Rams looking to simplify their defense

As part of their preparation for next season, the St. Louis Rams are simplifying their defensive playbook and scheme. 

"We did an awful lot," head coach Jeff Fisher said in reference to Gregg Williams' first season as the team's defensive coordinator, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "We may have done too much at camp from an install standpoint.

"I think now that (Williams) has a good feel for what we have, and we have a better feel for what we have, that we can prune things down a little bit. And get good at a few things rather than be involved in too much defense."

The Rams finished last season in the middle of the pack in most defensive categories, ranking 17th in total defense, 14th against the run and 19th in pass defense. 

They were a lot better in the second half of the season, though. In the final eight games, they ranked fourth in the NFL with 84.4 rushing yards per game, fifth in points allowed (16.8), tied for fourth in sacks (26) and tied for sixth in takeaways (15). They're hoping the strong finish will carry over into the 2015 season.

"Gregg going into his second year with the players and the system, our expectations are much higher for earlier in the year than they were (last season)," Fisher said. "Not that the expectations weren't high."

Aside from defensive tackle Kendall Langford, the Rams will welcome back every starter and frontline reserve from last year's team. They also brought in defensive tackle Nick Fairley and linebacker Akeem Ayers in free agency.