No one ever accused Jeff Fisher of being conservative. The new St. Louis Rams head coach set a rather high goal for his defense this season and he could need help to do it. Should he place a call to the New York Giants about Osi Umenyiora?
Jeff Fisher tells Chris Long and defense he wants to break NFL sack record
Chicago Bears fans probably laughed out loud when they read their newspapers or news apps recently. Everyone in the Windy City remembers the ferocious Bears defenses of the mid-1980s, headed by Buddy Ryan. While the 1986 unit set the record for fewest points allowed at that time and the 1985 squad posted back-to-back shutouts in the playoffs, it was the 1984 version that drew attention from an unusual place. New head coach Jeff Fisher kick started his overhaul of the Rams defense when he announced he wanted them to not only play better but actually go after the record for sacks in a season. That record belongs to the 1984 Bears, a team who dumped the quarterback on the ground a staggering 72 times. It's a pretty tall order for a defense that managed just 39 sacks in 2011, 13 of which came from Pro Bowl alternate Chris Long. Ironically, Fisher was actually a member of the Bears that year so he had a front row seat for the feasts that defense used to have. He knows what it takes and should know the Rams don't have anyone outside of Long who can help reach that goal. Would the team seek outside help?
Umenyiora maintains activity on Twitter to save ring of Lawrence Taylor
Staying quiet isn't in the blood of defensive end Osi Umenyiora. He made it clear he isn't happy last year with the New York Giants and did it again this year. Since GM Jerry Reese won't budge on giving him a new contract, Umenyiora has settled for staying active in the media in other ways. He threw a Mother's Day jab at Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy via Twitter, and then apologized for it a week later. Now the outspoken player used the social media engine for a new reason when he started a public campaign to save the 1991 Super Bow ring of Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Most might remember Taylor for the incident two years ago when he got accused of raping a minor. Taylor says the ring was a gift for his son who has since decided to auction it off. He has expressed no problem with the decision. Current bids stand at $98,525. Umenyiora switched gears from his usual Giants bashing and showed his loyalty to the team when he pleaded for people to join his cause and buy back the ring for Taylor. While the cause seems noble enough it's just another public outcry the Giants must tackle, strengthening their case that perhaps it's time to trade the 30-year old defensive end. St. Louis should make sure they're on the list of possible partners. Umenyiora has averaged 10 sacks a year and could bring valuable production to a struggling defense.
Jeff Fisher said he wants to break the NFL sack record. It's a good goal to go after in a passing league but it seems well beyond the power of the St. Louis Rams defense, with or without Chris Long. The New York Giants haven't talked about trading Osi Umenyiora, but his constant outcries on Twitter may do the job sooner or later. If the Rams want help to reach their goal, they should start with him.
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