Rams LT Andrew Whitworth expected to return

[Merlin]

They gave the young guys a shot last year and it didn't work out so well.

At this point, we agree it sucks.

You studied the offensive line extensively. I'm not sure Evans was that good. I like his long arms and he can get better. If Whitworth walks we will find out if he or Edwards can fill in at LT. Rams would be thinner at OT without Whitworth.

He was a rookie and doesn't have problems with guys overpowering him. He'll polish up his technique. Same with Edwards. That's the key for me.

Allen and Boom both had issues getting trucked. That changes things, it's really hard to make up for that with better technique. Good thing is both are going into year 3 so they might surprise and get a lot stronger we'll see.

This is why I believe we'll get after a FA for the interior. And draft a guy or two to keep building that depth chart for competition. It's really all Snead can do at this point.

 

[Ram65]

Thanks it could get ugly. The 30% rule comes at the wrong time.

 

[Ram65]

He was a rookie and doesn't have problems with guys overpowering him. He'll polish up his technique. Same with Edwards. That's the key for me.

Allen and Boom both had issues getting trucked. That changes things, it's really hard to make up for that with better technique. Good thing is both are going into year 3 so they might surprise and get a lot stronger we'll see.

This is why I believe we'll get after a FA for the interior. And draft a guy or two to keep building that depth chart for competition. It's really all Snead can do at this point.

I would really like to see the Rams get stronger up the middle. Reading the above posts it sounds like money could be tight. Maybe, Rams have to go all-in on the young guys. Edwards and Evans did hold their ground but, didn't always get a positive push. I hope they are hitting the weight room hard. Let's hope the Rams have a plan that works.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Thanks it could get ugly. The 30% rule comes at the wrong time.

I'm not sure anyone on the Rams will be adversely affected outside of Littleton, and that's only if the Rams truly meant to keep him. Had they wanted to nail him down, they would have done it last year imo, it's not like Demoff and our front office were unaware of these rule changes.

Ramsey, Kupp & JJ are all under contract until the end of the 2020 season, and the Rams have a currently predicted CAP availability of near $75.mil. for 2021, ... and that's without making changes to Cooks & Gurley's contracts, trades, Cap casualties, or the potential for league income to be greater than anticipated relating to a rising CAP overall.

I'll be looking to hear about the Ramsey, Kupp & JJ3 extensions after the BYE or sometime mid-season, and taking effect right on schedule for 2021.
jmo.

 

[Ram65]

I'm not sure anyone on the Rams will be adversely affected outside of Littleton, and that's only if the Rams truly meant to keep him. Had they wanted to nail him down, they would have done it last year imo, it's not like Demoff and our front office were unaware of these rule changes.

Ramsey, Kupp & JJ are all under contract until the end of the 2020 season, and the Rams have a currently predicted CAP availability of near $75.mil. for 2021, ... and that's without making changes to Cooks & Gurley's contracts, trades, Cap casualties, or the potential for league income to be greater than anticipated relating to a rising CAP overall.

I'll be looking to hear about the Ramsey, Kupp & JJ3 extensions after the BYE or sometime mid-season, and taking effect right on schedule for 2021.
jmo.

I think you should quote @flv. He made the initial call for earlier more costly extensions.

I don't know when the bye is. They might just think it's better to become free agents if they wait into the season.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I don't know when the bye is. They might just think it's better to become free agents if they wait into the season.

Yeah, but that can be said of every player in their contract year.
Either they want to remain Rams or they want to explore the market. The Rams have all the available funds they need in 2021 to sign these 3 players to very lucrative contracts, it's up to Demoff and the player agents to do what's best for both the team & players. The players care about their signing bonus and their guaranteed money, once that's agreed on and the ink is dry, Kroenke can write that check for the signing bonus and it can go on the 2021 books.
Shaq Thompson signed his big extension on the first week of December with 4 regular season games remaining, I have very few concerns that the Rams will get it done with plenty of time to spare.
jmo..

 

[Riverumbbq]

Why was Shaq Thompson extended for 4 years on Dec. 7, 2019 with the contract taking effect in 2020 without the Carolina CAP being affected for 2019 ?

"Shaq Thompson signed a 4 year, $54,433,000 contract with the Carolina Panthers, including a $16,000,000 signing bonus, $27,525,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $13,608,250. In 2020, Thompson will earn a base salary of $4,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $7,200,000 and a dead cap value of $16,800,000."

Carolina had $9,041,676 of available CAP days before Thompson was extended and finished the season with the same available CAP, which is now being rolled over into 2020.

