We seem to have a bit of an OL paradox, don't we?

[Rams43]

On the one hand we have an OL comprised of scary youth and inexperience in the NFL. Both starters and backups alike.

Gulp...

But on the other hand there is such promise shown by these youths that it seems almost impossible to cut them and hope to stash them on the PS. Too much film on them is out there now and promising OL players seem pretty scarce in today's NFL.

What to do? You tell me, lol.

Maybe we're forced to carry 10 players on OL? Despite also being forced to carry 3 QB's this year?

Here's my best guess, FWIW...

Starters are GRob, JB, Jones, Saffold, Hav.

Plus Reynolds has played well and is another lock.

Backups will be Rhaney, Battle, Wichmann, and Donnal (too much versatility)

Yeah, I know that's 10, but I don't think any would survive PS in the first place. And as I've been speculating for 2 months, uncertainties on OL at multiple positions kinda demand the extra flexibility this year.

Notable cuts include Barnes and every single OL vet. Go bold or go home. Lol.

 

[lockdnram21]

i think Barnes ends up starting at C . i think we seen the starters lastnight minus Reynolds

 

[Boston Ram]

Nice break down "43". I think Rhaney is going to get cut.

 

[HometownBoy]

I see us keeping ten too, too many good players to cut ties with them so easily. Especially given that OL depth has been killer on us before, I don't see us cutting ties with any of these good, young players when the memories of Washingtons, Hunters, Ojinnakas and Josephs are still so fresh in our mind.

 

[Noregar]

I think Washington and Williams are the obvious cuts getting the number down to 11. After that, I think the Rams only keep 9 instead of 10 with Rhaney and Wichmann being the other two cuts. Both could clear waivers and get put on the PS. There is not really a lot of film on Wichmann up to this point so the risk of losing him on the waiver wire is greatly reduced.

 

[JUMAVA68]

If Fisher is going to use almost an entire draft on Ol to fix that problem. Then he better hold on to ALL of them until he is 100% positive they won't work out.

 

[dieterbrock]

I wish I had a positive vibe about the oline but they looked pretty bad at times this pre-season

 

[yrba1]

Considering that the line we drafted were maulers, I hope we run more during the 1st quarter of the season until Boudreau coaches these guys into proper pass protection techniques.
At the moment, Cignetti ought to throw opposing front 7's off-balance rather than letting the line try to hold off on their own frequently.

 

[GabesHorn]

I think Washington and Williams are the obvious cuts getting the number down to 11. After that, I think the Rams only keep 9 instead of 10 with Rhaney and Wichmann being the other two cuts. Both could clear waivers and get put on the PS. There is not really a lot of film on Wichmann up to this point so the risk of losing him on the waiver wire is greatly reduced.

We have 40+ starts of Wichmann on film and so does every other team that knows he is finally healthy and played well in 2 PS games. I'm battleling thinking Cody is a starter for us next season at OG or possibly C. He has no back up gear like all 3 centers sadly displayed this PS. Eody is well versed in pulling and getting downfield with his big arse. I'd cut Donnal over what we have with Cody. Just saying. Gaines was a 6th round Pick and Snead just gets lucky with those #6 picks.

 

[8to12]

We have 40+ starts of Wichmann on film and so does every other team that knows he is finally healthy and played well in 2 PS games. I'm battleling thinking Cody is a starter for us next season at OG or possibly C. He has no back up gear like all 3 centers sadly displayed this PS. Eody is well versed in pulling and getting downfield with his big arse. I'd cut Donnal over what we have with Cody. Just saying. Gaines was a 6th round Pick and Snead just gets lucky with those #6 picks.

I agree with this. IMO, Brown and Wichman are the cream of the crop of O-line draftees. Regarding Center, Rhaney and Jones have looked great playing in space...i.e. screen plays. Although, I'm not sure Rhaney is ready to handle the mental aspect of making the line calls. I would want to keep Rhaney as a swing OG-C.

Donnal is the one that I would cut and try to sign to the practice squad. I haven't seen anything from him that warrants making the roster over any of the other OL draftees. I would keep Reynolds, Battle, Wichman and Rhaney as the back-ups to Robinson, Brown, Jones, Saffold and Havenstein.

