Rams Aaron Donald Looks Like A Monster to Packers Coach Matt LaFleur

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GREEN BAY, Wis. – Dealing with torn rib cartilage, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was a nonfactor in last year’s playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. He only had one assisted tackle in 40 snaps as the Packers smashed the NFL’s top defense in a 32-18 victory.

Healthy again, Donald is dominant as ever.

“He looks like a monster. He looks like a game-wrecker, ”coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday.

Donald was part of what, on paper, will be the biggest mismatch of Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field. The Packers fell to three starting offensive linemen, with Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins and rookie center Josh Myers on injured reserve and All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari out following a second technique on his left knee. The Rams have a healthy Donald and got Von Miller in a trade in Nov. 1. Both players are definitely Hall of Famers. 30 -year -old Donald is a seven -time Pro Bowler and 32 -year -old Miller is an eight -time Pro Bowler. Both were selected to the all-2010s team.

Head quarterback Aaron Rodgers is better on the swivel.

“I don’t think Donald is 100 percent and they don’t have Von Miller,” Rodgers said of the difference since last year. “Obviously, they added him to the mix and a healthy Aaron Donald is a threat to any offense he’s up against. We’re going to have to have a good plan for protection. Last year, we ran the ball well. That will always be part of what we are trying to do.

Rodgers was 23-of-36 for 296 yards and two touchdowns, and Aaron Jones (14 carries, 99 yards, one touchdown), Jamaal Williams (12 carries, 65 yards) and AJ Dillon (six carries, 27 yards) combined for 32 carries for 191 yards as the Packers burned the NFL’s top defense up to 484 yards.

Dillon may be the last man standing from that backfield, even as Jones practiced on Wednesday.

Donald has 91.5 sacks in 120 career games. He led the NFL with 20.5 sacks in 2018 and 10th in NFL history with 0.76 sacks per game. With six sacks this season, he is heading into his fifth consecutive season with a 10-plus sack. According to Pro Football Focus, he is third in the league among interior defensive linemen with 42 pressures. Last year, he was No. 1 in all defenders with 98 – a surprising 21 more than any other player.

“He was definitely hurt last year, there’s no doubt about it, and he’s someone you can’t rest a second on when you’re fighting him,” LaFleur said. “You know better where he is lined up in every game and you have to make sure you put your players in the best position possible to fight him. As dominant as he is in the pass game, he is equally dominant in the run game, and I think that’s why he’s so special. He plays a lot of snaps, his effort is relentless, he is someone who can perfectly handle a football game.

LaFleur has some first-hand insights into Donald. In 2017, LaFleur was in his lone season as the Rams ’offensive coordinator. Donald, in his fourth season at the time, had his best year to date with 11 sacks and five forced fumbles.

Along with undeniable talent, LaFleur was struck by Donald’s dedication.

“I remember I left the office a few nights pretty late and he was still there watching the tape,” he recalls. “It was really impressive. He might be the only player in the building. He’s a pro. “

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