 

[So Ram]

There is a problem So Ram with both these OL'ers. On Kromers selected starting center in 2019...Brian Allen .....he is max'd out already physically.

He is under 6-1 listed around 305. BA is physically mature as he is going to get. He might even be too puffed up IMO. I would expect that Kromer will make him starter on Team OL #1 @ center early this 2020. I would bet that we see BA start & play for the first half of 3 of the 4 preseason games too. BA biggest need is experience & he could have used an extra full season getting blended into being the lead for the starter position @ OC in 2020. But I also expect that Kromer is going to have a veteran with some starting experience @ OC in his OL cadre.

Kromers current main back up to BA will be Coleman Shelton. Now Shelton is a different body type 6-5 300lbs he will need as you mentioned above some serious bulk up work assignments from this point through TC & preseason. I believe he has a very good chance to make this 53 MR due to the fact he can play OG/RG/RT posts. His skillfulness & versatility will be his key to success. I would look for Shelton to be the #8th or #9 OL'er in 2020.

Onto Noteboom.....Noteboom has legs/calves much like Andrew Whitworth. You could have put both Noteboom calves inside just one Rodger Saffold Calf! Noteboom is not built anything like a Rodger Saffold, Quenton Nelson, Marshal Yanda or Zack Martin. JN's body type is far closer to Ronnie Stanley or David Bakhtiari who are the two best LT's in 2019.

JN was NOT a well-defined OL'er in 2019 & IMO never should have been selected to start @ OG this season. Its obvious IF Kromer has gone a different route with JN where Joe would have been blended in tightly with Andrew Whitworth & Rob Havenstein used as an effective trio of OT's. When Big Rob was having game issues with small dinky quick pass rushers you would turn the RT post over to JN. The extra yr of OT experience would have put JN & the Rams LT post in a great position for 2020.

When you have a surgically reconstructed knee you will not have the opportunity to build much overall lower body core strength until summer. However, JN will be able to work the upper body muscle groups independently. When I see JN around the bye I expect to see a 6-5 315 to 320 pound LT who still needs lower body work but will be in very good upper body condition.

BA is a question mark. I have no idea how he Coleman Shelton will do ? Austin Blythe is a guy The Rams still like though as well ?? He is a better center than guard.Wonder what happens with him?
Noteboom, yes he can work his upperbody. We saw how long it took Copper Kupp to get back to his top level of play.

Whitworth is the Key, but you thought he was done 1 1/2 years ago?At least from past post way back,I believe??

I have a hunch Gurley is gone? If not he will comeback at a much higher level.Still need a playmaker.
What about Corbett at center as some have Suggested?? I think Whitworth & he played well next to each other & McSnead found an excellent(starter) player for cheap.
Big Rob & Evans might have a little battle going on ?? Edwards? Chandler Brewer ??

Nate Trewyn is only 23 with a year of NFL sort of experience.On the other hand Kolone is going into 2020 with 3 years as well as Demby ??

 

[So Ram]

noteboom and allen had 2 year with reggie scott. the other first year guys had a year with him. not saying that more time in the system won't help them. it's just that other team are going to gain experience and bulk up also. again not saying these guys can't work out just I fear with film out there they maybe exposed.i guess this is a hope for the best expect the worst.

I’m a Kool-aide Drinker preseason,not so much during the season.I just remember the Seahags game & Chris Collinsworth who says the same thing during the game almost word for word talk about the young O’Line The Rams have.

I’m impressed on how Edwards,Evens, & Corbett all finished the season. The weakness to me was there youth & inexperience & are a step ahead of any player heading into 2020.

 

[So Ram]

He was a rookie and doesn't have problems with guys overpowering him. He'll polish up his technique. Same with Edwards. That's the key for me.

Allen and Boom both had issues getting trucked. That changes things, it's really hard to make up for that with better technique. Good thing is both are going into year 3 so they might surprise and get a lot stronger we'll see.

This is why I believe we'll get after a FA for the interior. And draft a guy or two to keep building that depth chart for competition. It's really all Snead can do at this point.

I’ll say this about get blown up. Higbee his rookie season got blown up huge.Now he is an excellent blocking TR. Little is said to be the best in NFL.
I think a big TE will help the Line on short running downs.
Edwards holds a lot, but got better.Watching Evans head to head against Clowny was awesome, but needs to work on his feet.
The Rams WR’s are the best blocking WR in the NFL & Robert Woods pound for pound maybe the best?

