When the Rams acquired cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters
this offseason, head coach Sean McVay knew the team possessed two of the league’s most elite pass defenders.
Though neither had yet participated in any team activities and were both coming into new environments, McVay remained confident that the cornerback duo would benefit the defense in the long run.
“There’s really no limitations for what these guys have the ability to do,” he said at the onset of the free agency period. “They will clearly make us better on the backend [and] I’m glad they are on our team.”
And three weeks into the Rams 2018 offseason program, Peters and Talib have been everything and more than the club expected — both on the field and in the classroom.
“Their movement skills are excellent,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said recently. “And then we get to work individual drills with them right now on the field. They move like we thought they could move. You know of course Talib is familiar with the defense, but Marcus is really smart and he’s fit in real well too.”
The Rams are currently in Phase II of their offseason program, allowing coaches to work with players in on-field drills, in addition to the work put in through positional meetings. Later this month, the club will usher in Phase III — where teams may conduct OTA’s and other team-oriented drills.
As Los Angeles continues through the offseason and into training camp, Peters and Talib will undoubtedly become more and more comfortable with the team’s defensive scheme. And with the regular season on the horizon, Phillips said he is looking forward to all that the cornerbacks will bring to the table.
“We picked up two elite corners, two number one corners we should call them,” he said. “Both of them are lead guys. You like to have a No. 1 corner, a No. 2, and maybe even a No. 3. But we have two number ones, so, I think we’re in good position to go forward with those guys.”