preseason,
Absolutely absolutely. But I do like Blake.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
I do like Blake Ran because I feel like they're
the same stature, kind of the same back, and you
don't lose the production that you get, you know, with
with Kirrent, So you know, having a back that you
know when you pull, you pull him off the field,
you know, and he comes in and you're like, dang,
I'm dealing with the same.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Guy again, you know.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
So yeah, I think you know, I like I like Blake.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Yeah, that's a tough task. I have to go up
against the same guy. Right, Well, let's look ahead to
preseason starts tomorrow and it's gonna be filled with rookies
and a lot of guys trying to make this roster
where there are very few spots remaining. Take me back
to twenty twelve, the first time getting out on that field,
and just what you're feeling going into those games.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Man, the first thing you feel is like I'm playing
in the NFL, like I'm living my dream.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
And then and the next thing you think.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
I hope I don't mess this up, you know, like
that's immediately like the the next thought is like, I
hope I don't screw this up like I made it here.
Especially for me, I was first round pick. I don't
want to be a bust, you know. I really want
to come out here and show this organization why they
drafted me. So it you know, anxiety is very high.
You know that first preseason game I screw the.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
First time, I said, I'm like, damn, this is a
big dude. That's a big joker. But I remember it
was almost a philosophy by lesni. They were taking guys
early out of school so they have their rookie year
or their senior year in college or in the pros.
So that was that for me coming in. I was
like five years in school. I was ready. I felt
the same way you did just stepping foot on the field.
(07:45):
I'd won. I made it to the NFL. This is
rarefied there. Now I have to find a way to
stay here, you know what I mean. So the nerves
go out the night before, you're thinking about all the
little things you used to dream about as a kid,
and here you are putting on that helmet the next day,
and then you realize how big and how fast these
people are. Yes, yes, yes, we got to get better
(08:07):
from here, but yeah, it's it's a big moment. But
all that goes away once toe meets leather and you
see that ball going through there and you got to
go play ball.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
So, just how important are these next three preseason games,
because obviously Rams have a tradition of not playing their starters.
You're trying to find those lasted final few spots. How
do you kind of manage the anxiety going And if
you were to go back and give advice to some
of the guys that are just about to get out there,
how important are these.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
Games for the younger guys.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
It's definitely important because you know, you want to be
locked into the game. You definitely want to be one
of those guys that that the coach and staff can
count on. You don't want to go out there and
have a bunch of busts. You don't want to go
out there and have a bunch of you know, mis tackles,
you know, plays that just aren't going to look good
for you on film. You only have three games to
show this team that you can make this roster. So
(08:54):
you know, it's a lot of a lot of pressure
on you in three games. You know, back in the
day four games, maybe you didn't do too well first game,
you know you can come back in the third game.
But now you only have these three press preseason game
to really showcase your skills. Not to only this organization,
to everybody else as well. All the other organizations are
watching the same film. So these are games that's highly
important to all the rookies, and I think they need
(09:16):
to take that into perspective.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
I got some great advice from a ten year VET
when I was a rookie. He called us together and said,
just all the rookies, just remember you're here to make
it in the NFL, not just the Rams. And that
was just one of those. It took some of the
weight off, you know, because we were getting ready to
go hunger games. We're out here fighting for a job.
It's like, hey, look, this film goes to everybody, so
you're here to make it in the NFL. It was
a calming effect. I don't remember who did you open
(09:39):
up with your rookie year in the preseason?
Speaker 4 (09:41):
Preseason? I think it was Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
If I don't, do you remember who you first bumped
up against, because the first time I took a snap
in the pros, I was going against Vince Evans, who
could have been my father. Wow, he was that old.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
That's what I mean, Like, dang, there's some old dudes
out here. No, yeah, do you remember who you I don't.
I don't recall who was going to get I remember
the team. I think it was Baltimore, but I don't
recall who was going to Okay, like.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
This dude's got gray hair. This is the first for me.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
A real man.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Tomorrow we'll get a chance to see sets in Bennett
out on the field, and it will be his third
preseason outing. We saw what he did it against the
Cowboys last year. Can't forget about that last second. It's
little side armed dagger throw to get the score even
left right, yeah, yeah, move and left. It was a
thing of beauty. What are your expectations for him getting
back out on the field for year three?
Speaker 2 (10:35):
This is wild Brock. I mean for him, I know
he can move, I know he can scramble. He's that
type of guy. But anything that has that doesn't have
to do with his feet, That's what I'm interested in.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
I hear you.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Can you run the offense? Can you drop back? Can
you keep everybody on time? I know you can get
out of trouble. I know you can scramble, but can
you run the offense and be credible? That's what I'd
be looking for.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Absolutely, I agree, I agree, you know it. Can Can
he run off in you know, in and out the huddle?
You know, get the play call? Can you give the
play call to all the players? Get out the huddle fast?
You know, read the defense.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
Like it's a lot.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Quarterback is hard, you know, Quarterback is really hard, you know,
and then so so for him to be able to
really have that confidence to control offense. I think if
we see that, it'll definitely know that, you know, he
got better this offense. I'm rooting for it, really, absolutely,
absolutely absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Let's set our eyes now to the offensive side of
the ball. Moving forward into the regular season, massive headlines,
obviously adding DeVante Adams into the mix. I mean, his
numbers speak for themselves. A thousand yards, receiving, eight receiving
touchdowns in each of the last five seasons. I mean,
when you put him alongside Nikua, just how good is
that pairing in the NFL ron I know, I'm gonna
(11:47):
say that.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
I mean, it's crazy. I said this on Good Morning
Football like a couple of weeks ago. They were like, man,
who do you think can really challenge the Eagles this year?
