Gil Brandt makes big statement about Rams’ offensive line

[ROD-BOT]

Gil Brandt makes big statement about Rams’ offensive line

Hall of Famer is bullish on maligned unit

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Gil Brandt makes big statement about Rams’ offensive line

Gil Brandt is an NFL institution and he is one of the most respected voices the game has ever seen.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame member was the architect of 1970s great Dallas Cowboys team. He now works for the NFL Network and has a show on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

I’ve known Gil for nearly 20 years and I Iearn something every time I talk to him. In short, if Brandt speaks about the NFL, you need to listen as he doesn’t just say stuff to say it.

That’s why a tweet by Brandt on Monday caught my attention.

Check this out:


View: https://twitter.com/gil_brandt/status/1270041022282657795?s=21


I can’t lie. I was shocked seeing the Rams on this list. We all know the Rams had issues on the offensive line last year and many of those problems were caused by injuries. But the Rams were not nearly as effective on offense in 2019 as they were in 2018 — and the issues last year started on the line.

That doesn’t mean this unit can’t be very good in 2020, but it was, indeed, surprising to see them listed among the league’s best lines.

Predictably, Brandt received blowback about the tweet in his mentions, including from a colleague.


View: https://twitter.com/greggrosenthal/status/1270053806236037120?s=21


Brandt clapped back to Rosenthal, stating that there’s too much analytical bias against the Rams.


View: https://twitter.com/gil_brandt/status/1270079007422156802?s=21


Again, I roll with Team Brandt. He’s a living cliché: He has forgotten more about football than most of us will ever know. So, the fact that Brandt is making this stance should give you hope that this unit can be successful in 2020.

The Rams definitely need it to happen.

 

[kurtfaulk]

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[den-the-coach]

Again, I roll with Team Brandt. He’s a living cliché: He has forgotten more about football than most of us will ever know. So, the fact that Brandt is making this stance should give you hope that this unit can be successful in 2020.

The Rams definitely need it to happen.

Have a feeling that Brandt is factoring in coaching & the fact that younger guys gained valuable experience last year. This is pretty easy, the Rams will either improve or they won't and changes will be made if they don't.

Center IMO is pivotal, some on this board don't think much of Austin Blythe and others including yours truly, feel Brian Allen would be better served if we just kiss and say goodbye. Austin Corbett at LG is not a masher, but in the zone scheme, could be very effective with the reach blocks and pulling on the sweeps.

Again IMO, OL Coach Aaron Kromer is one of the elite OL Coaches in the NFL and IMO, we are about to find out why and is the reason Gil Brandt has put the Los Angeles Rams on this list.

 

[fearsomefour]

An unusual out of the box call from an analyst.
I’m not a huge fan of Brant but I don’t dislike him either.
When it comes to NFL analysis there is ONLY group think as Brandt points out.
Right or wrong it’s refreshing to see another take.
The key to the OL bounce back to me is Havenstein.
LT, LG, RG are set in my opinion.
That group can be good.
RT is interesting.
If Havenstein can bounce back the line looks pretty solid and Evans provides better depth. If not Evans still has some growing to do and Havenstein is a way over paid backup.
C.....I think it is Blythe job to lose.
I can’t remember the last time the Rams had a C that could dominate.....McCollum or Mike G at times?

 

[SeminoleRam]

If Gil Brandt is correct (And, I respect his opinion a LOT more than Gregg Rosenthal’s!!!), the Rams should have a tremendous season!!!

 

[HX76]

I’m not going to lie, I like the cut of this Brandt blokes jib.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Sounds like Gil Brandt is not a fan of Pro Football Focus.

I have never been a fan of PFF; and for the most simple of reasons. I don’t understand it.

Not being dense or obtuse. Have read a lot about PFF, but still can’t figure out whether its analysis, or the people doing it, are sound.

A better example is the QBR formula for rating QBs. Did not have a good understanding of how it is determined, so I researched it.

Unlike PFF, the QBR is something that can be understood but it takes some time and patience.

Couple years ago, I took the time to research the QBR. Again, it’s not simple or quick to explain.

In my opinion, the QBR is garbage because it’s too subjective. However, most people accept it despite not understanding it

I have similar opinion about PFF.

 

[ScotsRam]

Why does everything have to be either amazing or terrible? The line is probably not going to be in the top 6 as Brandt appears to suggest, but that doesn't mean it cant still be a hell of a lot better than it was last year.

 

[snackdaddy]

I've been saying all along too many people are being short sighted when it comes to the offensive line. How many first time starters were forced into action due to injuries? Evans, Edwards, Corbett, Shelton. Blythe was moved from guard to center. 4 of the 5 positions experienced changes throughout the season. There was no continuity or experience with those changes.

