Greg Robinson to the right side?

[Riverumbbq]

Yep I still of that opinion & maybe stronger than ever. Rodger Saffold has no limitations other than the fact that he in seriously injury prone. Saffold has played 7 seasons as a starter. He only has 3 seasons where he has started 15 or more games.On the flip side out of 112 possible games over 7 seasons he has started 83 that looks considerably better when looking at it in an overview fashion.RS was a starter @ OT for 4 seasons & a starter @ OG for 3 seasons.

If Jamon Brown come on strong @ LG in TC & pre season RS very well could be looking for another place to start. Brown may fit in very nice next to the well season'd veteran all pro LT. The Brown/Robinson duo was a nightmare. It would be very good for the future of this Ram OL if Jamon Brown finally stepped it up & secured the LG post. I would encourage Kromer to ponder that for a long time & give Brown every opportunity for him to do that.

If RS is moved into contention @ RT as a starter .....I am sure RS would beat GRob out without breaking a drop of perspiration. Its been said many times that RS was beaten out @ RT by Joe Barksdale....that is totally false. Rams needed help @ OG at the later half of the 2014 season & as usual Saffold answered the call & his performance was outstanding. But I also like the @Mojo Ram plan for RS too. That RS is the 6th Ram game day OL'er in 2017. RS can very effectively back up four OL posts without worry. Kromer would only have to dress 2 reserve OL'ers game day.

I hear about all this concern & desire for GRob to get a chance to start.....I have no such desire GRob has not earned any special considerations or special privileges GRob should start like the rest of the other Rams OL'ers looking for a starting position. There is a very good chance that GRob will get his many millions being a non starter. If that happens its bad real bad because he has mastered only 1 post & GRob flunk that post so as a reserve what post or posts is he going to back up?

IMO GRob will not be a Ram after this season anyway. But I really don't care what OL position he finds is best suited for his talents, just hope he can finally discover one.

Two things here, Saffold wasn't an outstanding RT, had he been, Barksdale wouldn't have been handed the job permanently. Saffold undoubtedly was and remains our best swingman, and being plagued by so many OL injuries he never really has had an opportunity to stick to a position since his days at LT where he was an injury magnet himself. Also, he's too expensive to be considered as a bench swing player, he'll either start or become a CAP casualty imo.
While i'll agree this could easily become GRob's final season as a Ram, McVay & Kromer will face some criticism if they don't get this right, especially if Greg moves on and develops into an excellent player elsewhere. Moving him to the right side is a great start, but finding his sweet spot at RG or RT could be problematic for a player who is likely to get camp snaps at two new positions while simultaneously learning an entirely new offensive system. McVay & Kromer will be earning their money on this decision. jmo.

 

[BonifayRam]

Two things here, Saffold wasn't an outstanding RT, had he been, Barksdale wouldn't have been handed the job permanently. Saffold undoubtedly was and remains our best swingman, and being plagued by so many OL injuries he never really has had an opportunity to stick to a position since his days at LT where he was an injury magnet himself. Also, he's too expensive to be considered as a bench swing player, he'll either start or become a CAP casualty imo.
While i'll agree this could easily become GRob's final season as a Ram, McVay & Kromer will face some criticism if they don't get this right, especially if Greg moves on and develops into an excellent player elsewhere. Moving him to the right side is a great start, but finding his sweet spot at RG or RT could be problematic for a player who is likely to get camp snaps at two new positions while simultaneously learning an entirely new offensive system. McVay & Kromer will be earning their money on this decision. jmo.

Here's what I know in detail referencing your first sentence in your very good above post.

In 2013 Saffold won the starting RT post in TC & pre season. Saffold started the first two games @ RT until a knee injury took Saffold out of the starting lineup for four straight weeks. Rams were in a hurry to get Saffold back in @ RT in place of Barksdale & he returned to share time with Barksdale on 10-28-2014. Saffold & Barksdale continued to share time @ RT as Saffold got healthier & until he was fully healthy to start. On 11-3-2013 Saffold returned to full time starter @ ORT thus sending Barksdale to the bench. Then the career ending injury to Harvey Dahl took place & the following week. Boudreau did not have another OG who could start in place of Harvey. Boudreau asked Saffold if he would move inside to RG. Saffold started his first game @ RG. Then the reserve OT Barksdale filled in for Saffold @ RT for the rest of the season.

If you know of a something different that occurred in 2013 than what I have disclosed please let me know & I will reboot my one working brain cell.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Here's what I know in detail referencing your first sentence in your very good above post.

In 2013 Saffold won the starting RT post in TC & pre season. Saffold started the first two games @ RT until a knee injury took Saffold out of the starting lineup for four straight weeks. Rams were in a hurry to get Saffold back in @ RT in place of Barksdale & he returned to share time with Barksdale on 10-28-2014. Saffold & Barksdale continued to share time @ RT as Saffold got healthier & until he was fully healthy to start. On 11-3-2013 Saffold returned to full time starter @ ORT thus sending Barksdale to the bench. Then the career ending injury to Harvey Dahl took place & the following week. Boudreau did not have another OG who could start in place of Harvey. Boudreau asked Saffold if he would move inside to RG. Saffold started his first game @ RG. Then the reserve OT Barksdale filled in for Saffold @ RT for the rest of the season.