I was like, man, those Rams are not playing and
nobody's really watching.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
You know.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
Obviously the addition of Devonte Adams, you know, was a
big issue, but you know, people still think like the
Rams aren't in it for some reason. I'm like, man,
little do you know that he's going to a great
head coach, a great found you know, foundation where everybody
believes in a team. It's no real you know, nobody's
really trying to be a headline guy, you know, always
(12:22):
trying to be the guy in the media, And I
just think this team really has it. You know, they
have all the pieces. You have a great quarterback that
knows how to get the guys the ball, a great
young defense that have been playing together. They last year
they went to the NFC Championship, Like they can take
that experience and go a long way. So I just think,
you know, it's only up from here. You went to
(12:43):
the NFC Championship. Now it's the super Bowl, you know.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
So that's where I am.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
That's where I'm. I don't know about you.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
No, No, how many times have you seen him coming
the other way playing against the Matay Adams. How many
times have you been out there with.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Him going against him?
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Yeah, we went against Green Bay like two or three
two one year in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
You know, so because I watch him on tape, and
you know, you have to keep your corners confident. But
you're watching this dude on tape, like, we can't cover
this dude, you know what I mean. But this is
what drives me nuts, because guys like him drive me
nuts because our job is to demoralize the quarterback right, Well,
we can't because he's out there. Because this guy always
thinks he has an outlet. Yeah, because he's always open.
(13:23):
That's what he drives. That's how he drives you nuts.
And he's one of the better third down receivers in
the National Football League. So that's one of the things
that you would like to change about this offense going
from last year to this year, is Matthew Stafford in
the offense has to do a better job of staying
on the field third down was a problem. Well you
just you have one of the best third down receivers
in the league since twenty twelve. That's gonna help. Plus
(13:45):
he can do all the other stuff so demoralizes the defense,
scores more points. Yeah, this is a positive for the
Rams big time.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
We already touched on the run game talking about Kayen
will Williams in the backs, but I'd actually like to
flip it now because tight ends, it feels like that
scenario where there could be a massive improvement from last
year to this year. The least productive tight end group
in the NFL of a season ago. A healthy Tyler
Higbee yea add in t Ferg into the mix, a
guy I know you already called that name back at
(14:12):
the draft, but could we see more twelve personnel just
considering those guys that are going to be on the field.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
I mean, you know, let's be real. Coach McVeigh loves
eleven personnel. He loves to be the option to run
or pass. But when you got two healthy tight ends
that can go out there and catch the ball and
you can run the ball, it definitely messes with the defense.
So I think this year McVeigh is gonna he's gonna
mess with people with those personnels because you know, you
can run anything twenty one twenty one p Put them
(14:38):
at fullback or whatever, switch them out, go to tight end,
you know. So I think he can mix and match
the personnels this year and really trick up some defenses.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
The best way I could describe it, you can't see
my feet or you can you Okay, I'll just do this.
I'll pretend this this is me. This is a defense one.
This is me versus eleven personnel, head down, butt up,
I'm flying off the ball. This is me versus twelve.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Yeah, Because I don't know which way they're going, right.
It creates so much confusion on defense because they have
two tight on the field, where do we call our
strength to This guy can catch, this guy can block.
It's just a nightmare. So and it's so funny when
they hired Sean McVay, he was coming from Washington and
he was kind of a quarterback tight end guru. And
then from then on he goes to eleven personnel and
(15:22):
workshop with it. But I mean, I think he covets
twelve personnel. I bet he wishes he can get two
more of it. I think with the addition of t
Ferg and Higbee out there, I think you can finally
flesh out the offense the way you want to. So
I think you'll see a lot more twelve personnel this year.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Yeah, just some numbers for context. Twenty twenty three it
was just four percent of snaps that they were in
twelve and twenty twenty four, there was a bump, even
considering that we were struggling from a health perspective up
to fourteen. I think obviously a lot of that had
to do with trying to find some blocking help with
a depleted offensive line. But there is one area where
I think some definite red zone threats could come into
(15:58):
effect again with the tight ends. Another improvement on the
offensive side at Coleman Shelton back in at center. What
does he bring apart from just continuity I play.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
I played with him very hard work and Barry, he
shows up every day ready to go. Mentally, he's there,
he has it, and I just I just like his demeanor.
I mean, you know, he was always a guy. I
looked at him like, man, he works tremendously hard. You know,
he really wants that job and went up, went up
and got it and won a job.
Speaker 4 (16:28):
And now he's doing really well.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
I think the most important thing on the football team
is the center is the center, and a great center
solves all your problems. And if you go back to
last season and bo Lemmer, I thought did a fantastic
job as a rookie. That's a hard spot to be
in a rookie center. Does that make you salivate?
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Right?
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Right?
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Yeah, absolutely right. I thought he did a great job.
But it put more onto Matthew Stafford's way calling protections.
Make sure you have to know everything plus get the
ball off. So now that you have Coleman Shelton in
the fold, well that just takes a little bit off
Matthew staff for kind of like Kiren. It's kind of
like having a good backup. Well, you've got a great center,
Now you go do this. I'll do that. The offenshiul
flourish hopefully.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
And now other good news too the offensive line. When
you look across the board from right to left, everyone
graded higher than at least sixty six percent. And get this,
three of those five over seventy five. That is looking
like a really solid offensive line heading into this year.
All right, you guys ready for a little deissert.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
I figured time head over to some defense, a little
encore for Chris Hula in his second year. And it's
safe to say this group was young last year, maybe overachieved,
exceeded those expectations. However you'd like to put it, what
are some of the biggest differences and why this team
and that unit will be elevated this season?
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Well, first, what did you think of Verse?
Speaker 4 (17:46):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (17:47):
I love Verse, I love Verse. I love what he
brought to the team. He brought that physicality, that defensive end.
You know it wasn't allowed. You know this game now
everybody wants to run around the ads and get those
pretty sacks. But when you can go out out there
and overpower a man, a man that's meant to block
you and get to a quarterback. It just sends a
(18:07):
different type of fear into the offensive line and the
offense in itself. So for him to do that as
a rookie, and now knowing this is the second year,
he's getting more comfortable. Fisk is down there, you got
Kobe down there. You got be Wise on the other's end.
