Havenstien, Should He Start?

[oldnotdead]

Rob's play this year has been nothing but a continuous dumpster fire. Why on earth would any team play Rob or Blythe as starters if they had a choice?

Next year Rob is due a $3.7 M roster bonus which is basically half of his 2020 cap number. This poses a problem for the Rams. No matter how they run the numbers they would have to do a post June 1 trade to not be saddled with a prohibitive dead cap charge. What this means is that the Rams would have to carry him through the 2020 season. His poor play means there won't be a market for Rob at his current salary levels. So essentially they will be stuck with Rob as a very expensive backup.

Even with a post June 1 release they would still carry a $4.5 M dead cap in 2020 plus a $1.6M deadcap in 2021. There is no good or viable way out of Havenstein's contract unless they are going to be willng to bite the bullet and carry his dead cap all year. In that case they might as well keep him on the squad in some capacity or another. Hopefully not as a starter, which he proved by his poor play he isn't.

 

[RhodyRams]

I like what I have been seeing from Evans the last month or so. I say let him keep his spot as a starter

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Why in the world should they make any OL changes for these last 4 games? These guys are jelling nicely and they should be allowed to continue that process.

Hav should sit, IMO.

We could conceivably be looking at the ‘20 OL starters plus Boom at LOT. Should any of these youngsters flame out then that’s one thing, but they all look like their ascending to me. Let ‘em grow together, I say!

Yeah, it makes no sense to make a change. I doubt Rob even practices at guard and Evans has played better. If Rob has practiced at guard I would try him at LG instead of Corbett.


In the future, I doubt Noteboom pans out at OLT. Hopefully the reports about Brewer being a diamond in the rough are true.

 

[RamWoodie]

Don't mess with what's been working!!!

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Don't mess with what's been working!!!

Didn't work against the Ravens....

 

[hotanez]

I do not see any need for Evans to be forced inside @ OG when there are so many likely candidates i.e. David Edwards/ Austin Corbett/ Coleman Shelton/ Jeremiah Kolone/ Chandler Brewer/ Jamil Demby & Nate Trewyn. I would like to see a LT & OC drafted in 2020 after you get your 5 tech DT & my outside corner.

I definitely like Edwards and Brewer but let's be honest those other guys are just JAGS. I still think Evens could be moved inside but if Brewer shines there would be no need. Evens at LT is a stretch in my opinion. I definitely agree with drafting a center. Allen should not start.

 

[Zaphod]

Viable competition with experience. Depth has purpose.

 

[Karate61]

If you asked this question last year, or the year before, I'd say heck yeah!

This year, he's been a revolving door, play after play. Let him sit on the sideline and find his balls, just like Pedro Cerrano finally did in Major League II!

 

[Rambitious1]

Looks like Rob Havenstien will be cleared to play on Sunday. Question for Rams brass is 'should they put him back on the field and sit Evans?" I've been critical of Kromer and McVay since TC for thier choices of backup O linemen. Constantly running out Demby when it was clear to everyone and their gamdma that wasn't working. I wanted to see Evans and Edwards long before they actually saw the field. I'd still like to see Chandler Brewer. Now they finally have an OL that is getting some push.

Havenstien wasn't doing a very good job when he got sidelined. I should think they leave well enough alone and let Rob ride pine. McVay and Kromer have been using TE's to come in and help, which has made a big difference. Maybe using an extra OL in Havenstien instead of a TE would give Goff more time, and Gurley more holes to run through?

Gotta be a lot of different opinions here at ROD.

I have been advocating for possibly an extra O lineman to be used like that for weeks. Frankly I’ve been really frustrated at coache‘s slow moving adjustments to a catastrophic situation.

 

[So Ram]

Evans getting beat for sack badly ??
Goff dropped back like 7 yards. Goff should have Stepped up in the pocket.
I thought Evens played very well, compared to Rob Havensteins play earlier in the year.

 

[So Ram]

The only reason I can come up to send a rookie OL to the bench....who is trending upward in his effectiveness on the right side with another positive trending rookie David Edwards......... is the future 2020 #1 problem @ LT.

