04.20.2009 2:16 pm

What is Rams most pressing defensive need?

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Much attention has been focused on the Rams offensive needs as we near this weekend’s draft, but the fact is, the Rams have made only one offseason addition to the defense — defensive back James Butler came over from the Giants. With needs on the defensive line, LB and DB … which defensive area would you say is the greatest need for this team?

JIM THOMAS
After giving up a franchise record 2,475 yards rushing last season, the Rams need to get bigger up the middle on defense, whether it’s at defensive-tackle or middle linebacker. With that in mind, the most ideal choice in this year’s draft would be Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry. He should be able to make the transition from college outside linebacker to the middle in the NFL.

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Obviously, the Rams can’t ignore a potentially top player at any defensive position. They have holes all over the place on the defensive side of the ball. But it always starts up front. That’s the one area that has the most direct influence on a football game. If you have a dominant defensive line, then you can control the line of scrimmage. Your tackles can tie up blockers and free your linebackers and DBs to make tackles. If your defensive line can whip up a consistent pass rush, it alleviates the pressure on your cornerbacks. If your D-line is rattling the quarterback, he’s going to hurry or force some throws and your DBs will be able to make some plays on the ball. The defensive front is the backbone and character of your defense, so the Rams should load up on as many D-linemen as possible.

BILL COATS
Unquestionably, it’s linebacker. Specifically, middle linebacker, with Will Witherspoon moving back outside. Aaron Curry was an OLB at Wake Forest, but he’s big enough and bright enough to make the move inside. The Rams have to get better vs. the run, and a stout MLB would be a key part of the solution.

KATHLEEN NELSON
I’d say linebacker. Three young guys on the line — Clifton Ryan, Chris Long and Adam Carriker — could continue to progress and anchor the front for awhile. Ron Bartell, O.J. Atogwe and James Butler could be solid in the secondary. Improving the linebacking corps has been ignored, except for moving Will Witherspoon and Chris Draft.

Tags: Aaron Curry, Adam Carricker, Chris Draft, Chris Long, Clifton Ryan, James Butler, O.J. Atogwe, Rob Bartell, St. Louis Rams, Will Witherspoon

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Blog Comments: Rules of the Road

Aaron Curry, please!!! So tired of watching the Rams “D” get pushed around. Lets get a hammer in the middle that we can build our defense around for years. Then in the next rounds we can address OT, WR, and DT. There are no franchise MLBs available in this draft except Curry and he is going to be really, really good.

— philip

3:15 pm April 20th, 2009

BTW, I realize Curry was an OLB in college, but he will be able to make the transition inside.

— philip

3:16 pm April 20th, 2009

The 2 OT’s are nice players, but neither can be compared to Orlando Pace when he was coming out, or, for-that-matter, even Jake Long from last year. They are not worthy of the #2 pick. Choosing one would be a choice of need over BPA. #2 should be an impact player and the BPA. That seems to be Curry. Then address a need with their second round choice. Got to go with BPA!!

— Jim S.

4:16 pm April 20th, 2009

Curry or Crabtree the top defensive and ofensive playmakers. Skill is hard to find, you can find size in the later rounds.

— LARambunctous29

5:29 pm April 20th, 2009

Definitely LB with the first pick (Curry or Cushing), then OT with the second pick. A good wide bodied, run stuffing DT with the 3rd pick.

— Scott

11:45 pm April 20th, 2009

LB is undoubtedly the missing link on the defense–particularly a big middle linebacker who can shed blockers and destroy runners.

— vp

1:12 am April 21st, 2009

I totally agree with the selection of Curry at linebacker, a combination of filling a pressing need, and selecting the best player available. He would augment the talent already present on defense(which is significant), and present a very disruptive force. No human being is worth the money the #2 pick gets, but Curry seems the dominant player the Rams need. It’s a deep draft at tackle, and several good ones should still be there for our 2nd round pick. Do it Billy!

— Scott Ehresman

10:01 am April 21st, 2009

trade with th redskins so they can get sanchez,nobody is worth 50 million this year.

— dennymojo

10:43 am April 21st, 2009

Why does everyone insist on Curry going in the middle? Sit Pisa and replace him with Curry. Chris Draft in the middle, and Witherspoon to the weak side and then all LB’s will be in their natural positions. The Linebacker Coach is from Carolina isn’t he? So he knows a little about where two former Panthers might belong (Witherspoon and Draft). If Curry works best in the middle then so be it, but lets not waste more talent with position experiments. If guys are successful at a position, then leave them there! CURRY CURRY CURRY!

— RamsHeadedBackToSoCal

7:57 pm April 21st, 2009

Everyone is assuming the Lions are going to take Stafford, they are in as bad a shape as we are, they need help everywhere. They have a healthy Culpepper, no need to reach at a QB that is unproven, Stafford didn’t prove anything in college, mentioned as a Heisman candidate and busted, the best part of watching Bulldog Football was Moreno. Same thing with Sanchez, it is going to take years for these two to develop, don’t reach!!!
BPA, don’t be surprised to see the Lions take Curry with the NO.1 pick, best player on the board, bar none, if that is the case we take one of the OT’s and hope to get LB and wideout help later.

— rams1263

9:59 pm April 21st, 2009

What is Rams most pressing defensive need?

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