One on One with Tim Barnes & Dani Klupenger Video

[BonifayRam]

View: http://www.therams.com/videos/videos/OTA-One-On-One-with-Tim-Barnes/80683540-4518-47d1-a0f4-145dea725b54


Nice video here some interesting stuff that came out of this conversation. NFL's top rookie right Tackle last season Rob Havenstein has been out of play in the OTA's with some physical issue. I know we here discussed the ORT post earlier when Isaiah Battle was getting time with the #1's @ ORT. But I was unaware that Rob had not been getting any action. Would mean that Battle/Donnal & Swindle would all get a heavy dose of ORT then.

It came out in the conversation that both starting Rams OG's had not been participating as of late due to injuries or ailments...Tim used the words "nicked up" I think. But any time Rodger Saffold is nicked up its just the same ole same ole for the NFL awarded Mr. Glass. Big mistake once again by Paul Boudreau to plan on Saffold to remain in the OL lineup for any length of time. Jamon Brown from reading some of the tweets was on the practicing as late as the 13th, but have no fear Cody is here!

Tim Barnes looks to have put Ryan Fitzpatrick beard on notice that he is no longer the King of Beards. Tim IMO is noticeably thicker & bigger in his chest & shoulders this season. Sure seems like he is a level headed young man & was a good choice by Fisher to be our new young veteran leader in the center of the OL.

 

[leoram]

Many point out a lack of talent among the WR, TE, and QB corps as the reason Ram offenses have struggled since the GSOT days, but for me...the only short stretches of competence have come when the OLine had periods of continuity. Alas, EVERY SINGLE FRIGGIN YEAR, injuries have created shuffling more suited for a Vegas casino. Tim points out that is even happening this year as early as OTA's.

If I was a superstitious man, I'd say the law of averages have finally balanced the tremendous stability our lines enjoyed in the 70's, 80's, and from 99 to 01. After more than a dozen years of hard luck, injury plagued years at that position group...one would think we could have the pendulum swing back our way this year. Alas, it hasn't happened yet as Barnes and Robinson are the only healthy starters able to fully practice IN THE OFFSEASON!

Yeah, I know...training camp hasn't even begun and it's way too early to hit the panic button. At least this line finally has some young, quality depth. But to hear Tim lament the lack of cohesion in this interview is an all too familiar theme for this old Ram fan.

 

[bubbaramfan]

I read somewhere a month or so ago that Tim Barnes had entered some kind of strength and conditioning program designed especially for offensive linemen. He commented in the article how frustrated he was getting pushed back into the pocket by stronger DT's. Hopefully his work will pay off.

 

[OntarioRam]

Saffold is too brittle to rely on him starting. He'll just get injured. He's hurt already and it's only OTAs! He definitely has the talent to be a strong starter.... but it isn't worth the HUGE risk to continuity, as it's not like the guy is an elite top-tier lineman. Continuity is everything on the line.

Pencil somebody else into Saffold's starting position and have Saffold be the 1st man off the bench in the event of injury (which will inevitably occur at some point in the season - especially since it is the Rams - so it's not like he won't get playing time). Saffold's contract makes him an extremely expensive depth player, but the contract has already been signed so there is no use complaining about it now. Hopefully, his body can handle the depth role better and the Rams can get the most out of him this way. I'd rather Saffold play 8 games this year filling in during injuries, providing quality starts throughout, than spend the entire season either on IR or playing at a poor level because he's battling through countless injuries.

Saffold would easily be the best 6th lineman in the NFL, which is a nice (albeit expensive luxury) to have.

EDIT - Durability is one reason I am still so high on Robinson. The fact he stays healthy is incredibly valuable. O-line is a very taxing position on the body.

 

[BonifayRam]

Saffold is too brittle to rely on him starting. He'll just get injured. He's hurt already and it's only OTAs! He definitely has the talent to be a strong starter.... but it isn't worth the HUGE risk to continuity, as it's not like the guy is an elite top-tier lineman. Continuity is everything on the line.

