Havenstein out vs. Miami / Avila & Jackson in 21 day window

[Allen2McVay]

After trying Steve Avila at Center and Jonah Jackson at Left Guard, the Rams switched them in the final weeks of pre-season; and they opened with Avila at LG and Jackson at C against Detroit in Week One.

When Avila was injured against the Lions, Jonah Jackson moved to LG, with Beaux Limmer at center against AZ.

Would assume Avila takes-over for Justin Dedich as soon as he is ready to play.

The question will be whether Jackson replaces Limmer at center.

If Jackson can play against the Dolphins on Monday (McVay thought he would be ready to go) but Avila needs another week, then (I assume) Jackson starts at LG for Dedich.

 

[HitStick]

I don't feel that the OL played particularly well on Sunday. Stafford seemed under a lot of pressure. I'm looking forward to upgrading LG for sure and potentially the C spot. Limmer is doing well but he's still subpar in pass protection.

Subpar? He gave up 0 pressures against Seattle. He hasn’t allowed a single sack. Dude is playing well with no names to his left. Put him in there with Steve and you have a wall up front

 

[Stl2La]

Jonah

He only played like half a game didn’t he?

 

[Jacobarch]

I think if Jackson is healthy you have to play him at LG. Limmer is rated one of the better centers in the NFL up to this point. Put a pro bowl guard next to him he'll get even better. Obviously I think there will be a little rust for Jackson but if he can stay healthy it will be a good thing for this oline

 

[DzRams]

...Limmer is rated one of the better centers in the NFL up to this point...

By who?

 

[Toothsayer]

I think if Jackson is healthy you have to play him at LG. Limmer is rated one of the better centers in the NFL up to this point. Put a pro bowl guard next to him he'll get even better. Obviously I think there will be a little rust for Jackson but if he can stay healthy it will be a good thing for this oline

We never got past the first game to see if the switch to JJ at center was match-up specific or not. I suspect it was.

I totally agree on JJ immediately at LG, but not Limmer holding off Avila at center. It might take a few weeks for Avila to be ready physically but I'd guess Limmer heads to the bench, not JJ, when he does. Unless JJ 'Booms it & gets hurt again, which seems entirely plausible, then Avila at guard & Limmer snapping makes sense.

Avila & Stafford had the whole off-season to build chemistry & he's definitely the better player overall despite Limmer's solid showing. Maybe PFF or whoever hasn't blamed Limmer for any pressures by their vague definition, but he hasn't shown up on ESPN's slightly more measurable win rate rankings for either the run or pass, either.

Just because Stafford didn't get sacked doesn't mean pass pro wasn't dodgy AF vs SEA, for one game example, & some of that has to fall on the center since quite a bit of it was inside & blitzy. I saw a number of plays where he ends up helping no one ( that John Belushi-as-a-cat-burglar thing, bouncing on the balls of his feet & arms akimbo but not really accomplishing anything...lol..) & a pressure results. Not his fault on the pseudo-stat sheet but....

Exciting problem to have under discussion & I wouldn't hate having any of the three as the interior back-up. Best argument for Limmer is chemistry/familiarity, but I think physical talent & experience would supersede that pdq.

 

[Jacobarch]

We never got past the first game to see if the switch to JJ at center was match-up specific or not. I suspect it was.

I totally agree on JJ immediately at LG, but not Limmer holding off Avila at center. It might take a few weeks for Avila to be ready physically but I'd guess Limmer heads to the bench, not JJ, when he does. Unless JJ 'Booms it & gets hurt again, which seems entirely plausible.

Avila & Stafford had the whole off-season to build chemistry & he's definitely the better player overall despite Limmer's solid showing. Maybe PFF or whoever hasn't blamed Limmer for any pressures by their vague definition, but he hasn't shown up on ESPN's slightly more measurable win rate rankings for either the run or pass, either.

Just because Stafford didn't get sacked doesn't mean pass pro wasn't dodgy AF vs SEA, for one game example, & some of that has to fall on the center since quite a bit of it was inside & blitzy. I saw a number of plays where he ends up helping no one ( that John Belushi-as-a-cat-burglar thing, bouncing on the balls of his feet & arms akimbo but not really accomplishing anything...lol..) & a pressure results. Not his fault on the pseudo-stat sheet but....

Exciting problem to have under discussion & I wouldn't hate having any of the three as the interior back-up. Best argument for Limmer is chemistry/familiarity, but I think physical talent & experience would supersede that pdq.

