Pre-season Game 2 OL & RB's ...

[jrry32]

The HB depth is a problem. Last night did not dissuade me of that belief. Funk is basically unplayable on passing downs right now. And X. Jones doesn't have the power to carry the load if Hendo goes down. We need a more veteran option who can pass block and grind out yardage.

 

[Riverumbbq]

If Whit goes down I see Boom going in. If either OG goes down Anchrum goes in. If Center goes down Corbs slides over and Anchrum goes in. If Hav goes down Anchrum goes in. IMO those two guys have the line covered. It's not really about him being spread thin either, I mean no matter how you plan things if you get 2 guys into your depth the Rams still look better than most teams. Where they're fucked is if they end up 3 deep into their depth.

Whit / Edwards / Allen / Corbs / Hav then your top two backups Boom and Anchrum puts them at 7. Probably two slots left. One is likely Center IMO so I think Shelton gets the nod there, because he has been serviceable there in preseason games. For that last slot that is why I say Brewer needs to show OG and make the team that way. Because Boom/Anchrum have the edges covered and then some. If Brewer can't do that he's gonna be a cut and they'll keep Evans and call him OG or Meredith.

Sort of looks like Evans vs Brewer for that last spot either way. Meredith could kill it and with a statement game would be in nice shape but he's still a longshot at this point.

While I agree on Evans/Brewer likely competing for that final roster spot, as of today I have Meredith besting Shelton, although only Brewer makes the 53. Shelton has done nothing at OG and I'm not convinced we need a #3 Center on the regular roster when Anchrum could be cross-training for that spot. Meredith has looked better than all comers so far at both OG positions, I'm not as convinced as others that he'd make it past waivers, but there just might not be any choice.
If I was voting on this today, our 9 strong OL likely comes out more this way :

LT - Whitworth/Noteboom/A.Jackson
LG - Edwards/Anchrum
C - Allen/Corbett
RG - Corbett/Anchrum
RT - Havenstein/Brewer

Obviously Evans, Meredith & Shelton are still in play here, but when I examine the positions they play, who they compete against and where they might be useful outside of their presumed 1'st slot, Brewer gets first nod, Meredith would be a very close second.
With Whitworth likely retiring following this season, I'd really hate to lose Brewer as OT competition.
Meredith can cross-train from the practice squad, Evans can try to rehabilitate his recent career misfortunes from the practice squad, and Shelton can at least temporarily remain our #3 Center from the practice squad.
Our 3'rd pre-season game in Denver should really answer any more nagging questions, so I'm looking forward to the final round of competition before the last of the bloodletting. jmo.

 

[Faceplant]

Just gonna leave this here for discussion....

 

[Riverumbbq]

View attachment 47438

Just gonna leave this here for discussion....

Yeah, this was already posted to another thread. I haven't heard any comments yet from a Rams fan who agrees with PFF on this.

 

[1maGoh]

View attachment 47438

Just gonna leave this here for discussion....

Go home PFF. You're drunk.

 

[Merlin]

Merlin,
I noticed that you don't have Alaric Jackson listed anywhere. Where does he fit in your scenario?

~ArkyRamsFan~

I forgot Jackson. Yes I do think he makes this team.

 

[TexasRam]

The HB depth is a problem. Last night did not dissuade me of that belief. Funk is basically unplayable on passing downs right now. And X. Jones doesn't have the power to carry the load if Hendo goes down. We need a more veteran option who can pass block and grind out yardage.

Yea I can’t even imagine trying to play a game with Funk trying to block a blitzer. He had zero clue where the rush was on multiple occasions and the one time he did he couldn’t block they guy at all. Same thing in preseason 1.

We take it for granted but Faulk and pre injury Gurley we’re good at this.

I suspect we will see a move in short order.

 

[den-the-coach]

Yea I don't know.

I wanted to like A. Jackson but looking at the tape he was beat at least two times and other times was real shaky. I think he lacks the power and hands to play on Sunday right now. I might have to PS him. Not sure what the Rams think.



I agree we should let Evans get some RT looks. Need to see if there is anything to salvage before giving him the bad news.

i would like them to flip flop Evans & Anchrum not sure they will because IMO, they want Evans to play Guard because of the lack of depth on the interior, the Rams might have to make a deal for a true guard.

I'm shocked how well Meredith has played, he was a Center at Western Kentucky and lacks size at 6-3 300lbs, but has outplayed everyone at Guard, hoping he's a fine like you communicated. I could see them keeping Jackson because of his ability to play LT, but you're right, he lacks power, he's listed at 6-7 and only 284lbs, so he needs to get stronger, hopefully, he will be able to do that with a year of NFL strength & conditioning.

IMO, at this point I believe Shelton is kept, his snaps have been good and he did improve from one game to the next. Rams have depth at Safety, maybe they can trade one of them for an interior offensive lineman.

