Jonah Jackson impressed by Steve Avila's move to center: 'He's doing incredible'

[ROD-BOT]

Jonah Jackson impressed by Steve Avila's move to center: 'He's doing incredible'

Steve Avila is moving from guard to center and Jonah Jackson can already see he’s a natural at the new position

theramswire.usatoday.com

Jonah Jackson impressed by Steve Avila's move to center: 'He's doing incredible'​

Steve Avila turned out to be everything the Rams hoped he would in 2023 after they selected him in the second round of the draft. He not only started all 18 games, including the playoffs, but he played every single offensive snap at left guard.

Despite having so much success as a rookie last year, the Rams are tasking Avila with a huge move. He’s switching from guard to center, which is by no means an easy transition for any player to make – let alone one entering his second NFL season.

Jonah Jackson is the reason Avila is changing positions after he signed a three-year deal worth $51 million in free agency to be the Rams’ left guard. Jackson has gotten a front-row seat to Avila’s transition and he’s been impressed by the former TCU lineman’s move.

“That is a big transition. At guard, it’s definitely more demanding physically, but mentally, the pressure’s off. I mean, you just sit there and wait for the guy in the middle to make the call,” Jackson said. “So moving to center, you have to break down a defense like that, understand IDs and rotations and everything. And I think he’s coming along great, especially for a second-year guy. This is kind of a fast flip for him. He probably thought he was going to play guard until free agency and everything happened. But he’s doing incredible. He’s on it. He’s lightning fast with his calls. He’s a damn good player.”

Avila has much more responsibility now as a center as opposed to being a guard, and he’ll need to work closely with Matthew Stafford in order to set protections, ID the Mike linebackers and identify blitzers.

Jackson says Avila is doing great in all of those areas, which has also made his own job easier.

“Yeah, I mean, I’m there, too, just in case, but we haven’t had to do that,” Jackson said. “He’s been on top of it. We follow where he wants to go.”

As for how good the interior of the offensive line will be in 2024, Jackson says everyone will just have to wait and see.

“You’ll see it come Week 1. That’s all I got to say.”

 

[snackdaddy]

Doesn't hurt to have a Matt Stafford behind center too.

 

[Soul Surfer]

This is our first big brute center since the early Fisher days.
I could see it making a big difference overall come game day.

 

[dpjax]

We’ve got a pretty stacked interior!
Hope it all comes together with two new pieces at new spots.

Rams OL duo ranked among best groups by PFF​

MSN

The Los Angeles Rams have invested plenty of resources into rebuilding their offensive line over the last two seasons, drafting four linemen in the last two drafts, as well as executing a trade for guard Kevin Dotson and luring Jonah Jackson out of Detroit in free agency this year.

Their efforts have borne fruit, as their line catapulted them into a successful 2023 season, paving the way for RB Kyren Williams to finish third in the league in rushing yards despite missing four games.

Their guard duo, armed with new, lucrative contracts, ranked as one of the best in the league by Pro Football Focus.

Here's what PFF had to say about both Jackson and Dotson.

Kevin Dotson, their 12th-ranked guard:

"Dotson is a prime example of a player having the potential to flourish in the right system. Moving to Sean McVay’s wide-zone scheme unlocked a different side of Dotson’s game in 2023, and his 85.2 PFF overall grade placed second only to Chris Lindstrom, while his 88.8 run-blocking grade led the NFL.

His performances in 2023 earned him a mega three-year, $48 million contract extension with the Rams in the offseason, and for good reason. Dotson allowed 20 quarterback pressures in pass protection, providing the perfect interior presence for Matthew Stafford.:"

On Jonah Jackson, their 30th-ranked guard:

"Jackson struggled with injuries in his four years with the Lions, but he’s been a starter in every game he’s played in. The four-year veteran earned a 61.0 PFF overall grade in 12 games this past year, including four with a pass-blocking grade of at least 80.0. Now, Jackson has signed a hefty three-year, $51 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams and will hope to help improve an improving offensive line. That can happen if he stays healthy."

The duo was ranked as the sixth-best guard duo in the NFL.

I am a little surprised at the overall ranking of the two guards. Both Dotson and Jackson had better production than most of the players listed ahead of them, according to PFF's own numbers but I digress. The Rams' investments into the middle of their line have led to a revamped offense and should keep them chugging along as the season goes on.

 

[Karate61]

Curious...why is it so important to "ID the Mike linebackers". Anyone know?

 

[Merlin]

Curious...why is it so important to "ID the Mike linebackers". Anyone know?

Obviously it relates to the blocking orientation for the line and RB.

Here's a nice vid that discusses that stuff. Of course he sidesteps your question but it's quite good:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwZgm05k6Ac

 

[rdlkgliders]

Curious...why is it so important to "ID the Mike linebackers". Anyone know?

I believe where the Mike lines up is a tell for the defensive personnel package and play call it helps to make the O.L calls

 

[rdlkgliders]

Obviously it relates to the blocking orientation for the line and RB.

Here's a nice vid that discusses that stuff. Of course he sidesteps your question but it's quite good:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwZgm05k6Ac

Great video dude, thanks

 

[CGI_Ram]

We’ve got a pretty stacked interior!
Hope it all comes together with two new pieces at new spots.

