Hell even PFF knows that's how obvious it is

[oldnotdead]

PFF ranks Brian Allen as the 12th-best center in the NFL

Brian Allen was ranked as the 12th-best center in the NFL, which is a bit higher than expected

theramswire.usatoday.com

I've been saying it forever but most seem to think Allen is a scrub. As I've said when he's healthy he's very good The only issue with him is his inability to stay healthy. I think regardless even if he plays the entire season they view him as a comp pick waiting to happen. They re-signed Shelton for a reason. If Brian goes down again this season and Shelton comes in as his replacement, I think Coleman will be the starter going forward and they will extend him long-term next year.

The Rams brought in McAllister who is a dedicated C and Maginn who has played both OG and C that would give them depth behind Shelton next year. McAllister looks good but needs a year to be coached up to play C at this level.

The bottom line is I like Allen, but I'm not worried about the long terms outlook at the position.

 

[hotanez]

PFF ranks Brian Allen as the 12th-best center in the NFL

Brian Allen was ranked as the 12th-best center in the NFL, which is a bit higher than expected

theramswire.usatoday.com

I've been saying it forever but most seem to think Allen is a scrub. As I've said when he's healthy he's very good The only issue with him is his inability to stay healthy. I think regardless even if he plays the entire season they view him as a comp pick waiting to happen. They re-signed Shelton for a reason. If Brian goes down again this season and Shelton comes in as his replacement, I think Coleman will be the starter going forward and they will extend him long-term next year.

The Rams brought in McAllister who is a dedicated C and Maginn who has played both OG and C that would give them depth behind Shelton next year. McAllister looks good but needs a year to be coached up to play C at this level.

The bottom line is I like Allen, but I'm not worried about the long terms outlook at the position.

But you said PFF is worthless, now it's right?

 

[El Chapo Jr]

PFF ranks Brian Allen as the 12th-best center in the NFL

Brian Allen was ranked as the 12th-best center in the NFL, which is a bit higher than expected

theramswire.usatoday.com

I've been saying it forever but most seem to think Allen is a scrub. As I've said when he's healthy he's very good The only issue with him is his inability to stay healthy. I think regardless even if he plays the entire season they view him as a comp pick waiting to happen. They re-signed Shelton for a reason. If Brian goes down again this season and Shelton comes in as his replacement, I think Coleman will be the starter going forward and they will extend him long-term next year.

The Rams brought in McAllister who is a dedicated C and Maginn who has played both OG and C that would give them depth behind Shelton next year. McAllister looks good but needs a year to be coached up to play C at this level.

The bottom line is I like Allen, but I'm not worried about the long terms outlook at the position.

Allen is an injury waiting to happen. Hes literally had 1 healthy season. That's a bad problem for any starter to have.

 

[Rambitious1]

Allen is an injury waiting to happen. Hes literally had 1 healthy season. That's a bad problem for any starter to have.

Especially at center.

 

[Kupped]

I'm genuinely excited about the Oline this year. Sure.. Allen's an injury waiting to happen.. but Shelton is good enough depth. And let's not forget Allen will have some stronger bodies next to him this season, it seems likely. I can't wait to see Avila and Anchrum.. and Bruss has plenty of potential.

Jackson will flat-out win LT, imo.. whether Noteboom is around or not.

 

[Alaskan Ram]

Maybe some guys just aren't durable. But damn, I'd like to see Brian Allen stay healthy. I'd hate for his bad luck to end with another team.

Offensive linemen....thousands of pounds of mass colliding 100 times a game with their backs to the action. Planting and unceremoniously doing their job. And then bam, taken out by a textbook pile roll up. Centers have the highest injury rate on the Offensive line per this stat:

Maybe there is something to the blocking schemes used. Maybe its a straight line, less stunts, everybody go up field. Maybe its having a good running game, so the offensive lineman can be the aggressors, dictating the action.

Whatever happened last year to the entire group, had to have been scheme, right? Lack of cohesion?
Or was it worst injury luck in the history of the NFL, and one of the best underrated coaching performances of all time to still come out of the season with a few impressive wins?

 

[den-the-coach]

Now lets pump the brakes. A couple of things that the Rams like about Brian Allen that PFF does not measure.

1. Line adjustments...This is where Allen shines, he is extraordinary about calling out the adjustments ensuring everyone on the OL is on the same page.
2. Rapport with Matthew Stafford. This was written and spoken about continuously during the Super Bowl run. Stafford stated that Allen kept him dialed in aiding him in his transition to the offense.

Now nobody is harder on Allen then yours truly and if was more reliable I would be fine with him because of what he offers from a cerebral standpoint, however, I expect the knee to limit Allen again this year and Coleman Shelton will be the starter most of the year and then the Rams will decide if Shelton is their guy in the middle or if they want to move Avila there next year.

 

[Tano]

Now lets pump the brakes. A couple of things that the Rams like about Brian Allen that PFF does not measure.

1. Line adjustments...This is where Allen shines, he is extraordinary about calling out the adjustments ensuring everyone on the OL is on the same page.
2. Rapport with Matthew Stafford. This was written and spoken about continuously during the Super Bowl run. Stafford stated that Allen kept him dialed in aiding him in his transition to the offense.

