Pass Blocking - How to fix it?

[XXXIVwin]

don't play the Eagles

 

[OntarioRam]

Why not play with a 6 man line?
Jackson Avila Jackson Limmer Dotson Havenstein
Or Jackson Avila Limmer Dotson Jackson Havenstein

Blows my mind we don't try this from time-to-time in some empty sets where we don't have a RB on the field anyway and are obviously throwing.

 

[Merlin]

Moving to Jackson to C a week before the season was a major red flag and a panic move.

Without a doubt. I think the Rams knew what was coming with the OL to some extent at that point. From there Jackson being suspended the first two fucked them badly, and then Hav dropping out.

What is most frustrating has been OT play. Depth of course. But overall only Alaric and Dotson (ok Hav too) have done their jobs this year and Alaric hurt us in the first two games.

Miserable fucking season as a result. There is nothing worse than having a shitty OL.

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

Jonah Jackson - 53.4
Warren McClendon, Jr. - 46.1
Justin Dedich - 43.6
Noteboom - 30.8
Logan Bruss - 7.2
AJ Arcuri - 1.9

There is a big gap between McClendon and Havenstein. But in addition to McClendon, a lot of the pressure yesterday was credited to Limmer and Avila.

Thank you.

Jackson didn't play badly, maybe he can play RT?

And Avila hasn't played well at all this year, he's out of shape and not inspiring confidence.

Limmer had a down game yesterday for sure, but has been pretty good the last few games before that.

But look at some of those other guys that have been starting, that would explain us being #30 in pass blocking.

 

[JBRam77]

What the hell has happened to Avila?? I thought he was a borderline pro-bowl level player his rookie season…man he was just abused last night and has not looked good this season at all. Last season when we were humming after the bye our OLine was playing great especially our guards. What a shitty season for our entire OLine and offense. Last night I watched Stafford sprinting and barely getting the handoff to the running back a couple of times and that was out of the pistol. He had like 2-3 seconds per drop back pass before the final garbage time drive. Horrible. Surprised McVay didn't try some trickery or more screen passes against that super aggressive DLine.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I think some work needs to be done but I wouldn't freak out too much. Avila has been injured and needs to work himself back into form, he's also playing with a stranger on his right. Jackson may not play again this year but he was quite good in Detroit and I think it's too early to say he doesn't earn a starting spot next year at center (albeit, he needs practice there).

(I think some people have suggested that Avila didn't look good at center but what was reported was that they felt that he was just better at guard and that Jackson had interest in the center spot and Rams felt like that might be best combo - though late in camp!)

We prob need to draft a tackle of the future regardless at LT or RT and that player will hopefully be better at pass pro in general. If the rams can get a really good LT that can pass pro, then protections for the whole line become much easier and simpler and things look very different next year even with the players we have.

 

[Merlin]

(I think some people have suggested that Avila didn't look good at center but what was reported was that they felt that he was just better at guard and that Jackson had interest in the center spot and Rams felt like that might be best combo - though late in camp!)

Once again you can't trust the Rams on stuff like this. They always spin it positively for the players. If Avila had looked good at Center they would have kept him there. But if you want to buy the party line knock yourself out. Not like it matters at this point.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Once again you can't trust the Rams on stuff like this. They always spin it positively for the players. If Avila had looked good at Center they would have kept him there. But if you want to buy the party line knock yourself out. Not like it matters at this point.

Hey if you have evidence to support something you say was reported, I'm all for seeing it! I just never saw it.

 

[So Ram]

A number of people have been pointing out that our pass blocking needs to improve to see any offensive improvement. Someone mentioned that PFF has our pass pro ranked from 27th to 30th all season. Currently, we are ranked 30th in pass protection.

We ended last season ranked 20th.

Some of our better run blocking OL do not excel in pass pro. Here are the pass pro ratings of our starting OL:

Alaric Jackson - 78.6
Havenstein - 67.1
Keven Dotson - 63.0
Beaux Limmer - 49.2
Steve Avila - 48.7 (67.2 in 2023)

How are we going to get better in pass pro when the only one who is above average is a pending free agent? Havenstein and Dotson are average. Avila and Limmer are well below average, although Avila may still be knocking rust off and could return to his 2023 average rating.

Drafting an LT high may help but that does nothing to upgrade the other four positions on the line.

Alric got beat yesterday.Amyway that said.If you look at last season & you want to build a solid OLine from The Draft ??

I’ve always been about WE not ME !! That sort of has been a little F’d UP to ME though !!