Pencil somebody else into Saffold's starting position and have Saffold be the 1st man off the bench in the event of injury (which will inevitably occur at some point in the season - especially since it is the Rams - so it's not like he won't get playing time). Saffold's contract makes him an extremely expensive depth player, but the contract has already been signed so there is no use complaining about it now. Hopefully, his body can handle the depth role better and the Rams can get the most out of him this way. I'd rather Saffold play 8 games this year filling in during injuries, providing quality starts throughout, than spend the entire season either on IR or playing at a poor level because he's battling through countless injuries.

Saffold would easily be the best 6th lineman in the NFL, which is a nice (albeit expensive luxury) to have.

EDIT - Durability is one reason I am still so high on Robinson. The fact he stays healthy is incredibly valuable. O-line is a very taxing position on the body.

Excellent post!:yess:

 

[Rams43]

I'm not too concerned about "nicks" to some OL players. Yet...

Although it does seem a bit strange after having had 5 months plus to recuperate and only currently working in non contact OTA's...

I will say this. There was gonna be a lot of mix and match tinkering taking place, anyway.

Not just on OL, either. A heavy dose at WR, TE, LB, CB, and S, too.

 

[StealYoGurley]

It looked like Cody Whichman was taking the reps with the 1 at LG shifting him over from RG. Glad they are making that move now because we all know Saffold isn't playing 16. Hopefully he can hold down that spot now and into the future.

 

[Hey Man]

I seen a few months ago Saffold power lifting on twitter, like he is in some kinda tournament or something. I am sure that kinda thing could tear you up. Remember the torn pec ! Messed up shoulder !

 

[So Ram]

Excellent post!:yess:

Well he is going up against Aaron Donald with out shells. He is also coming off surgery. Roger Saffold only knows one speed.He plays hard.
I like the way The Rams are competing.The best thing is Jared Goff is excellent in the pocket.
This is the time of year you want players nicked up.

 

[BonifayRam]

Well he is going up against Aaron Donald with out shells. He is also coming off surgery. Roger Saffold only knows one speed.He plays hard.

......This is the time of year you want players nicked up.

I would imagine that you are correct in the fact if the 6-5 335 pound Saffold is usually lined up @ OLG then most of the time Saffold would be in close proximity of the under 6-1 280 pound Aaron Donald. Donald usually uses his speed quickness to avoid the OL'ers trying to block him. So I would think there's not much banging hitting & striking involved with taking on Donald. I hate to think that Saffold who has over 50 pounds on Donald is out of OTA action due to the dinky Donald hits.

If I was the veteran leader in the Ram OL & I was known for a history of missing most all or major parts of Mini Camps, OTA's, July's training camps & pre-season games due to injuries the last 6 years....& if it was due to me having only developed one speed.... I would have learned several others speeds to ensure I was able to preform the #1 objective in OTA's .....remain on the field of play & action as best I could so I could get all the instruction & assist the other younger inexperienced & rookie OL'ers while being involved in the OTA's & not in the trainers room sucking air-conditioning instead with my nicked up self.

 

[So Ram]

I would imagine that you are correct in the fact if the 6-5 335 pound Saffold is usually lined up @ OLG then most of the time Saffold would be in close proximity of the under 6-1 280 pound Aaron Donald. Donald usually uses his speed quickness to avoid the OL'ers trying to block him. So I would think there's not much banging hitting & striking involved with taking on Donald. I hate to think that Saffold who has over 50 pounds on Donald is out of OTA action due to the dinky Donald hits.

If I was the veteran leader in the Ram OL & I was known for a history of missing most all or major parts of Mini Camps, OTA's, July's training camps & pre-season games due to injuries the last 6 years....& if it was due to me having only developed one speed.... I would have learned several others speeds to ensure I was able to preform the #1 objective in OTA's .....remain on the field of play & action as best I could so I could get all the instruction & assist the other younger inexperienced & rookie OL'ers while being involved in the OTA's & not in the trainers room sucking air-conditioning instead with my nicked up self.

