Los Angeles Rams' Raheem Morris 'Fired Up With' Ernest Jones' Communication
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones may not be a world-renowned player just yet, but he's climbing at a rapid rate.
The 23-year-old has led Los Angeles in tackles every game this season, including this past Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. He is currently tied for the NFL's fourth-most tackles (63) and tackles for loss (8—same as fellow Rams' Aaron Donald).
The co-captain has been recognized by Rams coach Sean McVay for his "natural leader" abilities, and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is the latest to hop on the Ernest Jones train.
“I'm really fired up with Ernest and what he has been able to do," Morris said during Thursday's press conference. "(I love) to watch him play and to watch him lead and watch him be our what we call green dot, our central leader, our voice, our central communicator."
The green dot is a communication system put inside the helmet that allows him to be the defensive signal caller. Morris believes that Jones has excelled tremendously in this role.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53).
© Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY
"He is the person that's done the most for us when it comes to coach-to-player communication," Morris said. "He's also been one of our top players and top dogs when it comes to tackling and production. I couldn't say enough good things about what Ernest has done for us and what he's going to continue to do.”
Morris stressed during training camp that he needed a young player to step up as a leader on his side of the ball. The former third-round pick has officially emerged as the answer to Morris' prayers.
Now in his third NFL season after winning the Super Bowl in year one, then going 5-12 in year two, Jones learned from two of the best linebackers of the decade as leaders in Von Miller (2021) and Bobby Wagner (2022).
He finished with 114 tackles while playing 66 percent of snaps last season and only trailed Wagner for the most on the team. Jones utilized what Wagner and Miller taught him throughout the offseason and it's clearly affected him.
