Rams center competition just getting started

[RamzFanz]

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/18998/rams-center-competition-just-getting-started

Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Some thoughts and observations from the St. Louis Rams' second open organized team activity on Friday afternoon:

Man in the middle: The St. Louis Rams have a new quarterback and a new offensive coordinator in Nick Foles and Frank Cignetti Jr. They also figure to have a new starting center, though his identity is unknown at the moment. As it stands, the Rams plan to go through these OTAs and into training camp taking a long look at a group that includes Barrett Jones, Tim Barnes and Demetrius Rhaney.

I spoke to all three contenders for the job Friday, and though we're a long way from getting an answer on who will win the job, each expressed optimism about his opportunity. What's interesting about the battle is that each player has something of a chip on his shoulder. Jones came to St. Louis as one of the most decorated college football players of all time, but injuries have kept him from doing much of anything his first two years. He said he's returned to these OTAs as healthy as he's been since he arrived in 2013 and does look noticeably leaner. Barnes re-signed with the Rams after they elected not to tender him as a restricted free agent, and he told me that there's a "do or die" type of approach to this season. He's been a backup in St. Louis since 2011 and this is clearly his best chance to win the starting job to date. As for Rhaney, he's returning from an injury he suffered before last season, but he's something of a sleeper in this whole thing. He told me he's added about 5 pounds of muscle since last year and said the addition of more zone-blocking concepts suits his style because it's something he did in college at Tennessee State. The Rams are rotating centers with the first unit depending on the day. It was Barnes on Tuesday, Jones on Thursday and Rhaney on Friday. It's an approach Jones said he expects to continue "until we hear otherwise."

Case Keenum. The Houston Texans released Keenum before the 2014 regular season and the Rams quickly scooped him up off waivers. After a few weeks, the team released him to make room for newly acquired safety Mark Barron and promptly re-signed him to the practice squad. After a series of injuries in Houston had them down to their third quarterback, the Texans signed Keenum to their active roster from the Rams' practice squad. Keenum ended up starting and winning two games for Houston. When free agency opened in March, the Rams surprised everyone by trading a future seventh-round pick for Keenum. While someone else works on the light rail between St. Louis and Houston for Keenum and his family to use, he's spending his time starting from a much better spot than when he first arrived in St. Louis. Instead of trying to play catch up, he's joining a quarterbacks room with nothing but new faces save for Austin Davis. And with a full offseason to learn the offense, Keenum says he believes he will have a better chance to prove himself this time around. Coach Jeff Fisher has already said he expects Keenum and Davis to battle for the No. 2 quarterback job. Simply having that chance represents an upgrade from Keenum's first opportunity in St. Louis.

Sitting it out: The list of players sitting out Friday didn't change much from Thursday. Receiver Damian Williams, tackle Greg Robinson, safety T.J. McDonald, guard Cody Wichmann, tight end Alex Bayer and running back Todd Gurley were among those not participating. Wichmann left Thursday's practice early with an ice pack on his left leg and did not return. Robinson is still recovering from offseason toe surgery but said he's coming along well in his rehab and says he's lost 20 pounds from last season, down to 319 pounds. Gurley didn't do as much Friday as he did Thursday but did do some work on the side with running backs coach Ben Sirmans.

 

[Corbin]

Man I've always liked Case Keenum. I'm so glad to see he's in competition and think it was genius for us to pick him up for a 7th rounder. There is just something about him that makes him 'click'. I see it as Foles, Keenum, with Mannion to learn a year or two... Goodbye pick 6 Davis

 

[CGI_Ram]

Yeah, Davis is in trouble.

I love his heart, however.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

No mention of the Wangster as part of the center ompetition? That sucks. I was looking forward to more Wang jokes throughout the next few seasons. I bet that Wang is a bit down, after realizing he never really had a shot to begin with.

 

[cracengl]

No mention of the Wangster as part of the center ompetition? That sucks. I was looking forward to more Wang jokes throughout the next few seasons. I bet that Wang is a bit down, after realizing he never really had a shot to begin with.

I have a feeling he will get back up again. He will wake up in the morning ready and standing at attention.

 

[LACHAMP46]

I love his heart, however.

Which makes him more of a possibility to stick with the team....I don't like his chances, but something tells me this kid will make it hard to cut him...

 

[den-the-coach]

Sitting it out: The list of players sitting out Friday didn't change much from Thursday. Receiver Damian Williams,

Is this guy every healthy? The Rams signed him last year and he never practiced and eventually they cut him. My God and he's still sitting out for OTA's? Guy can't get off the freaking bus. I have no patience for players like this always hurt, Dan Curley of yesteryear.