Like this defensive line group, the sleeper is a sleeper.
Be Wise the sleeper. Watch out for him.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
He looks great, Yes, and it's funny. You know. I
asked him just to be funny. I said, I bet
you got to be sick of hearing Jared's name. He's like, yeah,
you know what I mean. Yeah, that's the watch out
for him. But with Jared Verse, you're right, he is
a math changer and it's so funny. It's like you
can run right through a wall, that's what he does.
I'm like, there's a doorknob right there, Right, you don't
(18:48):
have to do that. But I mean, when you can
actually physically move a guy, there's nothing you can do.
There's no protection you can call for that, right, he's
just beating our guys up. So I think with him
and the way he's coming to camp this and how
he's bringing guys along with him, I think this defense
has a chance to take a big, giant step forward.
And I know most of the I guess the criticism
(19:08):
comes from the back end. You know your cornerback situations. Yeah, linebackers.
I said, with a good front, A good defensive front
is great deodorant. It covers up a lot of sticks, right,
you know what I mean? And I think you have
a lot of guys that can put a lot of
pressure and Chris Shula, I think towards the end of
the year started to trust everyone and they got way
more aggressive. So they were they finished better than they started.
(19:30):
So if you start the way you finished, I think
this defense has a chance to really really be good.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
You played with one of the greatest defenders in the
NFL for years. How do you compare him to a
young Jared First? And what you're seeing, it's.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
It's hard to compare him because he's in Jared's outside
and was inside. But the things that they do, it's
put in fear in the offensive lineman. You don't know
what you're gonna get. He can run me over or
he can run around me. Like, I don't know what
to do. So that's what the offensive lineman or thinking,
like I don't know if to set you know, hard
(20:03):
set him or should I just set back, like you
don't know what he's gonna do. And he can do either.
You know, you can run you over and run around you.
So it's definitely it's hard to block a guy like that.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
Yeah, Puniford. At an end to the mix, I know
you're gonna be excited to talk about him. Just what
added element does he add to that defensive line.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
I think the energy, energy interior, you know, in the
interior energy run stopper. You know, it's it takes a
lot to block that guy. You know, I watched him
in Seattle for a long time. He played with the Chargers,
you know, so I'm very familiar with his game. So
I just love his energy. Man, he goes out there
and he plays a game at a high level. He
loves to, you know, do his little dances, has a
(20:44):
little celebrations and things like that. So I'm excited to
see that his addition to the D line, it's gonna
be phenomenal. Man, This D line, it is gonna be crazy.
I'm excited.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
You have to get too excited, right, right, But I
see we see the same thing. Imagine if a fire
Hyde grew arms and legs, that's him. But the thing
that I as a defensive lineman, he really embraces the
nose tackle roll. Yes, you know what I mean. Yeah,
you're not gonna get a lot of fan fair you're
(21:14):
not gonna call your name a lot, But you might
be the most important guy on the field. You know
what I mean. You keep everybody clean, you keep the
offense honest, and something else I did not know watching
him in training camp this year. When he has a
chance to straighten out and pass rush, he's got some
wiggle and some go to him. So yeah, I'm with you.
I can't wait to see this d line go and
him go. At the same time.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
He's fifth among all interior defensive linemen in terms of
his overall grade and seventh in terms of run defensive
rate five eleven, three ten.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
You're spot on nose tack k right.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Yeah, it's like trying to move a brick wall. It
just ain't gonna work. We've already talked a little Jared verse,
and let's go back to the run defense, because I
think that's an area for a lot of Rams fans
where they had some question marks, And there's been some
changeover from last season and to this year. How comfortable
are you feeling heading into this twenty five season considering
you got spaces the edition of Landman really comfortable?
Speaker 2 (22:09):
I mean some of that stuff, like with the exception
of say Kawhon Barkley, and that was a whole different deal.
That dude is from Mars. But some of those rushing
yards came from quarterbacks. And that's the thing. So I
hate to go back in my day, but back in
my day, most quarterbacks did not run. They were pocket guys.
You came up in this athletic quarterback era. Yeah, when
(22:29):
they get out, it counts against you twice. One it's
the first down, two it's rushing yards. I mean. But
once it seems like once they learn how to cast
that white net, they did a better job against those
running quarterbacks. But that is always going to be a problem.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
I mean, when you have Jared versus collapse in the
pocket from the edge, that's what you really need. Like
on running quarterbacks, you need to come you know, you
need to collapse the pocket, confine it, don't allow him
to have any space. You know, when you get a
bunch of guys out there Russian on edges and he
can find the quarterback and find scenes. That's usually when
you see quarterbacks getting out. But when you have d
line that understands, hey, this is that let a quarterback
(23:03):
he will get out if we allow let's collapse his
pocket on him, make him, make him a passer.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
It makes the game one dimensional.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
But they could be better. But it's so funny. It's
you watch rushing yards allow, it's like three hundred you
know who that was, right, right?
Speaker 4 (23:17):
Right?
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (23:17):
Right?
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Oh yeah guy?
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Yeah, Well, actually I'm with you on that because I
did some math. The first five games last year, we
allowed one hundred and fifty seven yards per game rushing
on average. Last five though only ninety six. Now, that
does kind of eliminate that Eagles matchup in the middle.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Once that light comes on as a young player and
as a defense and you kind of get it and
how we all work together and run defense to me
is about teamwork in communication. And they got better as
the year went along, So yeah, it became tougher to
run on but earlier. I mean, you're learning it's hard.
Speaker 4 (23:50):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
I mean because for me when I seen you know,
I played for Detroit for a couple of years, and
I feel.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Like we're not going to talk about that part.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
What I'm saying is, you know, from that team, I learned,
like there's ways that team can can attack you run wise,
where they eliminate the D line, they eliminate they'll run
a duo or whatever, and they'll stretch it all the
way to the corner and try to make the corners tackle.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
And we all know corners don't like the tackle.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
So in order, and I agree with you, playing the
run is a team game. So you need your corners,
you need your safeties, you need everybody to hold their
gap in the run game for you to be successful.
