Offensive Lines

[Da-Rock]

I have been a big proponent of a teams Offensive Line being the most important piece of the team.

I still believe a good team has good offensive line, BUT....................I think the definition of a "Good Offensive line" gets blurred often with fans and the media.

Most of the "Good" Olines are not full of stars.....in fact, most often I notice it has one great player and several other average to good players. Look at the Patriots. Every year, (just like the rest of their team) they hobble together players who are unknown, but play well.

So....having said that and disliking the Rams Oline, I am hesitant to have us grab Free Agents or trade for top dollar guys when most often a good line is a bunch of guys who play together well.

No, I do not know what this means for our Rams and the Oline. Maybe we do need to shuffle the unproven guys in to see if the blend better than the others.

 

[OldSchool]

Offensive line thread #1298 of the week

 

[12intheBox]

View: https://twitter.com/camdasilva/status/1184577091800616966?s=20

 

[KayJay]

Look, I don't need a "good offensive line". I need for these guys who know a pass play is coming to give my quarterback more than 2 seconds to get rid of the football. This offensive line isn't just bad, right now our guys are putrid. I know some guys don't like Pro-football focus, and that's fine. But even without their grades, it doesn't take a genius to recognize something is wrong. Often the running game becomes fools gold, because as soon as defensive players with even a moderate pass rush capability start keying in on it; they start blowing up any plays ran around the line of scrimmage. That includes screens, runs, tosses, everything.

But I digress, you are correct. Lines don't have to be full of stars; I'm pretty sure they already know that considering none of the names on our line aside from Whitworth is someone to write home about. You bring up an interesting point about the Patriots too. The only problem is, to the Patriots; the offensive line is their life. Notice how they have a bunch of random wide receivers you've never heard of until they steal and athletic marvel off another team? They make sure they at least have a 'Kupp', as in a high football IQ guy with good hands and route running capability. And someone elses big play receiver who takes the top off a defense or can make contested catches. The rest are just versatile tight end blockers like Higbee to help the running game. They don't break the bank on receivers. Why would they? They believe in Tom Brady to get the football out to those guys based on his accuracy alone. And if they can't depend on that, the boys up front are at least road graders that could make Trent Richardson look good running the football.

Too many teams in the past keep making the same mistake; and we were no different. If you have a pocket quarterback, invest in your O-Line a million times over. In reality you don't need a ton of Jordan Reeds, or Odell's or even Antonio Browns. You make those guys up front a priority, and ask your franchise quarterback to go out there and make some throws. THEN, and only THEN, should receivers become a topic. But of course...haha, offensive linemen don't sell tickets, and they aren't flashy. They just make everything run efficiently. But who cares about that right?!

 

[Da-Rock]

I wasn't ever in anything beyond High School Football and I played TE and WR. I can say even at the most basic levels of blocking, being in sync with the other blockers was paramount to success.

I see our line with guys we all can say "know" how to block and are Pros.....(well, maybe not Demby), but they seem so out of sync with each other. It looks like Larry, Curly and Moe out there.

What causes this at the Pro level?

 

[Kentuckyrams]

That's why this trade for Ramsey has me a bit concerned. Don't get me wrong - he's a great talent, but that trade seems like one you would make if you have one glaring need and you're all in for that season. You end up with fewer top picks and less cap space to devote to other areas, and the Rams' pass defense isn't the main weakness this year. Granted the soft zone might have been partly due to Peters, but we aren't generating a great rush either (we're something like 18 on sacks). I don't know that one player - especially on the defensive side of the ball is going to turn this season around.

It's the offense that has been the biggest weakness, just like in the SB. Whether it's a lousy O line, a struggling Goff, failures to adjust by McVay, a weak running game, it's the offense that worries me most. We need at least two inside line spots and maybe a LT next year, if Whit retires and Noteboom takes a while to rehab (not even sure he's a starting caliber LT).

Then on the other side, we need a DE, maybe a DT (Gaines might be that guy), probably an edge and at least one more ILB, unless Young becomes that guy. That's a lot of spots to upgrade with fewer picks and less cap space.

One website called the Ramsey trade an act of desperation. It does have that look a bit.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Offensive lines of the top of my head:

"the problem isn't that obesity runs in your family, the problem is no one in your family runs"

"My drug test came back negative. My dealer has some explaining to do."

I tried to change my password to "penis" but they said it was too short".

 

[Da-Rock]

Offensive lines of the top of my head:

"the problem isn't that obesity runs in your family, the problem is no one in your family runs"

"My drug test came back negative. My dealer has some explaining to do."

I tried to change my password to "penis" but they said it was too short".

It's funny because EVERY single time I say "Offensive Line" my brain darts to the Tampa Bay Buccs coach staating this after a loss:

Reporter: "How do you feel about the execution of your team today?"

Coach: "I'm all for it!"

Now when the Rams Oline is playing well I always go with Oline instead of Offensive line.

 

[bubbaramfan]

I can't help it. when I read "offensive line" , offensive one liners pop into my head.

Like another new thread "Look on the bright side" and immediately Monty Python pops in my head, and if I don't post em right away, they won't go away.

