I have concerns about our O line

[Dodgersrf]

I echo most everything previously posted here. Obviously, Fish and Snead targeted a certain type of OL. (Durable, Smart, Leaders...)

As several people have posted in other threads - 'we drafted players a round too soon.' Well, if that's he case, then this will probably be the last draft for the current administration.

I'm thinking we got exactly what Snish wanted, so let's plug'em in and kick some ass.

I don't think the "we drafted him too soon" statements hold much validity.
If there are only 10-15 players with 1st rnd grades, then the remaining 22 to 17 players drafted in the 1st rnd are already drafted too soon.

We see the same thing every year. After the first few picks, the draft starts getting very unpredictable. If scouting was an exact science, all 7 rnds of the draft would be filled with players that make the team that drafted them, and all 1st rnd picks would be good players.

Also, I believe Snead and Fisher wanted to trade down once more. Possibly thinking Havenstien could still be there. When the trade fell through, they just took him. Smart imo. If you like him, just take him.

 

[Alan]

Warner4Prez with these thoughts:
Another thing I think is a bit off base is the notion that a great run blocking player is automatically a liability in pass protection. These are NFL quality players we're talking here, I'd have to assume they wouldn't be projected to start, let alone be drafted if there were such a fatal flaw in their game.

I don't think it's a case of automatically thinking that W4P. The same source that says they are great a run blocking also says they're crappy at pass blocking. If you believe the first part why wouldn't you believe the second part. In addition, If they were such great run blockers AND they were great pass blockers too, don't you think they would have been rated much higher and probably have been drafted earlier?

Who's projecting them to start? Certainly not any of the pundits andwhen you think about what Fisher said about still wanting to bring JB back (at what would be a pretty high price for a backup, I'm not sure even Fisher is looking at them being starters. I thnkk he just took the "best of the rest" myself.

 

[nighttrain]

Look, I don't want to get all negative here. I like the fact that we FINALLY really addressed our holes on the O line in the draft. I mean other than G Rob last year, we haven't really spent much time or draft resources on the line. I think it's about time that we did something about it. But even if the guys they draft work out, I'm still concerned about the next season.

Let's face it we're going to have at least a rookie or two start. That's always a recipe for disaster. The offensive line takes a little while to learn. G Rob did not look all that great last year and he's one of the most athletically talented linemen in the NFL. I'm also worried about the ability to pass block on the guys we did draft. I realize that the Rams want to run it down everyone's throats, but eventually you got to pass. If our defense has an off day for whatever reason, and we're forced to pass then were screwed. The guys we picked are run blockers and not particularly adept at pass blocking.

Given the time it takes for linemen to get up to speed, I feel like the Rams see 2015 as a wasted year. Maybe we sign Barksdale and maybe he will add some stability (though I seriously doubt he'll sign since we already drafted his replacement) and we won't have to start two rookies. But starting two rooks on the O Alan, re finally draft sp,e young ready to play studs, instead of worn our retreads. have faith in LOU
train

 

[Rambitious1]

There were plenty of rookie O-linemen who started last year and did fine, especially at offensive guard. Depending on the program you come from and how much experience you have, O-linemen can be plenty successful as rookies. GRob had a learning curve because he was coming from a spread option offense as only a sophomore.

The guys we drafted this year all came from pro style systems, have pretty refined technique, and a ridiculous number of games under their belts.

Agreed. Also regarding G. Rob, didn't he have to learn two positions last year?
That had to add to his mental confusion.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Snead/Fisher took a big hit (FIVE) over this past yr on the OL. 3 Gone due to time age injury demise of starters OLT Jake Long/ORG Davin Joseph & OC Scott Wells then 2 gone due to UFA defections of starting ORT Barksdale & top reserve OL'er Mike Person. They were able to deal with one of the above during the season due to the drafting of OLT Robinson. That leaves the replacements of the other four gone OL'ers .