The Rams best prospect to replace Andrew Whitworth @ LT will be Noteboom who has had major surgery a little over a month ago. No way of knowing how well that badly damaged reconstructed ACL/MCL knee outcome. On top of that it would be too soon to know how much time Noteboom's rehabbing event will take. Yet to be determined........

Question here on this subject on Havenstein..... Who would be the best LT prospect to fill AW's shoes temporarily till Joe Noteboom return to playing condition lets say by the bye in 2020?

Based on what OL'ers the Rams have signed in 2020 I would say Bobby Evans is that prospect. Therefore, its presumptive that Rob Havenstien will be needed to be the starter @ the RT post from 2020 OTA's & well into the regular season. Then you might go with Havenstien back as starter.

Unless you believe top reserve 6th OL'er Chandler Brewer as a possible prospect at starting RT or LT?

I use to go with best reserve to take over a postion at LT & Center. Sullivan being gone & with Sullivan The Rams veteran depth will be gone. Rob Havienstein will be veteran player on offense of line next season.
IMO - Rob has played well this season not sure what health he was in at the time ? I also think a veteran playing well deserves his spot back. I also believe you earn your spot which makes it A tough decision.
Evans is playing well right now. I don’t know when that started, but in the beginning of the year he was definitely not ready to play any position on the Offensive line.
David Edwards on Sunday had like four holding calls.He also is playing the Guard Spot. I’m not sure if he will be the Swing guy in the future.It’s a hard call to see what the depth chart will look like next season.
Is Brewer the guy taking over on Wednesday’s for Whitworth? Just shows you how depleted the offensive line is.

My depth chart is hard to say because of all injuries. It is amazing to me in sense of how the Line has come together.

I do think right now The Rams offensiveline is in a much better spot than it was from the beginning of the season.

 

[So Ram]

I have been leaning for some time that Snead's top OL pick Bobby Evans is far more effective OT than OG. I also think he is the best bet from this time to be the likely prospect to start during TC & pre season @ LT post.

Once Noteboom has returned to full health to the LT post, Noteboom/ Havenstein should work out fair enough as our starting OT's. If our top paid OL'er Rob Havenstein does fall prey to major pass protection issues once again like this season.... then the RT post can be permanently turned over to Evans. Snead should quickly move Havenstein by the 2020 trading deadline by a trade. This would result in cap savings of $7 million. If a trade could not be done then an early release of Havenstein in 2021 with a cap savings of near $6 million.

With Chandler Brewer substituting now @ LT Andrew Whitworth when needed it may be that @ that time Brewer might become the critical swing OT behind Noteboom/Evans.

I do not see any need for Evans to be forced inside @ OG when there are so many likely candidates i.e. David Edwards/ Austin Corbett/ Coleman Shelton/ Jeremiah Kolone/ Chandler Brewer/ Jamil Demby & Nate Trewyn. I would like to see a LT & OC drafted in 2020 after you get your 5 tech DT & my outside corner.

what I do know is Snead did well with the Corbett trade. Austin Blythe is proving my point about his worth at center,but not a big fan of his as a starting Guard .He actually is playing better than Allen at center who I don’t think is a guard either. Basically they are the same player.

 

[RamWoodie]

Didn't work against the Ravens....

No...however is that the only game you want to point out? Anyone watching the Ravens game saw the lack of preparedness, intensity, and energy in the Rams. They were beat before they got on the field.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

what I do know is Snead did well with the Corbett trade. Austin Blythe is proving my point about his worth at center,but not a big fan of his as a starting Guard .He actually is playing better than Allen at center who I don’t think is a guard either. Basically they are the same player.

I think it's safe to say Blythe is definitely a big step up from Allen. Allen should be a backup C/G and nothing more. I think Blythe's strength is C and not G.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

No...however is that the only game you want to point out? Anyone watching the Ravens game saw the lack of preparedness, intensity, and energy in the Rams. They were beat before they got on the field.

I definitely agree we came out flat and the Ravens were pumped up. Still, our chance to beat them was sustaining drives on O, and I was hoping our new, beefier guys up front would move their D out of the way a little when needed, bc they looked the part the week before.

