Will the Los Angeles Rams be able to sustain team chemistry with their new locker room ‘characters’?
The LA Rams are poised to make a serious run at a Super Bowl title. Coming off a surprising 11-5 mark and first postseason appearance since 2004, the Rams got even stronger in the off-season by bolstering a defense that ranked in the middle of most NFL defensive categories.
To improve the defense, LA acquired elite cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib via trade and signed defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, as well.
Peters, Talib, and Suh are all solid players, but all three have had behavioral issues–both on- and off-the-field.
Courtesy: Kansas City Star
Marcus Peters. A standout defender since he was drafted by the Chiefs in 2015, Peters earned Defensive Rookie of the Year right out of the chute. Still only 25 years old, Peters is a two-time Pro Bowler during a three-year career and has the most interceptions during that period–twenty-one, including the playoffs.
But Peters is also a hothead. His on-field antics and tantrums raise concerns about his maturity and composure. Peters’ misconduct reached a peak last year when he tossed a ref’s penalty flag into the stands. For that, the NFL levied a hefty fine and the Chiefs suspended him for one game.
Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) fights Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) ORG XMIT: OAS
Aquib Talib. Talib, a ten-year veteran, is ‘shutdown’ corner. He is a five-time Pro-Bowler, a Super Bowl Champ, and has been named All-Pro multiple times. But there’s a flip side to those accolades.
Talib has been plagued by legal issues during his career; has incurred multiple suspensions for violating league safety rules; was suspended in 2013 for suspension of Adderall use; and has engaged in numerous on-field altercations. He made headlines last year for an infamous fight with Michael Crabtree. He ripped the WR’s gold chain from his neck for the second time in two years. The Rams will be Talib’s fourth team.
Ndamukong Suh. Suh is in a class of his own. Since bursting on the scene in 2010 he has racked up numerous awards, including five Pro Bowl appearances and numerous All-Pro team selections. He was also named Defensive Rookie of the Year. Over the years, Suh has established himself as a game-changing and versatile defensive tackle.
But just like Talib, Suh’s career is replete with ‘issues.” As a result of Suh on-field incidents, Suh has amassed an NFL record of fines–nearly $400,000 in total–resulting from unnecessary roughness to intent-to-cause injury.
Put plainly, Suh is considered by many to be ‘a dirty player,’ perhaps the NFL’s dirtiest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGO9BvDcOng
Assessment. With the acquisitions of Peters, Talib, and Suh, the Rams have the makings of a superior defense. But plenty of concern goes along with that, too.
What’s the likelihood that these three players will be issue-free in 2018? The stakes are high, too. Antics, either on- or -off-the-field, could sabotage the team’s Super Bowl aspirations.
Second-year coach Sean McVay will need to be vigilant. The first step, already underway, is integrating these guys into the Ram’s defensive schemes. That’s the easy part.
A more difficult task will be behavior-management.