 

[BonifayRam]

BA is a question mark. I have no idea how he Coleman Shelton will do ? Austin Blythe is a guy The Rams still like though as well ?? He is a better center than guard.Wonder what happens with him?
Noteboom, yes he can work his upperbody. We saw how long it took Copper Kupp to get back to his top level of play.

Whitworth is the Key, but you thought he was done 1 1/2 years ago?At least from past post way back,I believe??

I have a hunch Gurley is gone? If not he will comeback at a much higher level. Still need a playmaker.
What about Corbett at center as some have Suggested?? I think Whitworth & he played well next to each other & McSnead found an excellent(starter) player for cheap.
Big Rob & Evans might have a little battle going on ?? Edwards? Chandler Brewer ??

Nate Trewyn is only 23 with a year of NFL sort of experience.On the other hand Kolone is going into 2020 with 3 years as well as Demby ??

I would like to comment on your post.

Reference to our 4 signed OC's (Allen/ Shelton/ Trewyn/ Kolone) Very little is known here on just how good this foursome can be in the NFL. I have no real insight other than Trewyn & Kolone have the size that has been lacking in 2019. Both also possess more power presently than what we have seen @ OC for over a decade or more. I would not be surprised if Trewyn turns out to be the biggest surprise in 2020 TC & preseason. (see below)

On Free Agent Blythe....if AB's worn & damaged repaired shoulders along with his badly injured lower leg all have healed AB's would be the leading UFA to be signed to start @ OC the season...I know we already know he is not all that good, but he would be a quick fix & introductions are not needed. The only roadblock in AB's return is how much $$ will he demand?

Austin Blythe | Seattle Seahawks C | NFL and PFF stats

NFL and PFF player stats for Seattle Seahawks C Austin Blythe on Pro Football Focus.

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If the decision was mine to make I would draft our future starting OC in & let the salary cap funds that would go to an average or below average starting OC go for help to sign Ramsey/ Kupp/ JJ III or instead.

Where is Gurley going to go? Trading Gurley is impossible too much $$ baggage, they can not release him, he has way too much dead $$ involved. Gurley is a slowly trending downward aging medically reduced RB. Gurley will be here as a Ram for the next 2020/2021 seasons then most likely retire. I can live with Gurley as he is mostly because I like him a lot. I am very disappointed in what Snead/ McVay have teamed with Gurley the last 2 seasons! IMO Brown needs to be already gone. Henderson as a rookie 3rd rd draft selection was a big BUST in his rookie season! I would have him on a very short rope in TC & preseason to show something. Gurley needs better assistance.

Onto LG Austin Corbett......why would the Rams bulldoze & remove the 2019 built foundation @ LG? Where is there any evidence that AC would be a better OC? The only OC experience that AC ever got was in the 2018 Senior bowl & AC only had one series with the offense in that gm. AC was a 4 yr starter @ left tackle @ Nevada. We should see an upgrade in 2020 in AC's core strength that needed so much work when he got here in October of last season. Corbett has an NFL prototype LG body over 6-4 & plays between 305 to 310 lbs. He is far more LT than center IMO. I say keep Corbett on that left side! Prefer no movement of Corbett to center

Whitworth needs to retire now he is degrading as we speak. Rams will just have to work to find the best OL'er (Evans/ Brewer/ Edwards & the newly 2020 drafted LT to address the early 2020 starting LT until Joseph Noteboom is fully healed & ready to play. If all those four Ol'ers fail to meet the basic requirement needed @ LT then temporary move Corbett has a ton of experience @ LT.

FA'cy will open soon & I bet Snead is in the market for a center (a low cost type veteran former starting experience UFA) or better yet the same as described but a (OC/OG) salary cap cut victim that does not have any effect on the Compensatory Draft Pick Awards. Best to work with our four signed centers then add a 5th talented OC through the draft. Then finally get lucky later with an experience recently cut vet OC looking for work. That would be my plan. I can't afford to go out shopping with salary cap funds they are needed elsewhere.

Ben Garland | San Francisco 49ers C | NFL and PFF stats

NFL and PFF player stats for San Francisco 49ers C Ben Garland on Pro Football Focus.

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Brett Jones | Denver Broncos G | NFL and PFF stats

NFL and PFF player stats for Denver Broncos G Brett Jones on Pro Football Focus.

