Brandon Staley is making changes
Staley said the Rams’ defense will have a lot of similarities to the one Wade Phillips ran, but his fingerprints are going to be on this scheme and roster. This could be the first domino to fall as he brings in players he likes and moves on from those who don’t fit his system.
He’s mentioned the value of versatility on the defensive line and in the secondary, so it’s possible that Robey-Coleman’s role exclusively as a slot corner was a deal-breaker for Staley. His potential replacement, David Long, can play in the slot and outside, providing more matchup choices.
“That’s something you’ll probably hear me talk about a lot, having the versatility to play any place in the front, any place in the back,” Staley said, via the team’s official site. “We’re fortunate that we have that here, guys that have played a lot of roles. Groups that are connected, (because) those groups depend on each other a lot.”
Staley will be part of the process as the Rams remake their defense, and it’s very likely he had a say in this decision.