So if we have that, I think that will be
very successful.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
All right, guys, it's time to wrap this up and
get ready for tomorrow's action. But before we go, I
got one last question for you. Over the last two years,
the Rams have lost some pretty big identity pieces, whether
it was Donald or cup this last season or Brockers question.
If you remove McVeigh and Stafford from the equation, who
are you entrusting this team to on the player front.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Why would I have to remove them?
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Why you're not speak speak you know.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
I mean haven Stein comes to mind. He's been here,
Little Higbee's been here the longest. Guys like Kiren we
just talked about. I mean he is a leader, you know.
I told Braydon fist this. Uh you're was it eight
and a half sacks last year? I mean that's great
and it's fun to talk about. I wouldn't say it's
a novelty, but it's fun. But now this year, this defense,
the success it depends on you doing that again, and
(25:31):
you're gonna be counted on to do that now. It's
like fun. If you got it last year, this year
they need it, got to have it. So it's a
little bit different. So young guys stepping up. Uh, Quentin
Lake is a guy I would say steps right to
the forefront. As as leaders the one thing I would
say about Quentin Lake you got to make more plays.
But as far as leadership goes, yeah, I would be
(25:52):
comfortable turning the team over to Quentin Lake.
Speaker 4 (25:54):
I'm gonna be biased.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
I'm biased D line wise because every year I played
I felt like the D line ran the team, and
you know it has to be Jared versus you know,
Braden Fist, you know, pulling forward all those guys. I
think the D line should be should lead this team,
you know, because if your D line is good and
you know they're going out and you know, balling, I
think nobody can really mess with your team. So if
(26:16):
we can put the pressure on the D line, because
we feel like that's the one unit on this team
that you know, has been together. They're young, they're ready
to go, I think we give it to them. I
think we'll be successful.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Rock He talks all the time.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
Right, yeah, yeah, And I've heard that all over the building.
They're like Jared talks all the time, NonStop.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
All ways yelling.
Speaker 2 (26:35):
They were like you.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Yeah, they were like, oh yeah, you had the championship,
but now he beats you and being loud. I'm like,
oh man, so yeah, I think you give it. Give
it to the D line, put it on the D
lines back all right.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
Well, Rams fans, we want to see you out at
Sofai at Stadium tomorrow at four pm, because well it's
time to get loud onside these guys. And of course
you can check out Michael Brockers on the ABC seven
broadcast to Marko Far will be on ESPN l A
RAMS Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Yes correct, yes, and we can't.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
Wait to see you at Sofi Stadium. This has been
another edition of Between the Horns, of course, presented by
your Southern California toil To dealers. Can't wait to see
you in so Far
Welcome to Between the Horns, presented by your Southern California
toil to dealers. Kimeron Or went alongside to Marco Farr
and our very special guest to get us ready for
the preseason. We got Michael Brockers in house. Yes, sir,
I can guarantee you this is starting. It's going to
be a defensive of a Between the Horns Rams of course,
kicking off the preseason. It's starting tomorrow at four pm
(00:27):
and Sofi Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Remember what I told you you were my favorite Ram. Yes,
I do, and that stands true. Yes, every weekend, week out,
day and day out, first off of us, first at practice,
first onto the field. It's an honor to have you here.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Man, Thank you, thank you, Thank you for somebody of
your caliber to see that it means it means tremendous
to me.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
And you look so handsome. He's really you, man, Thank you.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
Yeah, I made for TV, man, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
And then tell me to dress up and put the
ear ring on.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Well, the good news is you said you're made for TV.
You're getting a little TV debut tomorrow. Part of the
ABC seven crew alongside JB. MJD and Meda comes. How
are you feeling about getting ready for broadcast?
Speaker 4 (01:08):
I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
I'm actually excited, you know, to do to do a
broadcast of the team that Like I'm a fan now,
so like I get to watch as a fan, I
get to talk as a fan. So, uh, there are
some things I might say that might be a little objective.
So I'm just excited to see what what what is
all about? You know, this media side is a little different,
but I think I got.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
You're most certainly not a fan. You know, you know
you're not a fan. You're an analyst. Yes, sir, there
we go. But I mean it's funny. I mean you
have to like learn how to be honest like a dude.
You like, you have to critique them, you have to
tell them. How do you think it was for me
telling you about you, watching you play and then asking
you questions after the game?
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Same thing?
Speaker 2 (01:47):
You gotta be honest, Yeah, have fun with it.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Yeah, But I mean we both were both players, and
I think that's the biggest thing is like I don't
I'm not disrespecting you when I'm asking you these questions.
I just really want to know how you're doing what
you know what's going on?
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Why did you suck today?
Speaker 4 (02:00):
Right?
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Well, then this is the perfect segue. Time to put
on the analyst cap. No longer a fan. As we
look ahead to this season, of course, we've got Matthew
Stafford coming back for his seventeenth year, the addition of
Devonte Adams, we talk about the emergence once more of
Puka Nakua. The defensive side of the ball is only
going to get better with the young secondary as well
as the additions in it's going to be an exciting year.
(02:25):
But the biggest news in the last week has been
the extension of Kien Williams three years. He is back
with the Los Angeles Rams and it's huge in so
many different ways. But why was it such a big
deal to get Kien Williams back in the backfield?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Okay, I have a thought and tell me if you
think I'm wrong about this. Kyroen is the type of
guy you want on your football team. He's like you,
he's a hard working dude, he leads by example, and
he's he's a damn good football player. So I think
he's earned every penny of that contract. And if he
doesn't get it, that sends the wrong message to the
locker room, right, you know what I mean, Like, if
(02:59):
you don't pay Kiren, then what why do I need
to work hard?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
You feel the same way absolutely, You know, when you
have a guy like you said that that comes into
work every day and puts his you know, grabs his
pale and his lun you know, his lunch bag, and.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Like he's ready to work.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
He's ready to you know, get on the feel and
do whatever he has to do for the team. I
don't think he he's a guy that you know, focuses
on self, you know, accolades. He's all about winning, and
I think that's what I love about McVeigh and and
his whole you know, his whole leadership is about it's
about the team first. It's about everybody giving what they have,
uh for the common you know, same common objective objective
(03:36):
is to win. So I think Karen you know, fits
that that scheme perfectly. And you know, I'm glad that
he also got got his deal done and you know
he's it's a guaranteed deal three years, you know, yeah,
three million.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
So yeah, this is what I mean.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
You're not a fan because like from the fans, perspective.