If you know of a something different that occurred in 2013 than what I have disclosed please let me know & I will reboot my one working brain cell.

Nope, your sequence of events appear accurate. My depiction of Saffold as a success at RT remains. Sure, he was playing a new position himself, and perhaps in time might have developed into it. If i'm recalling correctly, seems Saffold also later identified RT as not a natural fit. In his short time frame, not considering his injuries, Saffold appeared a better LT than RT, also a better LG & RG than RT. I always thought Barksdale was a poor choice as a starting RT, thought he would be fine in reserve, ... he was a turnstile against base 3-4 defenses. Barksdale has grown to become a serviceable player for San Diego, but still ranks near the bottom of second starting OT's. Havenstein wouldn't be on our team had either Saffold or Barksdale proven successful at RT. jmo.

 

[BonifayRam]

Nope, your sequence of events appear accurate. My depiction of Saffold as a success at RT remains. Sure, he was playing a new position himself, and perhaps in time might have developed into it. If i'm recalling correctly, seems Saffold also later identified RT as not a natural fit. In his short time frame, not considering his injuries, Saffold appeared a better LT than RT, also a better LG & RG than RT. I always thought Barksdale was a poor choice as a starting RT, thought he would be fine in reserve, ... he was a turnstile against base 3-4 defenses. Barksdale has grown to become a serviceable player for San Diego, but still ranks near the bottom of second starting OT's. Havenstein wouldn't be on our team had either Saffold or Barksdale proven successful at RT. jmo.

Yep RS did voiced his issues with the flipping since he had always been a LT in college & had earned the LT post as a rookie back in 2010. So the 2013 season was a big adjustment for him. But as usual he ended up starting @ LT for the last game in 2013 after the 1st injury to Jake Long. We may forget that Boudreau inserted RS into the starting RT post in OTA's & that remained that way till the pre season ended. I thought that RS had a very good solid pre season @ RT myself. But Boudreau's plan on the left side was going sideways in pre season with GRob & Wichmann as starters. Jamon Brown continued to have pass protection issues @ RG. But IMO RS had the best pre season of all the Rams Ol'ers.

Then Boudreau's veteran swing interior OL'er Garrett Reynolds was injured & released. Then Boudreau took Havenstein off the PUP list & played him @ RT with no OTA's, no training camp & no other pre season work...the rest is bad history. RS went back to left side & GRob & Boudreau flipped Wichmann back to RG & made Brown the swing OG & inserted Havenstein into RT post. What a mess! Havenstein should have been placed on IR designated to return & RS should have remained @ RT.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Then again, Saffold was our highest graded offensive lineman in 2016. Playing mostly LG.
Out grading and having a truly successful grade are hardly the same, Saffold wasn't a quality RT in his short tenure in that position. Havenstein was injured last season, so his grade is irrelevant imo. My mother would have graded higher than Dahl, but yes, Saffold was a big improvement at RG. If it was me, Saffold would start at LG next season. jmo.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Yep RS did voiced his issues with the flipping since he had always been a LT in college & had earned the LT post as a rookie back in 2010. So the 2013 season was a big adjustment for him. But as usual he ended up starting @ LT for the last game in 2013 after the 1st injury to Jake Long. We may forget that Boudreau inserted RS into the starting RT post in OTA's & that remained that way till the pre season ended. I thought that RS had a very good solid pre season @ RT myself. But Boudreau's plan on the left side was going sideways in pre season with GRob & Wichmann as starters. Jamon Brown continued to have pass protection issues @ RG. But IMO RS had the best pre season of all the Rams Ol'ers.

Then Boudreau's veteran swing interior OL'er Garrett Reynolds was injured & released. Then Boudreau took Havenstein off the PUP list & played him @ RT with no OTA's, no training camp & no other pre season work...the rest is bad history. RS went back to left side & GRob & Boudreau flipped Wichmann back to RG & made Brown the swing OG & inserted Havenstein into RT post. What a mess! Havenstein should have been placed on IR designated to return & RS should have remained @ RT.

I'd have probably allowed Donnal to earn his stripes at RT. After all, we prematurely inserted both Wichmann & Brown into starting roles, might as well go with the hat trick. Nothing like a desperation OL, we should be used to it. jmo.

 

[Riverumbbq]

No one worse than Joseph at RG. Dahl was done prior to his retirement, both he and Joseph retired fairly young as Rams OG's because they had nothing left to offer anyone else. Chris Williams had some moments, but wasn't much. Wells & Dahl were solid prior to coming to the Rams, the rest were poor choices for a desperate team, ... and I still believe Robinson may turn things around with good coaching and a change in position. jmo.