 

[BonifayRam]

I definitely like Edwards and Brewer but let's be honest those other guys are just JAGS. I still think Evens could be moved inside but if Brewer shines there would be no need. Evens at LT is a stretch in my opinion. I definitely agree with drafting a center. Allen should not start.

Are the other OL'ers outside Edwards & Brewer really JAGS?

You & I have had excellent discussions over the years in the CHAT & the forum. We generally see most Ram elements very similar. I am more critical on Ram maters than most here though. I do think that the OL (by a far degree) has been the weakest unit on this team. Could the OL assets still be latent?

Currently, Ram team assets are massed in other offensive & defensive units now & in the future. Snead decisions were very big gambles that has taken very good 2019 Superbowl team to the point of being a non playoff team in less than ten months. The Ol is one of the main reasons that this team is trending downward but McVay/Goff duo is right below the OL in poor 2019 performances. Naturally they are closely tied together.

I still believe in Snead! I anticipate Snead can maneuver this team this off season to change the direction of the downward trend by upgrading & improvement of this team OL assets so there are fewer JAGS.

 

[So Ram]

I think it's safe to say Blythe is definitely a big step up from Allen. Allen should be a backup C/G and nothing more. I think Blythe's strength is C and not G.

totally agree !! Was sort of Pissed with the Allen Draft pick after taken Noteboom. The Rams had just signed Sullivan to a 2 year contract & Blythe had a good season at guard who is a better center than guard. It was a waste of an early pick imo.
I’m a big believer in Kromer & the scouting team,just didn’t think this puck addressed a need for an undersized player they probably could have picked later.
This last draft of O’lineman was real good with Evens & Edwards. Noteboom was a solid pick last year.Demby was a good value risk last season. Not sure what his future will be. Corbett was a nice player The Rams saw could be a good fit.
Long story- will Blythe be resigned or is Allen the future center ?? I do like Brian Allen’s work ethic & think he learned a lot from Sullivan & Blythe. Then who will be the backup if he is Not Resigned ?? I’ve been a Blythe hater as a starting RG.
— What was Allen’s injury ? Crazy how both of last years rookie picks are hurt,after The Rams put the season in there hands.

 

[Rams43]

Hav certainly had his issues with speed rushers before his alleged ‘injury’, as most RT’s do. So, how relevant is that ‘excuse’ anyway?

But here we are with 4 games remaining and Rams have a 26% chance to earn a wildcard slot. The ‘new’ OL is gelling nicely, and at the very least they are gaining invaluable experience that should pay dividends in ‘20.

So, do NOT sit Evans at this time. Or move any of the other OL players around, either. Let this play out With the current starting 5.

Rams coaches know whether Hav was playing hurt and will make offseason decisions accordingly. But that’s an offseason thing that can and should wait. The focus should be on developing and protecting these youngsters as the Rams cling to wildcard hopes. First things first, dammit!

 

[Rams43]

totally agree !! Was sort of Pissed with the Allen Draft pick after taken Noteboom. The Rams had just signed Sullivan to a 2 year contract & Blythe had a good season at guard who is a better center than guard. It was a waste of an early pick imo.
I’m a big believer in Kromer & the scouting team,just didn’t think this puck addressed a need for an undersized player they probably could have picked later.
This last draft of O’lineman was real good with Evens & Edwards. Noteboom was a solid pick last year.Demby was a good value risk last season. Not sure what his future will be. Corbett was a nice player The Rams saw could be a good fit.
Long story- will Blythe be resigned or is Allen the future center ?? I do like Brian Allen’s work ethic & think he learned a lot from Sullivan & Blythe. Then who will be the backup if he is Not Resigned ?? I’ve been a Blythe hater as a starting RG.
— What was Allen’s injury ? Crazy how both of last years rookie picks are hurt,after The Rams put the season in there hands.

Nice post, So Ram.

The good news is that the Rams coaches will have all offseason to sort all of this out.

I’m enjoying watching Kromer trying to fix this OL on the fly. Amazing to see 4 new starters/starting positions changed since midseason. I can’t recall ever seeing such a thing before.