Evans needs to go

[Tano]

Overall Evans is ranked 79th out of 81 guards at a whopping 37.3 rating on PFF. So he's stepped up his game a few notches.

Kolone was 37th out of 37 centers at an enormous 36.1 rating. Room to grow.

Where do we get these stiffs, and why do we p(l)ay them?

Evans is not a horrible run blocking guard - he is a (GASP!) in the high 40s rating maybe even low 50s.

It's his pass blocking rating that is in the low teens that goes beyond horrible.

 

[fearsomefour]

For every Jackson, there's a Kolone.

When dealing with late round draft picks or UDFA, for every Jackson there are about 15 Kolone'.

 

[Tano]

When dealing with late round draft picks or UDFA, for every Jackson there are about 15 Kolone'.

And that is why I always want to draft at minimum 1 OL in the first 4 rounds every year.

So we can have a somewhat decent back-up even if they are our number 5 guard and continue to take upside chances on 6th 7th and UDFA guys.

 

[OntarioRam]

What happened to Bobby Evans? He wasn't this bad in his rookie year. And being on the bench for years, I can't see teams having comitted much study time to him.

 

[fearsomefour]

I don't know if a reasonable person would be surprised by bad play from players who are practice squad players.
When the design is to invest low draft picks or UDFA to fill out your OL depth chart, this is to be expected. The bet is you won't have an extended time frame where you have more than one player of this type have to play at a time.
I was sort of surprised the Rams didn't make a smaller trade for veteran or young depth level OL before the deadline.
I am surprised Skura hasn't been promoted.
When this offseason concludes I would like to see the Rams find a vet type of player or two for depth. Aboushi is that kind of guy. Wont cost a lot, brings plenty of playing experience and has some skills. No one is confusing him with Larry Allen but he can be a solid depth guy.
Within the next week or two we should see Shelton back and hopefully Jackson proves himself at LT. I am sure McVay is going to inject Edwards right back in at LG once he is cleared. Im not so sure I wouldn't keep him on the bench.
It is very difficult to find five high quality starters for any teams OL. Most teams have at least one spot on their starting five they'd like to upgrade. Double that difficulty in finding and keeping quality depth OL.
I would over turn some rocks looking for depth OL this offseason however.

 

[den-the-coach]

What happened to Bobby Evans? He wasn't this bad in his rookie year. And being on the bench for years, I can't see teams having comitted much study time to him.

He's regressed and just has not grown so it's disturbing why they have kept him. McVay stated that Evans has played in games, but the result has not been very good, so what does it matter that he has experience if it's not good.

Again, the Rams have had multiple injuries and thus is why they are down to Evans, but most of us think Evans should have not made the team and the Rams could be looking at someone else that might offer some upside as Alaric Jackson is a good example of that.

 

[fearsomefour]

And that is why I always want to draft at minimum 1 OL in the first 4 rounds every year.

So we can have a somewhat decent back-up even if they are our number 5 guard and continue to take upside chances on 6th 7th and UDFA guys.

I agree.
Ive been saying this forever.
I would draft at least 1 OL and 1 DL/edge in the first few rounds every year.
Think about OL and DL/Edge. 5 starting OL and 5 starting DL/E (assuming 3 down lineman and 2 edge). 45% of your starting players are tied up in these position groups. DL/E has a little more wiggle room as it is easier to develop rotational depth and a true rotation at those spots.
The approach taken....investing occasional 3rd or 4th round picks and looking for diamonds in the rough to develop into at least "solid" players at those positions to help facilitate affording high cost "stars" at other spots.....well, it has worked well so far. But, injuries will expose the lack of depth for sure.
I don't see Snead or McVay changing an approach that has earned them two NFC Titles and a Super Bowl Title in 5 years.
But, I would like to see a little tweaking in focus.
Bring in a few low cost FA in the offseason to compete for depth spots.
Invest a 3rd or 4th round pick or two in these spots to try and help bolster the spots.
Bruss was drafted to replace Edwards after this year (even if Shelton swings to LG and Bruss plays at RG)....so, he will have to step up.
And the quest for depth continues.....

 

[fearsomefour]

He's regressed and just has not grown so it's disturbing why they have kept him. McVay stated that Evans has played in games, but the result has not been very good, so what does it matter that he has experience if it's not good.

Again, the Rams have had multiple injuries and thus is why they are down to Evans, but most of us think Evans should have not made the team and the Rams could be looking at someone else that might offer some upside as Alaric Jackson is a good example of that.

HAHA.
Good point.....like someone who's been married 6 times...they bring a lot of bad relationship experience to the table....