I love Mcvay - don’t get me wrong.My GF HATES HIM !! Not sure why ,but I think it’s the voice?? Whatever though .My point besides my the PLaYERS & what he quote Unquote says.

—Ernest Jones is the STUNNER ! I’ll guess he led the hags against the cards ? Still THE THING THAT PISSES ME OFF the most is not resigning all those players from 20/3 that changed the season around & PLAYED there AZZEZ OFF 4 Mcvay !!

It’s about WE !! I get letting Austin Blythe go(don’t (never)understood j.Sullivan)!! Brian Allen getting cut.
Why not bring back Coleman Shelton for a nice little 2 year contract?? Why not lock up Alaric Jackson???

Why bring in another player(J.Jackson) who wasn’t really worthy ?

Why not lock up Ernest Jones & make him a LEADER!! Why not resign Whiterspoon at some point ? Not sure what any of these players wanted but I’m sure a tough negotiation with a happy middle result like they did Stafford?

Coleman Shelton has started every game for da bears.There a mess,but he was a leader of the Rams O’Line & part of that Austin Blythe who carried it on from John Sullivan.

Limmer & Leveston add depth.Yes anytime you can upgrade,but players like Alaric Jackson is what can put a NFL over the top.
-Les Snead talks about winning in April!! Sean Mcvay & his coaching staff do an EXCELLENT JOB in developing players.

Don’t know what goes on in the building,but from the outside looking in.Those players are still RAMS in heart if nothing else.I thinking development & building team chemistry is huge.

I’m not saying this team won’t get it either.

 

[Noregar]

There were some really bad breakdowns along the OL and some very untimely sacks and pressures allowed but the eagles have one the better DL's in football and one of the top ranked defenses so we need to try to keep this in perspective. A team has to bring its A-game against a team like the eagles because there is little margin for error. As a team, the Rams definitely did not bring their A-game.

Our Rams OL does have some talent and decent depth so to me there is too much doom and gloom regarding our line.
One bad game does not season make. Bad games happen and the Rams have not fully gelled along the front due to injuries. If healthy this line and this team will look a lot better in December (that might be too little too late).

I expect a strong bounce-back game agonist the Saints. The Rams OL really needs big Rob back not only for his play but his leadership.

Some interesting statistical notes regarding the Rams line play:

Rams offensive guard Kevin Dotson registered his best PFF pass-blocking grade of the season (89.8)​

Dotson had his second-highest offensive grade (88.0) and third-highest run blocking grade of the season (83.1). The fifth-year pro and second-year Ram has been the only member of the Rams' offensive line to play in every game this season, and he's improved continuously throughout the year.​

​

Over the past four weeks, Dotson's had three games with an offensive PFF grade over 86.0. He's been a consistent presence in both the run and pass game, and was a difference-maker against the Eagles, especially considering how physically imposing Philadelphia's interior is, led by defensive tackle Jalen Carter.​

​

Stafford was pressured on 28.6% of dropbacks, the least since Week 8, via NGS​

After the game, Stafford said the Eagles rushed four most of the night, and NGS had the Eagles blitzing just 16.7% of the time. Still, Philadelphia fell short of their season average pressure rate of 30.9%, and the Rams' veteran offensive lineman Rob Havenstein was out, so the Rams' offensive line held up decently all things considered.​

​

Link: https://www.therams.com/news/5-inte...day-rookie-pass-rushers-continue-making-waves

 

[Ballhawk]

Stop calling plays like you have five all pros on the o line?

 

[Tumak61]

Too much invested in this group to be playing like this. Avila seems to have lost a bit of his nasty. Who's the best option at Center? Jackson or Limmer?

 

[muggmeister]

There were some really bad breakdowns along the OL and some very untimely sacks and pressures allowed but the eagles have one the better DL's in football and one of the top ranked defenses so we need to try to keep this in perspective. A team has to bring its A-game against a team like the eagles because there is little margin for error. As a team, the Rams definitely did not bring their A-game.

Our Rams OL does have some talent and decent depth so to me there is too much doom and gloom regarding our line.
One bad game does not season make. Bad games happen and the Rams have not fully gelled along the front due to injuries. If healthy this line and this team will look a lot better in December (that might be too little too late).

I expect a strong bounce-back game agonist the Saints. The Rams OL really needs big Rob back not only for his play but his leadership.

