LOS ANGELES — Josaiah Stewart watches Myles Garrett’s technique, examining how the reigning Defensive Player of the Year’s “second nature” consistency shows itself on every rep in practice, every play in games.
Read more New York Giants vs. Rams: Who has the edge?
“It’s sound,” Stewart told the Southern California News Group. “Every time, every snap.”
The second-year outside linebacker from Michigan received a new teammate just three weeks ago: future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Aaron Donald. Stewart notices how Donald, 35, who forwent his two-year retirement for another shot at Super Bowl glory, treats every day at the office.
“He treats every day like gameday,” Stewart said.
Stewart, who played in all 17 regular season games for the Rams last season after being their third-round pick in the NFL draft, is now primed for what will likely be his first start on the Rams. Garrett headed to injured reserve earlier this week and will miss at least the next four games after undergoing successful knee surgery on Monday. Garrett opened the door for Stewart, under less-than-ideal circumstances for the Rams, to make his mark on their Week 2 home opener against the New York Giants at 5:15 p.m. on Monday.
“I think he’s a complete player that can really be a positive contributor in both phases, defending the run, rushing the passer,” Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday. “He’ll be asked to step up, as will everybody in that group.”
The rest of the group, led by fourth-year starting outside linebacker Byron Young, who became a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career last season, includes Desjuan Johnson and undrafted free agent Wesley Bailey.
Young recorded a career-high 82 combined tackles and 12 sacks last season, while Johnson appeared in six games last season and tallied 12 combined tackles and two sacks. Bailey, a 6-foot-5 edge rusher, is a Canadian football player from Ottawa who began his collegiate career at Rutgers and finished it at Louisville, where he recorded 39 tackles and six sacks for the Cardinals a year ago.
“When you talk about ‘Stew,’ when you talk about ‘Des’, when you talk about ‘Wes’ Bailey, those are guys that we trust that are really all-purpose players that can hit the run, do their job, they can drop in coverage, and they can rush,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said Friday.
Bailey pushed his way onto the 53-man roster with a stellar preseason showing, one that McVay said Saturday moved the needle to get the brute edge rusher onto the roster.
“I mentioned it to the team when we talked to the 53 (man roster),” McVay said. “He earned the spot based on what he played like in practice and in the preseason games.”
Read more Long Beach police allegedly hid the Atlanta arrest of one of its officers, attorney says
When asked about what he’s learned from joining defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s defense, Bailey pointed to “dictating the terms.”
Bailey broke it down into three facets: Violence. Disruption. Striking first.
“Whether I get zero snaps or 30 snaps, it’s just keep going and working,” Bailey told SCNG. “That’s all it is.”
Bailey called making the 53-man roster a “blessing,” sharing that he’s been picking the brain of the wealth of knowledge around him in the locker room.
Johnson said that the Rams need to find an extra edge to make up for Garrett’s absence, rising above the first-week hiccup to season-long game plans with two-time Defensive Player of the Year in the mix.
“We always have good game plans and, and good opportunities, so it’s just turned up a little bit more,” Johnson told SCNG. “Myles, of course with him (it) was going to be a great opportunity as well. But without him, we got to hold it down until until we can continue with him again.”
There’s the trio of Rams outside linebackers ready to go.
And then, there’s Donald – reintroducing himself to SoFi Stadium for his season debut as well.
“We’re going to be good,” Donald said Friday. “And when (Garrett) gets back, we’ll be even better.”
Week 2: New York Giants (1-0) vs Rams (0-1)
When: Monday, 5:15 p.m. PTWhere: SoFi StadiumTV/Radio: ESPN (Ch. 32)/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 382, 226
Read more Former Santiago Canyon College president sues district over enrollment fraud claims