'Relentless' Rams eager to challenge Barkley

Newcomer Ford adds 'sweet heat' up front. But will it be right ingredient to stop Eagles' back?

- Gary Klein

QUENTIN LAKE, top left, is a stalwart who lines up all over the field for the Rams, while Chargers counterpart Derwin James Jr., top right, is also everywhere.

Edge rusher Jared Verse was the 2024 NFL defensive rookie of the year. Lineman Braden Fiske was a finalist, following in the footsteps of 2023 finalist Kobie Turner.

So the Rams' defensive front is not searching for an identity.

They already have one.

"For one, we're young," Fiske said at the start of training camp. "And two, we're relentless."

With the addition of veteran nose tackle Poona Ford, brought in specifically to help stop the run, the Rams are banking that the front-loaded defense can harass quarterbacks into mistakes and prevent Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley from jetting for long touchdown runs.

The first test comes Sept. 7, when the Rams play host to the Houston Texans in the season opener at SoFi Stadium. Two weeks later, they travel to Philadelphia, where they will face Barkley and the defending Super Bowl-champion Eagles.

Last season, Barkley rushed for 255 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-20 Week 12 victory over the Rams at SoFi Stadium. He rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles' 28-22 NFC divisional-round victory at Lincoln Financial Field.