I'm not sure as it seemed that before the injury, Noteboom was fine against a nobody, but struggled against the somebodies. Also, his lack a durability is a major concern and it seemed every time he filled in for Whitworth, he was injured the very next week and now the Rams are asking Noteboom to play a whole season, which he's never done if starting.
It's obvious the Rams first pick needs to be edge, but in the 3rd round I would go get the best LT and let him compete too, although it's nice that Jackson could hold that position down too if called upon.
Yeah, that's the statement I've heard repeated often.
But I consider Nick Bosa, Demarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler and Micah Parsons "somebody's". He did pretty well vs them though . And even if they got pressure on the QB when they were Noteboom's responsibility a couple of times, don't they do that to good LTs every once in a while? Or do they just make their reps from playing scrubs? Bosa lined up vs Noteboom 36 times in week 4. The result? 0 tackles, 4 pressures, 2 of which were completions and 1 sack****. SF ran a stunt with 3 guys on the Rams left side. Bosa went behind the other 2, Noteboom took the LB, Evans took the DT and Shelton missed Bosa. But it was Noteboom's guy so I guess PFF gave him the sack? But Noteboom stoned Bosa all day long. Dallas tried Parsons (4 times), Fowler (29 times), Lawrence (6 times), Armstrong, Watson and Williams the rest of the time. If you offered any of them 5 mil to tell you whether Stafford wore cologne or not, they wouldn't be a dollar richer.
By my count, after a horrendous 1st week by the entire OL and offense, Noteboom played 4 consecutive SOLID games at LT before being injured early in week 6. Durability is the only concern and that's a big one. But the statements, "he can't handle pass rushers unless they are 'nobodies'" or "it seemed like 'every time' he filled in for Whitworth, he was injured the very next week" are not accurate. He played 7 straight games at LT for Whitworth in 2020, 100% of the snaps in each. Injury is part luck. And so far, Noteboom has had bad luck. If he loses his job, it won't be because he can't handle the talented pass rushers. It'll be because he couldn't stay healthy something Saffold couldn't do his first 6 seasons. Then he became a pro bowl lineman.
Being a Ram fan, I am hoping Noteboom recovers and stays healthy in 2023 for a number of reasons. He's a talented LT, he's real good in pass pro and he's good in the run game, getting downfield and hitting somebody. Plus we're on the hook for considerable money, which.....IF.....he can stay healthy, he's more than worth.
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