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3/5 th's of the Rams OL LG/RG/RT will be in good condition with young OL'ers like Havenstein, Corbett, Edwards, Brewer, Shelton & Evans involved. Kromers #1 long term 2020 issue is @ center. Then he has an immediate short term issue @ LT that he will need to patch & temperately plug for the 1st half 2020 but its NOT long term issue this season. Work for a cure on the #1 problem stay focus it's a CENTER issue!

P.S. Rams might have a possible sleeper cloaked already signed in here his named Nate Trewyn. This 23 yr old 6-3 315 is a pure center type prospect. He is a much larger bigger & stronger OC candidate than Allen, Blythe, Shelton or Kolone. Trewyn started 50 gms @ center. He comes from a small school though but Snead has done well thus far with small school players.

winner of the Rimington Award as the top center in NCAA Division III … Associated Press first team All-American … D3football.com first team All-American … American Football Coaches Association second team All-American … D3football.com first team All-West Region … first team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference … UW-Whitewater Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete … National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame Hampshire Honor Society … NFF/College Football Hall of Fame William V. Campbell Trophy® semifinalist … team captain … winner of the team’s Glen Wills Offensive Lineman Award … D3football.com National Team of the Week (Oct. 26-27) … WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll

 

[drasconis]

Why was Shaq Thompson extended for 4 years on Dec. 7, 2019 with the contract taking effect in 2020 without the Carolina CAP being affected for 2019 ?

"Shaq Thompson signed a 4 year, $54,433,000 contract with the Carolina Panthers, including a $16,000,000 signing bonus, $27,525,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $13,608,250. In 2020, Thompson will earn a base salary of $4,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $7,200,000 and a dead cap value of $16,800,000."

Carolina had $9,041,676 of available CAP days before Thompson was extended and finished the season with the same available CAP, which is now being rolled over into 2020.

It looks like that is officially a 2019 contract, while called a 4 year extension it did affect his 2019 dollars as the signing bonus dollars started in 2019. They likely were able to convert some of the 2019 cost into signing bonus which affectively cost the exact same. The issue is that 2019 is now over and there are specific rules for 2020 contracts/contract extensions.

 

[iamme33]

my god I hate the salary cap seems we are always choosing which player to keep and which to cut. I want to keep them all.

 

[Merlin]

Whitworth needs to retire now he is degrading as we speak. If the LT problem continues to a big issue a couple of weeks into TC with OL'ers Evans/ Edwards or the new drafted LT ....shift Corbett to the outer left a foot or two to the exterior & insert David Edwards in his LG post. I agree with some other members that David Edwards probable best playing position will be left OG or RT. Corbett has a ton of experience @ LT much more than Evans & Edwards has.

I'm with you on the importance of moving on from Whit. As great a guy as he is, age is undefeated and he's already shown some dropoff.

But let's say the Rams get him to come back for 2020. How would that look? Well I would guess they would attempt to recoup some of that cap hit by trading Havenstein. It would be an obvious and easy way to lessen the hit of, I don't know, let's say a $9M hit (going ballpark here with a slight drop from his $11M pay in 2019).

 

[BonifayRam]

I'm with you on the importance of moving on from Whit. As great a guy as he is, age is undefeated and he's already shown some dropoff.

But let's say the Rams get him to come back for 2020. How would that look? Well I would guess they would attempt to recoup some of that cap hit by trading Havenstein. It would be an obvious and easy way to lessen the hit of, I don't know, let's say a $9M hit (going ballpark here with a slight drop from his $11M pay in 2019).

Afternoon Merlin

I would NOT subtract Rob Havenstein from this current Ram OLin 2020. Rob is the most experience OL'er period. I needed to remind myself that the Rams OL is the youngest inexperienced in the NFL.

If I needed addition funds to sign a well aged declining OL'er to patch up the LT post for what may be for the first half of the 2020 season I would move in a different direction. As you know I am 100% against spending any cap funds on AW. I remember from my youth that most all my blue jean patches were a waste of my moms time.

I would certainly advise deep safety Eric Weddle that he would be cut at the nearest possible date when it is appropriate. That would save the Rams Org a near $5 million.

I would then look hard @ Nickel back Nickell Robey-Coleman. On NRC he certainly Snead trade bait for either a 5th or 6th rd draft selection. If a trade was made the savings would be $4.5 million. If a trade could not be made I would cut him & still save $4.5 million.

If there is still a serious need for more some additional cap funds then I would then turn my attention to Clay Matthews. If he was cut it would net the Rams a near $4 million. That will be approx. $13.5 million of additional cap funds returned to the Rams bank.

