JamesJM posted on 3/18 2:01 PM

On Todd Lyght - - Why the huge difference in opinions regarding Lyght's talent at CB?

Mostly I'm talking about this board vs. everyone else. Perhaps I'm not reading this board correctly, (very possible, I don't read every post)...but it seems to me that here among the Herd Lyght isn't considered a "must", as he is from media personnel.

This is true of me...I don't consider Lyght a "must"...and certainly not worth risking a cap crisis. But I don't recall seeing any articles that would give credence to my position.

It's common that players will sometimes unduly attain a "hands-off" persona...for many reasons. Is this what is happening with Lyght? Is it just assumed that he is an all pro?

OR - am I off base here and Lyght truly is that great?

Because Lyght's contract is coming up he is in the forefront.....but there are many players on the Rams roster that I would give higher priority to signing. Carter, Warner, Bruce - obviously. But also several others...Bly, Wistrom, Jones, and more.

Most importantly...does anyone have any idea how important the Rams organization feels about keeping Lyght? - JamesJM

SactoRam posted on 3/18 12:43 PM

I don't know why the huge difference of opinions. I've always thought he was good, but not great. I don't think he deserves to be All-Pro. He *became* All-Pro because of his S. Bowl ring. He doesn't have the hitting ability, and then he doesn't have the incredible cover ability of a Deion to make up for the lack of hitting ability. Lyght seems like a guy who doesn't make many mistakes at the corner position, but he doesn't make the great plays either that would in fact make him a great corner.

JamesJM posted on 3/18 12:30 PM

About Jenkins....

Herein lies the most confusing issue facing the Rams this year, IMO.

Jenkins was a main cog in run defense, arguably "the" main cog. Why? Did the coaches feel he was incapable of playing the position any other way, or was he so good at it that they just went with his strengths?

Now he's gone...what does this mean? Last year the Rams substituted for Jenkins often...and yet ... did it significantly improve our pass defense? I think maybe yes, but I'm not positive. I certainly "hope" yes, because that would give support to the prevailing attitude on this board that the second tier players are competent.

Now what happens?...Do the Rams try to fill Jenkins spot by adapting another player to fit Jenkins shoes? Do they maintain the status quo and substitute often with best run defending SS in running situations and best pass defending SS in passing situations? Do they have the personnel to do that?

Weak or strong against the pass in 1999, whatever position you take, you can't argue that the scheme worked last year at least as far as points allowed. Will the Rams now re-tool, or be forced into re-tooling, into a more traditional 4 man secondary type of passing D?

Will the loss of Jenkins effect the LB'ing scheme?

Jenkins loss brings up a LOT of questions for me. - JamesJM

Zack Neruda posted on 3/18 2:38 PM

IMO.................the Rams defensive coaching is superb. They take a number of role and situational players (Collins, Jenkins, Jones), and players with certain key strengths (Farr, Lyle, Agnew, Fletcher)...plus some stars (Carter)...

...and then both at once (a) fit them into the general system...a very HEADY system...and (b) "lean" or "angle" the actual game plans and play calling around featuring strengths and hiding weaknesses. That sounds obvious but in a way it is not.

First of all the one key attribute every player on the defense shares is smarts.

Second...Jenkins was a very north/south player. So they used him to best advantage. But they also seemed to use Lyle a lot to cover up for what Jenkins was NOT expected to do.

Bush? They will have to use him differently. His general contribution to the defense, IMO, will depend upon how heady he is. When it comes to that...I suspect he isn't top rung. So again, they will limit his responsibilities. I bet they use him more the way SD used Harrison.

The defense will look different in 2000. Not yet sure how, in what way, but it all depends on what Bush is good at.

RAM-BLE posted on 3/18 3:23 PM

About Jenkins....

I watched Billy a lot. He was a favorite of mine.

He made many/most of his tackles right at the line-of-scrimmage. Before the run got started or into the secondary.

So, we had no long runs against us. Very important.

I shudder at the prospects of seeing the contrary this year.

Jedimach posted on 3/18 6:38 PM

Jenkins was instrumental is stopping long runs but to say he was THE man at the line of scrimmage stopping the run is exaggerated. I think he was an excellent tackler, but his coverage skills were, well, marginal.

Remember, the Rams signed Bush to take Jenkins spot! Plus the Rams are apparently high on Bush's backup (Cody). Lyle will be back at free safety and Bush can go to his natural position, strong safety.

I am more concerned about adding depth to the defensive line, linebacker (M. Jones a free agent next year) and corner.