Defensive tackle Michael Brockers is coming off arguably his best pro season. In 2017, Brockers amassed a career-high 55 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and one blocked kick — all in his first year under the Rams' new 3-4 scheme.
"As far as my first season playing, not even starting off at the 5-technique and getting thrown in there, having a great season like I did, it felt good," Brockers said recently. "Personal satisfaction, it was a good season."
Check out photos from day two of offseason workouts for the Los Angeles Rams.
But the LSU product is still walking into the 2018 offseason program with the same outlook as the year before.
"This is our work, this is our job," he said. "I don't want to make it bigger than it is. We can't fall into the hype, we just have to put our heads down and continue to grind."
The hype Brockers referred to stems from what was a busy offseason for the organization — particularly the defense. General manager Les Snead made several noteworthy moves, acquiring star cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, while picking up Pro Bowl and All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Suh will join Brockers and Aaron Donald as the centerpieces of the Rams' front seven next season. And while there will be three big-name talents on the line, Brockers is still confident there is enough work to go around.
"My first thought was, wow, we're making big moves. Secondly, just seeing how we will play together. How will it work?" he said of his reaction to the Suh signing. "[But] I think this defense — the way that Wade Phillips coaches it — it's an attack-style defense. So there's enough stats around and enough tackles around for everybody."
The defensive tackle got to meet his new teammate for the first time on Monday, but Brockers has admittedly studied Suh from afar over the years. And as the two continue to work together throughout the offseason, Brockers is hoping to pick up a few traits from the well-known player.
"He's a ferocious player, man," Brockers said. "He plays like that every snap of the ball, and I think that's what I like about him the most, is his attitude about the game. Defensive linemen, we're not supposed to be nice. We're supposed to be mean, nasty, getting after the quarterback, and that's what he does."
