Kobie Turner enjoyed paradise with the rest of his Los Angeles Rams teammates in Maui for minicamp. But he was also reflective on what could've been for the 2024 team.
The interior defensive lineman star and L.A. had the Philadelphia Eagles facing elimination. Philly ultimately escaped 28-22 in a snow covered Lincoln Financial Field.
Turner and the Rams defense did everything they could to try to knock off the Eagles. He led all defensive linemen that day with five solo stops including two for a loss.
Was it really Saquon Barkley who killed off the Rams' 2024 season. Turner told Rams reporter J.B. Long that it was much more than that.
Dec 12, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner (91) reacts after recording a sack against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Jared Verse, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske celebrate a stop for the Rams in 2024.
(Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images)
"Over the course of this last year, what killed us was a lot of the big plays – in particular, a lot of big runs,” Turner explained.
Barkley wasn't the sole running back who gashed the Rams, by Turner's admission.
"If you really look at a lot of those games where we gave up a bunch of rushing yards, it wasn’t every single play they’re getting a bunch of yards. It was a couple of those plays where we fit it up wrong or a couple of those plays where maybe we got caught out," Turner said.
Barkley scored two touchdowns of 70+ yards during their regular season meeting. L.A. ranked 22nd against rushing yardage. They also surrendered a 36-yard TD run from D'Andre Swift in the 24-18 loss to the Chicago Bears.
The plan is simple moving forward for the 2025 Rams defense, with Turner now entering season three.
"It’s about minimizing those big plays," he said. "I mean, that’s what the league is nowadays. Obviously, the points matter the most, the turnover margin matters the second-most but after that it’s the explosive plays.”
There'll be new optimism for this Rams run defense. Braden Fiske is expected to return from his late season right knee ailment. The team also drafted talented run stuffer Chris Paul Jr. out of Ole Miss. Then there's Jared Verse entering season two after establishing himself as the league's top defensive rookie.