I have concerns about our O line

[Dieter the Brock]

Gurley and Tavon Austin (yes, Austin) will be key in the early going, I think. It's only natural that the line will have problems for the first few weeks of the year, especially in pass protection (which apparently isn't any of their strong suits to begin with). Couple that with Quick still possibly on the mend from his shoulder injury and a new QB in Foles I would have to say our passing game is going to be... well, let's just say "not elite". Not for the first few weeks anyways, in my humble opinion. And it looks like Fisher and Snead are quite okay with that.

So Gurley and Austin are going to have to carry the mail. Gurley will have to get yards, perhaps in spite of the offensive line, and Austin will have to be a passing threat in the flat, or on swings, or wherever. Because if he's not able to stretch the defense with bursts of speed coming off the line then I think they'll just stack the box against Gurley and he's going to be pounding his way to three yard gains only. We need Austin to keep linebackers and secondaries at the very least a LITTLE hesitant about keying off on the running game only.

Then, with time, maybe the offensive line can gel into a coherent and workable pass protecting group, Foles will figure out the new scheme, and Quick, Britt and Bailey can open the middle and deep routes. But I think the first few weeks will be largely dependent on how much Gurley can do, and whether Austin can keep defenses honest.

In my humble, non-expert opinion of course.

I don't think they will be stacking the box with Gurley

 

[Zaphod]

Gurley and Tavon Austin (yes, Austin) will be key in the early going, I think. It's only natural that the line will have problems for the first few weeks of the year, especially in pass protection (which apparently isn't any of their strong suits to begin with). Couple that with Quick still possibly on the mend from his shoulder injury and a new QB in Foles I would have to say our passing game is going to be... well, let's just say "not elite". Not for the first few weeks anyways, in my humble opinion. And it looks like Fisher and Snead are quite okay with that.

So Gurley and Austin are going to have to carry the mail. Gurley will have to get yards, perhaps in spite of the offensive line, and Austin will have to be a passing threat in the flat, or on swings, or wherever. Because if he's not able to stretch the defense with bursts of speed coming off the line then I think they'll just stack the box against Gurley and he's going to be pounding his way to three yard gains only. We need Austin to keep linebackers and secondaries at the very least a LITTLE hesitant about keying off on the running game only.

Then, with time, maybe the offensive line can gel into a coherent and workable pass protecting group, Foles will figure out the new scheme, and Quick, Britt and Bailey can open the middle and deep routes. But I think the first few weeks will be largely dependent on how much Gurley can do, and whether Austin can keep defenses honest.

In my humble, non-expert opinion of course.

I agree that we'll be running the ball a lot to start out, but I don't see them rushing Gurley until he's ready with all of the depth we have. Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun.

Who knows what happens with Austin though, who to me was a Brian Shottenheimer gadget that never quite worked out, and that mostly due to what I think may have been a scheme conflict between Shottenheimer and Fisher. This may be the year that we discover whether or not he's a good fit for Fisher's offensive game plan. Another year with more experience could help him as much as anyone, especially as it pertains to an offensive line put together with a very specific strength in mind.

I'm with you though, as it pertains to our backs, this could be an exciting season to watch them come together as a team.

 

[iced]

Look, I have a hard time seeing our OL being as bad as it was last year. But that still doesn't make me comfortable with it. Improvement is nice but going from terrible to bad isn't good enough for me.

And I'm not saying we can't go from terrible to good. I'm just saying that there's a risk with rookies. You don't know what you'll get.

So while I expect a better OL than last year's atrocity, I just am not confident it'll be enough improvement. But we'll see when these guys actually hit the field. Right now, we have no pro tape to go off of. Here's hoping we find a LG and RT in the group that can provide solid at worst play.

pretty much sums up how i feel about it

 

[iced]

I don't think they will be stacking the box with Gurley

until they have a reason not to outwide, they will.

 

[Dieter the Brock]

until they have a reason not to outwide, they will.

I just think that's why he was drafted, cause he definitely can get outside - has all the tools
plus we also have Mason - so if they try and do something like that we'll just have them both in the backfield, problem solved

 

[Rmfnlt]

I don't think they will be stacking the box with Gurley

I have my concerns when Gurley will actually start playing... and, as good as he is projected, I don't see him hitting his stride for a bit.

 

[Memphis Ram]

The best part about the development of these guys is that in training camp they will be going up against Quinn, Brockers, Fairley, Donald, Long, & Hayes and Williams various blitz packages.