 

[den-the-coach]

We take it for granted but Faulk and pre injury Gurley we’re good at this.

I suspect we will see a move in short order.

Malcolm Brown was also amazing in pass protection, one of his best assets.

 

[Riverumbbq]

i would like them to flip flop Evans & Anchrum not sure they will because IMO, they want Evans to play Guard because of the lack of depth on the interior, the Rams might have to make a deal for a true guard.

I'm shocked how well Meredith has played, he was a Center at Western Kentucky and lacks size at 6-3 300lbs, but has outplayed everyone at Guard, hoping he's a fine like you communicated. I could see them keeping Jackson because of his ability to play LT, but you're right, he lacks power, he's listed at 6-7 and only 284lbs, so he needs to get stronger, hopefully, he will be able to do that with a year of NFL strength & conditioning.

IMO, at this point I believe Shelton is kept, his snaps have been good and he did improve from one game to the next. Rams have depth at Safety, maybe they can trade one of them for an interior offensive lineman.

Imo the Rams would be just fine on the interior OL if they utilized Anchrum & Meredith at their best OG positions, then cross-trained them at Center. The only real depth problem I'm seeing at the moment is a back-up RT. jmo.

 

[BonifayRam]

Imo the Rams would be just fine on the interior OL if they utilized Anchrum & Meredith at their best OG positions, then cross-trained them at Center. The only real depth problem I'm seeing at the moment is a back-up RT. jmo.

UDFA Rookie OG/OC Jordan Meredith is the biggest surprise in this TC & preseason. You simply can not let him be available to other teams by releasing. Meredith would be my #9 Ram Ol'er. He shows much promise & fills the great need for the future.

I would release Bobby Evans/ Chandler Brewer & Jeremiah Kolone & see just what happens then. Very good chance the Rams can sign Chandler Brewer back to the initial Practice Squad.

Once again at this point in time, the #1 need that Carberry needs to resolve is "who is going to be the top Swing OG". One thing I know is Bobby Evans would be the wrong decision if it were him. It's NOT like Evans is just learning to play the new interior positions here in 2021, Evans was involved as the top Swing OG & late season starter all last season!

Ref. Brewer.......for a reserve OL'er who is able to play multiple posts like Brewer (four) even though he may not be ready for starting duties (since he has only a half of a season 2019 on being active roster)carry any value over a reserve OL'er (who has been active for two back to back seasons)who can only play one or 2 posts & who has degraded since his rookie season?

Those PFF ratings just prove what we already have known for a long time very inconsistent from rating to rating I should take them for nothing but a pile of ... sold to whom will buy their produced & sent out information.

 

[BonifayRam]

Imo the Rams would be just fine on the interior OL if they utilized Anchrum & Meredith at their best OG positions, then cross-trained them at Center. The only real depth problem I'm seeing at the moment is a back-up RT. jmo.

I do not have any concerns over that backup RT post.

Rams have two very good LT's in Whitworth or Noteboom who could flip if there were a need.

I would not forget that the Rams over 6-6 tall starting LG Edwards who had 31 starts at right tackle at Wisconsin could also move over if needed. I still maintain that the 39 yr old Whitworth can man the LG post if needed with Noteboom to his left.

Carberry will still have Anchrum & Alaric Jackson waiting in the wings. Rams will be able to carry 16 players plus OT Max Pircher on the Practice Squad.

 

[Tano]

Go home PFF. You're drunk.

Yeah and they were drunk all last year rating Blythe as high as they did.

 

[Merlin]

Since I forgot Jackson on the last post here's my best guess at this moment:

1. Whit
2. Edwards
3. Hav
4. Corbs
5. Allen
------
6. Boom (LT)
7. Anchrum (RT, OG)
-------
8. Jackson (LT)
9. Shelton/Evans/Meredith

* The room looks sorted to me if they keep 9 because Center they may not like Corbs as backup. So the safe bet is to keep Shelton around as your 9th OL since he can play C/OG. Also he has done a good job in preseason, not perfect but I'm happy with him as the final OL.

* If they keep 10 I expect it means Shelton was 9th OL, and 10th will be the best OG option for third string since we're stocked on tackles. IMO by extension this spot would basically be Evans vs Meredith vs other positions' bottom depth/teams.

* I do think there is a good chance they keep 10 this year. Either Evans or Meredith can win a roster spot with a strong final game. I think Brewer is out. So is Kolone.

* Lastly I think they are "stashing" Pircher. They gave Jackson a ton of snaps at LT and he played himself onto the roster. This allows them to keep a very big and athletic OT under the radar. Not sure what NFL rules are with these guys, i.e. if some team wants to sign them away can they? I probably need to educate myself on that.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Lastly I think they are "stashing" Pircher. They gave Jackson a ton of snaps at LT and he played himself onto the roster. This allows them to keep a very big and athletic OT under the radar. Not sure what NFL rules are with these guys, i.e. if some team wants to sign them away can they? I probably need to educate myself on that.

