Don't forget about Jamil Demby in Rams' offensive line battle

[den-the-coach]

Demby a critical piece for depth on Rams offensive line

A sixth-round pick out of Maine in 2018, Demby initially trained at both guard and tackle during Los Angeles’ offseason program last year. But then just before the Week 1 contest against the Raiders, L.A. cut Demby to make room for defensive tackle Aaron Donald on the active roster.

Perhaps a bit unexpectedly, the Lions claimed Demby off waivers and off he headed to Detroit.

But in December, the Rams brought him back, signing Demby off the Lions’ practice squad. Demby was inactive for the contests through the remainder of the regular season and the playoff run, but still gained valuable experience in the Rams’ system.

Go to Full Article--
[www.therams.com]

 

[So Ram]

The Rams have a true development plan for the offensive line. They have proven under Kromer to be building the line one season ahead. Grooming and building players into roles they see them fitting.

Love it.

I think a name that never gets any credit is Dickerson !! He is main stay from Fisher.
Zach was really involved As well. Last year he was working with Demby on how to work his body & grip in a small space. Technique is huge. It’s so excellent The Rams are cross training Demby at center !!

 

[Soul Surfer]

They definitely WANT Demby to be the first man up if an injury occurs and a game-day active.

The only question is; has he, or will he improve enough to be the 6th Man.

We almost have to have one or two players out of Demby, Evans and Edwards improve enough to be active on game day.

They may end up having to go with nine offensive lineman if they feel somebody's not ready because I don't think they want to expose any of Demby, Edwards or Evans.

The others are, more than likely, practice squad safe.

The 9th OL player might come in the way of a cut veteran, (or less likely a trade).

Either way, one of the two game day actives, that's a non-starter, has to be ready to step in on this line or we'll get potentially trashed on offense.

I would hate to see McVay have to limit his offense with quick throw plays and more running plays because one of the O lineman is a gateway to our QB.

 

[BonifayRam]

I've made no secret of how I like Demby and see him on the roster for years. One of the reason's I find his cross training at center so telling and why I can see him starting at RG is because Blythe is in his last contract year with the Rams. Strong play by Sullivan and Havenstein largely offset many of Blythe's issues. Blythe has obviously lost the center starting job battle to Allen and he doesn't have the build for a starting OG. You would have thought that with his starting experience it would have been natural to simply move him into that starting role. But that didn't happen coupled with his contract year status, is why I viewed his tenure as a RG starter as being tenuous. He may start the season as the RG starter but would be surprised if he finishes the year there. It's why I think if Demby looks good in preseason he might get the start with Blythe being carried on the roster as insurance for one year.

I still think Evans is going to take over at LG next year when Noteboom moves to LT. Edwards IMO will likely become their primary swing tackle starting next year. I think Evans will be the swing tackle this year making Edwards inactive on game days while he works to iron out his issues.

I agree with you on the future probable starting posts for both Demby & Evans.

The Blythe situation on why he did not get moved to his more natural position @ starting center has several good reasons/elements involved in it.

* Blythe will be a UFA in less than 8 months & stands a very good chance to land a very nice contract somewhere else in the NFL after being involved in McVay's offense & playing in two SB's as a starter. Rams will not be in a position to match the offers. Thus Blythe would be a short term starting center for Goff.

* Allen is the future @ center & has better overall power & strength than Blythe for the one on one match up on large NT's. Allen is a much better center than RG. Plus Allen has been focusing primarily on the center post in his rookie season, not OG.

* Kromer's non projected starters do not have any regular-season NFL experienced @ OG on his roster. The only OL'er he has with any regular season game experience is Aaron Neary with one start @ center in 2017. Neary does have 3 starts in 2018 preseason but that was @ LG & center. Neary had 46 starts in college primarily @ LG not @ RG.

Blythe was most likely our weakest link in our OL in 2018 but that is not as bad as it sounds. With two brand new starters (Allen/Noteboom) in his 2019 OL Kromer will desire to maintain a crisp smooth running operation with this situation. Blythe in this Kromer objective is not a negative here. I beleive that Kromer will first be looking for a starting RG prospect in Training Camp & Preseason, with a future starting LG in 2019 second. Demby is sure to be the top leading RG prospect. Demby's competition will come from Edwards/ Evans/ Hitman/ Brewer.

 

[Ram65]

I still think Evans is going to take over at LG next year when Noteboom moves to LT. Edwards IMO will likely become their primary swing tackle starting next year. I think Evans will be the swing tackle this year making Edwards inactive on game days while he works to iron out his issues.

I thought it was mentioned somewhere (No Link) that Noteboom would be the swing OT at least OLT.

