Rob Havenstein happy to be back on field

[ROD-BOT]

Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein happy to be back on field

www.therams.com

Rob Havenstein happy to be back on field

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. –– Asked about the progression of the offensive line earlier in Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union, head coach Sean McVay went through each of the five players working with the first team offense. When he arrived at right tackle Rob Havenstein, he said Havenstein "has been outstanding."

To hear that four days into camp was a promising and positive development for a key piece to the unit. Havenstein worked hard to get to this point, of course, and feels like his return to the practice field has been "going well" so far.

"I think, me personally, got a lot of good work in," Havenstein said during a video conference with local media this week. "I feel good. I put my best foot forward, but it is definitely good to be back out there."

Last season, Havenstein sustained a knee injury in Week 10 against the Steelers, though McVay said the Wisconsin product was also " working through some different things."

The setback resulted in a career-low nine games played for Havenstein in 2019 – atypical for one of the Rams' most durable offensive linemen. He played all 16 games in 2018, and missed only seven games combined from 2015-17.

When asked why he didn't play in Weeks 16 and 17 after coming off the injured list, Havenstein said he tried to play through the same injury but was unable to play as well as he wanted to, so he made the decision to get surgery to fix it.

"Then it's getting as healthy as possible, getting strong, and getting my body back right," Havenstein said.

The COVID-19 pandemic nearly threw a wrench in those plans, but Havenstein got an assist from teammate and left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Though gyms and team facilities across the country temporarily closed earlier this offseason, Havenstein was able to stay on top of his rehab and offseason workouts by working out with Whitworth in Whitworth's garage-turned-home gym.

"(It's beneficial) anytime you get to really work with the guys that you're going to be playing with, especially as an offensive line, to see and kind of push each other and to know like, 'Hey, I know he's put the work in and he knows I've put my work in,'" Havenstein said. "I'm not at home half-assing a workout, halfway between chips and the couch. I'm getting out there and putting my best foot forward, I'm getting after it. 'Whit' is pushing guys, I'm trying to push guys, they're pushing me. It was a really good environment and the work had to get done. You wouldn't want to do it with anyone else."

Having a front-row seat to the work Havenstein put in this offseason, Whitworth couldn't be happier to see Havenstein perform as well as he has.

"He was working here, he was working in my house, he's doing extra all the time," Whitworth said. "It meant something to him to come back healthy and over the injury and you know what, I couldn't be happier to see him having some success and seeing some good things going and feeling good about his knee."

A healthy Havenstein will prove pivotal for the Rams' offense, especially its running game.

During that 2018 season when he played in all 16 games, he had the highest run-block success percentage of any offensive tackle according to PFF. Los Angeles finished with the No. 3 rushing offense in the NFL that same year, averaging 139.4 rushing yards per game.

Based on McVay's comments, Havenstein is looking like his old self.

"Here is what I feel great about – I know that he attacked the offseason the right way, he's feeling healthy, he looks like the guy that has been a top-tier, starting tackle in this league," McVay said Monday. "He's got a great way about himself and I've been very pleased with Rob."

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Encouraging.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

That's what I'm talking about. We need to do dominate the LOS two Sunday's from now.

 

[oldnotdead]

It's clear from TC Rob's feet haven't gotten quicker. I think Havenstein led the team in false starts because of those slow feet and him trying to gain a step. Looking like his old self? WTF does that mean? Which old self, God help us if it's the 2019 version and it probably is. He will need TE chips all season.

Havenstein and Blythe remain the weak links. I'd feel a whole lot better if both weren't starting. Here is the problem with starting Blythe over Allen. It sends the message to the other players that if you get hurt you could lose your position. Players will begin to hide injuries hurting both the team and themselves. In every other team that I know of, if you are hurt you get your position back once you recover. Players should play themselves out of their position not lose it via injury.

Blythe's inability to make second-level blocks, which is a primary responsibility in the run attack was evident last year. It was part of the reason the run game was crap. But they start him again? Sorry, but it makes no sense. It's clear to me the o-line coaches don't break down film.

They can help Rob with a TE on passing downs. On run plays, he's pretty good. So that much can be compensated for. But Austin's poor blocking in pass protection and the run game is there to see on film. If Merlin can see it with simple Game Pass views, why can't the O-line coaches see it? The offense may come down to having a player do something he hasn't done in 4 years, i.e. pass and run block consistently. I fail to see if Austin hasn't done it in 4 years why do they expect him to do it now? Quickness and power beat him every time.

I just hope Goff or Akers or any other player doesn't get hurt because of one of his missed blocks.

 

[jrry32]

It's clear from TC Rob's feet haven't gotten quicker. I think Havenstein led the team in false starts because of those slow feet and him trying to gain a step. Looking like his old self? WTF does that mean? Which old self, God help us if it's the 2019 version and it probably is. He will need TE chips all season.

Havenstein and Blythe remain the weak links. I'd feel a whole lot better if both weren't starting. Here is the problem with starting Blythe over Allen. It sends the message to the other players that if you get hurt you could lose your position. Players will begin to hide injuries hurting both the team and themselves. In every other team that I know of, if you are hurt you get your position back once you recover. Players should play themselves out of their position not lose it via injury.

Blythe's inability to make second-level blocks, which is a primary responsibility in the run attack was evident last year. It was part of the reason the run game was crap. But they start him again? Sorry, but it makes no sense. It's clear to me the o-line coaches don't break down film.

They can help Rob with a TE on passing downs. On run plays, he's pretty good. So that much can be compensated for. But Austin's poor blocking in pass protection and the run game is there to see on film. If Merlin can see it with simple Game Pass views, why can't the O-line coaches see it? The offense may come down to having a player do something he hasn't done in 4 years, i.e. pass and run block consistently. I fail to see if Austin hasn't done it in 4 years why do they expect him to do it now? Quickness and power beat him every time.