If this wiki is correct; LINK

IPP = International Pathway Program
Rams are one of the 4 NFCW teams participating

The NFL has specific regulations for players that sign through the IPP. The teams to which each IPP player is assigned are allowed 91 players on their off-season rosters, one more than those teams that are not participating in the IPP that year.

At the point when these rosters need to be cut to 53 (at the end of pre-season), the participating teams must decide the status of their IPP players.

First, the team can keep their IPP player on their 53-man roster. If they waive the player, he goes through the NFL's waiver system, which allows him to be claimed by another team. If he clears waivers, the team can sign the player to their practice squad. If they do, they may elect to take an exemption for the IPP player, giving them an extra spot on their practice squad. If they utilize the exemption, that player cannot be signed to the active roster of any team during the season. If the exemption is declined, the player is treated like any other practice squad player, and can be promoted to a team's active roster. If the player chooses to sign with a team other than the one to which he was assigned, that team may not claim the exemption.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

With OG Evans resuming his same poor 2020 year-end performance in 2021 preseason,& with Rookie Alaric Jackson & Tremayne Anchrum outperforming Evans in OL play .....someone needs to tell me why Evans is considered to have won a roster position Please?

Why would you need Evans if you have Anchrum & Jackson?

What future benefits would Evans bring in comparison to either Jackson or Anchrum?

Can Coleman Shelton handle being the top reserve OC again in 2021 with the added assignment of reserve swing OG?

Or would having both Shelton & Rookie Meredith on the roster be much be better now & more important next season than Evans & Brewer?

Interesting that Chandler Brewer is continuing to be moved around a lot in both 2019 & 2021 TC's & now also both 2019 & 2021 preseason...is that really considered a bad omen in comparison to a one-post rider 3rd season Evans?

Some guys regress. It’s likely a want to thing with Evans. I’d bet in the off-season Carberry looked at his film and said, “ shoot we can fix that “.

Shelton isn’t even a good backup. If he couldn’t beat out Allen or Blythe he’s just filler. McVay constantly puts his best draft capital into skill positions. If anything sidetracks this team it will be Oline and Oline depth. He’s been skating around the center position since he’s arrived.

I have a hard time believing that Anchrum couldn’t be a good guard. At one time we hoped that he’d be the future center. Apparently he is only a small OT.

Jackson seems to finally be that Diamond in the rough that Snead has been trying to find for years. Hopefully Meredith can pan out because guard depth is pathetic. I hope they get back to using some real picks on Oline in 2022. They used four on Noteboom, Allen, Evans and Edwards and only hit on one really. I also still hold out hope that Carberry is a better talent evaluator than Kromer.

Give me a center or give me death!

 

[1maGoh]

Give me a center or give me death!

~Les Snead, probably

 

[BonifayRam]

Some guys regress. It’s likely a want to thing with Evans. I’d bet in the off-season Carberry looked at his film and said, “ shoot we can fix that “.

Shelton isn’t even a good backup. If he couldn’t beat out Allen or Blythe he’s just filler. McVay constantly puts his best draft capital into skill positions. If anything sidetracks this team it will be Oline and Oline depth. He’s been skating around the center position since he’s arrived.

I have a hard time believing that Anchrum couldn’t be a good guard. At one time we hoped that he’d be the future center. Apparently he is only a small OT.

Jackson seems to finally be that Diamond in the rough that Snead has been trying to find for years. Hopefully Meredith can pan out because guard depth is pathetic. I hope they get back to using some real picks on Oline in 2022. They used four on Noteboom, Allen, Evans and Edwards and only hit on one really. I also still hold out hope that Carberry is a better talent evaluator than Kromer.

Give me a center or give me death!

Thanks to my long-time Ram fan Elmgrovegnome for passing on some of your thoughts on my OL post. It's obvious I have fallen out of favor BIG on Bobby Evans making it as one of the starting OG's or even being a fair Swing OG for this Ram team. I see no need for him on this roster .....period.

Coleman Shelton was a very lucky 2020 reserve Ram OC behind Blythe. Coleman Shelton plays 54 snaps in 2020 & & 24 snaps as the backup center in 2019. Snead/McVay has not had to depend on Shelton much the last two seasons. The very good about Shelton is the cost of paying him for his 2 past seasons has cost the Rams cap very little to nothing for his performances.

