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No one will be surprised if the Rams make changes to their offensive line for this week's game, with left tackle Greg Robinson, right, having been called for a league-high 12 penalties this season. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson
By RICH HAMMOND / STAFF WRITER
THOUSAND OAKS – The Rams made their big move last week, when they swapped quarterbacks. After their fifth loss in six games, with their season teetering, the personnel tinkering will continue.
It seems all but certain that when the Rams play New Orleans on Sunday, it will be with something of a different look. Jared Goff will remain at quarterback, and it’s unlikely any changes will be made to a defense that has been mostly dominant this season, but a significant move on offense might be in order.
Coach Jeff Fisher hinted Monday that personnel changes could be coming, and after Tuesday’s practice, he confirmed that the Rams were experimenting with players in different spots.
“We are,” Fisher said. “We’re going to continue to do so, and it’s competitive. I’m not going to confirm or deny any lineup changes, but there’s a chance that there may be one or two.”
Major changes on defense would seem silly, as the Rams rank in the top six in the league in fewest points and yards allowed per game. The Rams, though, will have to replace reserve cornerback Troy Hill, who was waived Tuesday, three days after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
That’s minor tinkering though, and any significant change would happen on the offensive side.
Goff isn’t going anywhere, and neither is star running back Todd Gurley. The Rams already have been trying different options at receiver and tight end, but largely have left the offensive line intact.
To date, they’ve been very patient with left tackle Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2014 draft who has struggled to meet expectations. Robinson took over as the starting left tackle five games into his rookie season and has made 38 consecutive starts, but with questionable returns.
Robinson has been called for 12 penalties this season, most in the NFL. His penalties have nullified 82 yards that the Rams’ offense would have gained, which is the league’s third-highest total.
Official NFL stats also have charged Robinson with six “stalled-drive” penalties, ones in which the team failed to score points or pick up a first down after the penalty. Only Oakland rookie offensive tackle Vadal Alexander, with seven, has recorded more stalled-drive penalties this season.
Robinson had one particularly rough moment in Sunday’s loss to Miami.
Early in the fourth quarter, with the Rams leading, 10-0, Goff converted a third-and-10 attempt when he scrambled, dove for the marker and picked up 11 yards. The sideline celebrated until they noticed a flag had been thrown on Robinson, who shoved Miami’s Kiko Alonso in the back, 5 yards behind the play.
The Rams, who would have had the ball on the Miami 45, failed to convert the ensuing third-and-16 play and punted to the Dolphins, who scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to win the game.
Fisher singled out Robinson’s penalty, after the game, as being particularly troublesome.
“Yeah, it was not necessary,” Fisher said Tuesday. “He’s pursuing, he’s hustling down field, he saw a color and he pushed. It was unfortunate because that was a big first down for us that was called back.”
The Rams have some options, should they choose to shake up the offensive line.
Left guard Rodger Saffold started his NFL career at left tackle but primarily has been playing guard since 2013. Saffold has started all 10 games this season at left guard, but he practiced at tackle throughout training camp because of injuries to other linemen.
Jamon Brown has started one game at guard this season but then lost his job to Cody Wichmann. Brown, who broke a bone in his hand last month, was on the inactive list for the Miami game, apparently because of Fisher’s decision, but could return to the lineup if needed.
[www.ocregister.com]
