Dunbar Suspended; What Will Be The Impact On The Rams?

Dec 9, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (58) runs after intercepting a pass from Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Rams beat the Bills 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

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On Wednesday, Jo-Lonn Dunbar was suspended for the first four games of the regular season. The suspension will likely hold up so what impact will it have 0n the St. Louis Rams?

Alec Ogletree will have to step up

There will be no training wheels for Alec Ogletree. Ogletree will be ask to contribute more to the defense. Instead of getting 30% of the defensive snaps at first, Ogletree might be called on to take 60% of the defensive snaps. Ogletree must be ready to step up.

Witherspoon will take over as starter. 

I have no doubt that Will Witherspoon will be able to contribute to the Rams defense. I am not convinced that he will be at the level that he was in his first stint with the Rams but he will be good enough to make some plays.

Other position groups must step or else. 

No game is easy in the NFL, but the St. Louis Rams begin with the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers. Two big division games that could set the tone for the rest of the season. This means that other position groups outside of the linebackers will have to step up. Defensive line, defensive backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers, everyone.

Losing Dunbar for 4 games isn’t the end of the world at all. He is a solid contributor that will be missed and that will have an impact on the St. Louis Rams.

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