Importance of Health and Continuity on the O-Line

[BonifayRam]

Agree about Noteboom's lack of durability but he was on the sideline against Denver, and I didn't see a walking boot or wrap of any kind. Now he wasn't dancing, so I'm not suggesting he was without limitations.

Did he get injured on the sideline?

 

[So Ram]

Agree about Noteboom's lack of durability but he was on the sideline against Denver, and I didn't see a walking boot or wrap of any kind. Now he wasn't dancing, so I'm not suggesting he was without limitations.

I like that hindsight,always look for those little clues on players.The sidelines can tell you a lot sometimes.
—This is an example of Bonifay’d speculating on Joesph Notebooms health.2019 is actually what Noteboom went through.His last injury not much was said & The Rams will know soon enough.I also agree though with Bonifay’d about Notebooms track record on playing LT only & not a desirable TRADABLE Player which Merlin suggests.IMO that would be good to get rid of that contract.

 

[So Ram]

Did he get injured on the sideline?

LMAO Bonifay’d!! Lol your funny dude & live your passion.
—Truth though IMO signing say Ty Neske & or drafting a Tackle in the draft might be The Rams best option?

Like I have been saying

TY N starting LT & swing RT /Noteboom backup LT

LG — The Rams have to Find a Starter!!

Center - Shelton & swing guard/Allen backup center only

RG A’Jackson(which is crazy because of health) /swing LT.

Havenstien (RT). /Ty & rookie swing

I guess I don’t trust Noteboom either & finding the right combo isn’t going to be easy.The Rams will have to keep 9 O’Linemen for depth.
—These next 2 games will tell a lot.I think Baker Mayfield actually runs The Rams offense better than Matthew Stafford.He can move the pocket & get those extra running yards to make 3rd downs more manageable.
He also helps The Offensive line & I don’t CRINGE everytime he gets HIT!!

 

[jjab360]

According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams had an 88.1 pass-blocking grade in Week 16 against the Broncos, by far their highest of the season. Their lowest grade in the last four weeks was 74.4, which is their second-highest grade of the season.

Huh?

 

[BonifayRam]

The Rams' O-line doesn't need an overhaul, just some shuffling​

Cameron DaSilva/January 16, 2023

The Rams' O-line doesn't need an overhaul, just some shuffling

The Rams don’t need to tear down their offensive line and rebuild it. They just need to do some shuffling up front.

theramswire.usatoday.com

After watching Rams quarterbacks get planted on their backs each and every week, the overwhelming belief entering the offseason is that the offensive line needs a complete makeover. It was the weakest part of the team in 2022, allowing the third-most sacks in the NFL and the third-highest pressure rate, according to Pro Football Reference.

Even when Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp were healthy, the line couldn’t give Stafford enough time to create big plays down the field – or really even stand comfortably in the pocket.

As crazy as it may sound, the Rams don’t necessarily need to overhaul their offensive line. They might already have the pieces needed to field a decent group up front. The biggest problem in 2022 was the health of the line, which one can only hope will improve in 2023. It certainly can’t get any worse than it was.

Looking at the Rams’ depth chart of the players still under contract next season, there’s enough talent to fill out the line. In fact, there are a ton of options when you begin moving players around because of the position flexibility at guard and tackle, as well as guard and center.

Recently, Alaric Jackson alluded to the idea that the Rams don’t need to add any more pieces up front. They just need to shuffle the O-line to find the best possible combination from the players they currently have. He’s absolutely right, too.

Here are just a few possible combinations along the offensive line for 2023, excluding pending free agents. The only guaranteed starter is Rob Havenstein at right tackle, but the other four spots are all up for grabs.

	LT	LG	C	RG	RT
Option 1	Alaric Jackson	Joe Noteboom	Brian Allen	Logan Bruss	Rob Havenstein
Option 2	Joe Noteboom	Alaric Jackson	Brian Allen	Tremayne Anchrum Jr.	Rob Havenstein
Option 3	Joe Noteboom	Tremayne Anchrum Jr.	Coleman Shelton	Alaric Jackson	Rob Havenstein
Option 4	Alaric Jackson	Tremayne Anchrum Jr.	Brian Allen	Logan Bruss	Rob Havenstein

In Options 3 and 4, we open the door for the possibility that either Allen or Noteboom will be cap casualties. Both signed multi-year deals last offseason, but they were both disappointing in 2022 and would save the Rams money this year if cut after June 1. Releasing Noteboom in the summer would free up $8.5 million, while Allen’s release would clear $4.4 million.

