Jalen Ramsey suited up for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday less than five days after joining the team. He was given one of the toughest matchups in the NFL right out of the gates, too, having to cover Julio Jones throughout the game.
Ramsey did give up three receptions for 69 to Jones, but he also contested several other passes and forced a fumble – an overall successful debut, all things considered. He said after the game that he “played OK” and needs to get in more of a groove with his new team.
Eric Weddle knows Ramsey’s potential and can already see his arrival making a difference for the Rams.
“I mean your defense kind of changes the philosophy now,” Weddle said, via ESPN. “We’re going to be man-based now, get up in their face and mix up some zones. … It’s just a more aggressive-type defense than it has been since the start of the season.”
Ramsey told reporters after the win that the defense was “dumbed down” for him, having practiced just twice before the game. Not to mention, Ramsey missed three weeks previously with a back injury.
As a result, the Rams simplified the game plan when he was on the field, playing mostly man coverage with the corners pressing at the line of scrimmage. As time goes on and Ramsey gets more comfortable in Los Angeles, the Rams are only going to build a more diverse and aggressive game plan.
“We probably got 30 percent of our defense in,” Weddle said. “… [When] he can actually rep it, practice it and study it, it’s only going to make him more dangerous, and us as a defense.”
That’s a scary thought for opposing offenses, having to move the ball against Ramsey, Aaron Donald and Eric Weddle, among others. The Rams have an extremely talented defense, and if Aqib Talib and John Johnson are able to return from IR later on this season, the unit will really hit its stride.
