oldnotdead
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- May 16, 2019
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Havenstein has given up 13 sacks in the past two seasons and people believe PFF that he is somehow an above average starter.?
David Edwards is a backup level talent at LG nothing more.
Allen was a good starter at C but can't stay healthy.. Shelton stepped into the hardest OL position and as a first time starter played well.
Corbett is in fact an average RG. Alaric Jackson played well for a first time starter at both RG and LT. If they move him to LG he will be an upgrade to Edwards.
Whitworth at LT was undoubtedly a superstar at LT. But Noteboom is very good at LT when he's healthy. He got hurt early in this last season and toughed it out as long as he could because of all the other injuries on the OL. Nsekhe was a very credible backup LT.
They won a Super Bowl with these guys yet they are considered subpar by those on this board before the season.
I don't see them giving up on Noteboom and think it would be a mistake to do so. Allen looks to be injury prone but when he plays he's very good, hell even PFF thinks so. I think they give Allen one last season to start knowing they have Shelton behind him. The Rams drafted Bruss for a reason so I think he will be in the mix at one of the OG positions this year. They will have Thomas, Toner, and Brewer also in the mix.
I feel that the real competition will be at OG on both sides. I think that with the addition of Thomas and Toner the Rams won't feel the pressing need to spend capital other than a 3rd day draft pick on OL. The Rams have pressing needs at RB, TE, and on the DL (DE/edge or DT). For cap reasons, I think they keep Allen Robinson and give him one last shot. With the emergence of Tutu it takes the pressure off as Jefferson is becoming more comfortable playing at X WR.
Zach Thomas fits the mold of a pulling OG in a power run attack, that the Rams like to use. With LaFluer helping improve the run game don't be surprised if Zach Thomas starts at RG. IMO part of the problem in the run attack was not only poor play design but that was limited by the OL they had. This OL as I've listed is a fit for a power or zone both inside and outside blocked type of run offense. I've been waiting on Thomas for months. He has a combination of speed, and athleticism you don't normally find in OL prospects. It's like having an athletic interior DL playing on offense. Pulling OGs have a tough job of making blocks on the move, most OL can't and it's why you don't see it much. The Chargers converted a DT to a pulling OG who allowed them to play a power run attack with Tomlinson. Kris won 4 pro bowls in that role. Thomas has the same kind of speed and athleticism.
Cole Toner could be a sleeper as a starter at LG. He's got good length and athleticism to play that position. He also is the kind of OG you want to help in the run attack. While with the Cardinals he also was coached as a backup center. He's had limited game snaps in his career. His performance in those snaps IMO have been on par with Corbett but with better mobility which was Corbetts Achilles heel in the run attack and I think is why he was allowed to walk.
So?
LT Noteboom / Nsekhe
LG Toner / Brewer
C Allen / Shelton
RG Thomas / Bruss
RT Havenstein / Jackson
This OL should improve the run game. In pass blocking, they should be close to 2021's version of the OL. Improving the run attack will improve the play action and by definition the pass blocking.
It's because of Toner and Thomas I don't think the Rams will feel pressed to make changes on the OL. They have the personnel they simply need to coach them up, i.e. develop them and use them properly.
David Edwards is a backup level talent at LG nothing more.
Allen was a good starter at C but can't stay healthy.. Shelton stepped into the hardest OL position and as a first time starter played well.
Corbett is in fact an average RG. Alaric Jackson played well for a first time starter at both RG and LT. If they move him to LG he will be an upgrade to Edwards.
Whitworth at LT was undoubtedly a superstar at LT. But Noteboom is very good at LT when he's healthy. He got hurt early in this last season and toughed it out as long as he could because of all the other injuries on the OL. Nsekhe was a very credible backup LT.
They won a Super Bowl with these guys yet they are considered subpar by those on this board before the season.
I don't see them giving up on Noteboom and think it would be a mistake to do so. Allen looks to be injury prone but when he plays he's very good, hell even PFF thinks so. I think they give Allen one last season to start knowing they have Shelton behind him. The Rams drafted Bruss for a reason so I think he will be in the mix at one of the OG positions this year. They will have Thomas, Toner, and Brewer also in the mix.
I feel that the real competition will be at OG on both sides. I think that with the addition of Thomas and Toner the Rams won't feel the pressing need to spend capital other than a 3rd day draft pick on OL. The Rams have pressing needs at RB, TE, and on the DL (DE/edge or DT). For cap reasons, I think they keep Allen Robinson and give him one last shot. With the emergence of Tutu it takes the pressure off as Jefferson is becoming more comfortable playing at X WR.
Zach Thomas fits the mold of a pulling OG in a power run attack, that the Rams like to use. With LaFluer helping improve the run game don't be surprised if Zach Thomas starts at RG. IMO part of the problem in the run attack was not only poor play design but that was limited by the OL they had. This OL as I've listed is a fit for a power or zone both inside and outside blocked type of run offense. I've been waiting on Thomas for months. He has a combination of speed, and athleticism you don't normally find in OL prospects. It's like having an athletic interior DL playing on offense. Pulling OGs have a tough job of making blocks on the move, most OL can't and it's why you don't see it much. The Chargers converted a DT to a pulling OG who allowed them to play a power run attack with Tomlinson. Kris won 4 pro bowls in that role. Thomas has the same kind of speed and athleticism.
Cole Toner could be a sleeper as a starter at LG. He's got good length and athleticism to play that position. He also is the kind of OG you want to help in the run attack. While with the Cardinals he also was coached as a backup center. He's had limited game snaps in his career. His performance in those snaps IMO have been on par with Corbett but with better mobility which was Corbetts Achilles heel in the run attack and I think is why he was allowed to walk.
So?
LT Noteboom / Nsekhe
LG Toner / Brewer
C Allen / Shelton
RG Thomas / Bruss
RT Havenstein / Jackson
This OL should improve the run game. In pass blocking, they should be close to 2021's version of the OL. Improving the run attack will improve the play action and by definition the pass blocking.
It's because of Toner and Thomas I don't think the Rams will feel pressed to make changes on the OL. They have the personnel they simply need to coach them up, i.e. develop them and use them properly.