Senile? Most likely.

 

[Riverumbbq]

That's why this trade for Ramsey has me a bit concerned. Don't get me wrong - he's a great talent, but that trade seems like one you would make if you have one glaring need and you're all in for that season. You end up with fewer top picks and less cap space to devote to other areas, and the Rams' pass defense isn't the main weakness this year. Granted the soft zone might have been partly due to Peters, but we aren't generating a great rush either (we're something like 18 on sacks). I don't know that one player - especially on the defensive side of the ball is going to turn this season around.

It's the offense that has been the biggest weakness, just like in the SB. Whether it's a lousy O line, a struggling Goff, failures to adjust by McVay, a weak running game, it's the offense that worries me most. We need at least two inside line spots and maybe a LT next year, if Whit retires and Noteboom takes a while to rehab (not even sure he's a starting caliber LT).

Then on the other side, we need a DE, maybe a DT (Gaines might be that guy), probably an edge and at least one more ILB, unless Young becomes that guy. That's a lot of spots to upgrade with fewer picks and less cap space.

One website called the Ramsey trade an act of desperation. It does have that look a bit.

I'm a bit more optimistic here. Ramsey & Long will basically replace Peters & Talib, both of whom were destined to become free agents after this season. Not only this, but the change allows Wade Phillips to get back to a M2M coverage scheme. Sebastian Joseph-Day appears to be an ascending player, and it's likely Brockers & Fox will become free agent CAP casualties, so we draft a DE to start and another DT to replace Tanzel Smart, then bring up Marquise Copeland from the practice squad as a 5T rotational asset. So long as the Rams re-sign Littleton, i'm not seeing the need to draft another ILB due to the recent acquisition of Kenny Young, and he'll have Natriz Patrick as his likely back-up, with Howard behind Littleton. The Rams are stacked at OLB, the costly Fowler is no longer necessary, we have Matthews, Obo, Polite, Durham, Ebukam and Lawler to take up the slack. Our M2M will now allow our edge rushers more opportunities for sacks & TFL's.

For the offense, use the Fowler savings to purchase RG Scherff off the free agent market to replace outgoing free agent Blythe. Draft a mid-round OG/OT for insurance and increased swing depth. If Noteboom misses a few 2020 starts at the beginning of 2020, i'm sure Edwards can hold his own for a couple games.

Even with these new acquisitions, the Rams aren't CAP broke. We could easily have near $35mil. in available CAP beginning next off-season, potentially more if we re-sign Ramsey long-term. jmo.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I have been a big proponent of a teams Offensive Line being the most important piece of the team.

Same. From watching as a fan for so many years (maybe too many ), I've grown to believe, more than most people seem to, that OL has more of an impact on things--that it has a bigger ripple effect all the way through to how your D performs, and secondly that quality OL is harder to come by than what most people seem to think, so those two ideas together make our current situation that much more disturbing and worrisome for me.

Then again I'm just another fan and could have it wrong--maybe at this point I hope I do lol...

 

[Memento]

Here's a thought in the offseason: what if the Rams signed Andrus Peat instead of Brandon Scherff? Peat came into the league as a guard, true, but he played left tackle at Stanford. Y'all thinking what I'm thinking?

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I have been a big proponent of a teams Offensive Line being the most important piece of the team.

I still believe a good team has good offensive line, BUT....................I think the definition of a "Good Offensive line" gets blurred often with fans and the media.

Most of the "Good" Olines are not full of stars.....in fact, most often I notice it has one great player and several other average to good players. Look at the Patriots. Every year, (just like the rest of their team) they hobble together players who are unknown, but play well.

So....having said that and disliking the Rams Oline, I am hesitant to have us grab Free Agents or trade for top dollar guys when most often a good line is a bunch of guys who play together well.

No, I do not know what this means for our Rams and the Oline. Maybe we do need to shuffle the unproven guys in to see if the blend better than the others.

Olin Cowherd said you never see a bad Oline in the Super Bowl. He’s right. This isn’t the Rams year. They have a huge puzzle to solve. With Noteboom needing surgery it really muddled the picture for next year. Will they be able to trust him at OLT after he was only showing signs of progress in the 6th game?

 

[badnews]

Like another new thread "Look on the bright side" and immediately Monty Python pops in my head,

I considered sharing Eric Idle on the cross when I posted that

 

[Riverumbbq]

Here's a thought in the offseason: what if the Rams signed Andrus Peat instead of Brandon Scherff? Peat came into the league as a guard, true, but he played left tackle at Stanford. Y'all thinking what I'm thinking?

He'd be an excellent OT/OG option, although I like McVay's familiarity with Scherff. He's only 25 years old, ... when it's all said and done, the money costs between the two is likely to be similar. Can I have them both ?

 

[Memento]

He'd be an excellent OT/OG option, although I like McVay's familiarity with Scherff. He's only 25 years old, ... when it's all said and done, the money costs between the two is likely to be similar. Can I have them both ?

Scherff is actually twenty-seven and will turn twenty-eight in December. Peat will be twenty-six at the start of free agency.