Releasing either of them is unlikely to happen, but keeping them as backups with sizable cap hits ($15.5 million for Noteboom and $6.2 million for Allen) might not be the best move, either. If the Rams move on from one of the two, Allen is the more likely option.

There are at least 10 different combinations you could assemble with the Rams’ current offensive linemen, and we won’t get into each of them, but the versatility of this group is a major plus. Just look at all the positions each of these players can line up at. Noteboom and Jackson can play guard or tackle, Shelton can play guard or center, and Anchrum and Bruss can play either guard spot.

Left tackle: Noteboom, Jackson
Guard: Noteboom, Jackson, Anchrum, Shelton, Bruss
Center: Allen, Shelton
Right tackle: Havenstein, Jackson, Arcuri

This isn’t to say the Rams shouldn’t consider adding offensive linemen this offseason because that has to be on the table. Noteboom struggled in 2022, we don’t know exactly what Anchrum and Bruss bring at guard, and neither Allen nor Shelton played particularly well at center.

There may be better options out there, whether it’s in the draft or free agency. But we also have to consider the fact that the Rams took steps toward building a competent offensive line last year. They re-signed Noteboom, Allen and Shelton to multi-year deals and drafted both Bruss and Arcuri in the draft.

This offseason will be more about finding each player’s best position rather than searching for replacements.

 

[BonifayRam]

The Rams' O-line doesn't need an overhaul, just some shuffling​

View attachment 58425
Cameron DaSilva/January 16, 2023

The Rams' O-line doesn't need an overhaul, just some shuffling

The Rams don’t need to tear down their offensive line and rebuild it. They just need to do some shuffling up front.

theramswire.usatoday.com

After watching Rams quarterbacks get planted on their backs each and every week, the overwhelming belief entering the offseason is that the offensive line needs a complete makeover. It was the weakest part of the team in 2022, allowing the third-most sacks in the NFL and the third-highest pressure rate, according to Pro Football Reference.

Even when Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp were healthy, the line couldn’t give Stafford enough time to create big plays down the field – or really even stand comfortably in the pocket.

As crazy as it may sound, the Rams don’t necessarily need to overhaul their offensive line. They might already have the pieces needed to field a decent group up front. The biggest problem in 2022 was the health of the line, which one can only hope will improve in 2023. It certainly can’t get any worse than it was.

Looking at the Rams’ depth chart of the players still under contract next season, there’s enough talent to fill out the line. In fact, there are a ton of options when you begin moving players around because of the position flexibility at guard and tackle, as well as guard and center.

Recently, Alaric Jackson alluded to the idea that the Rams don’t need to add any more pieces up front. They just need to shuffle the O-line to find the best possible combination from the players they currently have. He’s absolutely right, too.

Here are just a few possible combinations along the offensive line for 2023, excluding pending free agents. The only guaranteed starter is Rob Havenstein at right tackle, but the other four spots are all up for grabs.

	LT	LG	C	RG	RT
Option 1	Alaric Jackson	Joe Noteboom	Brian Allen	Logan Bruss	Rob Havenstein
Option 2	Joe Noteboom	Alaric Jackson	Brian Allen	Tremayne Anchrum Jr.	Rob Havenstein
Option 3	Joe Noteboom	Tremayne Anchrum Jr.	Coleman Shelton	Alaric Jackson	Rob Havenstein
Option 4	Alaric Jackson	Tremayne Anchrum Jr.	Brian Allen	Logan Bruss	Rob Havenstein

In Options 3 and 4, we open the door for the possibility that either Allen or Noteboom will be cap casualties. Both signed multi-year deals last offseason, but they were both disappointing in 2022 and would save the Rams money this year if cut after June 1. Releasing Noteboom in the summer would free up $8.5 million, while Allen’s release would clear $4.4 million.

Releasing either of them is unlikely to happen, but keeping them as backups with sizable cap hits ($15.5 million for Noteboom and $6.2 million for Allen) might not be the best move, either. If the Rams move on from one of the two, Allen is the more likely option.

There are at least 10 different combinations you could assemble with the Rams’ current offensive linemen, and we won’t get into each of them, but the versatility of this group is a major plus. Just look at all the positions each of these players can line up at. Noteboom and Jackson can play guard or tackle, Shelton can play guard or center, and Anchrum and Bruss can play either guard spot.

Left tackle: Noteboom, Jackson
Guard: Noteboom, Jackson, Anchrum, Shelton, Bruss
Center: Allen, Shelton
Right tackle: Havenstein, Jackson, Arcuri

This isn’t to say the Rams shouldn’t consider adding offensive linemen this offseason because that has to be on the table. Noteboom struggled in 2022, we don’t know exactly what Anchrum and Bruss bring at guard, and neither Allen nor Shelton played particularly well at center.

