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Rams betting big on unproven offensive linemen
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...ams-betting-big-on-unproven-offensive-linemen
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Heading toward training camp at the end of this month, there is no shortage of questions about the St. Louis Rams' offensive line. At least outside the building.
But within the walls of Rams Park, there seems to be plenty of confidence that a group with only one established and experienced starter (left guard Rodger Saffold) will be just fine by the time the real games start in September.
“They’re going to be ready to go, so that’s not going to be an issue," Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said.
If that seems like a lot of belief in a unit that currently figures to have two rookies starting on the right side and a center with somewhere between zero and four NFL starts to his name, that's because it is.
And to have such faith at this point is based solely on what took place in organized team activities, so projected rookie starters Jamon Brown and Rob Havenstein have never so much as put pads on in the NFL.
At center, the Rams have a competition brewing among Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones and Demetrius Rhaney. Only Barnes has started a game in the NFL, though Jones has played a handful of snaps on offense. Rhaney missed his rookie season with a knee injury.
"We don’t have a lot of experience at the center position, but you gain experience by playing," Fisher said. "We’ll make that decision at some point. I’m pleased with the flexibility. I’m pleased with where ‘JB’ is right now at the guard spot. Rob has been solid at right tackle. They’re not making mistakes. Again, it’s so early because you don’t have the pads on. I think they will probably improve significantly when the pads go on because it stalemates a little bit with the defense. Defense wins right now. That’s just how OTAs are. Defense is going to win.”
When the Rams open the full-squad training camp July 29, conventional wisdom says pads will indeed help level the playing field. But even if that helps, the young Rams offensive linemen, who also include second-year left tackle Greg Robinson, will get their trial by fire every day in practice. Facing a dominant Rams defensive line featuring five former first-round picks and talented backups, there will be no let up for the likes of Brown and Havenstein.
The Rams are hoping that competition will make things much easier for the offensive line when the games begin.
Asked near the end of OTAs if the Rams still maintained interest in adding a veteran offensive lineman, Fisher indicated the Rams are "always" evaluating potential options. But that rings more as coach speak than a genuine interest in adding another piece from the outside. The Rams passed on adding veteran help all throughout the offseason, choosing instead to spend four draft picks on the line. Released guard Evan Mathis drew plenty of interest from fans, but it seems the Rams don't have the same desire or the cap space to potentially make that move.
Of course, things could change as the pads come on. While Fisher believes pads will make his offensive linemen better, there's always a chance it will expose someone as being unprepared or, worse, lead to an injury. If that's the case, the Rams might have no choice but to re-evaluate.
"The expectation is you’re competing for jobs out here," offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti said. "Sure, it’s a transition from college football to the National Football League, but once again, that’s why you have the different phases, the OTAs. They’ll be a step ahead for training camp. (Offensive line) coach (Paul) Boudreau and (assistant offensive line) coach (Andy) Dickerson have done a great job training them. They’re doing a great job in the classroom. That’s where it starts. Then once again, you see them bringing it out here to the practice field, making improvements every day.”
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...ams-betting-big-on-unproven-offensive-linemen
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Heading toward training camp at the end of this month, there is no shortage of questions about the St. Louis Rams' offensive line. At least outside the building.
But within the walls of Rams Park, there seems to be plenty of confidence that a group with only one established and experienced starter (left guard Rodger Saffold) will be just fine by the time the real games start in September.
“They’re going to be ready to go, so that’s not going to be an issue," Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said.
If that seems like a lot of belief in a unit that currently figures to have two rookies starting on the right side and a center with somewhere between zero and four NFL starts to his name, that's because it is.
And to have such faith at this point is based solely on what took place in organized team activities, so projected rookie starters Jamon Brown and Rob Havenstein have never so much as put pads on in the NFL.
At center, the Rams have a competition brewing among Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones and Demetrius Rhaney. Only Barnes has started a game in the NFL, though Jones has played a handful of snaps on offense. Rhaney missed his rookie season with a knee injury.
"We don’t have a lot of experience at the center position, but you gain experience by playing," Fisher said. "We’ll make that decision at some point. I’m pleased with the flexibility. I’m pleased with where ‘JB’ is right now at the guard spot. Rob has been solid at right tackle. They’re not making mistakes. Again, it’s so early because you don’t have the pads on. I think they will probably improve significantly when the pads go on because it stalemates a little bit with the defense. Defense wins right now. That’s just how OTAs are. Defense is going to win.”
When the Rams open the full-squad training camp July 29, conventional wisdom says pads will indeed help level the playing field. But even if that helps, the young Rams offensive linemen, who also include second-year left tackle Greg Robinson, will get their trial by fire every day in practice. Facing a dominant Rams defensive line featuring five former first-round picks and talented backups, there will be no let up for the likes of Brown and Havenstein.
The Rams are hoping that competition will make things much easier for the offensive line when the games begin.
Asked near the end of OTAs if the Rams still maintained interest in adding a veteran offensive lineman, Fisher indicated the Rams are "always" evaluating potential options. But that rings more as coach speak than a genuine interest in adding another piece from the outside. The Rams passed on adding veteran help all throughout the offseason, choosing instead to spend four draft picks on the line. Released guard Evan Mathis drew plenty of interest from fans, but it seems the Rams don't have the same desire or the cap space to potentially make that move.
Of course, things could change as the pads come on. While Fisher believes pads will make his offensive linemen better, there's always a chance it will expose someone as being unprepared or, worse, lead to an injury. If that's the case, the Rams might have no choice but to re-evaluate.
"The expectation is you’re competing for jobs out here," offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti said. "Sure, it’s a transition from college football to the National Football League, but once again, that’s why you have the different phases, the OTAs. They’ll be a step ahead for training camp. (Offensive line) coach (Paul) Boudreau and (assistant offensive line) coach (Andy) Dickerson have done a great job training them. They’re doing a great job in the classroom. That’s where it starts. Then once again, you see them bringing it out here to the practice field, making improvements every day.”
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