For those who don't know who Dan Curley is, he was a draft choice for the Rams back in 2003 a TE/FB. Was hurt in college and missed time in training camp and when he was finally healthy and active for the first time, pulled a groin warming up in the end zone and went on IR. Damian Williams reminds me of him, never ever healthy.

 

[mr.stlouis]

Yeah, Davis is in trouble.

I love his heart, however.

Meh, he'll end up starting for the Jets, Browns, or Texans.

 

[brokeu91]

I have a feeling he will get back up again. He will wake up in the morning ready and standing at attention.

Never count out Wang. He likes to poke his head in there when he gets the chance

 

[den-the-coach]

Meh, he'll end up starting for the Jets, Browns, or Texans.

That would be ironical if Austin Davis started for the Texans. I don't see that, however, if he's effective in preseason, he could get claimed by somebody, but the Browns have four QB's in camp with McCown, Manziel, Thad Lewis and Connor Shaw so unlikely.

 

[nighttrain]

I dont see Davis as a starter for any team, and don't think any team would be happy if he is starting
train

 

[Merlin]

I'm going to make the assumption that center is a two horse race: Jones and Rhainey. I view Barnes as the fallback option in the event the other two can't stay healthy, but if they do I think he's looking at meeting the turk so hope he's really gonna bring it in camp. That said, I do wonder whether Jones is considered at OG or even OT if he impresses. That flexibility might work against him, particularly if he and Rhainey are neck and neck in the center battle.

Also I think I'm in the minority on Davis, where I actually like what he's brought to the table as a backup. I don't know that I believe his degraded play was due to teams figuring him out. Could have been a lot of things, but either way when he plays with confidence he is a viable depth QB in my estimation. If he comes into camp with that confidence Keenum's gonna have a big battle on his hands. If I had to bet it either way I would go with Davis, and the WCO elements we are going to see integrated into the scheme do favor guys like him.

 

[Rams43]

If I'm gonna be honest about it, I have to say that I don't really have a horse in the race at either C or backup QB.

In most years I would have picked "my guy" and be rooting for him from the rooftops.

But strangely, I'm more than willing to let the players and coaches sort this out by themselves this year.

It's not that I care less. Not hardly. It's just that I want the best player to play at C and the best QB between Davis and Keenum to be our backup.

Please don't ask me to explain how I acquired this newfound common sense and maturity. Lol.

 

[mr.stlouis]

That would be ironical if Austin Davis started for the Texans. I don't see that, however, if he's effective in preseason, he could get claimed by somebody, but the Browns have four QB's in camp with McCown, Manziel, Thad Lewis and Connor Shaw so unlikely.

All be darn, Thad Lewis is still hanging on. Always liked him.

I just have a hard time believing Cleveland ever gets comfortable with its QB's. Davis is as good or better than the guys they have.

 

[RamBill]

Three Rams linemen compete to take over at center
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_72b87957-c974-5b2a-ae52-87846be09575.html

Going into the final week of OTAs at Rams Park, the battle at center appears to be a three-man race involving Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones and Demetrius Rhaney.

That’s not likely to change any time soon.

“We’re not going to make a decision real early,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “We’ll let them all play. We’re rotating them. They’re all getting opportunities to work with (new quarterback Nick Foles), so he’s familiar, not only with the exchanges, but also the communication. We’ll make that decision when somebody shows us he’s earned the job.”

Scott Wells, an 11-year pro who won a Super Bowl and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2011 with the Green Bay Packers, signed as a free agent with the Rams in 2012 and spent the last three seasons as the team’s center – when he was healthy.

Wells missed the first nine games of 2012 with a foot injury and sat out the final four games of 2013 with a fractured fibula. The 34-year-old battled through injuries to make all 16 starts a year ago and was released, along with tackle Jake Long, in March.

“Jake and Scott brought experience and professionalism to our program and we appreciate that commitment and hard work,” Fisher said at the time. “Both of them overcame injury difficulties and provided leadership for our younger players.”

Both Barnes and Jones said they learned a lot from Wells.

“I always made a point to sit next to Scott in the meeting room,” said Barnes, a fourth-year pro from the University of Missouri. “Over the last few years, I asked him a ton of questions.”

Jones added: “I’m grateful for the time he took to teach me a few tricks of the trade. His approach to the game, week by week, and the way he broke down film, he showed us what being a pro is all about.”

But with Wells gone, there’s an opportunity for someone else at center and, for now at least, Barnes, Jones and Rhaney are rotating in practice to give all three a chance to work as starters and as back-ups.

