Pass Blocking - How to fix it?

[RamsOfCastamere]

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?

Limmer and Avila need time, for experience and to build strength. The other three are at their peak.

 

[Reddog99]

For this year they need to leave the line alone and give them time to get healthy and gel. Limmer should stay at center and Avila should stay at LG. When Hav gets back I think things will look better. No more shuffling the line please.

 

[Allen2McVay]

For this year they need to leave the line alone and give them time to get healthy and gel. Limmer should stay at center and Avila should stay at LG. When Hav gets back I think things will look better. No more shuffling the line please.

Agree. At this point, it is what it is.

The Rams have invested resources (cap space and draft choices) on the O-Line. Don't know if they have gotten the right players but this is what they have right now.

No changes should be made in my opinion. If Havenstein is healthy, it should be Alaric Jackson / Avila / Limmer / Dotson / Big-Rob; and, hopefully, some continuity. Jonah Jackson plays if an interior-OL goes-down. McClendon backs-up Havenstein; and Noteboom is the back-up-LT (God help us).

After the season, Noteboom is gone. Everyone else is under contract except Alaric Jackson. We'll see how the Rams feel about him, and what the market will be for a 27-year-old Left Tackle, with 35 career starts ... guessing it easily exceeds $12M-per-year average-annual-value.

If Jackson is not re-signed, Left Tackle becomes one of the Rams' top off-season priorities, if not the clear #1. Personally, I think a top-Cornerback is a huge need.

 

[TexasRam]

A ton of overthinking regarding the Oline here.

Injuries are the primary factor.

The secondary factor is our tackles are just above average. Eagles tackles are ranked #1 and #2 in the NFL, thus the reason they are so dominate.

 

[Mojo Ram]

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.

I just don’t see it, the run game as a whole. It’s like a dink and dunk attack. Rams are almost dead last in rush yds per carry (3.9) and like 27th in total rush yards.

The OL injuries and change ups have been a factor for sure, then there’s the backs who if they do get a lane, get ankle tackled or run right into a Safety.

If we’re going to pound it out a few yds at a time and never throw to the backs…get a big punishing back in there.

Its frustrating.

 

[RamDino]

I just don’t see it, the run game as a whole. It’s like a dink and dunk attack. Rams are almost dead last in rush yds per carry (3.9) and like 27th in total rush yards.

The OL injuries and change ups have been a factor for sure, then there’s the backs who if they do get a lane, get ankle tackled or run right into a Safety.

If we’re going to pound it out a few yds at a time and never throw to the backs…get a big punishing back in there.

Its frustrating.

The running game has definitely had it's ups and downs this year this year. But the bigger reason for the disparity in performance of the running game might be due to the fact that we are always behind and playing catch-up. Last year the O-line was able to dominate a few games, IIRC.

 

[DzRams]

I just don’t see it, the run game as a whole. It’s like a dink and dunk attack. Rams are almost dead last in rush yds per carry (3.9) and like 27th in total rush yards.

The OL injuries and change ups have been a factor for sure, then there’s the backs who if they do get a lane, get ankle tackled or run right into a Safety.

If we’re going to pound it out a few yds at a time and never throw to the backs…get a big punishing back in there.

Its frustrating.

It's mostly attributed to injuries. In the last 3 games, we've average 4.5 ypc. It's gonna be tough to run when you're playing backups like they were the first half of the year.

 

[PhillyRam]

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.

And its not a great draft for pure LTs from what I can gather. More RT types, so Jackson might have to stay at LT and any swing T would mostly be a RT.

Maybe the answer next yr fir a swing OT is to sign a veteran who has experience at LT as a reserve.

 

[fanotodd]

1) Tackles. Plural. The Rams need Tackles. Havenstein is starting to wind down, Noteboom is gone, and I would be leery of signing AJ to more than a 3yr deal—at a reasonable price at that. He plays well enough to not want to suffer the growing pains of a rookie should AJ walk, but not good enough to allay any concerns one might have about the ceiling of his ability.
2) why the rampant speculation that Avila couldn’t handle Center when it just as easily could have been JJ not performing so well at LG? Avila had significant knee injury. Sometimes it takes a long time to get comfortable again. He’s just gonna have to play his performance evaluated at the end of the season.
4) Limmer is doing fine for a rookie. He got his lunch $$ taken by the eagles, but they have a very good DL. I want to see him play out the rest of the year and get out the growing pains. The eagles game should help him from here on out.
5) when you add Dedich to Avila and Limmer, that’s a young, but talented group. They just need snaps. They clearly were overmatched and out schemed last game.
6) injuries have hindered a confident read on the issues, but it has given the Rams a good look at depth. Limmer is a keeper and Dedich has potential. McClendon does not even remotely look like he could be a starter. Noteboom is, well, Noteboom, and JJ has not shown anything yet as a Ram.

Two Tackles. The Rams need to bring in two Tackles.

 

[Merlin]

I'm good with the Rams taking the best OT on the board when they're up. I'm also good with them paying Jackson. I have reservations on that, but it seems almost unavoidable. Only other option is making him play on the tag.

But I'd also like a TE or WR weapon if one is on the board when we're up with that first pick. Our offense is stocked with non-first round weapons and you can feel the lack of speed and threat. So adding one would be nice. Re: the TE that doesn't necessarily fix the lack of speed and athleticism, however if they hit on a TE it means the offense will move the chains for days and score a ton of points.

Use FA to plug as much as you can, then try to capitalize on the best value that falls to us in the draft. And if that doesn't happen then maybe move down and keep plugging holes as per usual. But I think Verse demonstrates how important it is to keep adding impact players to this roster. Position takes a back seat, IMO, to guys who can elevate and take over games.

 

[fearsomefour]

And its not a great draft for pure LTs from what I can gather. More RT types, so Jackson might have to stay at LT and any swing T would mostly be a RT.

Maybe the answer next yr fir a swing OT is to sign a veteran who has experience at LT as a reserve.

Id do that this year too. Christian was signed to the PS and I think grabbed by someone else.
He has plenty of starting experience and could provide solid depth at LT.
There are vet players out there like that.