Can't get much better training for the season than against that group.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Alan Surprising Me:
Here's two answers for your three paragraphs because 1 & 3 are pretty much the same:

True but, and this goes to both your first paragraph and your last one, I think they're relying on other factors when they make comments on things like pass blocking when they don't have much tape. Things like foot speed, athleticism, reaction times,technique (that, I assume, can be coached up but coming from a school well known for coaching O-line fundamentals might mean he's already at his ceiling there) and so on.

You can see some film of him trying to pass block here:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...5-scouting-report-grade-for-rams-round-3-pick

So who will be play RT?

Wow Just started reading this thread for the first time and I expected (hoped) there would be more support.
I understand the justifiable concern but hoped that there was more optimism. I hope these youngsters on the O.L at least a couple of them surprise us.

 

[Alan]

rdlkgliders not feeling my love:
Wow Just started reading this thread for the first time and I expected (hoped) there would be more support.
I understand the justifiable concern but hoped that there was more optimism. I hope these youngsters on the O.L at least a couple of them surprise us.

I don't believe in false optimism but they do have my full support and positive vibes. They're Rams now.

Why so late to the party? Been busy? You need to come more often cause we're getting to the exciting part soon. :banana:

 

[RamWoodie]

I get so tired of all this OLine worry. There...I said it. Please start camp!

 

[GabesHorn]

With our past two years of non-stop OL injury leading the way to a final decision and Please LORD don't let the future of our team(#30) even on the field until at least 6 games in. I hope Gurley only plays 5 games this season. We know we have the horses if we can clean up the wreck Joseph Wells and Barks created on one side and G. Rob struggling and get worse the last 3 games with Toe injury.
We start fresh and I agree it is worth a ticket to watch the competition as an 8 year ORT myself. The guessing right now is just a framework of how the 5 best will finally line up especially due to the always unexpected. Fisher specifically drafted with health in mind and players with brains that G. Rob did'nt display last year(not to slander him) as he was moved around and Fish said his head was spinning and it was only his second year even playing OL.
We now have specialists from OL teams and guys with long playing records. Yes we will have to focus on pass pro daily. I see a real daily war for the centers job and I would'nt hand anybody a spot except G. Rob unless he goes backwards. I see surprises happening as Wichman could actually win the ORG spot with his extra pass pro technique.
One thing is everyone is gonna be in shape. Thats for $*&^% sure. I think 3 of the final four playoff teams last year started 2 rookies. I know I've read and studied the articles. Yes their QB's are Brady and the like and I think it even affected Rodgers in his calf injury. Its been done at the highest levels and then with the Bears the year Kyle Long came out. Sure you'll say we have no one at his level next but I'm gonna focus on the group picture and not individuals and I know Kendricks will help Havenstein plenty this year. Count on it as he's gettin paid for whatever we ask.
I think center is still MY personal biggest question mark since I have'nt seen the guys training and recovering daily in Jones and Rhaney. I'm blind to whats gonna happen there. Don't think Barks could hold off Havenstein for more than a couple three weeks then be a swing OT backup the rest of the way. Hope we don't sign him as we have enough in the mixing bowl to fight for REPS,REPS,REPS.
You just don't play that way your contract year if you give a $*&^. We need to shoot for excellence and see where we land as we have smart and scheme guys to pick up the system faster than G. Rob did and Havenstein only plays one spot hes played a very LONG time.
Anything we say now will be throwing darts at a board or like this draft went. I'd of rather had Penn State's OT the bucs got but 23 picks or so later I think we got the last ORT in the draft who I think CAN start day one this year and with minimal mistakes just keep improving with help from Kendricks and I think we still throw the ball after we establish the run with a good trio of backs while Gurley continues to heal and be a duo backfield guy at least 8 or more weeks into the season. He is just 6 months I believe into his recovery. He is our future money back and we won't pull another early rush job as we did with Sam. Sam was a NEED and Todd IS the future as we have a few studs in Mason Cunningham and maybe Watts or our UDFA pick up. No clue with Pead.
Hoping Cig has a few new wrinkles for Tavon and that Quick is okay. We have the guys to keep Foles upright much better than Wells Joseph and Barky. I feel much better. Just wonder how many OL we carry in the end as keeping a healthy line and fresh guys all season will be a major key.I see one area carrying one less player to allow 10 OL. No way we have all the answers and see who is really gonna step up and handle the Pro Game till 5 games into the season.
Once again sorry so long.Fewer posts but more to say after thinking it through. GO RAMS!

 

[Rmfnlt]

I don't believe in false optimism but they do have my full support and positive vibes. They're Rams now.

My sentiments exactly... very wll stated IMHO!