There may be better options out there, whether it’s in the draft or free agency. But we also have to consider the fact that the Rams took steps toward building a competent offensive line last year. They re-signed Noteboom, Allen and Shelton to multi-year deals and drafted both Bruss and Arcuri in the draft.

This offseason will be more about finding each player’s best position rather than searching for replacements.

I must be blind & need help........did this author mention the overall & possible unhealthiness of these Ram starting OL'ers or the long-term rehabbing events of several of those four OL'er starters who had surgeries?

Please help point that out to me if you see any mention of those issues.

In addition, did I read that Cameron DaSilva actually stated & claim in his article that Joseph Noteboom can play OG.

 

[thirteen28]

In addition, did I read that Cameron DaSilva actually stated & claim in his article that Joseph Noteboom can play OG.

Some people just never learn.

Noteboom has always done his best work in short bursts, coming off the bench as a backup for a limited time until the starter returns. I don't think he's the kind of guy that can be counted on for a full season.

 

[Allen2McVay]

As I watched last night's game, I started to wonder about the Cowboys' long-time outstanding LT Tyron Smith.

Not sure I see Smith back with Dallas in 2023. A post-June-1 release would open-up $13.6M of cap space, with just $4M of Dead-$. The Cowboys will be tight against the cap to start the off-season, with young veteran starters like Dalton Schultz, Leighton Vander-Esch and Anthony Brown; plus, Tony Pollard all scheduled to be unrestricted free agents.

Smith may no longer be needed to start. Rookie Tyler Smith was drafted to eventually be the Left Tackle, and looked great at LG most of the year. Terrence Steele (a restricted free agent, currently on IR) looked good at RT. Tyron Smith might be a luxury that Jerry Jones can not afford in 2023.

Tyron Smith has not started 16 games for a long time (2015!!!); and has 17 starts ... in the past three seasons!!!; Plus he will turn 33 late in 2023. He's not the elite-LT, perennial Pro Bowler he used to be but he is from California; and his lack of durability might fit right-in with the rest of the Rams O-Line.

I mean it's unlikely. So many teams need OL-help, my guess is that he would be an attractive free agent, and the Rams should be tight against the cap ... BUT ... Maybe? ... Possibly? ... Who the Fuck Knows?

 

[bubbaramfan]

One positive from last seasons OL plague of injuries was getting to see everyone off the bench in real games against 1st string defense. The Rams staff got a few surprised. They finally figured out what we here at ROD have known for years, bobby Evans sucks. We also saw some good play offf the bench. I agree, Rams have the guys to start on the OL and could be a very good OL. If these guys heal up and come back healthy for the start of TC, hers my starting OL. A Jackson LT, Anchrim LG, Shelton C, Brewer RG, Havenstien RT. We saw all these guys play well before injuries. This lineup adds beef. Rams OL the last few years was one of lightest in the NFL. Gotta control the Los.

 

[PhillyRam]

One positive from last seasons OL plague of injuries was getting to see everyone off the bench in real games against 1st string defense. The Rams staff got a few surprised. They finally figured out what we here at ROD have known for years, bobby Evans sucks. We also saw some good play offf the bench. I agree, Rams have the guys to start on the OL and could be a very good OL. If these guys heal up and come back healthy for the start of TC, hers my starting OL. A Jackson LT, Anchrim LG, Shelton C, Brewer RG, Havenstien RT. We saw all these guys play well before injuries. This lineup adds beef. Rams OL the last few years was one of lightest in the NFL. Gotta control the Los.

Anchrum played 2 plays this yr in the regular season

 

[bubbaramfan]

Anchrum was outstanding in TC and pre-season. Brewer got high grades when he finally ot his chance and again when he got back in at the end of the season.

 

[So Ram]

Anchrum played 2 plays this yr in the regular season

He hasn’t ever looked all that good to me. I guess the preseason Counts?

 

[BonifayRam]

Rams have been grooming Tremayne Anchrum for a long time in 2023 he is in the last season of a 4 yr contract. In 3 seasons TA has seen only 30 snaps with the offense. TA thus far has proved he is a solid injury-prone OL'er.

However, TA might just be the best talent they have at the moment as a projected OG.