Gurley got a day off last week . Your body is going to get sore.Saffold is nicked up, how much practice has he missed ?
- Like you have said, Reynolds is a sold back up. I saw Brown at LG in one of videos. Another guy was quoting Wichmann was on the left side as well with number ones.
--It's all speculation now, but I think people are looking to much into it at this moment.I also think the harder you work the better you get.--Where is Saffold dinged up ? I believe he actually hurt himself the game before lifting T. Austin over his head.
-- Anyway you want to look at it, The Rams offensive line will be much better this season.The future finally looks bright
for seasons to come as well.

 

[BonifayRam]

Gurley got a day off last week . Your body is going to get sore.Saffold is nicked up, how much practice has he missed ?
- Like you have said, Reynolds is a sold back up. I saw Brown at LG in one of videos. Another guy was quoting Wichmann was on the left side as well with number ones.
--It's all speculation now, but I think people are looking to much into it at this moment.I also think the harder you work the better you get.--Where is Saffold dinged up ? I believe he actually hurt himself the game before lifting T. Austin over his head.
-- Anyway you want to look at it, The Rams offensive line will be much better this season.The future finally looks bright
for seasons to come as well.

I will agree with you the Rams OL has never looked as good or as bright as it looks now in a long long time. As you can fully see I have fully fallen off the Rodger Saffold starting bandwagon.

 

[So Ram]

I will agree with you the Rams OL has never looked as good or as bright as it looks now in a long long time. As you can fully see I have fully fallen off the Rodger Saffold starting bandwagon.

LOL !! Your not the only one as you can see by article & post.
--I hated the signing, because he was gone & then The Rams signed him right back without him testing the market again. Would have been interesting what Saffolds agents would have said about The Raiders.
-- The Rams should have known his history,& his injury. Why they gave him LT type of a contract.
-- It killed me that The Rams would always over pay for a OL(center 2 times in a row) & never develop a player.When they did It was always to high for a draft bust.
--- I'm drinking the Saffold Kool-Aide though this season.The odds of him being healthy have to be in his favor.

--Jake Long was a lot more brittle & had worst injuries.I'm sure Roger Saffold has a lot of scare tissue that hurts & needs to be worked out.
--Lots of massages & hopefully a happy ending

 

[BonifayRam]

:notsure:

--Jake Long was a lot more brittle & had worst injuries.I'm sure Roger Saffold has a lot of scare tissue that hurts & needs to be worked out.

I will have to disagree with you on the Jake Long vs Rodger Saffold battle on which of these two are the most brittle & severe injuries. Saffold wins that war easily IMO. I will only go back five years here:

*On Oct 16, 2011, Saffold was forced from game against the Packers with an ankle left fibula injury.
*On Nov 13, 2011, Saffold was forced from game against the Browns with a head injury (concussion), & did not return.
*On Nov 18, 2011, Saffold suffered a "significant" pectoral tear injury & placed on IR with a torn pectoral, ending his season. Saffold was only able to finish 6 games as a starter in 2011.

*2012- Spent all of the first 7 months of 2012 on physically unable & could not be cleared to resume football activities. This was due to 2012 torn pectoral surgery.
*First regular season game Saffold was carted off the field in Sunday's game with a neck injury. Spent the night in the hospital.
*Exited Sunday's Week 2 contest with a first-quarter ACL knee injury.
* It was wk 11 before Saffold finished his first game as a starter. He missed 6 games & missed most of three others. His last injury in 2012 was on Dec 10th 2012, Saffold injured his back & was unable to finish the game.

*2013- Saffold dislocated his left shoulder in 2013 preseason opener, he will go on to miss the entire 2013 preseason games.
*Saffold was carted off the field in the second quarter of Sunday's Week 2 Sept 15th game against the Falcons with a knee injury.
* Saffold knee remained unhealthy & was unable to start again until the first of November missing 7 starts.

