The Los Angeles Rams‘ secondary, under scrutiny after a tough outing against the San Francisco 49ers, is standing firm on its confidence. Players and coaches alike are emphasizing their strong start to the season and making strategic adjustments, signaling a determined push for improvement as they prepare for the Baltimore Ravens.
The Los Angeles Rams found themselves in an unwelcome spotlight after their recent 26-23 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The particular area drawing criticism was their secondary, which allowed backup quarterback Mac Jones to rack up 342 yards and two touchdowns. However, despite this less-than-stellar performance, the team’s confidence in its defensive backfield remains remarkably high.
Shaking Off “Recency Bias”: The Players’ Perspective
For players like safety Quentin Lake, the narrative surrounding the secondary is suffering from what he calls “recency bias.” He acknowledges the disappointment of the last game but urges a broader look at their season’s performance.
“There’s a lot of recency bias because of last game, but you look at, really, our first five games, like, guys have been getting their hands on balls,” Lake stated. This sentiment underscores a belief within the locker room that the unit has demonstrated capability and playmaking ability throughout the majority of their games. For the Rams, the focus is on consistent execution, with Lake adding, “I just reiterate all the time, as long as we’re locking in each and every snap, those plays are going to come.” This focus on fundamental discipline and effort suggests the team believes its issues are correctable rather than systemic.
Coaching Adjustments and Strategic Confidence
Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula echoed the team’s underlying confidence, even as he admitted there’s room for improvement from both players and coaches. After a long weekend to dissect the film and understand why the Rams (3-2) struggled, particularly in allowing 49ers reserve wide receiver Kendrick Bourne a career-high 142 yards, Shula is setting expectations for a much better showing against Baltimore.
“I think each play, each game, is its own energy,” Shula explained. He emphasized the coaching staff’s role in optimizing player positions and acknowledged the inherent challenges of a “matchup-based league,” where winning one-on-one battles is crucial. Despite the recent struggles, Shula’s overall assessment of his players is positive: “But we’re really happy with how they’re playing.” This vote of confidence from the coaching staff is vital for maintaining morale and belief within the unit.
The Ahkello Witherspoon Factor: A Missing Piece in the Puzzle
A significant underlying factor in the Rams’ recent coverage challenges is the absence of cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. Prior to breaking his collarbone against Tennessee in Week 2 and being placed on injured reserve, Witherspoon was the only cornerback on the active roster over 6 feet tall. This unique physical attribute made him invaluable in defending bigger receivers.
The success of players like Kendrick Bourne, as well as earlier performances by Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown and Indianapolis’s duo of Michael Pittman Jr. and Adonai Mitchell, highlighted the difficulties the Rams’ secondary faced without Witherspoon’s size. “And it’s a matchup-based league,” Shula reiterated, acknowledging the impact of such an injury. While Witherspoon remains a “great player” for the team, his absence forces different defensive alignments and responsibilities, impacting the unit’s overall capability against specific receiver types, as detailed by the Associated Press.
The Unsung Heroes: Inside the Rams’ Defensive Backs Corps
Adding to the nuanced dynamic of the Rams’ secondary is Quentin Lake’s observation that the unit lacks “big names.” This isn’t a complaint but rather a statement reflecting the collective effort and often overlooked talent within the group.
“And I think a lot of people, they look at our secondary, we have no big names. There’s not a lot of guys that pop out, but I look at us, I’m like, man, we’re really good,” Lake proudly stated. This self-belief, despite a lack of national recognition, fosters a strong internal camaraderie. While they acknowledge room for improvement, the core conviction remains that they are a highly effective unit, striving for perfection in every snap.
Gearing Up for Baltimore: A Dual-Threat Challenge
The upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens (1-4) presents a new set of challenges, though Shula’s belief in his secondary could be bolstered by Baltimore’s recent struggles. The primary concern revolves around the quarterback situation for the Ravens.
While two-time MVP Lamar Jackson could miss his second straight game due to a hamstring injury, the Rams’ coaching staff must prepare for both scenarios. The likelihood is that Cooper Rush will get the start, whose performance in a recent 44-10 loss to Houston (179 yards, three interceptions) starkly contrasts Jackson’s dynamic playmaking. “You got to be ready for everything, and that’s our job as defensive coaches, is we got to put our guys and have the preparation to put them in the best spots,” Shula affirmed. This preparedness includes late nights and extra work to account for the vastly different styles of the two quarterbacks.
The Ravens do possess strong receiving threats, including 6-foot-1 targets DeAndre Hopkins and Rashod Bateman, along with the team’s leading receiver, 5-foot-9 Zay Flowers (28 receptions for 377 yards). While the issues with size in the passing game might be less pronounced than with Bourne, the Rams’ secondary will still face talented wideouts, demanding top-tier coverage and strategic play from its “unheralded” corps.
The Rams’ secondary is navigating a critical juncture in their season. Despite the recent setback, their confidence remains an unwavering constant. With key adjustments, focused preparation, and a deep-seated belief in their collective talent, they aim to prove that their early-season successes were no fluke and that their best performances are still ahead.
