Can Chandler Brewer earn spot on Rams 55-man roster?

[ROD-BOT]

Can Chandler Brewer earn a place on LA Rams 55-man roster?

LA Rams OT Chandler Brewer arrived undrafted in 2019. But his importance in 2020 could be huge as the Rams scramble for a backup left tackle.

ramblinfan.com

Can Chandler Brewer earn spot on Rams 55-man roster?

The LA Rams roster is crowded with offensive linemen. After a 2019 season where injuries repeated downed offensive linemen, the LA Rams responded by adding offensive linemen midseason. Those additions, combined with players who were promoted from the practice squad, returned a significant number of players to the offensive line this year. Finally, the Rams re-signed all their free agents, giving the team a total of 13 returning offensive linemen this off-season. Where does that leave offensive lineman Chandler Brewer?

Well, we had just reviewed the status of LA Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth, and the unenviable position the Rams found themselves at the end of 2019. With no true heir apparent, and a banged-up bunch of bodies, sorting through the Rams shopping list had some fans shopping for five new starters this off-season, while other fans ended up seeking a solid starter or two out of the 2020 NFL Draft. The team had other ideas and simply emerged from the draft with right tackle Tremayne Anchrum as well as signing center Cohl Cabral after the draft.

Is Coach Kromer crazy?

Even with limited draft picks, and a long shopping list, the LA Rams did not invest heavily in offensive linemen in 2020. While we expected that response from the Rams, even we were surprised when the Rams did not address the backup left tackle position. From even our optimistic perspective, the LA Rams valued offensive line coach Aaron Kromer so well that even signing up offensive linemen in 2020 for 2021 roles was not out of the question. But to bank on players already on the roster seems to fit the description of “insanity is using the same inputs and expecting a different outcome”.

So where does that leave the LA Rams? Well, like it or not, the Rams are likely tapping either Joseph Noteboom or Chandler Brewer for the backup role at the all-too-important offensive left tackle position. While Noteboom is still recovering from a devastating injury from the 2019 season, Chandler Brewer is recovering from a different type of setback. If you recall, Brewer was emerging from successful chemotherapy in 2019. And with that behind him, the Rams and Brewer may be far more optimistic about his NFL career than previously reported.

Work ethic kicking in

Chandler Brewer is working with a clean bill of health now, a first since July 2018. He comes from a long line of blue-collar lineage, a roll-up-the-sleeves-and-get-to-it mentality. That’s the attitude of never-say-die pioneers who felled trees, moved boulders, and built towns. The man who once had to face the life-or-death news of a rare blood disease followed the only route available to him and beat the odds.

Now, Chandler Brewer has a clear focus. He can now devote his attention to his football career, to becoming the best offensive lineman he can possibly be. Will that be enough to claim a roster spot with the LA Rams? Despite the redundancy and depth of the existing offensive line, the Rams will need a backup trained to handle the pressure at the left tackle position. Say what you want about Brewer’s on-field ability to block. But when it comes to the ability to handle the pressure? Brewer is the guy. He’s faced far more important matters than pass rushers and come out on top.

 

[fearsomefour]

Whitworth, Corbett, Blythe, Edwards, Havenstein, Evans, Allen, Noteboom are shoe ins really.
Could certainly see Brewer with a spot if Noteboom starts the year on the PUP.
With 55 spots could certainly see the Rams keeping 9 OL.
7 DL, 9 LB, 6 CB, 4 S, 2 QB, 4 RB, 4 TE, 6 WR, 3 ST.....heavy numbers at DL, LB and CB still leave 10 spots open for OL.
Brewers versatility, being able to play inside and outside, should give him an edge unless someone way outperforms him.

 

[den-the-coach]

There is so much to like about Chandler Brewer and when the Rams were not drafting any Offensive Linemen until their last pick, many like Snead and others were talking about Chandler Brewer.

One of the first things to look at when college players become pros is, how do they react? Does the game seem to big for them? If you recall the likes of Jason Smith (2009) & Joe Germaine (1999) you could see it their eyes as early as preseason and it was compounded in the regular season.

Chandler Brewer has beaten a far more dangerous opponent then the San Francisco 49ers or the Seattle Seahawks and I expect Brewer to make the team when and if the Los Angles play a football game in 2020...They keep 9, with Brewer a swing tackle and backup at both Guard positons.

