- Joined
- Jul 31, 2010
- Messages
- 8,874
Rams in no hurry to choose a starting center
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/19996/rams-in-no-rush-to-choose-a-starting-center
EARTH CITY, Mo. --There's an argument to be made that the sooner the St. Louis Rams decide on a starting center, the better off their young offensive line will be in 2015.
The theory goes that having a group of five take all of the repetitions together allows for better communication, and thus, better production. It's a theory that has plenty of merit.
But Rams coach Jeff Fisher has made it clear he has no intention of rushing into a decision as he tries to determine who is the best option from a group that includes Barrett Jones, Tim Barnes and Demetrius Rhaney.
“I’m not going to put a date on it or a deadline on it," Fisher said. "We’re going to let them do it. I think it’s important when you’re in those situations that you don’t overwork any of them. We’re going to rotate them and give them the reps. It’s hard enough nowadays to get the reps, but you know, when we feel comfortable with it and make a decision, we’ll let you know. But I’m not going to say it’s Week 3 in preseason or Week 4 or whatever.
"You know you want to get it done as quickly as you can, but we have three guys that are capable, two that have played. You know Tim has played more than Barrett. Barrett played a solid 24-28 plays against Kansas City but Demetrius has a couple of preseason games under his belt from last year. So we’ll just see.”
Seeing will be a much easier task now that the Rams can practice in full pads. The team held its first fully padded, full-squad workout on Tuesday and has Wednesday off before getting back into more padded practices, including a full-team scrimmage set for Friday night.
Nowhere is the use of pads more important than on the offensive line, where a group that projects as the youngest in the league is trying to catch up to one of the most talented defensive lines in the league. Pads are supposed to be the great equalizer but in this case, they might just offer a glimmer of hope.
The addition of pads will also give offensive line coach Paul Boudreau and the rest of the staff a chance to get a good evaluation of the three competitors at center. To this point, the rotation has remained the same as it was in the spring when Barnes took the first reps with the first team, then Jones then Rhaney. For whatever it's worth (not much at this point), the Rams listed Jones as the projected starter on their pre-camp release.
But none of that will matter as much as playing well and proving capable of handling all the responsibilities that go with the job over the next few weeks. It's entirely possible the competition will continue into preseason games so the Rams can get a full evaluation of each player before making a decision.
When a choice is clear, Fisher will make it knowing exactly what he's looking for in his starting center.
“Well, you know, obviously it’s getting everybody lined up and making the ID calls and making the subtle adjustments on the line of scrimmage, communicating with the quarterback," Fisher said. "We have two snaps. We have the shotgun snap and we have the snap under center that are vitally important. They have to be ... you know, often times that’s taken for granted. The exchange thing is very, very important. Then it’s the ability to understand, recognize what they’re doing and make the calls and hang in there in a one-on-one situation. Their ability to help, that’s the most important thing. You know when you’re playing different configurations of fronts, your center is going to be quick to go help at some plays. He needs to be right when he goes to help.”
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/19996/rams-in-no-rush-to-choose-a-starting-center
EARTH CITY, Mo. --There's an argument to be made that the sooner the St. Louis Rams decide on a starting center, the better off their young offensive line will be in 2015.
The theory goes that having a group of five take all of the repetitions together allows for better communication, and thus, better production. It's a theory that has plenty of merit.
But Rams coach Jeff Fisher has made it clear he has no intention of rushing into a decision as he tries to determine who is the best option from a group that includes Barrett Jones, Tim Barnes and Demetrius Rhaney.
“I’m not going to put a date on it or a deadline on it," Fisher said. "We’re going to let them do it. I think it’s important when you’re in those situations that you don’t overwork any of them. We’re going to rotate them and give them the reps. It’s hard enough nowadays to get the reps, but you know, when we feel comfortable with it and make a decision, we’ll let you know. But I’m not going to say it’s Week 3 in preseason or Week 4 or whatever.
"You know you want to get it done as quickly as you can, but we have three guys that are capable, two that have played. You know Tim has played more than Barrett. Barrett played a solid 24-28 plays against Kansas City but Demetrius has a couple of preseason games under his belt from last year. So we’ll just see.”
Seeing will be a much easier task now that the Rams can practice in full pads. The team held its first fully padded, full-squad workout on Tuesday and has Wednesday off before getting back into more padded practices, including a full-team scrimmage set for Friday night.
Nowhere is the use of pads more important than on the offensive line, where a group that projects as the youngest in the league is trying to catch up to one of the most talented defensive lines in the league. Pads are supposed to be the great equalizer but in this case, they might just offer a glimmer of hope.
The addition of pads will also give offensive line coach Paul Boudreau and the rest of the staff a chance to get a good evaluation of the three competitors at center. To this point, the rotation has remained the same as it was in the spring when Barnes took the first reps with the first team, then Jones then Rhaney. For whatever it's worth (not much at this point), the Rams listed Jones as the projected starter on their pre-camp release.
But none of that will matter as much as playing well and proving capable of handling all the responsibilities that go with the job over the next few weeks. It's entirely possible the competition will continue into preseason games so the Rams can get a full evaluation of each player before making a decision.
When a choice is clear, Fisher will make it knowing exactly what he's looking for in his starting center.
“Well, you know, obviously it’s getting everybody lined up and making the ID calls and making the subtle adjustments on the line of scrimmage, communicating with the quarterback," Fisher said. "We have two snaps. We have the shotgun snap and we have the snap under center that are vitally important. They have to be ... you know, often times that’s taken for granted. The exchange thing is very, very important. Then it’s the ability to understand, recognize what they’re doing and make the calls and hang in there in a one-on-one situation. Their ability to help, that’s the most important thing. You know when you’re playing different configurations of fronts, your center is going to be quick to go help at some plays. He needs to be right when he goes to help.”