And I'm not at all comfortable in paying five years for below-average pass-blocking in Scherff.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Scherff is actually twenty-seven and will turn twenty-eight in December. Peat will be twenty-six at the start of free agency.

And I'm not at all comfortable in paying five years for below-average pass-blocking in Scherff.

Yes, as stated, Peat is only 25 years old right now, perhaps I should have stated his name a second time, but that's who I thought we were talking about.
Scherff is a quality RG, he would help improve our OL immensely, and while I prefer my RG's to show better stats in rush blocking than pass pro, it's a consideration McVay will have to make. On this same note, I would prefer our blind side offensive linemen to be more proficient in pass pro. I'll take assets where I can find them though, Saffold became better at rush blocking than pass pro, whether this was a result of who he played next to or completely on his own, I don't know, but he was greatly influenced by his neighbors over the course of time here, and it appears the same in Tennessee. jmo.

 

[“Turbo set!”]

Look, I don't need a "good offensive line". I need for these guys who know a pass play is coming to give my quarterback more than 2 seconds to get rid of the football. This offensive line isn't just bad, right now our guys are putrid. I know some guys don't like Pro-football focus, and that's fine. But even without their grades, it doesn't take a genius to recognize something is wrong. Often the running game becomes fools gold, because as soon as defensive players with even a moderate pass rush capability start keying in on it; they start blowing up any plays ran around the line of scrimmage. That includes screens, runs, tosses, everything.

But I digress, you are correct. Lines don't have to be full of stars; I'm pretty sure they already know that considering none of the names on our line aside from Whitworth is someone to write home about. You bring up an interesting point about the Patriots too. The only problem is, to the Patriots; the offensive line is their life. Notice how they have a bunch of random wide receivers you've never heard of until they steal and athletic marvel off another team? They make sure they at least have a 'Kupp', as in a high football IQ guy with good hands and route running capability. And someone elses big play receiver who takes the top off a defense or can make contested catches. The rest are just versatile tight end blockers like Higbee to help the running game. They don't break the bank on receivers. Why would they? They believe in Tom Brady to get the football out to those guys based on his accuracy alone. And if they can't depend on that, the boys up front are at least road graders that could make Trent Richardson look good running the football.

Too many teams in the past keep making the same mistake; and we were no different. If you have a pocket quarterback, invest in your O-Line a million times over. In reality you don't need a ton of Jordan Reeds, or Odell's or even Antonio Browns. You make those guys up front a priority, and ask your franchise quarterback to go out there and make some throws. THEN, and only THEN, should receivers become a topic. But of course...haha, offensive linemen don't sell tickets, and they aren't flashy. They just make everything run efficiently. But who cares about that right?!

/ forum.

 

[OldSchool]

Here's a thought in the offseason: what if the Rams signed Andrus Peat instead of Brandon Scherff? Peat came into the league as a guard, true, but he played left tackle at Stanford. Y'all thinking what I'm thinking?

Problem will be money. I mean unless we dump a contract signing somebody to play LT is going to take at least half the cap space we have. Look at the LT free agents going into next year and their contracts this year. Castanzo made $11 million and Whitworth made $11.25 million. Then you have some relative bargains with Peters Greg Robinson and Kelvin Beachum between $6-8 million. Aside from Robinson all of them are over 30 and/or injury prone and GRob is what we all know him to be. So if you start talking about signing a guy to play LT in his mid 20's you're going to have to raise that number considerably over what we paid Whitworth this year. Peat and Schreff hell even Erek Flowers who by all reports has been a very good Guard for the Redskins aren't going to be cheap and we only have about $22 million total with some people to sign and as always you've got to have some wiggle room. I'm all for improving the line, but looking at the cap I'd be shocked if we sign a high profile free agent, without dumping a contract.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Problem will be money. I mean unless we dump a contract signing somebody to play LT is going to take at least half the cap space we have. Look at the LT free agents going into next year and their contracts this year. Castanzo made $11 million and Whitworth made $11.25 million. Then you have some relative bargains with Peters Greg Robinson and Kelvin Beachum between $6-8 million. Aside from Robinson all of them are over 30 and/or injury prone and GRob is what we all know him to be. So if you start talking about signing a guy to play LT in his mid 20's you're going to have to raise that number considerably over what we paid Whitworth this year. Peat and Schreff hell even Erek Flowers who by all reports has been a very good Guard for the Redskins aren't going to be cheap and we only have about $22 million total with some people to sign and as always you've got to have some wiggle room. I'm all for improving the line, but looking at the cap I'd be shocked if we sign a high profile free agent, without dumping a contract.

It seems you may be discounting one vital addition to that CAP figure you are using ? I'm assuming the $22mil in available CAP is already accepting for the losses of Whitworth, Talib, Brockers & Fowler, ... those names most often being tossed about as free agent losses to our 2019 regular roster ?
What about the annual NFL CAP gift each team receives at the beginning of the off-season ? It's been averaging approximately $10mil per year for several seasons now, and reports have been made suggesting that figure may go up for 2020 due to a large increase in league revenue last year, have you also included this in your CAP estimations ?