30-07-2025
Rams NT Poona Ford is making a big splash in training camp: 'Force to be reckoned with'
After giving up an average of 4.6 yards per carry last season, the Los Angeles Rams sought to improve their run defense this offseason. They struggled badly against the run, ranking 22nd in yards allowed and 26th in yards per carry – in part because they gave up so many long runs to opposing backs.
They landed on Poona Ford in free agency, a journeyman nose tackle who played for the Seahawks, Bills and Chargers in the last three years. Having improved steadily throughout his career, the Rams saw potential in the 29-year-old and gave him a three-year, $27.6 million contract.
Ford has yet to take a regular-season snap for Los Angeles but he's already making a splash on defense. Kobie Turner has raved about him this summer, as have Sean McVay and Chris Shula, heaping praise on his ability to not only stop the run, but also generate pressure on the quarterback.
Quentin Lake joined the 'Poona Praise Party' after practice Tuesday and talked about how impressive Ford has been in practice.
'Yeah, Poona Ford. Man, Poona,' Lake said when asked if anyone has stood out against the run, 'I know Kobie talked about it when he was at the podium – as advertised. I'll say it again, as advertised, but a great addition. You just bring in guys not only that fit the culture but that just have an elite ability to do certain things. Poona is just a force to be reckoned with in the trenches. He's done a great job of meshing with the defense, great personality, great teammate, but that was one of the areas of emphasis from last year that we wanted to focus on this year. How can we do better against the run? How can we be in different coverages or personnel groups to be able to shut it down? Because as you guys know, we have a great pass rush. Anybody can see that, but how can we stop those early downs so that we have more opportunities to rush the passer? Bringing in guys like that helps us do that a lot.'
Ford has gotten a chance to really shine the last two days with the pads on, stepping up against the run now that he can be more physical at the line of scrimmage. He's helped the Rams improve in an area where they struggled last season, replacing Bobby Brown III as the starting nose tackle and he's already proving to be an upgrade.
In the video below, you can see Keir Thomas get quick penetration to force a cutback, but it was Ford right there to clean it up.
Davante Adams got a lot of attention as the Rams' big fish in free agency, but the addition of Ford is sure to have a major impact on defense. Inserting him between Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner is a recipe for success, especially with all the blockers Jared Verse and Byron Young are bound to draw on the edge.
It's early, but the returns on Ford have been unquestionably positive.