Now nobody is harder on Allen then yours truly and if was more reliable I would be fine with him because of what he offers from a cerebral standpoint, however, I expect the knee to limit Allen again this year and Coleman Shelton will be the starter most of the year and then the Rams will decide if Shelton is their guy in the middle or if they want to move Avila there next year.

I agree completely - Allen is a good center when healthy but his knees are shot and I just can't count on him to stay healthy for the entire season.

 

[Londoner]

or if they want to move Avila there next year.

Or if they draft the best available centre at #32.

 

[snackdaddy]

I don't have a problem with Allen's play. I always thought he was serviceable. But his availability is not. Can't count on him to be healthy.

 

[Corbin]

I’m not going to act like I watch Allen every single play but the ones where I have noticed him he is getting ice skates into the backfield.

The combo of being the worst type of pressure for a QB and his injury history it boggles my mind he has been kept and resigned to an extension.

I guess that cerebral ability alone is what has kept him here.

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

Or if they draft the best available centre at #32.

I don't see us trading up one spot from our pick in the 2nd round. . . .

 

[WestCoastRam]

Now lets pump the brakes. A couple of things that the Rams like about Brian Allen that PFF does not measure.

1. Line adjustments...This is where Allen shines, he is extraordinary about calling out the adjustments ensuring everyone on the OL is on the same page.
2. Rapport with Matthew Stafford. This was written and spoken about continuously during the Super Bowl run. Stafford stated that Allen kept him dialed in aiding him in his transition to the offense.

Now nobody is harder on Allen then yours truly and if was more reliable I would be fine with him because of what he offers from a cerebral standpoint, however, I expect the knee to limit Allen again this year and Coleman Shelton will be the starter most of the year and then the Rams will decide if Shelton is their guy in the middle or if they want to move Avila there next year.

I, personally, think trying to transition Avila to center will be a mistake. He's outgrown the position and his size is best utilized at guard which is the more important position on the line than center generally. You want your center to be smaller, more athletic than him and you'd probably want him to slim down a ton (we're talking 20+ lbs). It just seems like we'd be eliminating a strength on our line to find a less advantageous strength at another position. I say keep him at guard and let him shine and lets keep looking for a center to eventually replace Allen (though I think the betting odds are slightly for Shelton right now). But it's nice to have a guy like Avila who can pitch in at center in a pinch!

 

[den-the-coach]

I, personally, think trying to transition Avila to center will be a mistake. He's outgrown the position and his size is best utilized at guard which is the more important position on the line than center generally. You want your center to be smaller, more athletic than him and you'd probably want him to slim down a ton (we're talking 20+ lbs). It just seems like we'd be eliminating a strength on our line to find a less advantageous strength at another position. I say keep him at guard and let him shine and lets keep looking for a center to eventually replace Allen (though I think the betting odds are slightly for Shelton right now). But it's nice to have a guy like Avila who can pitch in at center in a pinch!

I agree I would keep Avila at LG and look at others at Center, but I know it was mentioned after they selected him.

 

[AvengerRam]

I don't see us trading up one spot from our pick in the 2nd round. . . .

PFF gave that post a rating of 11.4.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Don't agree at all of keeping Avila at G. He's perfect size for a C. Aren't you all as tired as I am watching Rams middle OL getting stuffed or pushed backed, crushing the pocket? For the first time in years the Rams OL looks big, and just might hold its own, or even dominate in the middle. Avila can learn the line calls this season, then move to C next season. Also great to hear Anchrun's name, I'm still saying he will start at RG.

 

[PARAM]

But you said PFF is worthless, now it's right?

PFF is worthless!!! Allen is still around because ...... Den explained it well.

Now lets pump the brakes. A couple of things that the Rams like about Brian Allen that PFF does not measure.

1. Line adjustments...This is where Allen shines, he is extraordinary about calling out the adjustments ensuring everyone on the OL is on the same page.
2. Rapport with Matthew Stafford. This was written and spoken about continuously during the Super Bowl run. Stafford stated that Allen kept him dialed in aiding him in his transition to the offense.

Now nobody is harder on Allen then yours truly and if was more reliable I would be fine with him because of what he offers from a cerebral standpoint, however, I expect the knee to limit Allen again this year and Coleman Shelton will be the starter most of the year and then the Rams will decide if Shelton is their guy in the middle or if they want to move Avila there next year.

Allen could be biding time at C for Shelton, Avila or a player to be drafted in 2024. Then again he could be healthy all season like in 2021. He's had almost a whole year off....again!!!

 

[WestCoastRam]

Don't agree at all of keeping Avila at G. He's perfect size for a C. Aren't you all as tired as I am watching Rams middle OL getting stuffed or pushed backed, crushing the pocket? For the first time in years the Rams OL looks big, and just might hold its own, or even dominate in the middle. Avila can learn the line calls this season, then move to C next season. Also great to hear Anchrun's name, I'm still saying he will start at RG.

What do you consider the perfect size for a center? When a pocket gets crushed, where do you think the pressure is coming from? Def seems like Anchrum has the leg up on Bruss right now going into TC.

 

[nighttrain]

PFF is worthless!!!

 

[thirteen28]

As I've said when he's healthy he's very good The only issue with him is his inability to stay healthy.

The best ability is availability.

I like the way Allen fought back hard to save his career, and he's certainly a huge upgrade over Austin Blythe. But he's not really a plus guy, and that combined with the inability to stay on the field leads me to hope we can fill the position with someone else in the relatively near future.