NFL teams are done with mini-camps so players are off until training camps start at the end of July. When the Los Angeles Rams report they might have one a surprising new weapon on their hands:
Outside linebacker Cory Littleton.
A year ago the Mount Miguel High School alum made the Rams roster as an undrafted free agent from Washington. He ended up playing in every game, starting one, and at the end of the season won L.A.'s rookie of the year award.
But this season should be even better for Littleton. In fact he thinks it could be Von Miller-good.
The Rams are moving to a 3-4 defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips so Littleton is going to be able to play the same spot as Miller, who is the reason the San Diego native wears number 58 in the NFL.
“I’ve idolized him all the way since high school,” said Littleton about the Broncos sackmaster. “I’m hoping I can have a career just as successful as he’s had.”
That is a lofty expectation. Miller is a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and one of the most disruptive forces in the game. Miller is about 20 pounds heavier than Littleton but Cory is working out at EXOS in Carlsbad, one of the top football training facilities in the country, to put on some extra size and strength.
Cory believes he already has the instincts to thrive in his new role.
“Outside linebacker is the thing I came in to this league to play,” said Littleton, a two-time winner of the Grossmont Valley League Defensive MVP Award at Mount Miguel. “It’s something that I know. I’m familiar with it. It’s something I feel very comfortable with. Wade Phillips coming to this team and running his defense? That made he have a little enjoyment.”
Phillips is a master at utilizing a player’s skill set to attack defenses. In his senior year at Washington, Littleton had 6.0 sacks as a 3-4 edge rusher so he knows how to get to the quarterback. If he does it even half as much as this idol does he’ll stick in the NFL for a long time.