I just hope Goff or Akers or any other player doesn't get hurt because of one of his missed blocks.

First, the immediate negativity to a positive article isn't great. Second, claiming that the OL Coaches don't break down film and that you know better than they do is really egotistical. We have a strong coaching staff. I guaran-damn-tee you that our OL Coaches spend more time breaking down film than anybody on this board. As for Blythe vs. Allen, Blythe performed better at C last year than Allen did. That's why he's starting. The best player should play.

 

[fearsomefour]

People forget.....because it seems like 10 years ago.....Blythe was a great find that had a very, very good year in 2018 at RG.

2019? Set back, like most of the line.
He certainly is not a perfect candidate at C.
But if another person blew them away they would be playing C.

The seeming distrust of the OL coaching really comes down to their (so far) lack of ability to put together a great line post Saffold/Sullivan.
They knew Sullivan and Saffold we’re leaving. They knew Whitworth was retiring. The plan was to invest mid round picks and develop them.
Evans, Edwards, Noteboom, Allen.
A big basket of ehhhh so far.
Edwards and Evans seemed to play the best of the bunch last year and they are now back ups.

The need to trade for Corbett, a high 2nd round pick from another team, shows how thin the OL was.
I like Corbett at G a lot and I think that was a good trade.

As for their big plan to rebuild to OL.....
What kind of shape would the line be in if Whitworth didn’t grace the team with another year and Corbett wasn’t traded for?

The other reason people may doubt the staff decision making is having Demby be the first guy off the bench when he was in over his head. When Edwards came in he outplayed him by a large margin.
Maybe Demby was a good practice player and it didn’t translate....that happens.

We all know the OL staff is qualified.
Their plan made sense on paper.
But it has to work or it’s a disaster.
So far it hasn’t worked.

Now, I’m not one of these fans that gives up on players right away or after a couple games or one year.
I hope Edwards, Evans, Noteboom and Allen can all develop into either good starters or quality depth players. I believe a couple of them will.
Whitworth/Noteboom/Blythe/Corbett/Havenstein......nothing but question marks.

I do find the right side of the line interesting.
Could be just ok or could be excellent, particularly run blocking.

Heading into week one I have an open mind. No prejudgements.
I hope to pleasantly surprised.

 

[Merlin]

Rob has always been a big sloppy body type but this year he looks probably the most fit that I've seen him. And I don't think he needs to be a shutdown RT or anything like that. He just needs to be a dominant run blocker again and if that happens he should be ok.

He's definitely a key piece and we need him to play well to be a playoff team this year. But I'm still more concerned with some of these other guys right now.

 

[simonblaze]

Not gonna lie, not encouraged from what I saw in practice vids and he had a TERRIBLE year last season. Hope he rebounds but i'm glad Evans and Edwards are waiting in the wings.

 

[Rams43]

First, the immediate negativity to a positive article isn't great. Second, claiming that the OL Coaches don't break down film and that you know better than they do is really egotistical. We have a strong coaching staff. I guaran-damn-tee you that our OL Coaches spend more time breaking down film than anybody on this board. As for Blythe vs. Allen, Blythe performed better at C last year than Allen did. That's why he's starting. The best player should play.

‘What jrry32 just said. He just nailed it. Nothing to do now but pick up the mic he just dropped. Lol.

 

[den-the-coach]

Let's see how this plays out Gentlemen, Havenstein when right is a devastating run blocker and he's worked hard in the off season with Whit, so I'm anxious to see his improved play. As to Blythe vs Allen, well, Allen snaps were honorific and I tend to believe that's the first thing a Center has to get right, but if Allen makes the team, let's see if he can unseat Blythe.

 

[Ram65]

I'm in the let's see what happens this year. Good to hear the Rob Havenstein worked hard with Whitworth this offseason. Hoping he can hold up in pass pro and be very good again in run blocking. Noteboom could be a big surprise here with solid play. I think the Rams switching up blocking schemes between the power gap and the stretch will help this group. Goff working on his pocket movement, leg strength, and quickness can be a big help. McVay knows they have some weaknesses and will play call to help out.

 

[fanotodd]

Prior to last season, Havs was steady/solid in pass protection and was one of the best in run blocking. Depending on the injury and subsequent recovery, sometimes a player snaps back and sometimes it takes a season. Let’s hope it’s the former.

The tandem of Havs and Higbee was devastating in the run game prior to last season. So much so that the Rams preferred to run right more than left—despite having saffold and Whit on the other side in previous years. The Rams’ offense won’t thrive without returning to that level of run blocking. The passing game becomes unstoppable with their WR corps and the defense committing one more man in the box.

 

[RamFan503]

First, the immediate negativity to a positive article isn't great. Second, claiming that the OL Coaches don't break down film and that you know better than they do is really egotistical. We have a strong coaching staff. I guaran-damn-tee you that our OL Coaches spend more time breaking down film than anybody on this board. As for Blythe vs. Allen, Blythe performed better at C last year than Allen did. That's why he's starting. The best player should play.

There's a bit of irony to you saying this. Not about the negativity because you're generally not but... Just sayin'.

Regardless, I totally agree with you here.

 

[jrry32]

There's a bit of irony to you saying this. Not about the negativity because you're generally not but... Just sayin'.

Regardless, I totally agree with you here.

I wouldn't harp on a poster for questioning one of our awful coaching staffs. If this were a Steve Loney OL, I would likely be right there with him. But this coaching staff has proven its worth. I think it's a bit silly to say that Kromer and Dickerson don't watch film because a poster disagrees with what they're doing.