If the Los Angeles Rams are going to proceed to construct off of final season and take one other step in the direction of championship rivalry, they’ll want many gamers to step up, particularly defensively. The group has misplaced Aaron Donald to retirement so the likes of Kobie Turner, Byron Younger and Ernest Jones can be relied upon much more.
Younger, particularly, is coming off a breakout rookie season wherein he recorded 42 tackles, eight tackles for loss and eight sacks. However he isn’t resting on his laurels.
Younger, who was listed at 250 kilos, revealed that he has bulked as much as practically 260 kilos and likes the way in which he’s trying with the additional weight, by way of Stu Jackson of Rams.com:
“It’s good to be greater and quick,” Younger mentioned. “They needed me to see if I get to this weight and see if I might play with that, see if I might maintain that and that’s what I’m doing proper now. It feels nice. Getting near as much as 260, so it’s good, and I don’t look unhealthy. That’s one factor that I’d fear about – I didn’t need to get the load after which not look nice. But it surely’s undoubtedly one thing that helps me with the run recreation, go recreation, setting the sting and all of that, for certain.”
Moreover, Younger has additionally recognized the place he felt he got here up brief final season and what he needs to enhance, believing that he didn’t do a adequate job closing video games and is aiming on altering that in 2024:
“I felt like final 12 months I undoubtedly (had) video games the place I want to shut out and I didn’t come by way of, and that’s my purpose. That’s my primary purpose,” Younger mentioned. “Truthfully this 12 months, it’s nearly you already know being a more in-depth. They introduced me right here for a cause. They introduced me right here to hurry the passer. it don’t matter if it’s a sack or no matter, it’s a stress, get to the quarterback, have an effect on the passer. So I really feel like I didn’t sufficient of that final 12 months, and that’s my primary purpose is the prepare, do every little thing it takes to get there. Whether or not it’s getting off the ball, higher method, shed off the block quicker, no matter it’s, that’s what I’m engaged on proper now.”
These essential performs on third and fourth downs on the finish of video games are the place it issues most. Donald was legendary for coming by way of in these moments and Younger understands that he should step up and shut these video games when the Rams have the possibility.
It is a group on the rise, however they will’t let the success of 2023 get of their heads and never work as laborious this 12 months. Fortunately, that doesn’t appear to be an issue as Younger and the remainder of this group appear locked in on enhancing in each side.
Ernest Jones believes Chris Shula will slot in ‘completely’ as Rams defensive coordinator
One other big piece of the Rams protection in 2024 can be new defensive coordinator Chris Shula, who’s taking up for Raheem Morris after leaving to change into head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
However Ernest Jones is already a fan of Shula, pointing in the direction of his regular demeanor and excessive intelligence as the reason why he’ll slot in ‘completely’ with the Rams.