“It’s kind of strange because we’re good friends and we’re competing for the same job,” Jones said. “We’re working hard and pushing each other because we know that’s best for the team.

“At the same time, you try not to worry too much about the big picture because I think you can be consumed by that and it’s not healthy. All you can do is work hard every day and let the rest take care of itself.”

Jones, 25, won three national titles at Alabama and earned All-American honors at three different positions before being selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. He entered the league as one of the most decorated offensive linemen in college football history, but his development with the Rams has been slowed by injury.

Jones suffered an injury to his left foot late in his college career, and the eventual surgery severely limited his training heading into his rookie campaign. That season, he played in three late-season games on special teams.

Jones, who stands 6-foot-4 and weights 308 pounds, ran into similar problems early in training camp last year, suffering a back injury that required surgery and limited him to just seven games of special-teams action.

“It’s just fun to be out here competing,” he said following a recent session at Rams Park. “I feel as good as I’ve felt in a long time. I’ll tell you, it’s tough going up against our D-line when you’re not 100 percent. But I’ve been able to work out all through the offseason, able to add some muscle and lean up a little bit. I don’t know the exact numbers — big guys, we get a little anxious about those body-fat tests — but I feel great and I’m really looking forward to competing at training camp.”

Jones knows this is a pivotal season. “It’s a performance-based league,’’ he said, “and I have to perform.”

Barnes, 27, of Longwood, Mo., signed with the Rams in 2011 after spending some time in training camp with Baltimore. In three seasons, he has played in 45 games, including four starts in place of Wells to close out the 2013 campaign.

“This is something I’ve been working for as long as I’ve been in the league, working my way up from the practice squad to backup and special teams,” Barnes said. “It’s a chance to compete and to hopefully show that I can do the job.”

Like Jones, Barnes knows the pressure is on.

“When I’m out there, I have to make every rep count,” the 6-foot-4, 306-pounder said. “As a professional, you never want to be too satisfied, so you really have to focus on the details — your technique and your fundamentals. Right now, I’m working to get comfortable with Nick and the other quarterbacks and to be as consistent as possible.”

To this point, Rhaney’s claim to fame is his draft position. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 draft, one pick after Mizzou defensive end Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL.

The 6-2, 301-pounder from Tennessee State spent his rookie season on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during training camp a year ago.

“Turned out to be a redshirt year, I guess,” the 22-year-old said. “It gave me a chance to learn my playbook, to get stronger and to learn from (offensive line coach Paul T. Boudreau), coach (Fisher) and (assistant offensive line coach Andy Dickerson).

“My knee feels great. I’m stronger and I’m still moving around pretty well, even with the knee brace.”

The Rams have been impressed with Rhaney’s quick feet and low center of gravity.

“The coaches keep telling us that it’s anybody’s job and I’m going to compete and really go after it,” Rhaney said. “We’re going to compete hard every single day and in the end the guy who shows he can do the best job is the one who’ll end up starting.”

 

[ramfan46]

Really intrigued by Rhaney the most. If his quickness is as advertised he could do very well climbing to the second level in run blocking. Center is the most interesting battle on the team this year IMO.

 

[rams2050]

Barnes looks like a walking hunk of muscle; Barrett, not so much. The latter looks like he's still 'rebuilding' after his two surgeries. Barnes, however, looks like he's made the most of his time in the weight room. JMHO

 

[CGI_Ram]

Barnes looks like a walking hunk of muscle; Barrett, not so much. The latter looks like he's still 'rebuilding' after his two surgeries. Barnes, however, looks like he's made the most of his time in the weight room. JMHO

Jones has always looked a little mushy to me, but he likely just carries his weight differently.

 

[BonifayRam]

Jones has always looked a little mushy to me, but he likely just carries his weight differently.

Never underestimate the most important big muscle between Barrett's ears. Barrett never was anything more than a very big NCAA OL body in bama but he always knew how to be effective no matter how good & strong his muscle bound opponent was. He just won battle after battle after battle til the war was won. He knew where to be how to be positioned where to place his hands & etc etc. I could remind everyone about a little mushy looking OL'er from Jackson State who was drafted by the Rams in the 3rd rd back in 1976. He always had a few large tires wrapped around his mid section...never seem to bother him.

Me thinks its a two OL'er battle with Tim edging out Barrett to be the starting center. As the TC/pre season wears on .....I would project that Barrett gets more action outside the center post in the left side posts as he works himself into a major role as the OC/OLG/OLT reliefs. Boudreau will cease on Barrett's versatility in a major way.....all IF Barrett remains healthy.

Tim Barnes will be our starting center.