I might then take a look @ UFA interior OL'ers like:

Ben Garland | San Francisco 49ers C | NFL and PFF stats

NFL and PFF player stats for San Francisco 49ers C Ben Garland on Pro Football Focus.

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Joe Thuney | Kansas City Chiefs G | NFL and PFF stats

NFL and PFF player stats for Kansas City Chiefs G Joe Thuney on Pro Football Focus.

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Graham Glasgow | Detroit Lions G | NFL and PFF stats

NFL and PFF player stats for Detroit Lions G Graham Glasgow on Pro Football Focus.

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Dakota Dozier | Chicago Bears G | NFL and PFF stats

NFL and PFF player stats for Chicago Bears G Dakota Dozier on Pro Football Focus.

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Brett Jones | Denver Broncos G | NFL and PFF stats

NFL and PFF player stats for Denver Broncos G Brett Jones on Pro Football Focus.

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Back to our starting RT since his rookie 2015 season Rob Havenstein......I fully understand that Rob does not have the full needed package that Goff needs @ starting @ RT. Rob's poor pass protection skills was a big issue for McVay & his passing offense in 2019.

However, Rob is one of the better run blockers @ RT in the NFL when healthy. This OL is so young & inexperienced to be what Goff needs in 2020 in the pass protection side. Here's the big plus this young OL can be expected to be a much stronger run blocking unit in 2020 & Rob can be one of its leaders in this run offense for Gurley to return to power in 2020.

McVay/ Kromer & his new OC must push in 2020 for a more run dominate offense. Once the run game gets going then Goff will have the opportunity to sneak in & utilize his outstanding ability on 3 step drops to shoot his super dead on target darts to his excellent receivers. If McVay moves in this direction in 2020 it will give his many very young OL draft investments an extra season of experience in learning true NFL pass protection as an NFL OL'er. Run blocking is just so much easier to teach young OL'ers than the technical side of pass protection.

Rams will be in much better position in 2021 in the OL that's when I would move on Rob Havenstein either in trade or release. The Rams will save $6 million in 2021 in Rob cut whereas releasing Rob now will cost the Rams over $6.2 million.

 

[So Ram]

Andrew Whitworth funds & unveils STEAM Lab at elementary school in Watts

www.therams.com

Whitworth is still a Ram in my book, just because he doesn’t have a contract.I’m sure there is an agreement in place.

I can’t see how he doesn’t comeback to play in the WOOD !! He has been great within the community season in & season out. He is in excellent shape & watching his passion against the Arizona I knew it wasn’t his last season & he wanted to another season.

 

[BonifayRam]

Andrew Whitworth funds & unveils STEAM Lab at elementary school in Watts

www.therams.com

Whitworth is still a Ram in my book, just because he doesn’t have a contract.I’m sure there is an agreement in place.

I can’t see how he doesn’t comeback to play in the WOOD !! He has been great within the community season in & season out. He is in excellent shape & watching his passion against the Arizona I knew it wasn’t his last season & he wanted to another season.

Thought this article might be worth reading since reality of cap restrictions & the cost of a way past his prime starting LT is being discussed here.....

Those horrendous Rams guaranteed contracts

The Rams are struggling under the NFL Salary cap ceiling in 2020 because they loved to hand out lots of guaranteed dollars to players and do so over long term deals. The Rams are now struggling under the aggregate weight of too much money in the hands of too few players. What makes matters worse, those high dollar district players are not all performing at the level of their compensation.

Mike Tanier from Bleacher Report wrote a fairly damning article about the Rams front office spending habits, suggesting that the Rams have spent all their draft and salary cap currency. In the Big-Spending Rams Have Trapped Themselves in a No-Win Situation piece, he projects the Rams to a 7-9 NFL limbo for years to come.
View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2868251-big-spending-rams-have-trapped-themselves-in-a-no-win-situation

Of course, we are much more optimistic than that, believing the Rams can turn it around this off-season, restructure some contracts, and convert some overvalued assets into 2020 NFL Draft currency.

The 2020 salary cap analysis for the LA Rams is not rosy at the moment. At OverTheCap.com, the latest estimate for the available salary for the Rams as of 24 January 2020 is $21,092,123. In that same analysis, the OTC folks do a very admirable job of estimating what the salary cap his in 2020 will be for each player under contract.

LA Rams weigh 5 trading partners for WR Brandin Cooks

The LA Rams need more picks in the 2020 NFL Draft. Landing more picks may cost the Rams trading away WR Brandin Cooks, if they find a trading partner.

ramblinfan.com