Rams LT Andrew Whitworth expected to return

[Merlin]

There's no silver bullet option at LT next year, having Whitworth back is definitely a good option compared to some "meh" choices.

He won't be elite but he'll be okay to good and it we were to somehow upgrade guard next to him we'd actually probably be in pretty decent shape.

This also tells us what they think of Evans & Edwards being able to take that blindside role. Boom too for that matter.

Either way I'm good with Whit coming back just hope it's an affordable rate. For me if he's gonna cost $10M then you'd be better served with a younger FA addition. But I get it, they don't want Goff to get killed.

 

[OldSchool]

This also tells us what they think of Evans & Edwards being able to take that blindside role. Boom too for that matter.

Either way I'm good with Whit coming back just hope it's an affordable rate. For me if he's gonna cost $10M then you'd be better served with a younger FA addition. But I get it, they don't want Goff to get killed.

I was thinking less than that a bit and then game day bonuses and pro bowl/playoff bonuses.

 

[BonifayRam]

Best news of off season, what i'd like to know, why can't Noteboom pay guard?

Back in the day, guard was where lineman who didn't have the feet to play tackle were placed
train

Afternoon train!

Noteboom has what you want as a LT ......Long, finesse-type player with light feet and typically good punch power and timing in pass blocking. JN had never played OG in college. He is over 6-5 with 34 1/2 inch arms. He has thin lower legs.

If we recall the issues that were being discussed when he was a LT prospect the cons were:

*High tendency to cease his blocking when it seems like the play is over, allowing his assignment to get in on the play.
*Very passive style of play.
*Has no mean streak general lack of nastiness in his run blocking .
*Never really tries to impose his will when blocking

Idk why exactly but he just did not look good up to his injury. Guard requires greater strength and low center of gravity where LT tends to be quicker feet and hands. At least as far as pass blocking goes. LT you mostly have toworry about the edge rusher (generally speaking) where guard requires you to be in sync with guys on both sides of you. Maybe with experience he could become adequate. After all he was starting his first games in the NFL at a new position so wouldnt rag on him too much. But he certainly looked uncomfortable at guard compared to tackle.

Pure simple fact that Noteboom was not made to be an NFL starting OG. His best skills & abilities are stacked up in the pass blocking area of his skills backpack.

 

[BonifayRam]

This also tells us what they think of Evans & Edwards being able to take that blindside role. ......................

Or the Ram Org. have concerns with Havenstein's sharp decline @ RT & liked what top OL selection in 2019 Bobby Evans was able to accomplish in performing in the RT post from the 9th game to the end of the 2019 season.

I also believe firmly that they want David Edwards secured in that RG post from this point on.

I have not been in the resigning Whitworth camp but IF their off season plan was to "Settle" with AW @ starting LT with Bobby Evans as the top relief & the top swing OT going into 2020. When Noteboom returns off the PUP then they can assess the two starting OT positions @ that time then utilize "IF Needed" Evans or Noteboom to rectify "IF ANY" ongoing OT issues.

The OG posts could remain the same with Corbett & Edwards as the young 2nd season starters. Leaving youngsters Chandler Brewer (entering his 2nd season) & Jeremiah Kolone (entering his 3rd season as a Ram) as the main reserves.

Now with the four of the 5 OL positions being somewhat settled with a mixer of 2 vets & 2 younger starters .....along with the OL reserves returning again .....the Rams can target the center position where the Rams Org plan to have their one brand-new starter in upgrading that position.

 

[So Ram]

Sounds like he'll do whatever they want contract-wise.

what made you think he wouldn’t??

 

[So Ram]

My reading comprehension must be poor I did not get all that "LA RAM connection" information from that tweet....

Yes , I certainly glad to see this great professional & human being is feeling better & desires to play in the NFL somewhere in 2020.... Did it state that he was going to sign a cap friendly contract with the Rams?

Rams are a salary cap funds depleted team? Could he be speaking of coming back to play for the Chargers/ Raiders/ 9ers/ Cards ?

NO !!!!

 

[So Ram]

that's the trouble noteboom has the feet for ot but not the power for og

He did play guard. He is The Rams LT of the future. He will more than likely sit out most of the season if not all of it.

Whitworth is a HOF Ram type player. Great on & off the field. Mcvay Respects The Heck our of him, as well as Jared Goff!! He is the leader & mentor. Corbett is going to be the starting LG again in 2020 !! He will get a full offseason.

 

[So Ram]

Or the Ram Org. have concerns with Havenstein's sharp decline @ RT & liked what top OL selection in 2019 Bobby Evans was able to accomplish in performing in the RT post from the 9th game to the end of the 2019 season.

I also believe firmly that they want David Edwards secured in that RG post from this point on.

