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through free agency and the draft suggest they’re serious about upgrading their run defense."WhiteSections 2019 offseason2019 free agency2019 NFL DraftFull ArchiveLibrary 2019 NFL calendar2019 Rams regular season sched2019 Rams preseason schedMasthead Community Guidelines NFL Odds StubHub ✕2019 Los Angeles Rams OffseasonWhat was the theme of the Los Angeles Rams’ 2019 offseason? Improve the run defenseNew Greg Gaines Jersey nfl draft ,37commentsAll the additions (and subtractions) the Rams have made through free agency and the draft suggest they’re serious about upgrading their run defense.CDTShareTweetShareShareWhat was the theme of the Los Angeles Rams’ 2019 offseason? Improve the run defenseBenny Sieu-USA TODAY SportsAfter looking at the offseason in it’s entirety, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Los Angeles Rams have taken a serious interest and intrigue into improving the run defense.In 2018, the Rams allowed 116.3 rushing yards per game (18th in the league) and 4.8 yards-per-carry (27th in the league). The first value (YPG) isn’t terrible per se, but it’s also not extremely valuable because of how potent the Rams’ offense was. When a team is consistently behind by two or three scores, they’ll obviously abandon the run and that’s why the YPC metric is more appropriate when evaluating a run defense (with other stats to boot). The Rams were nearly dead last in that regard.So what did they do in the 2019 offseason?They revamped the defense. They let NT Ndamukong Suh walk in free agency and replaced him with fourth-round pick Greg Gaines from Washington. Gaines is a noted run-stopping specialist who figures to get plenty of playing time sandwiched between DT’s Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers.They signed OLB Clay Matthews in free agency, and though Clay isn’t the player he once was, he still holds value by way of leadership, effort, and the ability to compete in the run game. Matthews’ addition slides former starter Samson Ebukam to the bench. For comparisons sake, Matthews has averaged 0.85 tackles-for-loss per game in his career, Ebukam only 0.25 per game. Matthews is a clear upgrade all the way around Cheap Greg Gaines Jersey , but especially as a run defender.The Rams replaced FS Lamarcus Joyner with veteran FS Eric Weddle who they signed via free agency. The signing wasn’t some massive upgrade in the run department per se, but it does allow the Rams to feel more comfortable and versatile allowing either Weddle or incumbent SS John Johnson III to play more freely near the line of scrimmage. Weddle is a football player who reads coverage's well, has a high football IQ, and can be trusted to survey the field properly on the backend. That will allow Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips more freedom to call run blitzes without leaving the Rams defense as vulnerable as it was last season on the backend.Arguably the biggest addition will be inserting fifth-round rookie draft pick in 2018 ILB Micah Kiser into the lineup. The Rams decided to cut Mark Barron prior to free agency, and though that was a tough decision, it’s one you can’t disagree with. Barron was once a ferocious, tough, and dependable player regardless of position. The past two seasons have been injury-riddled and far too costly, making his release inevitable. Barron was being phased out of the defense in 2018 as he was replaced by SS Marqui Christian on third downs with Christian logging over 350+ snaps in his role. Kiser — who will now replace Barron at inside linebacker — is built like a brinks truck, and he excels at two things: stuffing the run and blitzing quarterbacks. I even wrote an article last year about Kiser potentially replacing Barron, and though it never came to fruition Custom Greg Gaines Jersey , it very well could have. Kiser’s ability to play in coverage is a major unknown at this point, but Barron didn’t offer anything as a coverage player anymore either, so Kiser should be a welcomed addition by way of his improved play against the run and versatility to blitz.All of that brings me to my last point: inside linebackers being replaced by safeties? Perfect, that’s where newly-drafted second-round pick S Taylor Rapp comes into play. Rapp wont see starters minutes because of the solid starting duo the Rams already possess in Johnson and Weddle, but he can certainly replace the 400+ snaps that Marqui Christian and Blake Countess offered the Rams in 2018. Rapp has the potential to sub in for Kiser on passing downs, making a major impact as a defender on limited snaps.Now that the 2019 offseason has essentially come to an end, we can fully evaluate the Rams’ plan from the start. And in my opinion, the priority was to fix the effectiveness in stopping the run.Los Angeles Rams at Oakland Raiders: Matchups to watch We made it. We finally made it.Now just three days out from gameday the Los Angeles Rams are finalizing their gameplan for the Oakland Raiders. The student, Head Coach Sean McVay, looks to outsmart the teacher, Head Coach Jon Gruden Greg Gaines Los Angeles Rams Jerseys , in a matchup of two California teams in week one on Monday Night Football.The Rams are severely more talented and anyone without a lick of bias can admit to that. With that being said, there are still specific matchups to watch out for as they’ll tilt the outcome of the game.Let’s have a look at the matchups to watch:RB Todd Gurley vs. MLB Derrick JohnsonGurley is a man amongst boys simply put. After destroying the league last year, look for the Rams running back to start out hot in week one vs the Raiders. The Raiders simply lack speed on the defensive side of the ball, and that’ll be exposed by soon-to-be 36-year old linebacker Derrick Johnson. The Rams should run the ball early and often stretching the Raiders defense both vertically and horizontally (outside zone runs). Lastly, the Rams should look to expose Johnson in space by motioning Gurley around and letting him use his open field speed and great catching ability.WR Brandin Cooks vs. CBs Gareon Conley and Rashaan MelvinYou seen this one coming, didn’t you?The entire stable of Rams receivers will be dangerous in this game (Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp), so I don’t mean to single out Cooks. The best part about the potential for Cooks in this game is his electrifying speed and ability to alter defenders’ gameplans because of it. If (more like when) the Rams can get their running game going, look for the offense to set up a few playaction deep shots to Cooks (particularly on the post).Rams’ DL vs. Raiders’ OLI simply couldn’t break this one down.The Raiders will start a rookie first-round pick at LT in Kolton Miller. In base downs, he may get some reps vs DT Aaron Donald. Good luck son. Moving forward, the interior battle is going to be a display of insane talent on both sides. The Raiders’ interior offensive line is loaded with LG Kelechi Osemele, C Rodney Hudson and RG Gabe Jackson. The Rams’ trio counters as Donald Los Angeles Rams Jerseys Stitched , Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers. This is going to be one hell of a matchup throughout the game. Look for both sides to win some battles.CB Marcus Peters vs. QB Derek CarrPeters has played the Raiders five times in his career; he’s registered four pass deflections, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in those games. Peters is a skillful and smart gambler at the cornerback position. Not only that, but he has the most elite ball skills in the NFL today. Carr knows all this as Peters is a former Kansas City Chief — a division rival.Look for these two to try and outsmart each other based on their familiarity with each other.Will the young and hungry Rams destined for great things win, or will the old and experienced Raiders best them?I take the Rams in a convincing win. Get ready, week one is coming.