Richard Sherman, the former NFL cornerback, has voiced strong criticism regarding the Los Angeles Rams' defensive scheme, asserting that the team is not maximizing the talents of their recently acquired cornerbacks, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Sherman drew an analogy, stating, "You don’t use a Corvette to Uber. You get in a Corvette, you’re racing." He believes the Rams have failed to deploy the cornerbacks in a way that leverages their strengths, particularly those developed under Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
McDuffie and Watson were key acquisitions for the Rams' defensive overhaul. Both players spent the initial phases of their careers in Spagnuolo's system in Kansas City. Sherman contends that Spagnuolo's defense, known for its complex mix of Cover 1 man, Cover 2 zone, and disguised pressure packages, allowed McDuffie and Watson to thrive. This scheme created unpredictability before and after the snap, enabling the cornerbacks to challenge receivers while the pass rush disrupted offensive timing.
In contrast, under Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, the team has reportedly leaned more heavily on Cover 3 and Cover 2, with fewer Cover 6 looks. The pressure generation has focused on four-man rushes, stunts, and simulated looks rather than frequent blitzes. In their season-opening 27-7 loss to the 49ers, the Rams' defensive strategy further shifted towards Cover 3 and Cover 4, with less man coverage and reduced blitzing.
Sherman argued that this approach deviates from a proven formula for defending offenses like Kyle Shanahan's 49ers. He pointed out that Spagnuolo's schemes have historically found success against Shanahan, citing their Super Bowl LVIII victory over San Francisco, which featured McDuffie and Watson. Sherman criticized the Rams' tendency to align their corners deeper, allowing offenses to exploit crossing routes and post routes. "When you don’t play to a player’s strengths — when you don’t use him the way he has been used and thrived — then you’re wasting him," Sherman stated.
This criticism carries weight due to the significant investment the Rams have made. They traded considerable draft capital for McDuffie, who also received a substantial contract extension, and Watson was another notable addition to their costly defensive rebuild. Sherman emphasized that if a team acquires a player for specific capabilities, they should utilize those capabilities. "You paid him and brought him somewhere else," Sherman said. "Now play him the way he has played so he can have the success you brought him there to have."
While a single game does not define the Rams' entire season, and factors such as their pass rush, particularly with Myles Garrett's recent sidelining, are relevant, Sherman's comments highlight a potential strategic misstep. The core of his argument is that the Rams, having acquired high-caliber talent, should deploy it in a manner that allows it to perform at its peak potential.