According to Some, Our Oline is the Rams Achilles Heel.

[MrRiceGuyRJ]

Our Oline is only our achilles heel in regards to age and health concerns. If they stay healthy all season, I say we have a top 10 oline easily

 

[Loyal]

Whitworth is in great shape and has never had a serious injury. No knee or ankle sprains. He still get to the next level. Sullivans showed no signs of his back bothering him last season. he's still one of the best centers in the league, if not the smartest. Saffold just turned 30, in his prime for 4 or 5 more years. havenstien and Brown going into their 3rd years.
Rams OL is set for a couple more years with these guys.

Hope so!

 

[TexasRam]

Eric Dickerson - The great scout who wanted Sean Mannion to start over Jared Goff.

 

[fearsomefour]

The concern is still the right side. Much improved certainly but both players still have concerns and weaknesses. That's ok, not every one is a pro bowler. The Rams have made their choice with Havenstein.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Eric Dickerson - The great scout who wanted Sean Mannion to start over Jared Goff.

Well in ED's defense, McVay has retained Mannion as our backup.

 

[Karate61]

The concern is still the right side. Much improved certainly but both players still have concerns and weaknesses. That's ok, not every one is a pro bowler. The Rams have made their choice with Havenstein.

Is the right side really still a concern? Havenstein and Brown were mauling defenders on runs to the right all season last year. Also, I believe someone here posted a ranking where Brown was #1 or #2 in pass blocking the last five games of the season (I think that's right). It seems to me the right side of the line is doing just fine!

 

[kurtfaulk]

Eric Dickerson - The great scout who wanted Sean Mannion to start over Jared Goff.

Are you saying you disagree with his assessment the rams are a 80% chance of winning the superbowl?

.

 

[Malibu]

My thoughts on this I agree. Our weakest link has always been the oline compared to all other areas on the team including the LB. Why age, Saffold is injury prone, Brown I would have replaced but other deals were more important. Hopefully he grew in the off-season a little. The line isn't bad but the tail off the last 3-4 for Whit specifically was not the best. The off-season started to address this issue because all the rookies made the team over the guys who were on the Rams last year that says something. But like another poster said we have the best OL coach in the business.

But at the end of the day the Rams are so dominant in so many areas, teams just don't have all 3 phases like we do. So our line maybe not the best but we make up for in so many ways. The net effect we have an 8-10 chance of making the Superbowl. National media is onto us but there are doubters here and there, but if they were honest we have the best chance of making the Superbowl based on overall talent.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

It's funny because all last year, the OLine was a strength. By this logic Brady has been the weak link on the Patriots, and Brees was for the Saints. The OLine is one year older and they go from stud to dud? Some people are just wired to go against the grain at all cost.

Last year McVay proved he was a good head coach. But he is still the youngest in the league, so he is a weakness. Phillips is too old, another weakness. Suh used to kick people. Donald isn't a team player because he held out. Talib is a thug. Peter's throws flags. Gurley looked bad two years ago. Goff is so dumb that doesn't know which direction North is. Woods was a Bills cast off. Kupp is slow. Cooks has bounced around he league too much, and Belichick and Payton didn't want him.

This team is a hot mess. They will be lucky to win two games.

 

[fanotodd]

I think it is generally agreed here that the Rams biggest concern this season is NOT the OL. I agree with most of what's been posted so far re the OL. Only injury can cause this line to be a major concern.

I think the biggest concern remains the ability to stop the run. An explosive, league leading offense can take the run out of an opponent's game, but the Rams were still vulnerable last year.

Setting the edge, plugging the middle are still a concern to me. Littleton is my favorite unsung Ram, but has not played this position before. Ebukem and Longacre are first time starters on the edge. Their backups are relatively new/inexperienced as well. If the Rams can't stop the run, that badass secondary won't get to do their thing because there will be fewer obvious situations.

 

[fearsomefour]

Is the right side really still a concern? Havenstein and Brown were mauling defenders on runs to the right all season last year. Also, I believe someone here posted a ranking where Brown was #1 or #2 in pass blocking the last five games of the season (I think that's right). It seems to me the right side of the line is doing just fine!

Not a concern in that they suck but they are the weakness of the line.
Havemstein has issues from time to time with speed rushers.
Thee single weakest part of the line is still Brown pass blocking. Brown was still getting nose over toes this preseason and gave up a few pressures. By comparison, Browns run blocking performance was one of the best all year.
I'm not down on either but not every player is a pro bowler.

 

[Karate61]

Brown was still getting nose over toes this preseason and gave up a few pressures.

What's "nose over toes" mean? I've never heard the phrase.

 

[RamFan503]

What's "nose over toes" mean? I've never heard the phrase.

It’s a foot fetish thing.

 

[badnews]

We had an extremely limited draft and went after O-linemen.

Anyone?
Not because we have the best unit from last year returning... but because 2 of our key guys are old.
I dont believe we have an achilles heel, but health on the O-line doesnt get better as guys get older.
A lot you guys seem a little ticked off that anybody would be concerned about it.
Well, I dont know if you remember the Rams before Whitworth got here lol.
Left tackle had been an issue a long time. We got one of the best right now. He is a big reason our whole line performed well and the offense in general.
He will turn 37 years old this year.

