It’s been clear for a while now that Robert Quinn would assume a new role in Wade Phillips hybrid 3-4 defense, a systemic shift from the 4-3 that the Rams have run since they drafted him in 2011.

Quinn confirmed that plan when he sat down at OTAs with former Rams defensive tackle and Super Bowl XXXIV Champion, D’Marco Farr. The two joked about things like his career sack numbers belonging to the defensive line and not trying to return interceptions like Deion Sanders. But they also got down to business in terms of parsing out exactly what Quinn’s role will in the new scheme.

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“I don’t know if I’m saying too much, I am still in the D-line room, but I am considered a linebacker.” said Quinn. “So I have to know a little bit of rushing the passer and dropping into coverage.”

Quinn has played well at defensive end over his six years in the league, but Phillips envisions a role for the 27-year-old that’s reminiscent of the recently retired DeMarcus Ware. That role will have him playing a majority of their snaps at linebacker, while occasionally playing on the line in subpackages.

However the fact that he’s still working with the defensive line but is technically a linebacker means that at least for now, Phillips intends for Quinn to remain a pass rusher first – and a pass cover guy second.

And while it will take some extra work on Quinn’s end to get up to speed and be ready for Week 1, he says there’s a “different passion, different aura” from the staff and coaches and everyone at the facilities this year. He’s never played on a team that’s even gotten to .500, and he’s more than ready for that to change.

“I want to win…that’s what you play the game for,” Quinn told Farr. “You know of course you love making plays, but it feels a lot better makings plays when you get a ‘W’ at the end of the day.”