Bobby Wagner
Ben Skowronek
By Joe Torosian
Happy Birthday to Bobby Wagner (32) and Ben Skowronek (25).
According to PFF (Pro Football Focus), Wagner averages about 15 quarterback pressures a season. He’s recorded 26-sacks in his career, with the high being six in 2013 and five in 2016.
As an off-ball linebacker (who can still run), Wagner wasn’t required to go after the quarterback in the Seattle defensive scheme. But it will be interesting to track and keep an eye on him this season with the Rams.
With Aaron Donald up front, Leonard Floyd on the edge, and the developing Ernest Jones alongside him, Wagner may have the freedom he didn’t have with the Seahawks.
The Vic Fangio scheme, adopted by Brandon Staley and modified as the 2021 campaign wore on by Raheem Morris, puts defenders in unique places.
While everyone is honking for a Robert Quinn reunion or a Montez Sweat move to the west coast, the Rams may already have their next option to come after the quarterback in Wagner.
If this happens, expect better opportunities for edge players like Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett, and perhaps Daniel Hardy.
And this means the second and third-round picks the Rams still own in the 2023 draft could be converted, via trade, for something the team finds itself in need of during the season.
***
Skowronek, 251st-overall in the 2021 draft, gave the Rams 259 offensive snaps at receiver and caught 11-passes (133yds) during the regular season.
In the post-season, he was in on 80-snaps and caught 2-passes in the Super Bowl. He also graded out at nearly 70% (69.9-according to PFF) as a run-blocker.
(Behind only Rob Havenstein, Cooper Kupp, and Brian Allen. And Ahead of David Edwards and Tyler Higbee.)
Temple City & The Company of The Ages
“A QB at a new school struggles with his confidence, but help arrives in the form of forces unseen.”
(available thru Amazon. Click on pic)
If he never plays another down for the Rams, gets traded during the pre-season, or decides to retire—Skowronek was a hit.
www.JoeTorosian.com
jtbank1964@yahoo.com (Join his newsletter)
Follow Joe on Twitter @joet13b
Instagram: @joet13b
Subscribe to Joe T. Sports on YouTube for “RamView”
On Spotify for “RamView” podcast.
