I think there is a very interesting takeaway from the restructure of Havenstein's contract. All the PS to active roster required has necessitated the need for additional cap space. The Rams restructured Havenstein's contract to clear a bit over $3M in cap space. This obviously isn't to trade for a player, but it will be money needed to get them through the season.
What I find interesting and bespeaks to what I've been contending is that Rob's days as a Ram are numbered. I don't see them carrying his $9.5M salary next year and they didn't basically take the opportunity to extend him either. Releasing him next year would clear an additional $5M in cap as he would have about $4.6M in dead cap. That will pay for extending Corbett who has proven his worth.
So with Whitworth announcing his retirement next year and Havenstein looking at being released this would mean Noteboom at LT and Jackson at RT. This would also seem to indicate that Alaric's progress is on track. He definitely looked good this past preseason. This would give the Rams two good young talents at both OT positions. I like both guys and really see this OL in its final form next year and continuing to play as a top OL in the NFL going forward.
LT Noteboom
LT Edwards
C Allen
RG Corbett
RT A. Jackson
Oh BTW breakdowns of Stafford's sacks show half of them are on Stafford for not taking the shorter route options and getting rid of the ball on time. That's why I've been saying this OL is playing at an elite level under Carberry, who IMO has been an immensely underrated hiring. IMO if there is one assistant they can't afford to lose it's Carberry.
What this means is that Stafford will continue to rip the NFL apart. People are just beginning to appreciate how good the Rams are at WR. But with the talent they have at WR and TE it's going to be a top passing attack for years to come. Now that the OL is set, I think Ram fans can see that the Ram SB window is wide open for the next several years.
The way Snead drafts, can you say dynasty? I'm not just being a homer when I say the Rams could be the next NE. The East Coast based media has no idea of what is being built in LA.
Sorry, not so sure about that.
Replacing both Whit & Havenstein as our starting OT's would be a risky move. Hav will only be 30 years old next season and has plenty of good football in him, there is no reason why the Rams can't just extend him and get his 2022 CAP reduced to a much lower level. Havenstein, in the event of Whitworth's retirement, would remain the one veteran offensive lineman on a very young unit.
As far as Alaric Jackson goes, he has yet to have a single snap at RT, his entire pre-season was spent at LT. This doesn't mean he won't make the transition one day, but it seems some experience as a swing OT might come before being thrown out there as live bait starting at RT on day 1, 2022.
Is McVay going to rely on two draftees at OT to back-up our starters, ... I doubt it.
jmo.
