When the Los Angeles Rams (4-4) host the Miami Dolphins (2-6) on “Monday Night Football,” a key piece of the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI will be with them. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey will suit up against his former team for the first time since joining Miami in 2023.
Ramsey’s homecoming inspired numerous Rams players and coaches to speak on the All-Pro defensive back’s time in LA. There was also a heavy emphasis on Ramsey’s skill and the danger he could pose on Monday.
Former Ram Returns to SoFi Stadium For Week 10 Showdown
Ramsey’s career with the Rams was short-lived but filled with highlight plays. He arrived in Tinsel Town in the middle of the 2019 season when the Rams traded two first-rounders and one fourth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite arriving midway through the season, his performances earned Ramsey his third Pro Bowl nod.
In 2020 and 2021, Ramsey earned two first-team All-Pro selections and became the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback. He also lifted the Lombardi Trophy in Los Angeles after the Rams’ 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Ramsey’s job in the big game was to shut down the Bengals’ rookie sensation Jamarr Chase, who caught five passes for 89 yards.
After a Pro Bowl-winning 2022 campaign, Ramsey was traded to Miami. In his time with the Rams, Ramsey tallied 10 interceptions, 47 pass deflections, and four forced fumbles.
The Rams’ Comments
After Friday’s practice, the Rams players and coaches were asked about Ramsey’s tenure and the challenge of playing against him. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who Ramsey may shadow on Monday, had some fond memories.
“My first memory of him was when he came in, we were playing against Atlanta, he had just come into the building basically on like Wednesday or Thursday,” Kupp said. He came in not knowing any of his stuff and just locked down Julio (Jones) man to man.”
Kupp mentions Ramsey’s debut, he held the all-time great Julio Jones to four catches and 69 yards.
The 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and the former Rams All-Pro were fierce practice rivals. Both players were some of the best in their position, particularly in the slot, so they often faced each other. Kupp emphasized Ramsey’s intensity and physicality as two of his best traits.
While still in college during Ramsey’s LA days, wide receiver Puka Nacua heard stories of the corner. The 2023 All-Pro receiver looks forward to facing Ramsey on Monday.
“(Ramsey’s) super competitive, a smart player and (has) the physicality that you build a Madden corner (with),” Nacua said. “The opportunity to play against one of the best is super exciting
and then to go showcase this new Rams era of football.”
Ramsey and the Dolphins Defense
The former Ram leads one of the best secondaries in the NFL this season. The Dolphins rank fourth in passing yards allowed, conceding just 183.1 yards per game. They have also allowed just eight passing touchdowns.
Despite the low number of yards and touchdowns allowed, the Dolphins are surprisingly low on the interception charts. Ramsey has one of the Dolphins’ four picks this season.
It is up to Kupp, Nacua, and quarterback Matthew Stafford to break open this Dolphins secondary on Monday and spoil Ramsey’s homecoming.
Main Image: Gregory Fisher – USA Today Sports
