Turf Show Times
Nate Landman is emerging as the favorite to start at linebacker
We know the Los Angeles Rams choose not to invest heavily in the linebacker position. Each year continues the revolving door of replacement-level starters and cost-effective band-aids.
As the Rams entered training camp, the starting job in the middle of the defense seemed to be a five-way competition between:
One important tell as to who has the lead on the depth chart is the individual that wears the green dot on their helmet. The player who dons the dot calls defensive signals and receives play calls from defensive coordinator Chris Shula. Defensive back Quentin Lake was tasked with such duties for most of last season, so this is (1) a sign of a shift and (2) a compliment to how the team feels about Landman.
Does this mean the veteran has the starting job cemented heading into the regular season? Far from it. For now, it’s the most important piece of information we have to go off of as we continue to gauge the pecking order.
If you want more info on Landman and his time in Atlanta, this is the post I wrote at the time he signed with the Rams in free agency.
While fans may disagree, we know the team is comfortable asking Troy Reeder to start at linebacker. There’s a reason they brought him back from the free agent market. Beating Reeder out of a job is a positive sign since he effectively becomes the grading curve.
Does that mean if Reeder isn’t starting that he won’t be on the roster? Not necessarily. He’s an important special teams contributor with a wealth of experience with the Rams and in this defensive scheme. The only certainty in the NFL is attrition, and you could do worse in terms of a backup plan.
I penciled in Pooh Paul as the starter after the Rams drafted him in the fifth round this spring. He became the highest drafted player by LA at this position other than Ernest Jones, who was selected in the third round.
Like Matthew Stafford and Ahkello Witherspoon, Paul is starting training camp on the sidelines as he nurses a calf injury. This is a tough break for the rookie and likely takes him out of the running to start.
Can Paul push for playing time later in the year? Let’s see him healthy and active in the preseason before we rush to judgement.
For a short victory lap, I’d like...
