At some point you need to clear the shelves and restock. That is exactly what the Rams are doing. As a former business owner of almost 35 years I understand that completely. I look at this team now and yes it's different but that doesn't necessarily translate to worse. The Rams went all in to get a Lombardi and they succeeded where there were massive numbers of media doubters when they did push all the chips to the middle of the table.
Now they are refilling their wallet for another more sustained run. Watch how many doubters will change their opinions when the Rams are a playoff team. I'm glad the Rams have their heavy hitters in their schedule early. It might catch a few who underestimate this team. Or like the Niners who have their own issues i.e. starting QB. Even if it's Purdy he could be very rusty and he's still a developmental QB. Yeah I think it's to the Ram's advantage to face steel early as it will only sharpen the Ram's blade.
Young, Hampton, Avila, Hodges-Tomlinson, Evans, Nacua, and their kickers IMO will all be impact players this year. The Rams finally have a legit backup to Stafford as well. This could become the best OL the Rams have fielded in years. I'm not worried about Bruss because if he isn't ready to start they have Jackson and Shelton. If Jackson is starting at RG then Thomas IMO becomes their gameday swing OT. I've watched Thomas at SDSU and he's good. Good mobility, good feet, and if he improves his strength and technique he can be a very underrated talent.
LT Noteboom
LG Avila
C Allen
RG Jackson or McClendon or Maginn
RT Havenstein
Swings: OT Thomas, C/OG Shelton, OG/OT McClendon
Gameday inactive roster: Maginn
In other words, the Rams have a lot of decent options on their OL and guys that can provide good depth. The difference between me and the media is that I look at the players and extrapolate from their collegiate play how good or bad they are. I don't judge by their draft position. IMO I think McClendon could be a very good RG, perhaps better than Bruss. McClendon has the build and feet of an RG, not an OT at this level. We have seen Jackson plays RG well in terms of pass protection. Jackosn's issues are in run blocking from that OG position, but those are coachable issues and I think Wendell will get a lot of that corrected.
