Aaron Kromer, is leaving Sean McVay’s Rams staff

[PressureD41]

@TexasRam

Redskins new coach Bill Callahan could complicate O’Connell’s trial run
by Ian Cummings 1 year ago Follow @ian_cummings_9

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 29: Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kevin OConnell and Dwayne Haskins #7 review a play in the first half during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at FedExField on August 29, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)


Jay Gruden was the Redskins main play caller, but now, he’s out the door. Kevin O’Connell should theoretically get his trial run, but Bill Callahan could complicate things as head coach.
Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell has often been referenced as a potential long-term coaching option in the future.

It’s not anything he’s done to this point, to warrant the interest, but instead the context: O’Connell is a young, up-and-coming offensive mind, much like former Redskins coaches Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and Matt LaFleur were before they earned head coaching jobs. O’Connell also has a good background for the position, with previous stints at New England with Bill Belichick, and at San Francisco, with current Ohio State Buckeyes coach Ryan Day. He could be the coach to develop Dwayne Haskins.

O’Connell doesn’t necessarily deserve an opportunity based on exploits alone, but with Gruden gone, O’Connell is the next man up to call the plays on offense, and the Redskins should be motivated to find out if O’Connell is worth a substantial long-term investment of time, money, and confidence.

In theory, Gruden’s firing would allow O’Connell the opportunity to call plays with full freedom. But as it turns out, newly-appointed interim head coach Bill Callahancould get in the way of that process. Per Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic, Callahan has, at various points this season, lobbied for a greater emphasis on establishing the run. Last week, in fact, Callahan reportedly stood up at a team meeting and pointedly called out the team’s league-low rushing attempt totals.

Now that Callahan is at the top of the coaching chain, he’ll get his wish. But Callahan’s wish has a flawed foundation, and is predicated on the false notion that the Redskins haven’t tried to establish the run.

The Redskins have tried, but their rushing attack simply isn’t constructed or executed well; that’s why they’re always stuck in second and long, and third and long situations, and their predictable, conservative play calling is one reason they’ve been consistently playing from behind. Conversely, they have fewer rushing attempts because they’re always forced to pass, in an attempt to chip away at overwhelming deficits, formed by conservative play calling. It’s one big circle of inefficiency.

If Callahan places a larger emphasis on establishing the run, more likely than not, the Redskins will only find their current offensive problems to be magnified. In the modern NFL, establishing the run serves no purpose, other than sapping efficiency from an offense, and if Callahan micro-manages O’Connell’s job, in order to fulfill an “old school” purpose, he’ll hurt the team’s offensive performance in the short-term, while also diluting O’Connell’s influence and limiting the organization’s knowledge to make long-term decisions.

 

[BonifayRam]

How Aaron Kromer’s departure could impact Rams’ offensive line
Cameron DaSilva
Fri, February 19, 2021
How Aaron Kromer’s departure could impact Rams’ offensive line (yahoo.com)

Just when it seemed like the coaching departures might have ended for the Los Angeles Rams, another came to light on Thursday. It was reported by the Los Angeles Times that Aaron Kromer is no longer on Sean McVay’s coaching staff and he’s since been removed from the team’s website, all but confirming his exit.

Kromer is the seventh coaching assistant to leave the Rams this offseason, and next to Brandon Staley, he’s undoubtedly the biggest loss for L.A. As the run game coordinator and offensive line coach, Kromer played a big role on offense for the Rams – and has been at the forefront of their rebuild along the O-line.

Before he arrived in 2017, the Rams had one of the worst offensive lines in football. Since then, it’s improved significantly, even despite a down year in 2019. Andrew Whitworth has prolonged his career with stellar play, Austin Corbett has turned into a gem of a trade acquisition, Rob Havenstein is a stud at right tackle and several other young players have stepped up.

With Kromer on his way out, how does this impact the offensive line? For starters, it could affect the way the Rams cross-train their big men up front.

Kromer is a big proponent of developing players at multiple positions along the offensive line. Joe Noteboom has played guard and tackle. David Edwards was exclusively a right tackle in college but has moved to guard. Austin Blythe and Corbett have moved around on the interior, and Bobby Evans has practiced at both tackle spots and suited up at guard.

With Kromer leaving, it stands to reason that maybe the Rams won’t move their offensive linemen around quite as much. Edwards could lock in as a left guard, Noteboom could develop exclusively as a left tackle and Evans might be viewed by the next offensive line coach as a better tackle than guard.

This is all just speculation right now, but few coaches move their offensive linemen around as much as Kromer does, and whoever the Rams hire to replace him could have a different philosophy of developing players.

The other question that must be asked is how Kromer’s exit might affect the Rams’ offseason plans at left tackle, center and right tackle. Whitworth has said he wants to return to the Rams, and the team has said it wants him back – though there are still hurdles to get through. It’s unlikely that Kromer’s departure will sway Whitworth’s opinion and cause him to retire, but might the Rams’ new offensive line coach have a say in who plays left tackle next season?

At center, Blythe will be a free agent. Kromer helped develop him into a starter at both guard and center, most recently playing fairly well at the latter position in 2020. He was steady but not outstanding, and the next O-line coach might see more weaknesses in Blythe’s game than Kromer did.