You may point out the negatives of Kiren, but you're
you're you're missing all the positives and right brings and
what the energy that he brings to the football team
and how he lifts other people. That stuff is so important.
So I am so glad, and I thought he was
smart that he showed up during all this, Right, he
didn't miss a day. Right, you know, it shows him
that he's really involved and he wants to be here.
(04:13):
So I thought that was It was awesome to get
that deal done. Great for him, great for the football team.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
You you called him a workhorse. I mean he had
the third most carries only short of Saquon and Derek
last year, and he was just one yard short of
trying to find the magical thirteen hundred in terms of
total rush yards eighty one percent of the snaps. The
question remains, he had obviously touchdown after touchdown fifteen plus
in terms of scribbage shutdowns back last two seasons. Do
(04:38):
they need to lessen his load? Do they look somewhere else?
Speaker 2 (04:41):
That's a great question. You faced off against Saquon right
and Derrick Henry. You know, when that guy back there
is a factor. So I mean if you could be
a bell cow back and be a guy that carries
it every single time and still threatens the defense, that's awesome.
But for guys like I think it's smart that if
(05:02):
you have a secondary back that can take some of
those carries to keep him fresh, I think you get
a better Kyen Williams that way.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Absolutely absolutely, Like you said, I mean, I agree with
you if you could take the load off his legs
a little bit, have two back system where he can
come off to feel a little bit.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
Because you said he had.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
Eighty percent of the snaps, So yeah, if you could
take some of those snaps off his legs and have
somebody else take it and still get the same production,
I think that'd be good for him.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, like three hundred and thirteen carries. I was looking
around the league and I think he might be the
only back with that many carries that didn't have another
guy that took at least one hundred, like Saquan had,
Jalen Hurts who took carries. He can run lamar obviously
with Derek Henry, it was Kiren and then the next
was fifty eight with Blake Korn. Wow, that's a dude.
That's playing a lot, So if you can just take
(05:47):
some of those carries away, you might get a fresher
kyen in the fourth quarter.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Yeah, and maybe this is too easy of a question,
but who is that second back? And especially just considering
I look at Jarquis Hunter what he did at training
camp and he seems awfully dangerous. Is it him? Is
it Blake Korham, Ronnie Rivers? Where do you think those
other touches are going to We'll.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Find out tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Yeah, this is what I like.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
I mean, we will Yeah, I mean I could pick
my guy, but I mean, look, we'll find out who
wants that job.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
You know.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
I think all jobs are open when you come to preseason,
Absolutely absolutely. But I do like Blake.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
I do like Blake Ran because I feel like they're
the same stature, kind of the same back, and you
don't lose the production that you get, you know, with
with Kirrent, So you know, having a back that you
know when you pull, you pull him off the field,
you know, and he comes in and you're like, dang,
I'm dealing with the same.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Guy again, you know.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
So yeah, I think you know, I like I like Blake.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Yeah, that's a tough task. I have to go up
against the same guy. Right, Well, let's look ahead to
preseason starts tomorrow and it's gonna be filled with rookies
and a lot of guys trying to make this roster
where there are very few spots remaining. Take me back
to twenty twelve, the first time getting out on that field,
and just what you're feeling going into those games.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Man, the first thing you feel is like I'm playing
in the NFL, like I'm living my dream.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
And then and the next thing you think.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
I hope I don't mess this up, you know, like
that's immediately like the the next thought is like, I
hope I don't screw this up like I made it here.
Especially for me, I was first round pick. I don't
want to be a bust, you know. I really want
to come out here and show this organization why they
drafted me. So it you know, anxiety is very high.
You know that first preseason game I screw the.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
First time, I said, I'm like, damn, this is a
big dude. That's a big joker. But I remember it
was almost a philosophy by lesni. They were taking guys
early out of school so they have their rookie year
or their senior year in college or in the pros.
So that was that for me coming in. I was
like five years in school. I was ready. I felt
the same way you did just stepping foot on the field.
(07:45):
I'd won. I made it to the NFL. This is
rarefied there. Now I have to find a way to
stay here, you know what I mean. So the nerves
go out the night before, you're thinking about all the
little things you used to dream about as a kid,
and here you are putting on that helmet the next day,
and then you realize how big and how fast these
people are. Yes, yes, yes, we got to get better
(08:07):
from here, but yeah, it's it's a big moment. But
all that goes away once toe meets leather and you
see that ball going through there and you got to
go play ball.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
So, just how important are these next three preseason games,
because obviously Rams have a tradition of not playing their starters.
You're trying to find those lasted final few spots. How
do you kind of manage the anxiety going And if
you were to go back and give advice to some
of the guys that are just about to get out there,
how important are these.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
Games for the younger guys.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
It's definitely important because you know, you want to be
locked into the game. You definitely want to be one
of those guys that that the coach and staff can
count on. You don't want to go out there and
have a bunch of busts. You don't want to go
out there and have a bunch of you know, mis tackles,
you know, plays that just aren't going to look good
for you on film. You only have three games to
show this team that you can make this roster. So
(08:54):
you know, it's a lot of a lot of pressure
on you in three games. You know, back in the
day four games, maybe you didn't do too well first game,
you know you can come back in the third game.