LT....Whitworth, Noteboom
LG....Corbett, Brewer
C...Blythe, Shelton
RG...Edwards
RT....Havenstein, Evans

 

[snackdaddy]

Is Coach Kromer crazy?

Even with limited draft picks, and a long shopping list, the LA Rams did not invest heavily in offensive linemen in 2020. While we expected that response from the Rams, even we were surprised when the Rams did not address the backup left tackle position.

I've seen people say they should have drafted linemen early and often. Why? Was there anyone better than what they have by they time they picked at number 52? Last year the problem was starting inexperienced guys because of injuries. So we cut bait on those now more experienced guys and start over? With another group of inexperienced guys? I see why the Rams didn't listen to the so called experts. What is that definition of insanity?

 

[Memento]

Whitworth, Corbett, Blythe, Edwards, Havenstein, Evans, Allen, Noteboom are shoe ins really.
Could certainly see Brewer with a spot if Noteboom starts the year on the PUP.
With 55 spots could certainly see the Rams keeping 9 OL.
7 DL, 9 LB, 6 CB, 4 S, 2 QB, 4 RB, 4 TE, 6 WR, 3 ST.....heavy numbers at DL, LB and CB still leave 10 spots open for OL.
Brewers versatility, being able to play inside and outside, should give him an edge unless someone way outperforms him.

Disagree on Allen. I think Anchrum takes that slot, just because he can play guard as well as center. Unless Allen seriously improves, I think he goes the JFM route where a high pick is cut. Also disagree on six receivers (I'd put seven there), as well as nine linebackers (as I'd add a tenth there.)

Brewer will definitely make the 9th spot, and there will be nine spots.

 

[fearsomefour]

Disagree on Allen. I think Anchrum takes that slot, just because he can play guard as well as center. Unless Allen seriously improves, I think he goes the JFM route where a high pick is cut. Also disagree on six receivers (I'd put seven there), as well as nine linebackers (as I'd add a tenth there.)

Brewer will definitely make the 9th spot, and there will be nine spots.

Could be right.
Anchrum I figured would be aged a year on the PS.
If Blythe is the default starting C and Allen is cut, Corbett May be the back up C.
Those battles for the last spot in a position group are always interesting.
Who gives better benefit?
Is the benefit for this year or long term?
One LB may be better a contributor on ST but not show long term upside. A DL may not contribute on ST but has a higher upside with a year or two of development.
Always interesting choices.
Six WRs assumes a return man is found within the group of WR and RB.
Keeping ten LBs would assume (I assume) be holding a couple of guys for long term development.
We could also end up with 5 safeties.
A seventh DL would reason to contribute more than a seventh WR unless the WR was a returner.

 

[Memento]

Could be right.
Anchrum I figured would be aged a year on the PS.
If Blythe is the default starting C and Allen is cut, Corbett May be the back up C.
Those battles for the last spot in a position group are always interesting.
Who gives better benefit?
Is the benefit for this year or long term?
One LB may be better a contributor on ST but not show long term upside. A DL may not contribute on ST but has a higher upside with a year or two of development.
Always interesting choices.
Six WRs assumes a return man is found within the group of WR and RB.
Keeping ten LBs would assume (I assume) be holding a couple of guys for long term development.
We could also end up with 5 safeties.
A seventh DL would reason to contribute more than a seventh WR unless the WR was a returner.

That's a fair assessment, fearsome.

I was thinking that wide receiver could be a developmental position as well. I do like Webster, Easop Winston, and Earnest Edwards (the lattermost of whom I would choose as a returner), and Trishton Jackson and Brandon Polk both show potential. It's a big possibility that we end up losing not only Reynolds but Woods as well, if we can't pay him later on with Kupp's contract to consider. So we might end up needing those young receivers.

Call me crazy, but I actually like Corbett as my starting center. I'd put Evans at left guard next to Whit, while Edwards and Havenstein on the right side. Blythe, Anchrum, and Brewer could be supersubs, while Noteboom backs up Whit.

Linebacker has so many options. I'd love to put Ebukam, Okoronkwo, Lewis, and Polite as my rotating outside linebackers, while Floyd can play both inside and outside. Then we have five more to consider, and yeah, long-term development is key for both inside and outside.

 

[Merlin]

Of course he could potentially earn a spot on the roster. Kind of a dumb question tbh. He made the roster last season and has improved during his time in the league. Dude might even push to win a starting job who knows.

