Free agency is still more than a month away but the Los Angeles Rams have already suffered a few significant losses to their defense. Those losses have just come on the coaching staff and not (yet) on the roster itself.
None were bigger than the departure of defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who was hired as the Chargers’ head coach. The Rams ranked first in the NFL in scoring defense and total defense this season in Staley’s first year as a defensive coordinator, installing a system that highlighted the ability of Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, among others.
The Rams replaced Staley rather quickly by hiring former Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris, opting not to promote from within. With Morris guiding the defense now, Les Snead doesn’t expect a whole lot to change scheme-wise.
He told reporters Tuesday that while Morris will add his own wrinkles, the overall system will remain in place.
Rams GM Les Snead is understandably vague, but he says the new defense will keep major elements of Brandon Staley's scheme with additions by Raheem Morris. They'll make personnel moves accordingly.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) January 26, 2021
Rams GM Les Snead said they want to keep the Brandon Staley defense in place, while also mixing in some of new DC Raheem Morris' own wrinkles.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 26, 2021
Some fans worried that when Morris was brought in, he would completely change what Staley had done so successfully this season. Coming from primarily 4-3 defenses, there was even some speculation about whether the Rams could switch to a 4-3 front in base sets.
That’s still possible, but based on the way Snead is talking, it’s unlikely. With how much success the Rams had in 2020, why change much at all?
As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And the Rams defense certainly isn’t broken.
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