But now you only have these three press preseason game
to really showcase your skills. Not to only this organization,
to everybody else as well. All the other organizations are
watching the same film. So these are games that's highly
important to all the rookies, and I think they need
(09:16):
to take that into perspective.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
I got some great advice from a ten year VET
when I was a rookie. He called us together and said,
just all the rookies, just remember you're here to make
it in the NFL, not just the Rams. And that
was just one of those. It took some of the
weight off, you know, because we were getting ready to
go hunger games. We're out here fighting for a job.
It's like, hey, look, this film goes to everybody, so
you're here to make it in the NFL. It was
a calming effect. I don't remember who did you open
(09:39):
up with your rookie year in the preseason?
Speaker 4 (09:41):
Preseason? I think it was Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
If I don't, do you remember who you first bumped
up against, because the first time I took a snap
in the pros, I was going against Vince Evans, who
could have been my father. Wow, he was that old.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
That's what I mean, Like, dang, there's some old dudes
out here. No, yeah, do you remember who you I don't.
I don't recall who was going to get I remember
the team. I think it was Baltimore, but I don't
recall who was going to Okay, like.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
This dude's got gray hair. This is the first for me.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
A real man.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Tomorrow we'll get a chance to see sets in Bennett
out on the field, and it will be his third
preseason outing. We saw what he did it against the
Cowboys last year. Can't forget about that last second. It's
little side armed dagger throw to get the score even
left right, yeah, yeah, move and left. It was a
thing of beauty. What are your expectations for him getting
back out on the field for year three?
Speaker 2 (10:35):
This is wild Brock. I mean for him, I know
he can move, I know he can scramble. He's that
type of guy. But anything that has that doesn't have
to do with his feet, That's what I'm interested in.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
I hear you.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Can you run the offense? Can you drop back? Can
you keep everybody on time? I know you can get
out of trouble. I know you can scramble, but can
you run the offense and be credible? That's what I'd
be looking for.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Absolutely, I agree, I agree, you know it. Can Can
he run off in you know, in and out the huddle?
You know, get the play call? Can you give the
play call to all the players? Get out the huddle fast?
You know, read the defense.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
Like it's a lot.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Quarterback is hard, you know, Quarterback is really hard, you know,
and then so so for him to be able to
really have that confidence to control offense. I think if
we see that, it'll definitely know that, you know, he
got better this offense. I'm rooting for it, really, absolutely,
absolutely absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Let's set our eyes now to the offensive side of
the ball. Moving forward into the regular season, massive headlines,
obviously adding DeVante Adams into the mix. I mean, his
numbers speak for themselves. A thousand yards, receiving, eight receiving
touchdowns in each of the last five seasons. I mean,
when you put him alongside Nikua, just how good is
that pairing in the NFL ron I know, I'm gonna
(11:47):
say that.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
I mean, it's crazy. I said this on Good Morning
Football like a couple of weeks ago. They were like, man,
who do you think can really challenge the Eagles this year?
I was like, man, those Rams are not playing and
nobody's really watching.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
You know.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
Obviously the addition of Devonte Adams, you know, was a
big issue, but you know, people still think like the
Rams aren't in it for some reason. I'm like, man,
little do you know that he's going to a great
head coach, a great found you know, foundation where everybody
believes in a team. It's no real you know, nobody's
really trying to be a headline guy, you know, always
(12:22):
trying to be the guy in the media, And I
just think this team really has it. You know, they
have all the pieces. You have a great quarterback that
knows how to get the guys the ball, a great
young defense that have been playing together. They last year
they went to the NFC Championship, Like they can take
that experience and go a long way. So I just think,
you know, it's only up from here. You went to
(12:43):
the NFC Championship. Now it's the super Bowl, you know.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
So that's where I am.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
That's where I'm. I don't know about you.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
No, No, how many times have you seen him coming
the other way playing against the Matay Adams. How many
times have you been out there with.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Him going against him?
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Yeah, we went against Green Bay like two or three
two one year in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
You know, so because I watch him on tape, and
you know, you have to keep your corners confident. But
you're watching this dude on tape, like, we can't cover
this dude, you know what I mean. But this is
what drives me nuts, because guys like him drive me
nuts because our job is to demoralize the quarterback right, Well,
we can't because he's out there. Because this guy always
thinks he has an outlet. Yeah, because he's always open.
(13:23):
That's what he drives. That's how he drives you nuts.
And he's one of the better third down receivers in
the National Football League. So that's one of the things
that you would like to change about this offense going
from last year to this year, is Matthew Stafford in
the offense has to do a better job of staying
on the field third down was a problem. Well you
just you have one of the best third down receivers
in the league since twenty twelve. That's gonna help. Plus
(13:45):
he can do all the other stuff so demoralizes the defense,
scores more points. Yeah, this is a positive for the
Rams big time.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
We already touched on the run game talking about Kayen
will Williams in the backs, but I'd actually like to
flip it now because tight ends, it feels like that
scenario where there could be a massive improvement from last
year to this year. The least productive tight end group
in the NFL of a season ago. A healthy Tyler
Higbee yea add in t Ferg into the mix, a
guy I know you already called that name back at
(14:12):
the draft, but could we see more twelve personnel just
considering those guys that are going to be on the field.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
I mean, you know, let's be real. Coach McVeigh loves
eleven personnel. He loves to be the option to run
or pass. But when you got two healthy tight ends
that can go out there and catch the ball and
you can run the ball, it definitely messes with the defense.
So I think this year McVeigh is gonna he's gonna
mess with people with those personnels because you know, you
can run anything twenty one twenty one p Put them
(14:38):
at fullback or whatever, switch them out, go to tight end,
you know. So I think he can mix and match
the personnels this year and really trick up some defenses.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
The best way I could describe it, you can't see
my feet or you can you Okay, I'll just do this.
I'll pretend this this is me. This is a defense one.
This is me versus eleven personnel, head down, butt up,
I'm flying off the ball. This is me versus twelve.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Yeah, Because I don't know which way they're going, right.