And all I can say is that IF he ends up winning a starting role it will be time for @BonifayRam to finally break down and make a Chandler Brewer avatar.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

I've seen people say they should have drafted linemen early and often. Why? Was there anyone better than what they have by they time they picked at number 52?

^^^^^This!!^^^ I would like any one of the "we needed to draft OL early and often" types to list who they would have taken in this last draft, especially in the second round when we picked.

I'm curious if there was a prospect at that point in the draft with as much upside as Akers and Jefferson.

Just askin'

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[Ram65]

Ihttp://www.draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1007294&DraftYear=2019

I know many here like Brewer. He looks the part with size, wingspan and strength. Can't copy and paste draft scout info.

It was a small sample size when he filled in for Evans against the whiners IIRC. Sticks in my mind that he was getting beat and was off balance. K just read he played OG in college with cancer treatments before practice. Sounds like a great guy you want to root for, Here is a link to a good story about his cancer and getting training from former NFL players. I'm sure he will be working hard for a roster spot and playing time.

NFL Draft Notes: Chandler Brewer's NFL hopes survive cancer scare

He concealed cancer treatment from scouts to avoid the distraction. Now Chandler Brewer is gaining his strength back in time for the draft.

www.si.com

 

[BonifayRam]

I have learned that good OL'ers can come from many fashions.......draft/ WWC/ other teams PS's. Chandler Brewer who was an UDFA rookie free agent is not that unusual except for his accomplishments in overcoming life threatening cancer while continuing to start & play college football @ a high level.

The Rams 1999 SB winning team OL had 7 main OL'ers who powered that mighty offense. The makeup of that OL was a combo of draftee's/ WWC's & UFA's. Of the 7 only one had been drafted higher than the 4th round of the draft that was LT Orlando Pace. That championship team 7 OL'ers had 2 UDFA's starting (Gruttadauria & McCollum). Three came to the Rams as WWC's (Nutten/ McCollum/ Gruttadauria). The UFA was starting RG Adam Timmerman who was a 7th rd pick as was starting LG Tom Nutten. That 1999 team had 3 drafted OT's Miller 5th rd/ Tucker 4th rd & Pace 1st rd.

Currently, this 2020 Rams OL is made up mainly from the Rams draft (7 Ol'ers) but it also has OL'ers that came from WWC (Kolone/ Trewyn & Blythe), trade (Corbett), other teams PS's (Shelton), fresh preferred rookie UDFA's (Brewer & Cabral)& signed UFA's (Whitworth). This 2020 OL makings certainly arrives from more different places.

Chandler Brewer has now grown into NFL OT size being over 6-6 & close to 325 lbs. Brewer played four OL posts in four preseason gms as a rookie. The majority of his snaps were @ LT but it was not much more than the other OL posts. With Noteboom then starting OG & starting OT's Whitworth & Havenstein sat on the bench for the entire preseason. Kromer was tasked to find a new swing OT. He mostly worked 2nd yr OL'er Demby & rookies Edwards, Evans & Brewer. Evans & Demby were NOT good. Edwards & Brewer show'd some promise. Edwards clearly was the best of the four @ multiple OL posts however Brewer demonstrated in preseason he was better than Demby & Evans.

At the beginning of the season Brewer did not win a Master Roster spot. Kromer went with Demby/ Evans & Edwards instead but did make the initial Rams PS unit. Early in the season Demby failed as top reserve & Edwards stepped into position & with several injuries to starting Ol'er Edwards was starting & Brewer graduated to the Rams roster as the 9th OL'er. By the end of the season Brewer was the top reserve OL'er.

The above article above asks if Brewer can earn a roster spot in 2020. Looking at the roster which Ol'er in 2019 battled & earn his position in backing up Whitworth @ LT? Noteboom, Evans & Demby did not but Brewer did. Now top LT back up Noteboom is one serious big question at the moment. His starting performance was a disaster. His reconstructed knee is untried. Last season from preseason to the end of the 2019 regular season Bobby Evans did NOT perform well on the left side period. Rams did not draft a LT. Demby has less than zero chance to make this 2020 roster. So who's left?