I do think there will be open competition for the RG spot. Evans looks like he could give Blythe a run for his money. I'm not sure how it shakes out with the game day actives. Demby is the wild card because of the cross training. He still has to show if he is ready.

 

[Kevin]

The Rams have a true development plan for the offensive line. They have proven under Kromer to be building the line one season ahead. Grooming and building players into roles they see them fitting.

Love it.

Shifting the discussion from Demby to Evans, I would not be surprised to see a real competition for starting left tackle next season between Noteboom and Evans. Noteboom got a lot of reps at left tackle in practice last season when Whit was resting, it will be interesting to see who takes over those reps this season now that Noteboom is the likely starter at left guard. Could be Evans. Here is what Kromer had to say about Evans after the draft;

“Any time a guy can play two positions like that, starting right and going to the left, you got to love his versatility and his athleticism that he’s showing. But he’s had a lot of production from there and they’ve won a lot of games and he’s a leader on their team, so we are excited.” — run game coordinator Aaron Kromer
https://www.therams.com/news/a-look-at-each-pick-of-the-rams-2019-draft-class

It is such a refreshing change to have young, promising and productive (in college) prospects behind our starters on the offensive line.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I'm sure Notebroom's starting spot looks like a flow chart of possible variations. LG if everyone's healthy. LT if Whitworth goes down for any extended time (a few snaps or one game, they will prob try Demby there). RT only if Havenstein goes down and every other replacement sh*ts the bed.

I think too often, as fans, we get stuck in linear thinking, "if this, then that" when the real answers are far more complex.

Demby cross-training at all 6 spots also allows us to ease the rooks (Evans and Edwards) in with only cross-training them across one or two spots and not three or four. It will be fascinating to see what those two look like with pads on.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Blythe.... stands a very good chance to land a very nice contract somewhere else in the NFL after being involved in McVay's offense & playing in two SB's

Two Superbowls?

Now THAT is confidence.

 

[Memento]

Huge fan of Demby. I think he can be a bigger and better version of what Barrett Jones was supposed to be.

Cross-training him at all positions makes sense because we're light at center. I don't trust Neary or Kolone, and while I like Hrynkiewicz, he's not at all proven.

I also think that Edwards could absolutely benefit from a year in the weight room as a redshirt. Evans could be ready at guard right now, so if anyone can usurp Blythe - which I don't think will happen because I've still got faith in him - it'll be Evans.

 

[Rams43]

At this point, pre-camp, I wouldn’t rule out any of the following as the possible starter at RG:

Blythe
Demby
Evans
Edwards

Until the coaches see them in pads and see how well the rookies have absorbed the playbook it’s just impossible to know for sure.

I will say this. Blythe is upgradeable AND he is a FA next year, so I think Kromer is gonna give all candidates an opportunity to shine.

Nice “problem” to have, huh?

 

[Akrasian]

I will say this. Blythe is upgradeable AND he is a FA next year, so I think Kromer is gonna give all candidates an opportunity to shine.

Plus Blythe would have value as a game day active backing up center and the guards. If he's the center backup and gets dinged, then another injury and there is a real issue.

 

[BonifayRam]

At this point, pre-camp, I wouldn’t rule out any of the following as the possible starter at RG:
Blythe
Demby
Evans
Edwards

Until the coaches see them in pads and see how well the rookies have absorbed the playbook it’s just impossible to know for sure.I will say this. Blythe is upgradeable AND he is a FA next year, so I think Kromer is gonna give all candidates an opportunity to shine. Nice “problem” to have, huh?

Yes it is.

Having a rookie start @ the RG post in the NFL is not that unusual. Whereas playing center or either of the OT posts have much more demands in the technical side. The LG does have the added stress of protection of the QB blind side too with the likes of DT's like Aaron Donald.

Last year in 2018 Rams was dealing ininally with the Jamon Brown event. Thus Kromer really had 3 main OL'ers Blythe/ Noteboom & Allen as the depth in the OL even though Blythe was filling in for Brown @ RG . Kromer was lucky to have Blythe who had started previously for the Colts @ RG plus finished games @ OC RT in 2016. In 2017 Blythe started one game @ LG plus finished 3 games for Sullivan @ OC. Kromer also went looking for some additional veteran help with 3 yr vet OC/OG Evan Boehm on the PS along with OG Jeremiah Kolone.

Plus Blythe would have value as a game day active backing up center and the guards. If he's the center backup and gets dinged, then another injury and there is a real issue.

In 2018 the Rams starting OL average approx 31 yrs old & 7 seasons. This year the Rams starting OL will most likely average approx 27 yr old with 4 seasons. So we know we have lost a lot of experience this season.