It creates so much confusion on defense because they have
two tight on the field, where do we call our
strength to This guy can catch, this guy can block.
It's just a nightmare. So and it's so funny when
they hired Sean McVay, he was coming from Washington and
he was kind of a quarterback tight end guru. And
then from then on he goes to eleven personnel and
(15:22):
workshop with it. But I mean, I think he covets
twelve personnel. I bet he wishes he can get two
more of it. I think with the addition of t
Ferg and Higbee out there, I think you can finally
flesh out the offense the way you want to. So
I think you'll see a lot more twelve personnel this year.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Yeah, just some numbers for context. Twenty twenty three it
was just four percent of snaps that they were in
twelve and twenty twenty four, there was a bump, even
considering that we were struggling from a health perspective up
to fourteen. I think obviously a lot of that had
to do with trying to find some blocking help with
a depleted offensive line. But there is one area where
I think some definite red zone threats could come into
(15:58):
effect again with the tight ends. Another improvement on the
offensive side at Coleman Shelton back in at center. What
does he bring apart from just continuity I play.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
I played with him very hard work and Barry, he
shows up every day ready to go. Mentally, he's there,
he has it, and I just I just like his demeanor.
I mean, you know, he was always a guy. I
looked at him like, man, he works tremendously hard. You know,
he really wants that job and went up, went up
and got it and won a job.
Speaker 4 (16:28):
And now he's doing really well.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
I think the most important thing on the football team
is the center is the center, and a great center
solves all your problems. And if you go back to
last season and bo Lemmer, I thought did a fantastic
job as a rookie. That's a hard spot to be
in a rookie center. Does that make you salivate?
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Right?
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Right?
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Yeah, absolutely right. I thought he did a great job.
But it put more onto Matthew Stafford's way calling protections.
Make sure you have to know everything plus get the
ball off. So now that you have Coleman Shelton in
the fold, well that just takes a little bit off
Matthew staff for kind of like Kiren. It's kind of
like having a good backup. Well, you've got a great center,
Now you go do this. I'll do that. The offenshiul
flourish hopefully.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
And now other good news too the offensive line. When
you look across the board from right to left, everyone
graded higher than at least sixty six percent. And get this,
three of those five over seventy five. That is looking
like a really solid offensive line heading into this year.
All right, you guys ready for a little deissert.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
I figured time head over to some defense, a little
encore for Chris Hula in his second year. And it's
safe to say this group was young last year, maybe overachieved,
exceeded those expectations. However you'd like to put it, what
are some of the biggest differences and why this team
and that unit will be elevated this season?
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Well, first, what did you think of Verse?
Speaker 4 (17:46):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (17:47):
I love Verse, I love Verse. I love what he
brought to the team. He brought that physicality, that defensive end.
You know it wasn't allowed. You know this game now
everybody wants to run around the ads and get those
pretty sacks. But when you can go out out there
and overpower a man, a man that's meant to block
you and get to a quarterback. It just sends a
(18:07):
different type of fear into the offensive line and the
offense in itself. So for him to do that as
a rookie, and now knowing this is the second year,
he's getting more comfortable. Fisk is down there, you got
Kobe down there. You got be Wise on the other's end.
Like this defensive line group, the sleeper is a sleeper.
Be Wise the sleeper. Watch out for him.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
He looks great, Yes, and it's funny. You know. I
asked him just to be funny. I said, I bet
you got to be sick of hearing Jared's name. He's like, yeah,
you know what I mean. Yeah, that's the watch out
for him. But with Jared Verse, you're right, he is
a math changer and it's so funny. It's like you
can run right through a wall, that's what he does.
I'm like, there's a doorknob right there, Right, you don't
(18:48):
have to do that. But I mean, when you can
actually physically move a guy, there's nothing you can do.
There's no protection you can call for that, right, he's
just beating our guys up. So I think with him
and the way he's coming to camp this and how
he's bringing guys along with him, I think this defense
has a chance to take a big, giant step forward.
And I know most of the I guess the criticism
(19:08):
comes from the back end. You know your cornerback situations. Yeah, linebackers.
I said, with a good front, A good defensive front
is great deodorant. It covers up a lot of sticks, right,
you know what I mean? And I think you have
a lot of guys that can put a lot of
pressure and Chris Shula, I think towards the end of
the year started to trust everyone and they got way
more aggressive. So they were they finished better than they started.
(19:30):
So if you start the way you finished, I think
this defense has a chance to really really be good.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
You played with one of the greatest defenders in the
NFL for years. How do you compare him to a
young Jared First? And what you're seeing, it's.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
It's hard to compare him because he's in Jared's outside
and was inside. But the things that they do, it's
put in fear in the offensive lineman. You don't know
what you're gonna get. He can run me over or
he can run around me. Like, I don't know what
to do. So that's what the offensive lineman or thinking,
like I don't know if to set you know, hard
(20:03):
set him or should I just set back, like you
don't know what he's gonna do. And he can do either.
You know, you can run you over and run around you.
So it's definitely it's hard to block a guy like that.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
Yeah, Puniford. At an end to the mix, I know
you're gonna be excited to talk about him. Just what
added element does he add to that defensive line.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
I think the energy, energy interior, you know, in the
interior energy run stopper. You know, it's it takes a
lot to block that guy. You know, I watched him
in Seattle for a long time. He played with the Chargers,
you know, so I'm very familiar with his game. So
I just love his energy. Man, he goes out there
and he plays a game at a high level. He
loves to, you know, do his little dances, has a
(20:44):
little celebrations and things like that. So I'm excited to
see that his addition to the D line, it's gonna
be phenomenal. Man, This D line, it is gonna be crazy.