And then at right tackle, Havenstein is almost certain to be back. But if the Rams are desperate for cap space, they could opt to cut or trade him this offseason. Again, it’s unlikely to happen, but with Kromer gone, his replacement might share his input on who should start at right tackle – specifically, if he likes Evans or Edwards at that spot, Havenstein could be a cap casualty.These are all questions to consider as the Rams undergo changes on their coaching staff. In addition to Kromer, assistant OL coach Andy Dickerson also left this winter, so there are multiple voids to fill now.

 

[PressureD41]

Back in the Brink truck for Bill Callahan!!!!

 

[BonifayRam]

Rams part ways with run-game coordinator Aaron Kromer
Rams part ways with run-game coordinator Aaron Kromer – Daily Breeze

The veteran assistant is the seventh coach to leave Sean McVay's staff since the end of the season.

Et tu, Aaron Kromer? Why has LA Rams HC Sean McVay cleaned house? (ramblinfan.com)

 

[Merlin]

Browns won't let Callahan leave. That would be very surprising.

You know maybe this has to do with the run gameplanning moreso than OL. That was one of Kromer's jobs too.

 

[PressureD41]

@Merlin Couldn't we give Bill Callahan assistant HC/OL Coach, run game CO & open Stan's wallet?

Q: if we offered him these titles, could the Browns still block this move?

 

[So Ram]

We all have our opinions.

This is just speculation but it’s possible Mcvay trusted Kromers evaluation of the Oline in the offseason and realized how terrible of an evaluation Kromer made. Blythe, and Noteboom were terrible by most standards and Evans killed us against Green Bay destroying drives.

Just speculation and we will no doubt hear more as details come out and mouths open.

If my speculation is correct and Mcvay trusted Kromers evaluation of the Oline before the 2020 offseason then Kromer does deserve to be fired.

Otherwise if neglecting the Oline in Free agency and the draft in the 2020 offseason was due to Mcvays own evaluation of the Oline then Mcvay is loosing his fricken mind with all these scapegoats of the Offensive demise.

Mad Martz part 2.

that’s a mind blowing observation. I don’t see any of that being true & I think you’ll see improvement & more players getting reps.
Kromer was to involved with the offense .Andy Dickerson is in Sealand.
I don’t know how I can say your right,but will if that time comes.
I will say Brian Allen is the guy that did not see the field & from a lot of accounts was the reason Noteboom got hurt.
—Evans will get more playing time in 2021 than in 2022 if you would want to make a Rod wager. Still way to early though.
Noteboom should get in more games & Reps.That has a better chance to happen with Kromer gone & if Ben Wilkerson is on the coaching staff.

 

[So Ram]

I'm guessing they decided to part ways because they were going to change a lot of things, including personnel. (ie havenstein)

Havenstien is not the reason. He maybe gone but only because of his contract & The Rams depth.

 

[dieterbrock]

@Merlin Couldn't we give Bill Callahan assistant HC/OL Coach, run game CO & open Stan's wallet?

Q: if we offered him these titles, could the Browns still block this move?

Yes.
Unless its for OC, they can block
My Q: Can they "promote" O'Connell to Asst HC/ Pass game coordinator and thus leaving the OC position open?

 

[Memphis Ram]

Interesting, didn’t know that. Do you have a source?

I read about it last year when Callahan became available and I was advocating that he be brought in to replace Kromer.

Whomever is hired, I wouldn't mind seeing the Rams draft a college guard and play him at guard in the NFL. In the past I've advocated that the best NFL guards have the ability to play OT in a pinch. But, I see now that isn't always the case.

 

[Ellard80]

We all have our opinions.

This is just speculation but it’s possible Mcvay trusted Kromers evaluation of the Oline in the offseason and realized how terrible of an evaluation Kromer made. Blythe, and Noteboom were terrible by most standards and Evans killed us against Green Bay destroying drives.

Just speculation and we will no doubt hear more as details come out and mouths open.

If my speculation is correct and Mcvay trusted Kromers evaluation of the Oline before the 2020 offseason then Kromer does deserve to be fired.

Otherwise if neglecting the Oline in Free agency and the draft in the 2020 offseason was due to Mcvays own evaluation of the Oline then Mcvay is loosing his fricken mind with all these scapegoats of the Offensive demise.

Mad Martz part 2.

Speculation for sure.. none of know what really goes on. Saying mcvay is blaming everyone else but himself is such horseshit.

Everything thing he has ever said and his body language indicates differently. Imo he is a perfectionist who is very hard on himself.

 

[Malibu]

I understand the move. None of the Kromer draftees have planned out. Whose fault is that not sure if he had input on them being drafted, but I got to assume he had some say it would be stupid to think it was all Snead/McVay and the scouts. So from a draft pov it is a big fail.

Second aspect is the execution and I give him better marks there, because the past 2 years we have not really upgraded the OL and he did the best he could. Yet it was several of the draft picks that played and for me they all played sub par.

