How inside linebacker bobby wagner will change the rams defense

The Rams agreed to terms with six-time All-Pro inside linebacker Bobby Wagner, demonstrating once again they will not shy from acquiring proven star players.

Three takeaways on what the acquisition means for the Rams:

All-Pro talent at all three levels of the defense

The Rams already were envied by other NFL teams because three-time defensive player of the year Aaron Donald anchors the defensive line and three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey leads the secondary.

Enter Wagner, who has been voted to the Pro Bowl in eight consecutive seasons.

At 31, Wagner probably is not the same player physically that he was in 2013 when the Seattle Seahawks won a Super Bowl, and in 2014 when they narrowly missed winning another.

Last season, Wagner amassed 170 tackles in 16 games, but lacked some of the splash plays that defined him earlier in his career.

Regardless, the Rams now have a proven talent to mentor second-year linebacker Ernest Jones.

Bobby Wagner (54), shown trying to defend the Rams’ Robert Woods, did his share of pass coverage with Seattle.

(Associated Press)

Von Miller-type leadership

There’s a reason the Buffalo Bills guaranteed Miller more than $50 million to lure him away from a return to the Rams.

They wanted him because he showed he could close games by pressuring quarterbacks, something that might have come in handy against, say, Patrick Mahomes in the AFC divisional playoff round. But Miller also had provided the Rams with veteran savvy and Super Bowl experience.

As an inside linebacker, Wagner will not have the pass-rushing presence that Miller provided the Rams. Few NFL players, however, are as universally respected as the ultra-tough Wagner.

Remember how the Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers ran right at — and sometimes through — the Rams?

That’s probably not happening with Wagner manning the middle.

Another homecoming for a Southland high school star

Wagner played at Ontario Colony High before starring at Utah State and becoming a second-round draft pick for the Seahawks in 2012.

Now he gets a chance, twice a season, to show the Seahawks they erred by releasing him.

Wagner’s return is expected to evolve much more smoothly than DeSean Jackson’s did last season.

Jackson, the former Long Beach Poly High star, quickly became unhappy with his limited role in the receiver corps. He was released at midseason after the Rams found no trade takers.

Wagner should enjoy a much longer tenure with the Rams.

During his decorated career with the Seattle Seahawks, six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner learned to easily make adjustments on the field.

So, a helmetless Wagner looked completely comfortable Tuesday in the middle of the Rams defense with a walkie-talkie in hand.

Wagner, accustomed to one-way, in-helmet radio communication to relay defensive signals, had looked forward to rare two-way conversation via the walkie-talkie. But his efforts to respond to coordinator Raheem Morris’ “trash talk” proved fruitless, Wagner said.

“I tried — they cut that portion out,” Wagner joked after a practice that was essentially a two-hour walk-through. “They must have knew I was going to say something back. I tried to hold the button and I didn’t get no static back.”

Wagner, 32, is expected to provide clear communication, experience and playmaking ability for a defense that aims to help the Rams repeat as Super Bowl champion.

In 10 seasons with the Seahawks, Wagner won a Super Bowl and played in another. He was released in March on the same day the Seahawks traded quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.

Wagner, a former Ontario Colony High star, agreed to terms with the Rams a few weeks later.

The Rams will not be in pads until later in training camp but Wagner made his presence felt last spring during organized-team activities, outside linebacker Justin Hollins said.

“Oh man, he’s incredible,” Hollins said, adding, “Just to see some of the little things he does day in and day out, the way he works. It’s amazing and I feel like when we put these pads on, I’m going to learn a lot.”

During the next few weeks, Morris and coach Sean McVay will try to find ways to maximize Wagner’s talent as the Rams prepare for the Sept. 8 opener against the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium.

McVay spent the last five seasons scheming against Wagner.

“I don’t know if there was any weaknesses to exploit,” McVay said. “You’re really just trying to find ways to eliminate the impact that he has on the game.”

Wagner has been an elite run-stopper throughout his career and the Rams will expand on what Wagner provided the Seahawks, McVay said.

“There are some subtleties and some different things that we’ll be asking of him as it relates to blitzing and some of the coverage responsibilities,” McVay said.

Wagner is part of an inside linebacker corps that includes second-year pro Ernest Jones and veteran Travin Howard, who is sidelined following surgery for a groin injury.

Wagner will be in the middle of a defense that also includes star lineman Aaron Donald and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

“They had a way established way before I got here, so for me it’s my job to try and understand everybody that’s around and understand the way they’ve done things over the years, and just add a little bit of experience when needed,” Wagner said.

Wagner said he has been struck by the closeness of Rams players and coaches.

“The accountability is off the charts,” he said. “I think because you have that cohesiveness and everybody being close, it allows you to get checked when you need to get checked, and you don’t take it personally because you know the guys that’s checking you wants the best for you.

“That’s the symbol of a great team.”

Etc.

The Rams remain in the acclimation phase of training camp. McVay said the light workout, with focus on the mental part of the game, enabled players “a way to get their legs back underneath them.”… Tackle Rob Havenstein, defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson and center Brian Allen were among players given all or most of the day off. … The Rams will practice Wednesday and then take Thursday off before their first public workout Friday.