Having a rookie start @ RG thus moving Blythe who is 27 yrs old & has played in 44 gms with 21 starts as our 6th OL is far better than having our #6 with zero NFL games with zero starts like Demby. Blythe has played four OL positions in NFL games.

 

[hotanez]

Demby and the rookies have a good chance even some of the udfa with A Neary getting suspended 4 games

 

[So Ram]

They definitely WANT Demby to be the first man up if an injury occurs and a game-day active.

The only question is; has he, or will he improve enough to be the 6th Man.

We almost have to have one or two players out of Demby, Evans and Edwards improve enough to be active on game day.

They may end up having to go with nine offensive lineman if they feel somebody's not ready because I don't think they want to expose any of Demby, Edwards or Evans.

The others are, more than likely, practice squad safe.

The 9th OL player might come in the way of a cut veteran, (or less likely a trade).

Either way, one of the two game day actives, that's a non-starter, has to be ready to step in on this line or we'll get potentially trashed on offense.

I would hate to see McVay have to limit his offense with quick throw plays and more running plays because one of the O lineman is a gateway to our QB.

I don’t see any of it happening. The Rams should be fine with young depth ? Kromer seem not to be worried all that much. He likes Demby’s growth.

 

[So Ram]

Yes it is.

Having a rookie start @ the RG post in the NFL is not that unusual. Whereas playing center or either of the OT posts have much more demands in the technical side. The LG does have the added stress of protection of the QB blind side too with the likes of DT's like Aaron Donald.

Last year in 2018 Rams was dealing ininally with the Jamon Brown event. Thus Kromer really had 3 main OL'ers Blythe/ Noteboom & Allen as the depth in the OL even though Blythe was filling in for Brown @ RG . Kromer was lucky to have Blythe who had started previously for the Colts @ RG plus finished games @ OC RT in 2016. In 2017 Blythe started one game @ LG plus finished 3 games for Sullivan @ OC. Kromer also went looking for some additional veteran help with 3 yr vet OC/OG Evan Boehm on the PS along with OG Jeremiah Kolone.
In 2018 the Rams starting OL average approx 31 yrs old & 7 seasons. This year the Rams starting OL will most likely average approx 27 yr old with 4 seasons. So we know we have lost a lot of experience this season.

Having a rookie start @ RG thus moving Blythe who is 27 yrs old & has played in 44 gms with 21 starts as our 6th OL is far better than having our #6 with zero NFL games with zero starts like Demby. Blythe has played four OL positions in NFL games.

I don’t get the message?? Whoever starts can be moved to another position, so starting a player with no experience does not make sense so you can have experience on the bench ??
—Demby playing a little center will really help him gain experience on the offense line. Nearing just got suspended so he is basically a goner with Demby getting a lot more reps at center. I see him making it as a 48 if he can handle the position.

 

[So Ram]

Demby and the rookies have a good chance even some of the udfa with A Neary getting suspended 4 games

Exactly!! I think the reps go to Demby for now ?? That is if he can handle it ?? One issue he had last season was jumping to soon, now this might help slow things down for him & give him more of an understanding of the offense.

 

[So Ram]

Demby and the rookies have a good chance even some of the udfa with A Neary getting suspended 4 games

Exactly!! I think the reps go to Demby for now ?? That is if he can handle it ?? One issue he had last season was jumping to soon, now this might help slow things down for him & give him more of an understanding of the offense.

 

[A.J. Hicks]

Not giving Neary a pass per say. However, with a four game suspension doesn't that mean he can be a roster hold until week 5 in case of injury?

 

[oldnotdead]

Demby is built like an OG and Blythe is built like a C. But Allen got the start at C over Blythe, despite Blythe having more experience. Austin is in a contract year. The fact that Blythe did not get the C start over Allen tells me a lot about what the coaching staff see and think about Blythe. Now Blythe will have to fend off both Demby and Evans to hold onto his starting job. I think his experience and versatility allow him to make the final roster, but next year is another story. I think he will have to accept a backup role to stay with the Rams.

 

[So Ram]

Demby is built like an OG and Blythe is built like a C. But Allen got the start at C over Blythe, despite Blythe having more experience. Austin is in a contract year. The fact that Blythe did not get the C start over Allen tells me a lot about what the coaching staff see and think about Blythe. Now Blythe will have to fend off both Demby and Evans to hold onto his starting job. I think his experience and versatility allow him to make the final roster, but next year is another story. I think he will have to accept a backup role to stay with the Rams.

I don’t understand how you can say A. Blythe should be the Starting Center ? Makes no sense , because he was the starting RG all last season. Why would you move him. Plus Allen was drafted to be the Starting Center. Look at where he was drafted.