In truth when on the field in regular-season games with the offense Shelton has held his own in battle. The other good thing about Shelton is he will be only an RFA in March next yr so the Rams will be able to get another season's worth of work at a still-low cap price for an NFL OL'er who has been in the NFL since 2018. The Rams get an OL'er with 4 yrs' worth of training & experience @ 3 interior posts is not a bad way to go. So Shelton carries some value to me in this 2021 makeup as a reserve. That's because I favor Rookie OC/OG Jordan Meredith as our 9th OL'er @ this point due to his promise as a 3 post interior reserve.

McVay is going to have to do some major wiggling & turning himself into a pretzel to get OT Rookie Alaric Jackson to make this MR53. He may have to go initially with 10 OL'ers on the MR53 to keep Jackson a Ram. This needs to be done we agree big on this. I would take Jackson any time over Evans. Maybe the placement of OT Anchrum on the IR at the beginning of the season would be the path to keep OT Jackson a Ram

 

[BonifayRam]

Since I forgot Jackson on the last post here's my best guess at this moment:

1. Whit
2. Edwards
3. Hav
4. Corbs
5. Allen
------
6. Boom (LT)
7. Anchrum (RT, OG)
-------
8. Jackson (LT)
9. Shelton/Evans/Meredith

* The room looks sorted to me if they keep 9 because Center they may not like Corbs as backup. So the safe bet is to keep Shelton around as your 9th OL since he can play C/OG. Also he has done a good job in preseason, not perfect but I'm happy with him as the final OL.

* If they keep 10 I expect it means Shelton was 9th OL, and 10th will be the best OG option for third string since we're stocked on tackles. IMO by extension this spot would basically be Evans vs Meredith vs other positions' bottom depth/teams.

* I do think there is a good chance they keep 10 this year. Either Evans or Meredith can win a roster spot with a strong final game. I think Brewer is out. So is Kolone.

* Lastly I think they are "stashing" Pircher. They gave Jackson a ton of snaps at LT and he played himself onto the roster. This allows them to keep a very big and athletic OT under the radar. Not sure what NFL rules are with these guys, i.e. if some team wants to sign them away can they? I probably need to educate myself on that.

@ this point in time here's how I would hope it would go in order to get Jackson on the MR53:

STARTERS
LT-Whitworth
LG-Edwards
OC-Allen
RG-Corbett
RT-Havenstein

RESERVES
#6} Noteboom-Top Swing OT & emergency reserve LG
#7} Shelton-Backup OC/OG
#8} (R) Meredith-Swing OG/OC
#9} (R) Jackson -Swing OT

Tremayne Anchrum to IR initially at the beginning of the regular season. After 3 weeks or later activate Ancrum if needed. This buys much more time on that decision on LT Jackson, then make a decision on OL @ that time are you remaining #9 OL'ers or preparing for the future & going #10 Ol'ers.

PRACTICE SQUAD
(R) Max Pircher OT
Jeremiah Kolone OC

 

[Merlin]

In truth when on the field in regular-season games with the offense Shelton has held his own in battle. The other good thing about Shelton is he will be only an RFA in March next yr so the Rams will be able to get another season's worth of work at a still-low cap price for an NFL OL'er who has been in the NFL since 2018. The Rams get an OL'er with 4 yrs' worth of training & experience @ 3 interior posts is not a bad way to go. So Shelton carries some value to me in this 2021 makeup as a reserve. That's because I favor Rookie OC/OG Jordan Meredith as our 9th OL'er @ this point due to his promise as a 3 post interior reserve.

Yeah I think Shelton has a chance to make it. Which is a surprise to me but he's played solid this preseason and the way the top of our depth shakes out with so much OT quality it seems like an interior type would be wise on the bottom.

Meredith has definitely shown some good things. You know what I really like about his film is he plays fast. I don't mean in terms of foot speed but rather just the speed he's operating at. Watching our OL I've gotten accustomed to OGs and Cs who take forever to get second level. Which is probably why McVay is angling for more power/duo in the scheme this year. But Meredith seems like he assists and is on the move second level much quicker than the rest of the guys.

Tremayne Anchrum to IR initially at the beginning of the regular season. After 3 weeks or later activate Ancrum if needed. This buys much more time on that decision on LT Jackson, then make a decision on OL @ that time are you remaining #9 OL'ers or preparing for the future & going #10 Ol'ers.

Anchrum will dress game one if he's available. His value coming off the bench is > any value he gives us with the bottom of the depth chart IMO.

Re: Jackson you don't have to worry. The guy held down LT for us very well through preseason playing entire games. He has already won a job Boni. He is not the final roster spot, not even close. It's a supply/demand thing. There are LTs that get drafted high that can't do what Jackson just did, that need a little time to adjust and get their feet or hand technique better. Jackson has a nice blend of just enough strength and feet to nullify the matchups he's been getting. He would of course get eaten by starters but what he's done has won him a roster spot. Cutting him would be a mistake of large proportion.