Havenstein thankful for opportunity with Rams
By Nate Latsch
http://stl.scout.com/story/1547422-havenstein-thankful-for-opportunity-with-rams
Rob Havenstein wanted to play cards with his family during the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Then his phone started ringing and the house went silent.
The former Wisconsin right tackle, who spoke about his draft experience with KMOX 1120 AM’s Mike Kelly in an interview on Sunday morning, was “pleasantly surprised” when he got the call that the St. Louis Rams were picking him in the second round.
“Kind of what I heard, whether it was from my agent or just the buzz around, is I could go pretty much anywhere,” Havenstein told Kelly. “I wasn’t too worried about where I went. I was focused on getting my shot.
“I actually, right at the start of the second round, I just had my family down at my house and I wanted to play some cards, so we’re sitting there playing cards and I’m dealing them out and then all of a sudden my phone starts ringing. The whole house kind of went silent. I definitely wasn’t expecting to be called that early, but I’m so thankful for the opportunity that I have ahead of me.”
The opportunity ahead of Havenstein, the mountainous 6-foot-7, 321-pound offensive tackle, looks to be a big challenge — win the starting right tackle spot for a team that has overhauled its offensive line this offseason.
The Rams want to run the ball, but haven’t been able to establish that identity during Jeff Fisher’s first three seasons in St. Louis. They ranked 20th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (102.2) last season and ranked 19th in 2013 (109.5) and 2012 (107.1).
Having a healthy No. 1 quarterback and keeping him on the field should help, but there’s an obvious emphasis on the rushing attack after spending the No. 10 overall pick on Georgia running back Todd Gurley and then using four of the next six picks on offensive linemen — Havenstein in the second round, Jamon Brown in the third, Andrew Donnal in the fourth and Cody Wichmann in the sixth.
The new Rams took their first steps toward that goal during their recent rookie orientation session, which included two practices.
“I think it went very well,” Havenstein said. “Obviously we’re putting in a new system than what we’ve all done in college and it’s learning that and kind of making that a second-language type thing so when you’re out there playing you don’t need to worry about which way am I going, who do I got, what are we doing and all that good stuff and all the calls for it. You can just get back to playing football.”
The sooner, the better for the Rams’ rookie class.
Havenstein brings a strong resume with him to St. Louis with the success that the Badgers have had running the ball during his time in Madison, including blocking for Heisman Trophy finalists like Montee Ball and Melvin Gordon during his three years as the starter at right tackle.
“We’ve been very fortunate with the backs that came to Wisconsin,” Havenstein said.
Now, the big fella will be blocking for a diverse running back group that includes Gurley, Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham.
How soon the right tackle can get on the field and make an impact is, of course, still to be determined. But he’s this offseason working to contribute however he can.
“I’m just looking for any way I can help,” Havenstein said. “If that’s at guard, tackle, wide receiver…”
Kelly stopped him before he could finish that thought, with the radio host and the lineman exchanging laughs.
“It’s really anywhere I can help,” Havenstein continued. “I’m all for it.”