I have not been in the resigning Whitworth camp but IF their off season plan was to "Settle" with AW @ starting LT with Bobby Evans as the top relief & the top swing OT going into 2020. When Noteboom returns off the PUP then they can assess the two starting OT positions @ that time then utilize "IF Needed" Evans or Noteboom to rectify "IF ANY" ongoing OT issues.

The OG posts could remain the same with Corbett & Edwards as the young 2nd season starters. Leaving youngsters Chandler Brewer (entering his 2nd season) & Jeremiah Kolone (entering his 3rd season as a Ram) as the main reserves.

Now with the four of the 5 OL positions being somewhat settled with a mixer of 2 vets & 2 younger starters .....along with the OL reserves returning again .....the Rams can target the center position where the Rams Org plan to have their one brand-new starter in upgrading that position.

What I know is Whitworth has always been a Ram with Mcvay & they are tight !!

Big Whit has always stated he wanted back & to open SOFI as starting LT for The Rams

Whit restructured his contract for Gurley or Donald ?? Either way showing team first.

Last season with NO’s & Cinncy friendship made him think of football was worth all the BS this game could bring to it. Came in first class again.

Whitworth wants to go out on Top, thinks The Rams can win the Super Bowl.

with this move it just adds to the depth. Kromer is going to cross-train !! So many options. The Rams will only keep 8 offensive lineman as well.

 

[Ram65]

Making a decision on Whitford should be one of the first things the Rams do this offseason. Get the numbers straightened out so Rams can make other moves. His last contract averaged $11.25 Million. I think he takes less at least cap hit wise this year. I didn't see any better options on the roster until Boom gets healthy which is a question mark at this time.

 

[FarNorth]

Sounds like he'll do whatever they want contract-wise.

Not so sure about that, but I think it's fair to say there should be a reasonable deal which can be made between Whit and the Rams. Both sides should want to get this done, as Rapport's tweet seems to confirm.

Remains to be seen if it happens but this is a positive sounding comment from a reliable journalist.

 

[WestCoastRam]

So, if Whitworth returns, I doubt we try to keep Blythe and we might not have the capital to go after anyone else on the oline in FA.

I could see the line going into camp looking like Whit-Edwards-Corbett-Evans-Havenstein with possibly a draft pick to compete. It would seem to me Corbett and Allen would battle it out for starting Center. I wouldn't be surprised if Corbett could beat him out.

Edit: Well, actually, I bet Evans and Edwards would prob be switched.

 

[payote75]

Guys I'm conflicted I love whitworth love what he did for us love his leadership and just love him as a person. Now in football speak I was dead set against letting Saffold go last year a lot of us new it was a huge mistake. I understand you cannot keep them all but I also remember posting a very long post about how the game is won in the trenches and most importantly how we could not afford to take chances with the offensive line and risking a goff regression which is what we got. It's the one area you really can't skimp on because it has such a domino effect on the whole game in general points, running, passing, injuries, and if you can't sustain offense we'll your defense is pretty much effed.

Now I am not willing to go into this season once again rolling the dice on the offensive line. There assessment was way off last year what makes us think it will be any different this year. Whitworth being ok to good isn't going to help us get back on track. He was the most penalized LT in the league and has a lot of trouble these days with speed. I don't see keeping him as an anchor as helping us improve. Yes as a back up his intangibles ability to teach others you can't put a price on that, however when gametime comes goffs blind side needs some way bette than "ok" or "good." It pains me but it's the truth. I hope they have some sort of plan cause that's one of the biggest takeaways from last season and if they didn't learn it we have problems. A more seasoned Bosa is scary to even think about.

I am not saying I don't want him back but at this point in his career he has enough left to be a complimentary piece but not "the" piece.

Fingers crossed dudes please let there be a real vision for the offensive line for goff Gurley and the rest of the offenses sake and the team.

 

[payote75]

P.s. Unless the Rams get whitworth help in the way of scherff that would be one of the ways to get that monster anchor somewhere on the line and help out whitworth I have to believe that's what the plan is. Scherff would be the 2020 version of Timmerman

 

[CGI_Ram]

Andrew Whitworth expected to return for 2020 season

Andrew Whitworth expected to return for 2020 season

The conclusion to an excellent career will wait for at least another season for left tackle Andrew Whitworth.

The 38-year-old offensive lineman is expected to return for 2020 and to re-sign with the Rams, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday morning.

A 14-season veteran and four-time Pro Bowler, Whitworth finished his third year with the Rams in 2019 and his future was seemingly in doubt. However, he underwent surgery to clean out his ankle and is feeling great, Rapoport added.

Set to become a free agent when the new league calendar begins on March 18, Whitworth is likely to return to Los Angeles, where he was crucial in the Rams' ascent to the Super Bowl in the 2018 season, as Rapoport reported "there is confidence" a deal will come to fruition.