 

[fearsomefour]

Dumbest decision by far by McVay was to keep Bobby Evans. I know we arent supposed to call them names, but dude's game is trash as an o-linemen. We should have given that opportunity to some new blood. I mean, look what happened when Alaric Jackson finally got a chance. So many miscues are biting us in the ass. And yes, I'll bring Creed Humphrey into this because that fuck up keeps rearing it's head around thanks to our o-line problems.

Who would you have kept from this years camp over Evans?
I would have looked to bring in someone from another team or PS....like they did with Aboushi.

 

[den-the-coach]

HAHA.
Good point.....like someone who's been married 6 times...they bring a lot of bad relationship experience to the table....

Absolutely, that philosophy has always driven me crazy and seems to echo across NFL Circles. He has game day experience, even if it sucks, the fact that he has active live game experience matters even if it's bad.

 

[Kupped]

The Rams have had 5 winning seasons in a row and won a Super Bowl last year using this template.
They don't need a wholesale change in draft/development philosophy, imo.

If you add a player who *can* develop into a starter every year, you're doing just fine.
Last year, they got Jackson.
This year they got Bruss.. and we'll see if Arcuri can be something.
Two years ago, they got Anchrum.. who, again.. looked really good in preseason at guard. Solid.
Three years ago they brought in David Edwards.. and Bobby Evans. (I'm merely pointing out the assets-committed thing with Evans)..
Four years ago, they brought in Brian Allen, Joe Noteboom and Jamil Demby (With Demby, I'm again just pointing out resources)

None of this is a "lack of investment."

9 players added in 4 years.. and, yes, I'm counting a UDFA because they were successful in identifying and developing a player. That impacted their draft *this* season.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Who would you have kept from this years camp over Evans?
I would have looked to bring in someone from another team or PS....like they did with Aboushi.

Anyone but him. Evans has had his time and has done jack shit with it. For example, didn't we cut Jack Snyder? I'd rather we use new blood to see if we can get lucky.

 

[fearsomefour]

Anyone but him. Evans has had his time and has done jack shit with it. For example, didn't we cut Jack Snyder? I'd rather we use new blood to see if we can get lucky.

I don't think anyone really excelled this preseason.
I too am surprised he keeps making it.

 

[fearsomefour]

The Rams have had 5 winning seasons in a row and won a Super Bowl last year using this template.
They don't need a wholesale change in draft/development philosophy, imo.

If you add a player who *can* develop into a starter every year, you're doing just fine.
Last year, they got Jackson.
This year they got Bruss.. and we'll see if Arcuri can be something.
Two years ago, they got Anchrum.. who, again.. looked really good in preseason at guard. Solid.
Three years ago they brought in David Edwards.. and Bobby Evans. (I'm merely pointing out the assets-committed thing with Evans)..
Four years ago, they brought in Brian Allen, Joe Noteboom and Jamil Demby (With Demby, I'm again just pointing out resources)

None of this is a "lack of investment."

9 players added in 4 years.. and, yes, I'm counting a UDFA because they were successful in identifying and developing a player. That impacted their draft *this* season.

All true.
That is a lot of bodies but no high draft picks (if you don't consider 3rd round "high").
It is for sure a quantity over quality approach.
There isn't one team in the league if hit with these sorts of injuries at one position group wouldn't be signing street FAs etc.
The Rams made the choice to spend some money and retain Noteboom, Allen and Shelton this offseason.
All sensible choices that make sense.

 

[Kupped]

I don't think anyone really excelled this preseason.
I too am surprised he keeps making it.

I really think Anchrum did at guard and, tell the truth, I was surprised.

He really stood guys up in pass protection... that low center of gravity and long arms seemed to be finally working in his favor.

 

[Mackeyser]

Find somebody on practice squad maybe Mike Caliendo of the Kansas City Chiefs....Can he be any worse?

I‘d settle for Frank Caliendo at this rate. His impression of a lineman has to better than Evans’

 

[den-the-coach]

I‘d settle for Frank Caliendo at this rate. His impression of a lineman has to better than Evans’

I knew somebody was going to comment on the surname and if I didn't communicate the original post, it would've been me.

 

[Memento]

Can we cut him now and make him pay for the flight back?

 

[snackdaddy]

If they put Nsekhe at left tackle and Jackson at left guard, I feel like that would be the best possible line combination they could have this year with the other 3 that started today. .

 

[PonyExpress29]

How many times have a said it ? Its about the O line, the O line and the O line.
The offensive line, the most important unit on any football team. No matter how good your QB is, WRs are and your RB, without a competent O line the team is in trouble.
A great O line even helps out the defense. Long dominating drives keep them well rested and lets them pin their ears back and get after the QB when we run it up.
Draft 6'7" athletic stud O linemen and find your skill positions (most of the time) in the middle rounds.
Stop trading picks, pay the piper and get back to long term talent.

Well said! at some point we will need to reload!