Los Angeles Rams: Wade Phillips could make Aaron Donald MVP
The pairing of coordinator Wade Phillips and tackle Aaron Donald could make the Los Angeles Rams defense a top-five unit in 2017
The questions at quarterback and the offense in general has overshadowed talk about the Los Angeles Rams defense’s potential greatness this season. The reason for that potential: The union of Wade Phillips and Aaron Donald.
Donald, the Rams’star defensive tackle, already has three Pro Bowl selections in three seasons. He’s a two-time, first-team All-Pro. And Phillips brings 34 years of experience as a defensive coordinator, head coach, or both, to Los Angeles. His defenses have ranked no worse than seventh in yards allowed in each of his last six seasons.
Phillips also has the reputation of making significant improvements immediately to a defensive unit, as CBS Sports noted. His last two stops in Houston (in 2011) and Denver (in 2015) are prime examples. The Texans went from 29th to fourth in total defense in his first year. The Broncos went from 16th to fourth.
Phillips’ defense in Denver in 2015 was the catalyst to the franchise’s Super Bowl run. His schemes helped Texans’ J.J. Watt and the Broncos’ Von Miller became superstars. Donald has been a superstar prior to Phillips’ arrival.
Because of the pairing, Pro Football Focus says the sky’s the limit for Donald in 2017:
"Phillips has excelled at scheming his talent one-on-one’s over the years, a situation in which Donald is nearly unblockable. After being ranked the number one player on our preseason PFF 50, don’t be surprised if he tops the list at year end as well."
Donald already averaged more than nine sacks per game before Phillips’ arrival. The scheme should ramp up pressure to free up outside linebackers Robert Quinn and Connor Barwin. That could cut down the number of double-teams Donald will face. In that case, watch out.
Donald’s ability to rush the quarterback will make its suspect secondary, No. 24 in the league according to PFF’s rankings, inconsequential. The pressure Donald creates could help the defense force turnovers at an alarming rate.
The result of the pressure would give the Rams offense all kinds of opportunities to play with short fields. Consequently, Los Angeles might finally score enough points to make itself competitive in the NFC West. Competitive to the point that the Rams might contend for a playoff birth. All because Phillips unleashed Donald in the Rams defense.
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If L.A. somehow makes the playoffs, Donald should be in the running for NFL Defensive Most Valuable Player. And perhaps even league MVP.