Matt Skura, Oday Aboushi and Ty Nsekhe stepped up when called into action

[BonifayRam]

Matt Skura, Oday Aboushi and Ty Nsekhe stepped up when called into action​

Offensive lineman Matt Skura, Oday Aboushi and Ty Nsekhe stepped up when called into action | Free Agent Spotlight

With injuries continuing to mount along the offensive line, the Rams turned to a trio of veterans to plug those vacated holes.

In stepped ninth-year pro Oday Aboushi and sixth-year pro Matt Skura, both of whom had been signed to the practice squad at the beginning of the season, at guard. Then came eighth-year pro Ty Nsekhe, a mid-season practice squad signee, at left tackle.

Collectively, they not only provided much-needed depth, but eventually stability to an offensive line that lost starters at every position but right tackle to injury.

However, all three are also scheduled to become free agents when the new league year begins on March 15.
So, what are the options for the Rams and Aboushi, Skura and Nsekhe?

The Rams could re-sign one, two or all three of them. Bringing back any of them would provide veteran depth Los Angeles hasn't had on the offensive line in some time. Skura offers positional flexibility, with experience at center and both guard spots throughout his career. Aboushi played guard for the Rams, but also has tackle experience from previous stops in his career.

If the Rams don't re-sign any of them, they could pivot to retaining Chandler Brewer – who played well at guard when healthy last season – as a replacement option. Brewer is scheduled to become a restricted free agent. Another internal option could include Logan Bruss, who missed his rookie season with a torn ACL sustained in the preseason.

Like any other position, L.A. could also explore free agent or the draft for external replacements.

 

[snackdaddy]

I did see some improvement by the end of the season. Wouldn't mind having those guys for experienced depth next season.

 

[oldnotdead]

The Rams have their backup C in Cole Turner. So IMO Shelton will be the starting C from here on out. Allen IMO is just too injury prone. He's very good when healthy but he's simply out too much.

LT Noteboom
LG Jackson
C Shelton
RG Bruss
RT Havenstein

Gameday reserves: OT Nsekhe, C/OG Toner, OG Brewer

9th Roster OL: OT/OG Thomas

If Bruss doesn't make the start at RG then Toner probably starts at C with Shelton moving to RG and Bruss spending a year as the gameday reserve.

IMO with the addition of Bruss, Toner, and Thomas the Rams I think are going to feel good about their OL at least for this year.

For those who don't know, Cole Toner is a well traveled vet. A 5th round pick of the Cardinals he's on his 6th team. He started 3 games for the Chargers and played average. He played about half a game with Houston and showed improvement from his Charger games. He's got the physical attributes you want in a center or OG. The Rams could easily keep Shelton at center and play Toner at RG. He would seem to be an upgrade over Aboushi.

Zach Thomas was taken by the Bears at the top of the 6th round last year. The Rams claimed him off of waivers and had him in protected status on the PS all year. Thomas looks the part of an OG with good length and play radius. IMO the reason the Rams grabbed him up was because of his speed. It's rare to find an OL man with his speed, which would allow him to pull or make those second level blocks.

This is why I don't see the Rams making any real moves in the draft regarding OL. Bruss, Toner and Thomas are their upgrades.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Maybe but they will need to re-sign him. Toner was not one of the Practice Squad players signed when the season ended.

 

[den-the-coach]

I thought Ty Nsekhe did a decent job of the three, however, he'll be 38 in October of next year so I would like to draft somebody who might be able to hold down the LT position when Noteboom gets injured again in 2023.

 

[fearsomefour]

I would resign Nsekhe and Skura.
Best case others step up and they can be held on the PS for vet depth.
If no one step up they provide solid vet depth, Skura at all three interior spots.
Neither would cost much.
This is a no brainer to me.

 

[dang]

Based on what I saw Nyseke would be good depth at Tackle. Not sure Skura or Aboushi bring enough to an IOL that needs some serious upgrades.

 

[Malibu]

I would resign Nsekhe and Skura.
Best case others step up and they can be held on the PS for vet depth.
If no one step up they provide solid vet depth, Skura at all three interior spots.
Neither would cost much.
This is a no brainer to me.

I would keep Neskhe on PS and not resign Sakura I thought he was terrible.

 

[BonifayRam]

I thought Ty Nsekhe did a decent job of the three, however, he'll be 38 in October of next year so I would like to draft somebody who might be able to hold down the LT position when Noteboom gets injured again in 2023.

Agree..,..Nsekhe is where I would aim my attention at of the 3. TN did a good job in a very bad situation, playing next to starting LG's Bobby Evans & Matt Skura in his starts. TN does have a bit of an injury history. But being an NFL starting OL'er will do that to you.

Need to recall that TN has started @ LT/LG/RT in the NFL, so being versatile brings his value up to other teams. If TN were to start say next to a starting LG Alaric Jackson how good would he be? Don't forget about Chandler Brewer who is a RFA next month.

Havenstien really liked playing next to veteran Aboushi on the right side. I would bet that RH will surely let that be known to the new UNknown OL coach. Having Aboushi here with the inexperienced Bruss & Anchrum fighting for a RG starting post would be a good idea.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Sounds good. Now all we need are some starters.

 

[fearsomefour]

I would keep Neskhe on PS and not resign Sakura I thought he was terrible.

He was better than anyone else that stepped in for Edwards....in fact, he was better than Edwards.
They may or may not keep him, but, the positives outweigh the negatives in my book.
A lot of starting experience and being able to provide depth, even PS depth, at all three interior spots makes a cheap contract with it.