I'm excited.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
You have to get too excited, right, right, But I
see we see the same thing. Imagine if a fire
Hyde grew arms and legs, that's him. But the thing
that I as a defensive lineman, he really embraces the
nose tackle roll. Yes, you know what I mean. Yeah,
you're not gonna get a lot of fan fair you're
(21:14):
not gonna call your name a lot, But you might
be the most important guy on the field. You know
what I mean. You keep everybody clean, you keep the
offense honest, and something else I did not know watching
him in training camp this year. When he has a
chance to straighten out and pass rush, he's got some
wiggle and some go to him. So yeah, I'm with you.
I can't wait to see this d line go and
him go. At the same time.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
He's fifth among all interior defensive linemen in terms of
his overall grade and seventh in terms of run defensive
rate five eleven, three ten.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
You're spot on nose tack k right.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Yeah, it's like trying to move a brick wall. It
just ain't gonna work. We've already talked a little Jared verse,
and let's go back to the run defense, because I
think that's an area for a lot of Rams fans
where they had some question marks, And there's been some
changeover from last season and to this year. How comfortable
are you feeling heading into this twenty five season considering
you got spaces the edition of Landman really comfortable?
Speaker 2 (22:09):
I mean some of that stuff, like with the exception
of say Kawhon Barkley, and that was a whole different deal.
That dude is from Mars. But some of those rushing
yards came from quarterbacks. And that's the thing. So I
hate to go back in my day, but back in
my day, most quarterbacks did not run. They were pocket guys.
You came up in this athletic quarterback era. Yeah, when
(22:29):
they get out, it counts against you twice. One it's
the first down, two it's rushing yards. I mean. But
once it seems like once they learn how to cast
that white net, they did a better job against those
running quarterbacks. But that is always going to be a problem.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
I mean, when you have Jared versus collapse in the
pocket from the edge, that's what you really need. Like
on running quarterbacks, you need to come you know, you
need to collapse the pocket, confine it, don't allow him
to have any space. You know, when you get a
bunch of guys out there Russian on edges and he
can find the quarterback and find scenes. That's usually when
you see quarterbacks getting out. But when you have d
line that understands, hey, this is that let a quarterback
(23:03):
he will get out if we allow let's collapse his
pocket on him, make him, make him a passer.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
It makes the game one dimensional.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
But they could be better. But it's so funny. It's
you watch rushing yards allow, it's like three hundred you
know who that was, right, right?
Speaker 4 (23:17):
Right?
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (23:17):
Right?
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Oh yeah guy?
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Yeah, Well, actually I'm with you on that because I
did some math. The first five games last year, we
allowed one hundred and fifty seven yards per game rushing
on average. Last five though only ninety six. Now, that
does kind of eliminate that Eagles matchup in the middle.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Once that light comes on as a young player and
as a defense and you kind of get it and
how we all work together and run defense to me
is about teamwork in communication. And they got better as
the year went along, So yeah, it became tougher to
run on but earlier. I mean, you're learning it's hard.
Speaker 4 (23:50):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
I mean because for me when I seen you know,
I played for Detroit for a couple of years, and
I feel.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Like we're not going to talk about that part.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
What I'm saying is, you know, from that team, I learned,
like there's ways that team can can attack you run wise,
where they eliminate the D line, they eliminate they'll run
a duo or whatever, and they'll stretch it all the
way to the corner and try to make the corners tackle.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
And we all know corners don't like the tackle.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
So in order, and I agree with you, playing the
run is a team game. So you need your corners,
you need your safeties, you need everybody to hold their
gap in the run game for you to be successful.
So if we have that, I think that will be
very successful.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
All right, guys, it's time to wrap this up and
get ready for tomorrow's action. But before we go, I
got one last question for you. Over the last two years,
the Rams have lost some pretty big identity pieces, whether
it was Donald or cup this last season or Brockers question.
If you remove McVeigh and Stafford from the equation, who
are you entrusting this team to on the player front.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Why would I have to remove them?
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Why you're not speak speak you know.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
I mean haven Stein comes to mind. He's been here,
Little Higbee's been here the longest. Guys like Kiren we
just talked about. I mean he is a leader, you know.
I told Braydon fist this. Uh you're was it eight
and a half sacks last year? I mean that's great
and it's fun to talk about. I wouldn't say it's
a novelty, but it's fun. But now this year, this defense,
the success it depends on you doing that again, and
(25:31):
you're gonna be counted on to do that now. It's
like fun. If you got it last year, this year
they need it, got to have it. So it's a
little bit different. So young guys stepping up. Uh, Quentin
Lake is a guy I would say steps right to
the forefront. As as leaders the one thing I would
say about Quentin Lake you got to make more plays.
But as far as leadership goes, yeah, I would be
(25:52):
comfortable turning the team over to Quentin Lake.
Speaker 4 (25:54):
I'm gonna be biased.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
I'm biased D line wise because every year I played
I felt like the D line ran the team, and
you know it has to be Jared versus you know,
Braden Fist, you know, pulling forward all those guys. I
think the D line should be should lead this team,
you know, because if your D line is good and
you know they're going out and you know, balling, I
think nobody can really mess with your team. So if
(26:16):
we can put the pressure on the D line, because
we feel like that's the one unit on this team
that you know, has been together. They're young, they're ready
to go, I think we give it to them. I
think we'll be successful.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Rock He talks all the time.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
Right, yeah, yeah, And I've heard that all over the building.
They're like Jared talks all the time, NonStop.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
All ways yelling.
Speaker 2 (26:35):
They were like you.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Yeah, they were like, oh yeah, you had the championship,
but now he beats you and being loud. I'm like,
oh man, so yeah, I think you give it. Give
it to the D line, put it on the D
lines back all right.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
Well, Rams fans, we want to see you out at
Sofai at Stadium tomorrow at four pm, because well it's
time to get loud onside these guys. And of course
you can check out Michael Brockers on the ABC seven
broadcast to Marko Far will be on ESPN l A
RAMS Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Yes correct, yes, and we can't.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
Wait to see you at Sofi Stadium. This has been
another edition of Between the Horns, of course, presented by
your Southern California toil To dealers. Can't wait to see
you in so Far
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