Rams OL duo ranked among best groups by PFF​

MSN

The Los Angeles Rams have invested plenty of resources into rebuilding their offensive line over the last two seasons, drafting four linemen in the last two drafts, as well as executing a trade for guard Kevin Dotson and luring Jonah Jackson out of Detroit in free agency this year.

Their efforts have borne fruit, as their line catapulted them into a successful 2023 season, paving the way for RB Kyren Williams to finish third in the league in rushing yards despite missing four games.

Their guard duo, armed with new, lucrative contracts, ranked as one of the best in the league by Pro Football Focus.

Here's what PFF had to say about both Jackson and Dotson.

Kevin Dotson, their 12th-ranked guard:

"Dotson is a prime example of a player having the potential to flourish in the right system. Moving to Sean McVay’s wide-zone scheme unlocked a different side of Dotson’s game in 2023, and his 85.2 PFF overall grade placed second only to Chris Lindstrom, while his 88.8 run-blocking grade led the NFL.

His performances in 2023 earned him a mega three-year, $48 million contract extension with the Rams in the offseason, and for good reason. Dotson allowed 20 quarterback pressures in pass protection, providing the perfect interior presence for Matthew Stafford.:"

On Jonah Jackson, their 30th-ranked guard:

"Jackson struggled with injuries in his four years with the Lions, but he’s been a starter in every game he’s played in. The four-year veteran earned a 61.0 PFF overall grade in 12 games this past year, including four with a pass-blocking grade of at least 80.0. Now, Jackson has signed a hefty three-year, $51 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams and will hope to help improve an improving offensive line. That can happen if he stays healthy."

The duo was ranked as the sixth-best guard duo in the NFL.

I am a little surprised at the overall ranking of the two guards. Both Dotson and Jackson had better production than most of the players listed ahead of them, according to PFF's own numbers but I digress. The Rams' investments into the middle of their line have led to a revamped offense and should keep them chugging along as the season goes on.

And… Havenstein is a damn good player… AJax is no bum either.

Avila and these two gaurds…

This could be the best oline we’ve had in a while. The stud potential is there.

 

[Loyal]

And… Havenstein is a damn good player… AJax is no bum either.

Avila and these two gaurds…

This could be the best oline we’ve had in a while. The stud potential is there.

"HEY!" ~ The Donut Brothers

 

[Karate61]

Obviously it relates to the blocking orientation for the line and RB.

Here's a nice vid that discusses that stuff. Of course he sidesteps your question but it's quite good:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwZgm05k6Ac

Yeah, didn't answer the Mike question, but damn good video that really shows the importance of a solid oline that works together "mentally". It was said early in the vid that calling the Mike was a waste of time...lol.

 

[Crazy-Legs]

How is Dotson the 12th best guard if "his 85.2 PFF overall grade placed second only to Chris Lindstrom, while his 88.8 run-blocking grade led the NFL." How can you be ranked #2 overall and #1 in run blocking but be the 12th best guard? Doesn't make sense to me....

I think our line will be outstanding this year if they can stay healthy...

 

[Merlin]

Yeah, didn't answer the Mike question, but damn good video that really shows the importance of a solid oline that works together "mentally". It was said early in the vid that calling the Mike was a waste of time...lol.

Not sure there would be one answer on that, either, btw. Teams probably use it for reference to do whatever different shit they have schemed for that opponent. Could be to tell the RB who to block, or the line, or maybe to assist the center in his line call. I don't know enough about that stuff to say for sure so it's a good question.

 

[JonRam99]

"HEY!" ~ The Donut Brothers

oh... I won't care at all if they surpass the Donut Brothers. Not one bit.
Not sure if we'll ever surpass those Jackie Slater led O-lines, but wouldn't care if we did that too.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Come a long way from the likes of Tim Barnes, his cut was Sean McVey's very first personnel move.

 

[Tano]

Come a long way from the likes of Tim Barnes, his cut was Sean McVey's very first personnel move.

My nickname for him was Roller Skates Barnes

 

[PhillyRam]

Come a long way from the likes of Tim Barnes, his cut was Sean McVey's very first personnel move.

Not only that, in 16' our LT was Greg Robinson, one of our G's was Jamon Brown, then our "weapons" were Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, and Tavon Austin.

YIKES!

 

[Tano]

Not only that, in 16' our LT was Greg Robinson, one of our G's was Jamon Brown, then our "weapons" were Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, and Tavon Austin.

YIKES!

And with the worst OC in the history of the NFL - Goff did not stand a chance that year

 

[Kupped]

I'm always taken aback when articles get *fundamental* shit wrong.

The Rams weren't running the same "wide zone" shit last year. That's one of the reasons Dotson fit so well.. they went more power and gap.

 

[muggmeister]

Not only that, in 16' our LT was Greg Robinson, one of our G's was Jamon Brown, then our "weapons" were Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, and Tavon Austin.

YIKES!

That was the year I went from a social drinking to spiraling alcoholic and seeking mental health assistance. Things are much better now. Sarcasm attached.