*2014- Raiders sign RS to $42.5 million ($15.75 million guaranteed) contract then VOID due to damaged shoulder. Signs with damaged body to Rams contract for $31.7 million deal that includes $19.5 million guaranteed. Over 10 mil less due to health concerns.
*First Pre season game injured shoulder "stinger." missed the rest of the games & 2 other pre season games.
*Last pre season game injured right ankle forced from game.
*Regular season left Sunday's Week 1 opener against the Vikings with a neck injury did not return.
*Exited Week 8 against the Chiefs with a shoulder injury, shoulder injury is to the same shoulder that caused his failed physical with the Raiders.
*Saffold had left-shoulder surgery to repair a torn left labrum @ conclusion of 2014 season.

*2015- limited to practice all of OTA's & early TC due to being unhealthy.
*Injured shoulder in 1st pre season first series out for remaining pre season.
*Finished only 4 games as starter. injured shoulder had surgery to repair a torn Right labrum & placed on Injured Reserve .

Summary
In his last five seasons he has suffered 15 injuries. He has only been able to finish 42 games as a starter out of 80 games. Had 3 major surgeries...( both shoulders & pectoral tear). He has been on he IR twice. After all the above & now the accumulative back to back torn & surgically repaired labrum's on both shoulders within 10 months all in one year (2015) ...Would you plan to have the above OL'er as your starter in 2016? What can you expect from a OG who has been hurt & damaged like this?

Then the real biggy question why would any experienced NFL OL coach like a Paul Boudreau continue to plan to start Saffold?:notsure::shocking::headexplosion:

 

[FarNorth]

Maybe because he is one of the most capable linemen we have and has the most ability to blow open holes on the inside for Todd Gurley? Who might run for 1600-1800 yards or more if he get any holes at all? Unlike last year when, although there was as stretch of excellent blocking, there were also many games and plays where the line did nothing for him?

 

[Psycho_X]

Maybe because he is one of the most capable linemen we have and has the most ability to blow open holes on the inside for Todd Gurley? Who might run for 1600-1800 yards or more if he get any holes at all? Unlike last year when, although there was as stretch of excellent blocking, there were also many games and plays where the line did nothing for him?

Doesn't matter if he can't play. If Saffold spends another season constantly injured it's time to cut ties and replace. Unfortunately we're kind of stuck on the prayer that he can actually stay healthy again.

Have to say the below quote is not what I want to see already but it is just OTAs so here's hoping to the Rams just being super cautious.

Now, it’ just continuing to get guys healthy. Rob (Havenstein) hasn’t been out there. Jamon (Brown) has been limited. And now Rodger (Saffold), he’s a little beat up a little bit.

 

[BonifayRam]

Maybe because he is one of the most capable linemen we have and has the most ability to blow open holes on the inside for Todd Gurley? Who might run for 1600-1800 yards or more if he get any holes at all? Unlike last year when, although there was as stretch of excellent blocking, there were also many games and plays where the line did nothing for him?

Hey FarNorth nice to hear you can reach down here in the far deep south! Agree Saffold could be the Rams best overall OL'er when healthy....not often.

Fact is Saffold & Gurley only finished one game in 2015 season together & it was Gurley's 3rd best game last season. However it should be pointed out that the stretch of excellent blocking you mentioned came when Garrett Reynolds replaced Saffold @ OLG in game 5 on.... for the next 3 games. Saffold was nowhere to be found on the field blocking for Gurley. In that stretch with Garrett Reynolds in @ OLG Gurley ran for 420 yards in 3 games for over 6 yds. per attempt.

That Ram OL during that stretch was....

ORT-Havenstein(rookie)
ORG-Brown(rookie)
OC-Barnes(1st yr starter)
OLG-Reynolds(reserve OL'er)
OLT-Robinson

 

[FarNorth]

I know Saffold didn't play much with Gurley, agree that the line blocked well during that stretch, and I really like our depth and young players. But I also think the coaches have a solid basis to believe that Saffold should start, and I think it comes first from his power blocking. If he's injured it's too bad, but we're ready. But if he can play, and open holes for Gurley, he should.