St. Louis Rams Closing Evaluations: What Grades Do the Linebackers Receive?

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

James Laurinaitis: Though he lost out on the Rams’ lead in tackles to Alec Ogletree for the second straight year after leading the team for the first four seasons of his career, middle linebacker James Laurinaitis still had a successful 2014 season. While suiting up for all 16 games and continuing the ironman streak which has lasted for the entirety of his six-year career, Laurinaitis had 109 tackles.

With Ogletree in the fold, the 28-year-old was once again freed up to contribute more as a pass-rusher, matching his career high in sacks with 3.5. While he didn’t have any interceptions for the first season of his career, he was solid in coverage and didn’t seem to have any really noticeable breakdowns that hurt the team.

Laurinaitis may not be the big playmaker that other NFC West inside ‘backers like Chris Borland and Bobby Wagner are, but he’s consistently solid and is a very good leader of the Rams’ defense.

GRADE: A-

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