Thanks for getting back with me So Ram.
I would expect Darrell Williams to be resigned but he is not a swing OT. That's why we saw Cornelius Lucas signed to a contract last season. I suspect DW will have strong competition this season because Kromer idealy needs a bonafide swing OT on the roster not a LT reserve & a RT reserve. If Whitworth were to go down in a single game Saffold would
not be moved away from his LG post.But if it were for longer period of time & DW is no better than what he has been thus far Blythe will take up the LG post & Saffold move left a few feet.
My belief that Saffold would be the LT if Andrew was unable to start a few games or was to retire is that's been the way the Rams have gone in the 2013, 2014 & 2016 seasons. Saffold was our starting OT for 3 season before his move into the interior. Saffold was a very successful starting OT for 4 yrs in college too. The last time Saffold started @ LT was wk #17 in 2016.
Currently the Rams do not have any back up OT signed in 2018. The Rams do have 3 interior reserve OL'ers signed in 2018. 2 of whom started gms in the NFL & one started @ LG for Saffold & did a good job. See where I am going here....
The age factor is huge once NFL player move beyond 35 yrs old in today's NFL in 2018 IMO. Yes Whitworth appears to have been in great condition when the season began but to any trained observer as the season wore on so did Andrews slow responses did too. When the 2018 regular season begins Whitworth will be 36 plus 9 months yrs old.
Jackie Slater did remain on the Rams roster until he was past 40 yrs old but here's what I say to that:
*Slater played a different position than Whitworth in a different age in time in the NFL.
*Slater played on a
run dominate team for the later half of his late yrs.
*Slater's last full season season completed as a starter in the OL was in 1992 @
38 yrs old, Even though Slater did not retire until 1995.
Look I believe that Whitworth will be our starting LT in 2018. I also think the Rams gave him a great contract to give him a great desire & reason to
NOT to retire ( if healthy) in 2018. Whitworth is one of my favorite 2017 Rams! I
to have five more just like him & would want to clone him if we could.