#1-They have now filled the ORT post with signed veteran with a dozen or more starts in right side OL'er Garrett Reynolds to start @ ORT. (Notice that Harvey vs Garrett twin like look? GR 6-7/305 to HD 6-6/306) & then proclaimed that 2nd rd pick Havenstein is ready to start now. You could add in 6-8 340 pound 26 yr old Steven Baker too .

#2-In replacing Wells @ OC post ..they have invested 2 draft selections (2013 & 2014) in Barrett Jones & Demetrius Rhaney plus signed (Boudreau's 4 yrs of grooming) veteran Tim Barnes who has 45 NFL games under his belt & finished 7 games as the Ram starting center. This youth but talented trio has been through the Rams TC & preseason before so this is not new to them.This post is well covered in spite of this forums worrying.

#3-In replacing starting OG post veteran Davin Joseph the Rams have 26 yr old left side OL'er Brandon Washington who has been under Boudreau schooling now since 2012. They also have ORG Travis Bond the massive 6-6 330 pound 24 yr old. Bond has three complete TC's & pre seasons under his belt after being drafted by the Vikings, Panthers & last yr with the Rams. Bond also was signed the entire 2014 season with the Rams Practice Squad. So Bond is well known to Boudreau. Bond was the last OL releases before the beginning of the season. So the above two along with drafted OG's Jamon Brown 3rd rd.,Andrew Donnal 4th rd.& Cody Wichmann in the 6th round sure looks thick to me.

#4-In finding a replacement of last yrs top reserve Mike Person who was the first reliever @ OLG/OLT & 3rd string center (could play all five OL positions), they already have his replacement on the roster...Barrett Jones. Barrett has been around since 2013 & if healthy can out-think & defeat any opponent or competition.

To summarize the above the Rams have enough decent OL'ers to go into this season without starting any rookies if that was even a concern to me. Even looks two deep @ center & both OG post before having to dip into our rookie supply center.

OLT>Robinson/*Jones/*Saffold
OLG>*Jones/Washington/*Brown/*Donnal
OC>Barnes/Rhaney/*Jones
ORG>*Saffold/Bond/Wichmann/*Brown/*Donnal
ORT>Reynolds/Havenstein/*Donnal/Baker

Spot on Bonifay. We drafted for depth, meaning we now have options.
Rahney, Jones and Barnes better be eating their vegetables, because it's time to get on the field.

 

[Ram65]

It's a mistake to compare any of these kids to Greg Robinson. While more physically talented, he entered the league as a raw redshirt sophomore with about 25 starts under his belt in an offense that basicially only ran about 4-6 different plays.

And then due to circumstances they tried to teach him two different positions prior to the season in a more complex NFL offense.

Havenstein started 42 of 52 games played. Brown started 40 of 48 games. And Cody Wichman started 50 games. Donnell has less experience as a starter, but he played 4 years under one of the best OLine teachers in the business with a strong NFL background.

Sure, they are all rookies. But, these guys shouldn't have to learn some things that Robinson was probably still learning as a rookie. And a simplified offense with a focus upon running the football makes the learning curve that much easier for all of these guys.

Well stated.

One thing not mentioned, is Gurley. Gurley's projected ability to be not just a good RB, but a once in a decade RB, is that the guy has the ability to shed tacklers..This will help everybody on the Oline look better. Imagine if Gurley gets 6 yards average per carry, the opposing defense will be going crazy to stop him..Hello Nick Foles to Kenny Briit!

Another big plus to help the young offensive line.

It makes sense to be concerned with young players starting. It can be done with positive results but it's not guaranteed. The fun part is to see what happens. I think it will work out.

 

[BonifayRam]

Who's projecting them to start? Certainly not any of the pundits and when you think about what Fisher said about still wanting to bring JB back (at what would be a pretty high price for a backup, I'm not sure even Fisher is looking at them being starters. I thnkk he just took the "best of the rest" myself.

HC Fisher did Alan.