I think its great everyones so confident. I am too, but I know the O-line needs to perform like they did last year, and that will be hard to achieve.

 

[fearsomefour]

It’s a foot fetish thing.

LOL.......gross

 

[fearsomefour]

What's "nose over toes" mean? I've never heard the phrase.

Think of standing in an athletic position.....feet shoulder width apart, knee bent....lean forward until your balanced on the balls of your feet. Your nose is past your toes.
Basically, I always heard this term from coaches, a waynof saying a blocker is lunging and off balance.
If a pass blocker lunged to make contact he is off balance and is relatively easy to get around.
He did this at least once I remember vs the Texans, but, he did a much better job of recovering. He was beaten inside but just shielded the rusher and just shielded him up field allowing the QB to move around the rush.
Again, I'm not down on him.
The improvements he's made have been huge. Hisnrun blocking and run blocking at the second level can at times be excellent. But, he is the weakest link pass blocking.
He is still young and can improve.
I am quite sure Saffold will be brought back on a short deal after this year (assuming he is healthy and plays well)....Brown is the question in terms of FA and the OL this offseason.

 

[fearsomefour]

We had an extremely limited draft and went after O-linemen.

Anyone?
Not because we have the best unit from last year returning... but because 2 of our key guys are old.
I dont believe we have an achilles heel, but health on the O-line doesnt get better as guys get older.
A lot you guys seem a little ticked off that anybody would be concerned about it.
Well, I dont know if you remember the Rams before Whitworth got here lol.
Left tackle had been an issue a long time. We got one of the best right now. He is a big reason our whole line performed well and the offense in general.
He will turn 37 years old this year.

I think its great everyones so confident. I am too, but I know the O-line needs to perform like they did last year, and that will be hard to achieve.

Early returns have been positive.
Noteboom looks like he could play today....pass blocking anyway.
Allan was not over matched.
Havenstein resigned and I think Saffold (as long as health is ok) is going to be back.
To me you ride a horse like Whitworth as long as you can. If Whitworth plays at last years level he should come back for the third year of his deal.
Whitworth, Saffold, Havenstein is a solid starting place to be. Having options (if needed) at C and RG and a long term answer at LT is such a more positive place than two years ago it is great.
If Noteboom and Allen end up starting eventually (along with the picks of Kelly, Franklin-Myers, Kiser....guys who flashed in preseason) the job of Snead and Co in this draft would be profound. No first or second and landing players who impact the roster? The draft is always the key to long successful runs. This draft could end up being one that has a real positive impact on the team for years.
To quote Gunny from Full Metal Jacket, I'd be so impressed with Snead and Co, well, "I like you. You can come over to my house and....."
Well, lets say I'd be impressed.

 

[BonifayRam]

Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line graded third-highest in NFL through two games by Pro Football Focus
Sep 20, 2018
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2018/...ootball-focus-andrew-whitworth-rodger-saffold

Through two games, the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line has played spectacularly. LT Andrew Whitworth, LG Rodger Saffold, C John Sullivan, RG Austin Blythe and RT Rob Havenstein have made the offensive outputs possible in both the run and passing games.

So it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see them ranked third overall in the entire NFL at this point by Pro Football Focus:

Left Tackle: Andrew Whitworth, 75.4
Left Guard: Rodger Saffold, 78.7
Center: John Sullivan, 63.0
Right Guard: Austin Blythe, 77.1
Right Tackle: Rob Havenstein, 77.8

If you thought the Rams’ offensive line would take a step back with aging veterans at left tackle and center, you’re sorely mistaken through two weeks. Not only does the team currently have the highest run-block grade of any line in the league, but Los Angeles’ big men have the highest pass-block grade, as well. One of the pleasant surprises along the line has been right guard Austin Blythe, who is filling in for Jamon Brown. Blythe currently ranks fourth among qualifying guards in overall grade and has allowed just one pressure in two games.

The most impressive part about this? The lack of a weak point. Sullivan’s grade of 63.0, the lowest of the five, is the highest grade in the entire NFL from each team’s lowest-graded player. So while many linemen around the league grade out higher than Saffold’s 78.7, the highest Rams OL grade, they play on teams that have weaker points than Sullivan. PFF’s #1 overal line, the New Orleans Saints’, has two players graded in the 80s, but LG Andrus Peat earned a 58.6 grade. The Philadelphia Eagles’ line at #2 had two players in the 50s.

So this isn’t a line being held up by one or two guys. It’s a joint success. The question is if they can keep it up.

If I had pen'd this article.... I would have added that nowhere in the NFL is the word TEAM more important than in the an NFL Offensive Line. Rams having a fully operational fine tune'd working FIVE player OL ...all sharing the total load & all five throwing the heavy rope over their backs & pulling together the task that faces them across the LOS "not as individuals but as a unit". The OL will always be weakened by its weakest link as we all know from recent Ram history ! Run OC Kromer.... thank you :bow:

 

[VegasRam]

It’s a foot fetish thing.

Rex Ryan can give you the details.

 

[bubbaramfan]

So which two teams OLines are better than the Rams? Saints? I guess they didn't see their 1st game. Eagles? they couldn't open holes for their running game and got a loss because of it.