Some interesting statistical notes regarding the Rams line play:

Rams offensive guard Kevin Dotson registered his best PFF pass-blocking grade of the season (89.8)​

Dotson had his second-highest offensive grade (88.0) and third-highest run blocking grade of the season (83.1). The fifth-year pro and second-year Ram has been the only member of the Rams' offensive line to play in every game this season, and he's improved continuously throughout the year.​

​

Over the past four weeks, Dotson's had three games with an offensive PFF grade over 86.0. He's been a consistent presence in both the run and pass game, and was a difference-maker against the Eagles, especially considering how physically imposing Philadelphia's interior is, led by defensive tackle Jalen Carter.​

​

Stafford was pressured on 28.6% of dropbacks, the least since Week 8, via NGS​

After the game, Stafford said the Eagles rushed four most of the night, and NGS had the Eagles blitzing just 16.7% of the time. Still, Philadelphia fell short of their season average pressure rate of 30.9%, and the Rams' veteran offensive lineman Rob Havenstein was out, so the Rams' offensive line held up decently all things considered.​

​

Link: https://www.therams.com/news/5-inte...day-rookie-pass-rushers-continue-making-waves

5 drive killing sacks is not holding up "decently, all things considered", just saying.

 

[fearsomefour]

McClendon is a marginal swing tackle. He takes on Noteboom's role for the next 2 years. Go get a legit OT that can play LT or RT.

Well, I would say RT only at this point.
He hasn't played enough to totally pass judgement yet, but, I don't disagree with what you're saying.
The issue is paying enough $$ or drafting high enough to land a legit swing T spot.

 

[fearsomefour]

Too much invested in this group to be playing like this. Avila seems to have lost a bit of his nasty. Who's the best option at Center? Jackson or Limmer?

They went with Limmer.
That speaks volumes about Jackson.
They decided, in a panic move, to move Avila off of C a week before the season started. That speaks volumes about Avila at C.
Its too early to know how good Limmer can be.
Avila has not been good this year, but, he may round into form.
The more the Rams line seemed settled, the less settled it was.

 

[fearsomefour]

Without a doubt. I think the Rams knew what was coming with the OL to some extent at that point. From there Jackson being suspended the first two fucked them badly, and then Hav dropping out.

What is most frustrating has been OT play. Depth of course. But overall only Alaric and Dotson (ok Hav too) have done their jobs this year and Alaric hurt us in the first two games.

Miserable fucking season as a result. There is nothing worse than having a shitty OL.

You are right.....its not fantasy football.
No lines = few wins.
I don't think anyone has been great this year.
Dotson has had plenty of bad games, but as his injury has improved (assumption) he has gotten more consistent.
Havenstein has been solid.
Jackson has mostly been solid as a LT and has had both good and bad games.
LG and C have been a cluster.
Where to go from here?
Pay Jackson $16M a year or so to be the starting LT for the next few years?
Pay a vet more than that?
Use a 1st round pick on a LT and deal with rookie growing pains at LT?
Avila, Dotson, Jackson, Limmer, Dedich, Levingston are inside.
Avila needs to improve but, coming back from injury buys him some leeway. Same with Dotson. Id just assume keep Dedich over Jackson. I didn't love the Jackson signing because he if oft injured and was solid in my opinion while in Detroit. Overpaid. He played one more game that you and I this year and played his way right back to the bench.
The plan really came apart with Avila not being able to handle (apparently) Center. This displaced Jackson and we end up with Limmer at C....that certainly wasn't on the table when the plan was being drawn up.
I like Limmer fine, but, who knows how much more he can improve.
I expect the Rams to basically keep what they have.
Resign Jackson at LT.
I don't think they will cut J Jackson due to dead money.
Maybe a draft pick will be added this year. Id like to see a veteran T added for depth as well.

 

[Tumak61]

Throwing to the running backs would help as well. Get the ball out and let the backs create. Rams have the lowest RB target rate in years. Makes no sense.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Man I wish our OL could run block.
Get push, movement and create lanes and cracks consistently. Get hats on defenders, get downfield and destroy DB’s.

Out pass game would be cake.

 

[DzRams]

There were some really bad breakdowns along the OL and some very untimely sacks and pressures allowed but the eagles have one the better DL's in football and one of the top ranked defenses so we need to try to keep this in perspective...

This is precisely why I started this thread. My perspective is that we're trying to build a team that can win a Super Bowl.

So what needs to happen for the OL (and the offense as a whole) to consistently be able to perform well against a top DL and defense?

 

[DzRams]

Man I wish our OL could run block.
Get push, movement and create lanes and cracks consistently. Get hats on defenders, get downfield and destroy DB’s.

Out pass game would be cake.

That's the thing they're good at.

Per PFF, our OL is ranked 9th in run blocking this year despite all of the injuries. It was ranked 5th in 2023.