I still see many believing & throwing their cred that the Rams will go with 6th yr OL'er Brian Allen as the starting center when the season begins. Truth is BA does possess the better talents & skills to play OC in the NFL but none of that matters much when that talented OC spends most all of his time collecting his paycheck on the injury list where he is missing game, after game, after game.........................BA missed 10 gms in 2022, 16 gms in 2020 & 11 gms in 2019 since being named a starter in 2019.

OL continuity has been discussed at length in R.O.D. many members believe that continuity in the Ol actually is vital & very important for the OL to be successful in winning games. Thus when you have a starting OC named Brian Allen who is on the roster but not on the field game day it just might cause the Rams OL to shift, flip & fail again. The same can be said of Noteboom too.

The only backup center on the Rams roster is the starting RG. The Rams do not have a backup center on the roster. McVay has 3 OG"s under contract in 2023 season...Logan Bruss/ Anchrum & Zac Thomas. Thomas has 1 NFL snap, Bruss has zero NFL snaps & Anchrum has completed 30 NFL snaps with the offense since 2020.

I would project that the 6-4/299 lbs Coleman Shelton is slated to be the starting OC. Even CS missed 7 games in his first season as a starter so his begining record as a starter is not that good either. Rams will most likely try out Veterans WWC centers UFA Matt Skura & UFA Cole Toner to see if they can afford them.

 

[BonifayRam]

Some people just never learn.

Noteboom has always done his best work in short bursts, coming off the bench as a backup for a limited time until the starter returns. I don't think he's the kind of guy that can be counted on for a full season.

Your quick simple statement in discussion Noteboom is superb. Noteboom's best skill for any team is as a reserve backup @ LT. Noteboom has not shown any talent to play any other OL posts. This has now been made very clear. No sane or informed Ram fan can argue differently.

The best OL plan for the Rams going further is to SUCK IT UP & $15.5 million to rehab & then when healthy after the bye plan he can be capable to fill that 6th OL'er position on game day.

Then when the 2023 season has concluded plan on trading or releasing Noteboom early in 2024 when the Dead Cap will be only $6 million.

This plan would promote Alaric Jackson as the starting LT in 2023 plus McVay will have to find a reserve LT until Noteboom is cleared & able to play. Thats a very big problem.

 

[Merlin]

I figure we see restructures to free up some cap space. Then the OL will get a FA addition at OG. Reason it will be OG is because the centers on the market are shit, tackles are overpriced on the market, and what the Rams need after that OG is futures pieces.

So the OL will be something along the lines of:

LT: Boom vs Jackson (training camp competition)
LG: FA addition
C: Shelton
RG: Bruss vs Anchrum
RT: Havenstein

Futures pieces will be added through the draft at LT and C if at all possible.

 

[Allen2McVay]

...

So the OL will be something along the lines of:

LT: Boom vs Jackson (training camp competition)
LG: FA addition
C: Shelton
RG: Bruss vs Anchrum
RT: Havenstein

Futures pieces will be added through the draft at LT and C if at all possible.

Simple but elegant. Sound and reasonable. Most of all ... Realistic.

Hope they can re-sign, Nsekhe, and either Skura or Brewer (both would be ideal) for depth and insurance, as four of the six players listed above finished the year on season-ending-IR.

With one of their two top picks (#36 or #69), hoping for an OL. Far too early to gauge but at #36, perhaps an offensive tackle like Blake Freeland or Cody Mauch (neither might be able to contribute much as rookies but either could develop into a solid blind-side-protector). At #69, perhaps a center like John Michael Schmitz, Luke Wypler or Ricky Stromberg.

Again, super ... duper ... early on draft prospects.

 

[Merlin]

I do like Nsekhe on the depth chart. He'd be a million times better as the last OT on the chart than Evans was.

 

[BonifayRam]

So the OL will be something along the lines of:

LT: Boom vs Jackson (training camp competition)
LG: FA addition
C: Shelton
RG: Bruss vs Anchrum
RT: Havenstein

So you believe that Joe Noteboom will be involved in practicing & in competition in Training Camp?

 

[blackbart]

I figure we see restructures to free up some cap space. Then the OL will get a FA addition at OG. Reason it will be OG is because the centers on the market are shit, tackles are overpriced on the market, and what the Rams need after that OG is futures pieces.

So the OL will be something along the lines of:

LT: Boom vs Jackson (training camp competition)
LG: FA addition
C: Shelton
RG: Bruss vs Anchrum
RT: Havenstein

Futures pieces will be added through the draft at LT and C if at all possible.

There is no way Noteboom is ready for camp. I’m just hopefully that Jackson is.

If neither of them is in camp where do they go????

 

[Merlin]

Whoops. Would have done the math but it would require taking off my shoes so...