IMO the statement by Fisher on JB using "still" & "interest" is just plain weak Alan. If the desire to bring JB back into the family I sure would have chosen much better words than those few.

If JB were to return & IMO (its doubtful) what that return will do is move Garrett Reynolds out of the #1 ORT to the #1 ORG. JB would be inserted into #1 ORT.
But that will not last long because Havenstein will bench JB early. That will now put JB in the best NFL position for him. Being the top reserve @ ORT. That's why I don't see JB returning they know he wants starting $$$ & he will not be a Ram starter for too long! They do not want to pay him starting $$ & JB does not want to be paid back up $$$. Just that simple.

I really believe they have planned to keep a heavy OL bevy in number on the master roster this season maybe as high as 11.

 

[iced]

Agreed. Also regarding G. Rob, didn't he have to learn two positions last year?
That had to add to his mental confusion.

especially when he came from a simple offense that ran the ball a lot more than they passed it.

I don't have the faith in robinson at T that people do - i think he's like saffold.. okay tackle but he is best suited for guard. Not a fan of his feet or dealing with the fast edge rushers

 

[MTRamsFan]

It is very evident we are going to pound the ball. If, and I know for some it's a big if, we get the O-Line to gel quickly, we will have a two-headed running attack that will punish opposing teams. This will help our passing game so much because teams will then be forced to drop a safety down and try to slow down the running game, which should allow the passing game to open up for Foles and our receivers . There is no doubt if we have a very effective running game it will develop a strong passing game too. Teams will have to respect our running attack or we might beat them to a bloody pulp. Try to shut down the run and we will play-action their ass with the passing game.

Boudreau has a bunch of work ahead the next three months before camp starts, but I'm confident he will find the right combination to develop an exceptional O-Line. We also need to remember, our O-Line will be going against the best D-Line, and a very strong front-7 each practice. So, I really think they will be prepared once the regular season starts. Baptism by fire for the young guys. They just need to step up and play!

 

[iced]

I see a lot 2 TE sets this year, especially Kendricks wanting a bigger passing role.

 

[BonifayRam]

especially when he came from a simple offense that ran the ball a lot more than they passed it.

I don't have the faith in robinson at T that people do - i think he's like saffold.. okay tackle but he is best suited for guard. Not a fan of his feet or dealing with the fast edge rushers

Looks that they have turned this boat around with the direction of a passing offense away from a Sam Bradford passing attack with quick Tavon Austin, fast Jared Cook, snatcher Kenny Britt, sly Stedman Bailey & such to bringing back & paying $$$ both blocking TE/H-backs Blocking Cory Harkey & Lance Kendricks. Smart!

Then adding Gurley then four massive thumpers in the OL.Robinson should do just fine @ OLT with Saffold next to him in this new HD running machine offense that's planned to the type of players here.

 

[Force16X]

Look, I don't want to get all negative here. I like the fact that we FINALLY really addressed our holes on the O line in the draft. I mean other than G Rob last year, we haven't really spent much time or draft resources on the line. I think it's about time that we did something about it. But even if the guys they draft work out, I'm still concerned about the next season.

Let's face it we're going to have at least a rookie or two start. That's always a recipe for disaster. The offensive line takes a little while to learn. G Rob did not look all that great last year and he's one of the most athletically talented linemen in the NFL. I'm also worried about the ability to pass block on the guys we did draft. I realize that the Rams want to run it down everyone's throats, but eventually you got to pass. If our defense has an off day for whatever reason, and we're forced to pass then were screwed. The guys we picked are run blockers and not particularly adept at pass blocking.

Given the time it takes for linemen to get up to speed, I feel like the Rams see 2015 as a wasted year. Maybe we sign Barksdale and maybe he will add some stability (though I seriously doubt he'll sign since we already drafted his replacement) and we won't have to start two rookies. But starting two rooks on the O line to me, means at best an 8-8 season and I think we're all a bit sick and tired of the non winning seasons.

i understand your concerns, but after seeing some of the veteran linemen brought in by the Rams, I'm ready for some rookie mistakes made by rookies.