Whitworth, who started all 16 games for the second straight year with the Rams and allowed just one sack, tallied a 72.8 overall grade in 2019, per Pro Football Focus. His skill, experience and leadership bodes well for a rebuilding offensive line that graded out at 31st, per PFF.

 

[CGI_Ram]

2020... new stadium, uniforms, bounce back mentality of the team...

Why not come back for that?

 

[OldSchool]

And maybe a 38 year old with four young kids doesn't want to pack them up and move them again especially if after retirement he's going to go back home to Louisiana anyways. It's one thing I've heard a lot from recently retired players that they regret moving so much in free agency and the chance to stay put and keep your family life stable was something they undervalued at the time. We'll see in the end what he does but the family life coupled with the fact he liked getting to the playoffs and the SB and thinks we can get back just may be enough to sway the decision.

 

[BonifayRam]

I do know that the 2020 UFA LT market is not good its awful. Any team needing a high performance HD Patch @ the LT post is going to pay a high price on the open market. Of the top 3 rated LT's ....The top LT is talking retirement in Indy Castonzo & the other Jason Peters is a walking "significant injury history". Then there's Andrew Whitworth who trending downward now will be on the other side of 38 yrs old when the season begins both he & peters will be 39 before the 2020 season concludes.

All this positive posting on "low ball team friendly offer" that will hook Andrew Whitworth in here for one more season is IMO just silly wishful waste of key strokes.

A Andrew Whitworth signing will be a big expenditure any way you look at it in two areas ...#1 in the Compensatory Draft selections Awards in 2021. #2 will deny the Rams the chance to secure "long term" one of their two starting UFA LB'ers Dante Fowler or Cory Littleton. Yes having a AW back is a good thing but what will be the cost for this early season "Patch Job" @ LT for 2020.

2024 NFL Free Agents Tracker

Tracking the status and signings of all 2024 NFL free agents.

www.spotrac.com

NFL Free Agent Rankings

NFL free agent rankings with analysis, projected salaries, PFF grades and PFF WAR.

www.pff.com

Andrew Whitworth	LT	38	LAR	TBD	$11,250,000	UFA	-
Anthony Castonzo	LT	32	IND	TBD	$10,953,000	UFA	-
Kelvin Beachum	LT	30	NYJ	TBD	$8,000,000	UFA	-
Greg Robinson	LT	27	CLE	TBD	$6,400,000	UFA	-
Jason Peters	LT	38	PHI	TBD	$6,000,000	UFA	-
D.J. Humphries	LT	26	ARI	TBD	$2,228,028	UFA	-
Chris Clark	LT	34	HOU	TBD	$930,000	UFA	-
Cedric Ogbuehi	LT	28	JAC	TBD	$895,000	UFA	-
Dakota Dozier	LT	29	MIN	TBD	$895,000	UFA	-
Cornelius Lucas	LT	29	CHI	TBD	$815,000	UFA	-

 

[BonifayRam]

Los Angeles Rams, LT Andrew Whitworth confident a deal will get done

REPORT: Los Angeles Rams, LT Andrew Whitworth confident a deal will get done

Potentially good news on the offensive line front!

www.turfshowtimes.com

he Los Angeles Rams and LT Andrew Whitworth are “confident a deal will get done without incident”, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport:

Andrew Whitworth is a free agent, and the #Rams and his agents at @_SportsTrust would need to work out a contract. There is confidence it will happen without incident. https://t.co/zvteyn7WZ1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2020

This is great news for a team that is lacking offensive line options. When the 2019 NFL season ended, the 38-year-old Whitworth gave off the impression he was willing to give it another season, and all signs pointed to it being in Los Angeles with the Rams:

After last night's game, @RamsNFL LT Andrew Whitworth, who recently turned 38, told me he hopes to keep playing in 2020: "My intention is to play football. We'll see if it works out." @AroundTheNFL @nflnetwork
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) December 22, 2019

Now, obviously, the Rams and Whit will need to work out an extension that works for both sides, though it shouldn’t be too tough for the sides to find common ground. Whit is obviously at the tail end of his career and would prefer to stay put and play for another shot at a Super Bowl, while the Rams should look to retain their best offensive lineman and provide some stability for a unit that severely lacked it this past season.

With the only other potential LT option on the roster being third-year OT Joseph Noteboom (who is recovering from a torn ACL), the Rams would be wise to hand Whitworth a deal similar to his original one with the Rams. Whitworth’s original contract was a three-year $33.750m deal averaging $11.250m per year.

Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks, as a potential deal between the Rams and Big Whit is a real possibility.

 

[FrantikRam]

But we are MUCH better than a 9-7 team, and Whitworth knows that.

Don't get me wrong - I believe players should always maximize their earnings - but at the same time, the Rams don't ever seem to really lowball someone. My guess is that it ends up around $6-8 million and he's happy with it.