Rams rule out Josh Wallace. Roger McCreary next man up at slot corner.
The trade acquisition of Roger McCreary from the Tennessee Titans made a bigger splash at the trade deadline than it has on the field at any point this season so far for the Los Angeles Rams. The fourth-year corner played only a single defensive snap for his new team before landing on injured reserve.
But as LA prepares to take on the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, McCreary now has a massive opportunity in front of him.
The Rams lost defensive captain Quentin Lake, who is likely to return for the team’s playoff run. Josh Wallace stepped in for Lake, which in many ways gained an appreciation for how good Lake has been for Los Angeles. Now—as the team heads into the penultimate regular season game—Wallace is now ruled out and McCreary is the next man up at the slot corner spot.
A primetime audition
McCreary is slated to become a free agent at season’s end. Whether he re-joins the Rams or signs elsewhere, there’s no better place to put your skills on display than a late season primetime game. Players get signed every year for big games on the biggest stages, and McCreary has everything to gain on Monday Night Football.
It’s also common for players to ride the coattails of their draft position for years. With McCreary’s status as a former second round pick, he could be more sought after this offseason than his on-field production suggests.
A tough test on Monday night
Who is McCreary likely to face in coverage in Atlanta?
Kyle Pitts, though listed as a tight end, aligns in the slot on roughly 35% of his routes. Drake London is also in the 30’s at 32.4%, along with Darnell Mooney (38.6%) and David Sills (42.1%).
London is listed as “questionable” but expected to play in Week 17. He, Pitts, and Sills are big targets (all 6-4 or taller) and could have an inherent advantage over the 5-11 McCreary. The Rams have struggled against big, physical receivers often this year.
And if that isn’t bad enough, Atlanta is also capable of throwing a stark changeup at you. If you get too comfortable against the bigger targets, they can also put Mooney in the slot and he may run right by you. Mooney’s average depth of target (ADOT) of 14.5 yards leads the Falcons’ receiving corps by a mile when you factor in all players with more than 15 targets on the season. The next closest is Sills at 11.8 yards.
In other words, McCreary will have his hands full on Monday night. If he’s destined for a large payday this offseason, he will have to earn it in primetime.
Category: General Sports