 

[Yamahopper]

So many choices is nice for a change.

 

[LACHAMP46]

I'm keeping 11 O-Linemen...the last would be Rhaney....dang near wanna keep 12 with Williams being the last add...I'd have somebody fake an injury if necessary to keep the 10 I want....All the drafted linemen make the team.
edit:

Why do you guys wanna cut Donnal? His power isn't the same as the others, but he has excellent footwork...I watched him while taking a peak at Scherff...He's solid...I wouldn't just cut that guy...I'd cut the loser of the center battle first.

 

[-X-]

View: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:13582351

 

[DR RAM]

I'm going to throw a dark horse name out there, and nobody will remember, but D. Williams has impressed me more than some of the other guys. Pretty good athlete, thinks on his feet. Decent power. I'd really like to see more of that dude. I could see him playing Guard too. Be a better developmental guy than a lot of them through here.

Watch him during the Davis series during the Indy game, and every time he's in there, he flashes. Haven't seen the Chiefs game, yet. I think I can watch it at midnight Pacific.

 

[lockdnram21]

Considering that the line we drafted were maulers, I hope we run more during the 1st quarter of the season until Boudreau coaches these guys into proper pass protection techniques.
At the moment, Cignetti ought to throw opposing front 7's off-balance rather than letting the line try to hold off on their own frequently.

As of right now there having more trouble run bloxking

 

[Yamahopper]

I'm going to throw a dark horse name out there, and nobody will remember, but D. Williams has impressed me more than some of the other guys. Pretty good athlete, thinks on his feet. Decent power. I'd really like to see more of that dude. I could see him playing Guard too. Be a better developmental guy than a lot of them through here.

Watch him during the Davis series during the Indy game, and every time he's in there, he flashes. Haven't seen the Chiefs game, yet. I think I can watch it at midnight Pacific.

Agree 100 %.
He can play LT and will improve more he gets reps.
Can't say that about the rest of the others.

 

[BonifayRam]

On the one hand we have an OL comprised of scary youth and inexperience in the NFL. Both starters and backups alike.

Gulp...

But on the other hand there is such promise shown by these youths that it seems almost impossible to cut them and hope to stash them on the PS. Too much film on them is out there now and promising OL players seem pretty scarce in today's NFL.

What to do? You tell me, lol.

Maybe we're forced to carry 10 players on OL? Despite also being forced to carry 3 QB's this year?

Here's my best guess, FWIW...

Starters are GRob, JB, Jones, Saffold, Hav.

Plus Reynolds has played well and is another lock.

Backups will be Rhaney, Battle, Wichmann, and Donnal (too much versatility)

Yeah, I know that's 10, but I don't think any would survive PS in the first place. And as I've been speculating for 2 months, uncertainties on OL at multiple positions kinda demand the extra flexibility this year.

Notable cuts include Barnes and every single OL vet. Go bold or go home. Lol.

Looks to me we have two major issues here to figure out.

#1- Who will be our reserve OLT if Greg Robinson were to have injury issues? None of our rookie OL'ers can do this. Currently it would fall back onto starting RG Saffold's surgically & damaged shoulders. Means Reynolds would be in demand @ RG. Who then would take Reynolds #6 spot?

#2-Concerns presently with our two starting OG's coming off injuries & some rust with time off. Add in the fact that reserve rookie RG/RT Donnal has been out with injury for 2 weeks now. Who are the healthy's .... Rhaney & Wichmann.....I would go with the bigger, stronger & best showing RG the last two games.... Wichmann.

Bottom Line here....If you have an always injured :eek:RG in Saffold better be grooming a RG as our future starter now ! Go with the better talent! Cody Wichmann.

Here's how I see our current post pre season Ram OL.
#1-Saffold RG/LT (Health ?)
#2-Barnes C
#3-Robinson LT
#4-Brown LG/RG (Health ?)
#5-Havenstein RT
#6-Reynolds RT/LG/RG
#7-Jones C
#8-Wichmann RG
#9-Battle LT
#10-Donnal RT/RG (Health ?)

Practice Squad hopefuls:
D. Rhaney RG/C
D. Williams LT

P.S. I wonder if we may see Andrew Donnal placed on the IR with a healthy Rhaney taking his master roster spot?