I'm seeing Sullivan as the likely starter because it's not easy for a rookie UDFA to win a starting job by Week 1. It's certainly possible, but it's not something I will expect. I think it would say something quite positive about either of the two if one does.
Everything I've read about Eldrenkamp makes it sound like he has potential. I can understand why Kromer likes the kid. And it's worth keeping in mind that this scheme makes things quite easy on the Center. McVay has the QB call protections, and Kromer's scheme generally has the Center and a Guard initially double an interior DL. Thus, the Center has it quite easy. It's the tackles who have a tough job in this scheme. They're generally asked to power block one-on-one. Which actually explains our approach to this off-season.
If they released McMeans so early does indicate that Eldrenkamp may have shown something. Could also indicate a positive on the health of Toth too. I am not positive on John Sullivan ending up as the starter myself & posted several times on this situation. I agree with JS playing attributes prior to 2015 season but do not think any of that will resurface.
Yep jrry32 your hit target on the OT comment
.The 2017 new big three Ram OT's will be very interesting to keep up with in OTA's/ Training Camp & Pre season games. The RT & Swing OT are the unknowns. So very nice to have the LT post finally secured with a real NFL LT. Kromer locating the smart best starting RT may not be as set as most all members seem think.
There will be no coronation for GRob as starter RT. GRob will be in a much better position to compete for the important Swing OT so all you GRob believers don't start to riot & become disruptive.
For me I would bet on the OL'er who was the 2016 OTA/TC & pre season RT to be the best prime prospective starting RT in 2017 followed by an also smart technically RT in Andrew Donnal. Like jrry32 said its the OT's who have the tough job. need to understand that GRob will have some stress for the first time trying to earn a roster spot he has almost zero experience in this since he arrived..
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..... We need to be prepared for injuries this year.
I agree fully with you here reference the need for Cross-training OL'ers. Lucky for Kromer this may be the only element area that Paul Boudreau left him in good position wise for this season. Saffold has started @ all four OL positions in his 7 yr career. Brown & Wichmann were bounced back & forth & flipped like cooking pancakes between the 2 starting OG posts. Both CW & JB have also played OT in college. Donnal has line up & played in four OL posts the last 2 seasons. OT Pace Murphy as a rookie swung well between both OT posts as did OT Darrell Williams. Rhaney has done some of the same @ all 3 interior OL posts but results were bad. So 7 of the main OL'ers here have been CT'd
but NOT in the center position.So really when we post on OL'ers CT'ing the real element is involving the Center position training.
The only two big Kromer CT'ing projects will be OT Rob Havenstein from RT to RG & OT GRob from LT to RT. Do we really think that Kromer's CT'ing of GRob & Havenstein will be involving the center? Primarily the past OG's will get this center action meaning Brown/Wichmann & maybe a little bit of Donnal.
I agree here with what was said above
"I don't expect us to be cross-training starters, but I do expect backups to cross-train" IMO there is only only 1 true settled Ram starting OL postilion that's LT. Then followed by Saffold (either LG or RT) & Havenstein (either RG or RT) the other 2 OL starting posts are in for a free for all.
P.S. I would not write off Chris Watt @ center so fast if his knees are finally healthy.