If true from another poster that Wilkerson was passed over multiple times with the Giants that's a really bad sign. As an example McVay was 3rd in Offense as an OC with Washington his last year. We need a real stud OL coach that is ascending.

 

[FarNorth]

Otherwise if neglecting the Oline in Free agency and the draft in the 2020 offseason was due to Mcvays own evaluation of the Oline then Mcvay is loosing his fricken mind with all these scapegoats of the Offensive demise.

Mad Martz part 2.

That's exactly what I thought last year-- that McVay made the call to spend bucks on defense (Floyd and Robinson) and stand pat on the oline (until Corbett). Speculation-- but now we'll find out when we see what McVay's coaching, personnel and scheme decisions are for the oline.

As for McVay losing it, let's hope not. But I thought he was getting noticeably stressed out even before he publicly threw Goff under the bus. This decision doesn't exactly look like part of a master plan either.

 

[Merlin]

One thing about OL is they are built depending on what the staff wants to do. It's more than just the run blocking scheme it's also what kind of passing game do you want.

McVay goes and gets Stafford. So now is he thinking more dropback, maybe even shotgun, on passing downs? Is he thinking he wants a line who can pass pro for seven step drops? I'll say this: a guy like Blythe is a NO for a lot of teams. There aren't a lot of head coaches who want a center that ends up on his QB's feet half the time.

Kromer's weakness IMO is his love of his players. Demby was all about what a great guy he was and wanting to give him plenty of opportunity but it hurt the team. Blythe same. But Kromes did a good job overall so not interested in bagging on the guy here.

Here's a scouting page I've put up hereabouts before. They were linked in a tweet a while back by one of the media guys who worked for Belichick back in '91 forget who it was. It basically shows marching orders on what to scout for. The OL in particular you can see how they have the whole org engine working to get the guys they want. This is why OL building is so crazy IMO...

Find myself wondering whether this is the direction McVay is leaning, toward a more power approach. The thing about power is that when you have that advantage you have that advantage. And we have some of the pieces to do that. Whit, Edwards, Havenstein are all guys who would flourish in a power/duo approach.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Maybe he's outgrowing that initial group of coaches who came with him. Not like he chose any of them for bigger roles...

This is my take. He purposefully brought in mostly well seasoned, experienced coaches to surround himself with initially. I would assume because as a first time HC he felt that was the way to go about it and receive valuable feedback.

McV knows what he wants now, four years into it.

 

[TexasRam]

One thing about OL is they are built depending on what the staff wants to do. It's more than just the run blocking scheme it's also what kind of passing game do you want.

McVay goes and gets Stafford. So now is he thinking more dropback, maybe even shotgun, on passing downs? Is he thinking he wants a line who can pass pro for seven step drops? I'll say this: a guy like Blythe is a NO for a lot of teams. There aren't a lot of head coaches who want a center that ends up on his QB's feet half the time.

Kromer's weakness IMO is his love of his players. Demby was all about what a great guy he was and wanting to give him plenty of opportunity but it hurt the team. Blythe same. But Kromes did a good job overall so not interested in bagging on the guy here.

Here's a scouting page I've put up hereabouts before. They were linked in a tweet a while back by one of the media guys who worked for Belichick back in '91 forget who it was. It basically shows marching orders on what to scout for. The OL in particular you can see how they have the whole org engine working to get the guys they want. This is why OL building is so crazy IMO...

View attachment 43829

Find myself wondering whether this is the direction McVay is leaning, toward a more power approach. The thing about power is that when you have that advantage you have that advantage. And we have some of the pieces to do that. Whit, Edwards, Havenstein are all guys who would flourish in a power/duo approach.

You make be correct that this firing is completely related to wanting a different scheme. If so, I would assume we will shortly hear that because it would quickly calm down a lot of concerns.

 

[tomas]

Is McVay a little tyrant?

I think McVay fits the smartest guy in the room, smug prick.

 

[Mackeyser]

Nice - how does that compare to other Turf stadiums? NY was a mess. Detroit I question there service?

It's the newest and best surface out that's not grass.

Personally, I was hoping the Rams would copy what they did in AZ and build a tray with real grass. That was and is such a dope idea.

I can't imagine that getting tackled on any turf is all that fun...

 

[Merlin]

Real estate is too tight there to do that Mack. That's some primo space just think how many Starbucks they could put there man.

 

[Mackeyser]

Real estate is too tight there to do that Mack. That's some primo space just think how many Starbucks they could put there man.

Well, I mean... I know it's impractical for a number of reasons.

1) The field is around 100' below ground level and any turf would need to not only be on a tray, but a tray that could slide down a ramp. Such a heavy tray? That's a TON of engineering and not cheap.

2) Even if the playing field was at ground level, there are too many obstructions in the way. The south end has the concert venue, the east and west ends have a lot of stands/layers which at the very least would lengthen any ramp considerably. And the north end has a long point which would, again, require a very long ramp.

3) A picture of some field guy watering the grass with smoke from a wildfire in the background would just be crappy PR.

All that said... it woulda been cool if they coulda worked it out.

Also, this isn't Seattle, fam! We don't drink coffee at football games! We drink Beer or Horchata!!!!