From Newsweek · Matthew Couden · · 1m 20s
Sherman blames the Rams' play-caller, not the corners
The Rams paid record money for new corners, then parked them in zone and lost by 20.
In brief
The Rams paid record money for new corners, then parked them in zone and lost by 20. Buying talent does nothing if the scheme never puts it in position to matter. Originally reported by Newsweek.
A Super Bowl favorite flops
San Francisco beat the Rams 27-7 in Melbourne, Australia. Los Angeles came in as the season's top Super Bowl pick and left with a 20-point loss.
The new secondary debuts
The Rams rolled out former Chiefs corners Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, the offseason's big swing at fixing the back end.
Zone on 77.8% of snaps
A SumerSports stat made the rounds on X: the Rams sat in zone coverage for 77.8% of their snaps against the 49ers.
Sherman calls it out
The former Seahawks and 49ers corner aimed straight at defensive coordinator Chris Shula and the choice to keep his new corners off islands.
“Why pay these corners to not use them as they have been used”
Big money, quiet night
McDuffie signed a four-year, $124 million extension, the richest ever for a corner, and Watson got three years and $51 million. McDuffie finished with four solo tackles and two passes defended.
Purdy picked it apart
Brock Purdy threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns. Safety Quentin Lake led Los Angeles with 10 tackles and its only interception, and Myles Garrett debuted hobbled by knee swelling.
In short
Buying talent does nothing if the scheme never puts it in position to matter.