Brewer has been an ascending OL'er since he signed with the Rams. Yes..... injuries did help him with his rise but injuries occur every year too. His ability & versatility to forge through the responsibilities of four NFL OL posts after undergoing that bad cancer event in college is extraordinary. His climb up the Kromer OL position ladder is also a good accomplishment. Even if Noteboom can recover some of his 2018 form he still might not be ready so the road to the LT reserve is unobstructed for now for Brewer.

 

[den-the-coach]

Brewer has been an ascending OL'er since he signed with the Rams. Yes..... injuries did help him with his rise but injuries occur every year too. His ability & versatility to forge through the responsibilities of four NFL OL posts after undergoing that bad cancer event in college is extraordinary. His climb up the Kromer OL position ladder is also a good accomplishment. Even if Noteboom can recover some of his 2018 form he still might not be ready so the road to the LT reserve is unobstructed for now for Brewer.

I still like Noteboom to backup Whit, with Brewer being a swing G/T too and I might trust him more then Evans at LT, but IMO, Evans showed enough at RT to offer upside. If Noteboom is recovered, he is more of a Tackle then Guard and played much better at that position. Demby is toast, unless Brian Allen showcases anything, the Rams might be better off with Shelton or Trewyn, however, if there is any preseason play I expect to see quite a bit of Chandler Brewer.

 

[So Ram]

^^^^^This!!^^^ I would like any one of the "we needed to draft OL early and often" types to list who they would have taken in this last draft, especially in the second round when we picked.

I'm curious if there was a prospect at that point in the draft with as much upside as Akers and Jefferson.

Just askin'

~ArkyRamsFan~

a better question would be who would you draft over The Rams O”Lineman.

 

[So Ram]

I still like Noteboom to backup Whit, with Brewer being a swing G/T too and I might trust him more then Evans at LT, but IMO, Evans showed enough at RT to offer upside. If Noteboom is recovered, he is more of a Tackle then Guard and played much better at that position. Demby is toast, unless Brian Allen showcases anything, the Rams might be better off with Shelton or Trewyn, however, if there is any preseason play I expect to see quite a bit of Chandler Brewer.

Agree with Brewer at LT only because he held that spot in 2019. Evans though was the backup RT.
Evans imo is better on the Let side?? Big Rob is RT/RG ??

I still have not been answered the question of David Edwards & Bobby Evans from anyone on the site.

Both players came out there jr. Yrs.

David Edwards is 23
Bobby Evans 23

IMHO both would have been top 50 picks. I keep saying what Oklahoma would have been unstoppable.

David Edwards would have been a top tackle. I still wonder if he might be a NFL OT. The Rams have Brewer listed as a Guard, while Edwards is listed as a Tackle ?? Why is that ??

Edwards has never played Guard at any point in his career until he was with The Rams.Kromer likes to cross-train so down the road, who knows ??

Noteboom from what I gather is not going to be on the 2020 roster.

 

[Merlin]

Evans is a key guy to watch no doubt. His film was worse than I remembered it when I went back and rewatched 2019, but I don't blame the guy too much there most of these players need time to transition to this level. The bigger question is whether he's a potential factor at LG.

IMO he's a bit like Boom, not quite as finesse as Boom is but similar in that both need to get a lot stronger if they want to start on the interior. So I don't expect him to push Corbett at LG. I feel like there will be a secret LT competition going on behind the scenes with Evans & Boom both in that particular running.

LG is going to be Corbett vs Brewer and Anchrum. So it will be our biggest camp competition on the line followed by C where Allen will get a chance to unseat Blythe.

 

[Rams43]

Agree with Brewer at LT only because he held that spot in 2019. Evans though was the backup RT.
Evans imo is better on the Let side?? Big Rob is RT/RG ??

I still have not been answered the question of David Edwards & Bobby Evans from anyone on the site.

Both players came out there jr. Yrs.

David Edwards is 23
Bobby Evans 23

IMHO both would have been top 50 picks. I keep saying what Oklahoma would have been unstoppable.

David Edwards would have been a top tackle. I still wonder if he might be a NFL OT. The Rams have Brewer listed as a Guard, while Edwards is listed as a Tackle ?? Why is that ??

Edwards has never played Guard at any point in his career until he was with The Rams.Kromer likes to cross-train so down the road, who knows ??

Noteboom from what I gather is not going to be on the 2020 roster.

Boom not gonna be on the 2020 roster, So Ram?

You’ve got breaking news here for us? Got a link? Lol.