 

[iced]

Looks that they have turned this boat around with the direction of a passing offense away from a Sam Bradford passing attack with quick Tavon Austin, fast Jared Cook, snatcher Kenny Britt, sly Stedman Bailey & such to bringing back & paying $$$ both blocking TE/H-backs Blocking Cory Harkey & Lance Kendricks. Smart!

Then adding Gurley then four massive thumpers in the OL.Robinson should do just fine @ OLT with Saffold next to him in this new HD running machine offense that's planned to the type of players here.

I don't think the offensive scheme has changed - it's still going to be pound the ball, play action, keep the d off the field.

Biggest differences will be in play calling, imo. Especially when Cig mentioned not straying away from whats working

 

[Memento]

especially when he came from a simple offense that ran the ball a lot more than they passed it.

I don't have the faith in robinson at T that people do - i think he's like saffold.. okay tackle but he is best suited for guard. Not a fan of his feet or dealing with the fast edge rushers

He can deal with the edge rushers; that's what he did with Ealy, Ray, and Golden, all of whom went in the first two rounds in their respective drafts. He flat out dominated them. I remember them not being able to touch Marshall when he did pass, and I was thinking, who the hell is that kid at left tackle?

Remember that Ogden and Roaf didn't have the best feet either when they came out. Robinson's going to be an All-Pro left tackle this year. Bank on it.

 

[iced]

He can deal with the edge rushers; that's what he did with Ealy, Ray, and Golden, all of whom went in the first two rounds in their respective drafts. He flat out dominated them. I remember them not being able to touch Marshall when he did pass, and I was thinking, who the hell is that kid at left tackle?

Remember that Ogden and Roaf didn't have the best feet either when they came out. Robinson's going to be an All-Pro left tackle this year. Bank on it.

Back then - not in the NFL. he had some big time struggles last year - particularly toward the end. And the seattle game was pretty bad IIRC.

Wasn't a fan of his feet before the offseason - the offseason foot surgery does nothing to help that either

 

[Memento]

Back then - not in the NFL. he had some big time struggles last year - particularly toward the end. And the seattle game was pretty bad IIRC.

Wasn't a fan of his feet before the offseason - the offseason foot surgery does nothing to help that either

The guy was learning two different positions coming out of a gimmick offense. And playing through that foot injury was why he struggled that badly. And he had toe surgery on his big toe. Not his entire foot. And nobody diagnosed it as turf toe either, so I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[iced]

The guy was learning two different positions coming out of a gimmick offense. And playing through that foot injury was why he struggled that badly. And he had toe surgery on his big toe. Not his entire foot. And nobody diagnosed it as turf toe either, so I wouldn't worry about that.

And you know when this injury occurred? It's not like footwork was his only issue - so yea, call me skeptical but I'm not ready to believe yet that we've solved the LT situation yet - particularly with the pass rushers in our division

 

[Memento]

And you know when this injury occurred? It's not like footwork was his only issue - so yea, call me skeptical but I'm not ready to believe yet that we've solved the LT situation yet - particularly with the pass rushers in our division

http://ramsondemand.com/threads/rams-lt-greg-robinson-recovering-from-toe-surgery-wagoner.35570/

 

[CoachO]

Back then - not in the NFL. he had some big time struggles last year - particularly toward the end. And the seattle game was pretty bad IIRC.

Wasn't a fan of his feet before the offseason - the offseason foot surgery does nothing to help that either

you sound like the poster boy for "these players will never get any better than the day they got here" crowd.

 

[Memento]

you sound like the poster boy for "these players will never get any better than the day they got here" crowd.

Dude, that's not necessary. We all have separate opinions. That's the case with any board. Thing that separates this board from others is that we can listen and learn from other opinions that are different than our own. Everyone has something to bring to the table here.