 

[Corbin]

Hard to find G-Rob highlights...LOL...maybe comments from some opponents..
http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/rating-the-packers-vs-rams-b99594632z1-332282942.html
Make sure to expand this...Name one other lineman...well, I've seen Saffold manhandle guys too...but name another?
oh yeah...you want some video...I don't see a terrible player. Weak...slow...or getting overpowered at the point of attack. I see a guy that is confused about his specific assignment, on a play to play basis.

But I do see an elite athlete. With above average movement skills....

Oh yeah, excuse the opening plays by Quick in the first 2 vids....he just you know...got lucky or something. Panthers game....
Falcons game....this is the game that cemented for me the fact that Havenstein is more of a problem than G-Rob.....I'm guessing most of ROD is REALLY BUZZED to not notice this guy is as much of a problem as Barnes.

Edited
http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/12/15/week-15-seattle-seahawks-vs-los-angeles-rams-highlights

http://www.azcardinals.com/videos/v...ghlights/a8f58924-a56e-4b17-975c-be73672e4f5b

Believe it is the hardest to find tape on o linemen. Good, bad or the ugly! Haha

I'm sorry I don't see any elite skills he posesss other than maybe power but his fundentmentals or usually out of wack because he puts himself out of position constantly. Sure he might have a good play or two but so did Barnes. He's a fudged pick as we had many with the Fisher era. Glad that bastard is gone.

 

[BonifayRam]

Has anyone ever wonder why the Saffold/GRob duo never worked? Many could say that the left side OL that included GRob never worked but that would be incorrect many will recall the Reynolds/GRob duo that has been brought up many times by @bubbaramfan.

It was just a thought going back to the 2015 & 2016 seasons when you have a veteran LG like Saffold playing lack luster ball & a WWC like Reynolds looking good why? One thing I know about RS is he is a well prepared game day OL'er.RS has always been a starter too. RS knows what it takes to be successful on the field on Sundays. What IF you working partner does not have any of that? All the work that RS puts into his game is erased when his partner in OL play does not have the same goals & objectives & does not prepare or put in the time to match RS's preparedness. Thus no matter what you do or what RS does ....without your left side mate's good effort .... its mostly all failure.Do you think that RS is going to continually season after season do the heavy lifting for a lazy partner like GRob? Do you think it would effect his overall performance? Saddled up with a GRob is sure to sour any partnership.

Now enters the new guy named Garrett Reynolds Now Garrett has always been a back up yr after yr after yr he finally gets his chance & for the later half of the 2015 season he gets this big chance. I might think that Garrett is a willing partner to carry his weight & that of his partner GRob (for a short time) so he can finally secure a starting post?

I sure have seen where most fans think Rodger Saffold performed so much better on the right side. Just happens to be the side that does not contain GRob. Do you think RS was happy to be yanked from the starting RT post when the regular season began after practicing during OTA's, all of training camp & all of pre season to rejoin GRob as his playmate back @ LG?

I have no ideal what really went on in that situation but I do know people. I know if I were in RS place I would get awful tired carrying GRob around when GRob is paid more & does so much less. I would imagine that RS is looking forward to not having GRob as his partner this season. I would also think that when we see RS on field performance this season we may see a different OL'er than we have seen in a long long time.I think RS will be much better!

On the flip side of this thought whoever starts next to GRob may be the next victim that is preyed on. Only time will tell if I am onto something here. Why does the word Jonah flash into my small brain?

 

[Merlin]

I think that Robinson could be a decent Guard but for heaven's sake start him out on the left side where he's used to playing.

I think the right side is too big of a transition for the guy judging by the evidence.

I agree he does not transition well. And worse is him being in a contract season. So no matter what happens he's gone and not in the Rams' long-term plans, because even if he does turn it on and play well would you trust him after he gets paid? I wouldn't. No way. And I also think he's got mental/personality issues. Don't like how he answers questions in the media, don't like his interactions with his line mates, etc. Just don't like the dude tbh.

I'd leave him at LT as the backup. Not say a damn thing to him other than "you're demoted to backup LT." Then see if he responds. IMO a guy like him needs to sit the bench and get a reality check. It's what Fisher did not do to him other than that BS one-week benching where he put him right back in the following week. Greg needs to be a backup period and then see if he has the balls to force his way into a starting job somewhere else on the line. I would not waste time trying to make him fit elsewhere and taking snaps from guys who will do the work and fit long-term like Havenstein or Brown.

Oh and speaking of Brown I'll observe again that I believe he's going to be our best lineman and lock down a OG position. Kromer's a nice fit for him, dude is going to blossom under him.

 

[Merlin]

I think that entire line of thought is a mistake and genuinely hope the Rams don't do that.

My hope is they know GRob's a bust and will simply let him compete elsewhere, starting at RT. But I would not place any hope whatsoever in him nor would I move other players who are fits to make room for him. Doing that is a continuance of the fail approach of the Fisher regime with that particular player.