Even with all of that, there was improvement at the end of the season. They did get better. Now these inexperienced guys are not so inexperienced. And they've played together. Continuity is huge for an offense line. So is experience.

I've heard some people say they made a mistake not drafting linemen early and often. But they're not looking at the whole picture. Just the early season problems, which quite frankly, cost them a playoff spot.

The Rams are not rebuilding. They are a legit contender. They weren't thinking 2022 and beyond when they drafted. They were thinking who can help us now. Was there any linemen in the draft that was going to come in and start from day one? Someone better than what they have? I don't think so. All that woulda done is put them back to square one with more inexperienced guys. Stick with what they have and let them get better. They already showed that is possible. The greenhorns aren't so green anymore.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Watching the Rams/Dallas replay on Sunday from the 2018 playoffs...

The Rams were pushing Dallas around on the ground all game long. Blythe was the RG in that game. I can't say I really key'ed in on his play... but the Rams ran all over the Cowboys in that game.

Just pointing it out. Opinions differ on Blythe.

 

[Rams43]

Watching the Rams/Dallas replay on Sunday from the 2018 playoffs...

The Rams were pushing Dallas around on the ground all game long. Blythe was the RG in that game. I can't say I really key'ed in on his play... but the Rams ran all over the Cowboys in that game.

Just pointing it out. Opinions differ on Blythe.

The Rams reportedly benefited from ‘tells’ given by the Cowboy DL.

Blythe, of all people, made it public with a foolish comment.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Watching the Rams/Dallas replay on Sunday from the 2018 playoffs...

The Rams were pushing Dallas around on the ground all game long. Blythe was the RG in that game. I can't say I really key'ed in on his play... but the Rams ran all over the Cowboys in that game.

Just pointing it out. Opinions differ on Blythe.

Who knew letting your strongest Olineman walk matters?

 

[CoachAllred]

Have a feeling that Brandt is factoring in coaching & the fact that younger guys gained valuable experience last year.

Hmm, So what your saying Coach, is that Brandt went beyond the stats and actually analyzed all of the factors
that go into making a sound prediction??
Seems like I remember something about this whole "analysis" thing. If my memory serves me correctly , I'm thinking
this is something that used to be done before a sports writer wrote a sports article.

Gonna enjoy watching Rosenblahh eat his words this season.

 

[den-the-coach]

I'm thinking
this is something that used to be done before a sports writer wrote a sports article.

Gonna enjoy watching Rosenblahh eat his words this season.

Very True, but now we live in a copy & paste society and most sports writer's & analyses have never been soiled with an original thought.

 

[Merlin]

Brandt is a throwback, he's got his own opinion on things which I respect. Probably one of the reasons he was such a great GM.

Rams might be right about the OL. Truth is you gotta roll the dice on the teambuilding side every year, question is where you roll the dice. Personally I wouldn't do that with the line, but that's just me.

So I've just gone full hope mode at this point. And if they're correct about the line then yes we should be in for a good season. There are still some unknowns on the defensive side of the ball of course, the new DC and LBs, but our defensive roster is also loaded in the secondary and we have two elite players in Donald and Ramsey. Let's hope that's enough.

 

[Ram65]

Brandt should do an article on the Rams offensive line so we can all know what and why he is giving the Rams a top six offensive line rating.

I think there is some merit to the PPF ratings as I use the numbers because I know don't how every player in the NFL plays. Hard to know all the offensive lineman alone. The Rams be rated 31 seemed off when you consider the production. Rating the Rams in the top six also seems off but, it's nice to see a positive here. With what looks like a very solid defense and offensive weapons for Goff having a decent offensive line makes the Rams contenders. Having the Rams in the top half of the league would work.

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

We should have been on the list for two seasons, before last season, but we do not belong on there until we improve. Does Brandt know that Saffold left the team a year ago?

 

[Pancake]

Hope he's right. A top 6 OL probably means another SB run.

 

[Corbin]

PFF is a good measure of a player but it’s not the end all be all. Just like with anything else it can be flawed which is why they’ve changed their analytics methods over the years.

Honestly, I felt we needed a C for sure and maybe a G in the draft but I know our depth is excellent. I love our pickup late from Clemson. Hopefully the injury bug stays away from the line this year and we get some cohesion again.


As others have stated, if we have a top 10 OL group we are at least in the divisional round and probably in the NFC Championship game! Hell, I’d love to end the Saints, Whiners, or Seagulls season in the playoffs.

 

[Neil039]

Reminds me of a lone from JFK..."Theoretical physics can prove an elephant can hang from a cliff with his tail tied to a daisy. But use your eyes, your common sense". I’ll use common sense when evaluating the Rams Oline. I am skeptical but very hopeful too.