 

[PhillyRam]

I would draft a young center early, a OG mid rounds and keep Neshke. Figure on a LT early in 24' if Jackson or Noteboom do not step up.

Just tough to get a decent LT prospect late in the draft and not sure you draft one this yr with what you have and their potential, mostly Jackson.

You have Havenstein & Accuri at RT

Noteboom, Jackson, Neshke at LT

 

[dang]

I would draft a young center early, a OG mid rounds and keep Neshke. Figure on a LT early in 24' if Jackson or Noteboom do not step up.

Just tough to get a decent LT prospect late in the draft and not sure you draft one this yr with what you have and their potential, mostly Jackson.

You have Havenstein & Accuri at RT

Noteboom, Jackson, Neshke at LT

There are some very good OG FAs as well. Not sure I trust Anchrum yet. And Edwards is likely gone.

 

[BonifayRam]

I really have no idea what the Ram Org's plan is for getting this OL back up to a standard NFL performance level.

I just don't see how they can place any other unit on this team at a higher priority than the OL. When McVay sold his soul (team assets) to go get what would be an ultra-expensive older damaged pocket passer in order to make HIS offense work more effectively on the NFL scenery.

Now, this recently contracted QB coming off half a season on the injured reserve, meanwhile the Rams still paying for him on this roster in this year's draft, has to be provided a good smooth effective OL for protection so the upfront investments can pay & yield dividends as planned.

One would think the Org will need a much better 2023 OL insurance plan than what they purchased last season.

 

[dang]

Add an Edge, sign Scott and Gaines and this defense is good to go. McVay has to be consumed with vastly improving the offense from this years debacle. Having that offense was likely the source for any thoughts of moving on. It was nauseating. Fixate on ensuring Stafford has more than enough time to execute and the run game moves into a balanced dominant quadrant. Then add a bruiser RB and a bone crunching blocking fullback-TE.

 

[PhillyRam]

One would think the Org will need a much better 2023 OL insurance plan than what they purchased last season.

Well, I look at it this way. Last yr they suffered through a 400 yr flood from a sunami that was caused by an asteroid impact.

That's how rare 14 diff OL combinations are in this league, with 7 guys missing at least half the season and with 6 on IR.

So not sure there is an insurance plan that covers that.

Now, I would say they did improve their depth a bit with guys being forced to play, but sure they have a lot of questions. So sure add a couple picks, maybe add a vet.

Maybe there is a guy from the Jets, who LaFluer likes who is a FA. OG Nate Herbig, might be a nice cheap addition to add depth and competition.

As I mentioned I would like to add a legit young center prospect to anchor the line for the next several yrs. Need that in this division to deal with some stout DT's.

 

[BonifayRam]

#1- So not sure there is an insurance plan that covers that.

#2- I would say they did improve their depth a bit with guys being forced to play, but sure they have a lot of questions. So sure add a couple picks, maybe add a vet.

#3- As I mentioned I would like to add a legit young center prospect to anchor the line for the next several yrs. Need that in this division to deal with some stout DT's.

I would agree with your #1.

As I recall McVays opening season OL insurance plan consisted of only 3 OL'ers on the MR53....heavily depending on veteran Bobby Evans as the main relief & 2-second yr OL'ers Alaric Jackson & Tremayne Anchrum. Neither Jackson nor Anchrum had ever started an NFL game. Anchrum had zero snaps in 2021 & Jackson had 61 snaps in 2021 in relief of injured Whitworth & Noteboom @ LT.

McVay went with FOUR Wide Outs in relief in 2 to 3 starting positions. He went with only THREE OL reliefs in a 5 starting player unit. The point I was pushing is the 2022 OL insurance plan could have been much better.

Ref. #2 statement......Yes, the depth of seasoned OL'ers did improve but I would say there are huge amounts of OL questions currently.

#3 Yes in agreement however that only helps out on a relief OC position & will not beef up the starting unit in 2023.

 

[PhillyRam]

I would agree with your #1.

As I recall McVays opening season OL insurance plan consisted of only 3 OL'ers on the MR53....heavily depending on veteran Bobby Evans as the main relief & 2-second yr OL'ers Alaric Jackson & Tremayne Anchrum. Neither Jackson nor Anchrum had ever started an NFL game. Anchrum had zero snaps in 2021 & Jackson had 61 snaps in 2021 in relief of injured Whitworth & Noteboom @ LT.

McVay went with FOUR Wide Outs in relief in 2 to 3 starting positions. He went with only THREE OL reliefs in a 5 starting player unit. The point I was pushing is the 2022 OL insurance plan could have been much better.

Ref. #2 statement......Yes, the depth of seasoned OL'ers did improve but I would say there are huge amounts of OL questions currently.

#3 Yes in agreement however that only helps out on a relief OC position & will not beef up the starting unit in 2023.

Didn't Jackson start the Minnesota game last yr?

However, I generally agree about questions remain, mostly due to guys with injury histories.

 

[dang]

Gotta add some nasty-ass beef to the IOL. AJax, Bruss??, Draft and FA.

 

[blackbart]

I could see them signing Nsekhe for depth, not sure about the others.

I do expect to see Bruss stepping in to play RG.

Allen just can’t stay healthy but can Shelton stay on the field a full season?

The FAs available look questionable and are the going have $$ to sign a top FA?

LT has to be on the radar for their first pick in the draft but is there someone available at that pick who can start??

A lot of question marks for the new coach to figure out before the draft. They need to get that spot filled this week.