Agreed, you have to play Avila when he's healthy, no question. I'm stating this because it looks like Jackson will be available before Avila, according to McVay. Obviously this is hypothetical on our parts guessing who's gonna be back first. Whether it's Jackson or Avila that comes back first I would plug them in at LG immediately.

 

[gogoat1]

Too many good players on the Oline is a problem you want to have.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Sorry, but I see an Oline that is still struggling. Jonah has a history of being a violent dominating guard who came into the league as a center. He has experience that Limmer doesn't have. He definitely plays over either of the 2 rookies. Have we seen the domination we expected from our Oline while we wait for our starters? No. I hope Avila can play as well.

I will add though that continuity is EXTREMELY important.
This line has improved steadily and should continue to do that.
Usually, pass protection is the last thing to come together in a line and it has been doing that the last few weeks with very few sacks or pressures.
I would honestly ask Stafford what he thinks and how comfortable he feels.
I love the extra benefit, no matter which direction they go, that our "2nd stringers" Limmer, Dedich and McClendon are getting excellent experience and are continuously being coached up from game tape. I'm going to give our second stringers an A++ for stepping into the fire and performing EXTREMELY well. Not to mention the great job our oline coaches I've done to coach these guys up and the scouts to find these guys in the later rounds and as cfa's

 

[Toothsayer]

Agreed, you have to play Avila when he's healthy, no question. I'm stating this because it looks like Jackson will be available before Avila, according to McVay. Obviously this is hypothetical on our parts guessing who's gonna be back first. Whether it's Jackson or Avila that comes back first I would plug them in at LG immediately.

I think we all agree that Dedich sits before Limmer, no matter which guy comes back first. But once both JJ & SA are ready to perform, as McVay puts it, is your ideal line-up ( of course, we're guessing), left to center, Avila/Limmer, with JJ on the bench or JJ/Avila like they planned during the off-season or Avila/JJ like the DET opener ?

I'm leaning JJ/Avila.

 

[Allen2McVay]

By who?

Whom

 

[Toothsayer]

Whom

whom

FIFY

I'll see myself out.

 

[Loyal]

which Jackson?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V90AmXnguw

 

[PhillyRam]

I will add though that continuity is EXTREMELY important.
This line has improved steadily and should continue to do that.
Usually, pass protection is the last thing to come together in a line and it has been doing that the last few weeks with very few sacks or pressures.
I would honestly ask Stafford what he thinks and how comfortable he feels.
I love the extra benefit, no matter which direction they go, that our "2nd stringers" Limmer, Dedich and McClendon are getting excellent experience and are continuously being coached up from game tape. I'm going to give our second stringers an A++ for stepping into the fire and performing EXTREMELY well. Not to mention the great job our oline coaches I've done to coach these guys up and the scouts to find these guys in the later rounds and as cfa's

Yeah, consider those first 2 losses thos year when things were a bit chaotic with AJ missing both games a d Havs missing the opener.

Since then this OL was good enough to go 4-2 with 2 rookies and a first time starter in Bruss, working at LG & C.

One of the best moves McVay has made is the hiring of this OL coaching staff.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

The priority is getting Dedich off the field, and it doesn’t matter if it’s Jackson or Avila. I don’t want to McClendon out there either if Boom is available.


Jackson
Avila
Jackson
Dodson
Noteboom

These are the 5 I want to see, the order doesn’t matter to me.

 

[Classic Rams]

The priority is getting Dedich off the field, and it doesn’t matter if it’s Jackson or Avila. I don’t want to McClendon out there either if Boom is available.


Jackson
Avila
Jackson
Dodson
Noteboom

These are the 5 I want to see, the order doesn’t matter to me.

This. Many of us saw that he was the weak link last Sunday. He played admirably during his few games but need to get one of the starters in there this Monday. Happy that we had resigned Dodson he is showing up big.

 

[DzRams]

Whom

Good catch. By whom?

Maybe now that will warrant an answer. @Jacobarch

 

[bwdenverram]

Jonah

He's been out for two months bro?

 

[Jacobarch]

Good catch. By whom?

Maybe now that will warrant an answer. @Jacobarch

Yeah I must have hit my head last night in jujitsu. He's ranked 36th overall out of 57 Centers on PFF. So he's average.

 

[DzRams]

Yeah I must have hit my head last night in jujitsu. He's ranked 36th overall out of 57 Centers on PFF. So he's average.

Ok, PFF. I wasn't sure where you were getting the ranking.

He's ranked 21st out of 30 for starting centers (those with 50% or more of the snaps). I suspect Jackson would be an upgrade.