Rookie David Edwards to be Rams' primary backup on offensive line

[Riverumbbq]

By: Cameron DaSilva | 3 hours ago

The Los Angeles Rams have a lot of experience at most positions, but the offensive line is seriously lacking in that department. Aside from Andrew Whitworth, no one on the O-line – starters and backups included – has been a starter for more than four years.
Rob Havenstein has 59 starts in his career, Austin Blythe has started 18 and neither Brian Allen nor Joseph Noteboom has started a single game in the NFL. Their backups have even less experience: Bobby Evans and David Edwards are rookies, Jamil Demby wasn’t active for a single game as a rookie and Aaron Neary is suspended. Newcomer Coleman Shelton has never played a game, either.

It’s a group of players with a lot of potential, but the Rams shouldn’t feel very comfortable putting any of their backups in a game if a starter were to get injured.
As for which of the second-stringers will be the first guy off the bench, Sean McVay seems to have settled on one of the rookies. Edwards improved steadily in the preseason, showing he can play left tackle and guard.
“There’s a good chance that it would be,” McVay said of Edwards being the first player off the bench. “It really depends on, hopefully the situation doesn’t come up, where somebody goes down. David is a guy that’s demonstrated some position – flex, both from a guard standpoint and the tackle on both sides of the ball. Jamil Demby, it’s like finding ‘Where’s Waldo?’ in some of these preseason games. He’s all over the front. Then Bobby Evans has shown some good things. With our eight offensive linemen and then you add in the one we just signed yesterday, those are the things that we’ll continue to evaluate. David has a good chance of being in that situation.”
Evans really struggled in the preseason, particularly at right tackle. Like Edwards, he can play guard, too, but he has a lot of developing to do before he should be considered a potential starter. Demby was best at guard this summer, but he had a lot of trouble at center in game action.

Edwards looked like the best backup available for the Rams, so it should come as no surprise that he’d be the first number called if an injury at guard or tackle were to occur. He doesn’t necessarily instill a lot of confidence, though.

Rookie David Edwards to be Rams' primary backup on offensive line

The Rams have a lot of unproven talent on the offensive line, among both the starters and backups.

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[Jacobarch]

You could see him jump out on film (in a good way) in pretty much every position he played. He's solid at most positions and I actually think he's better at Tackle than Guard. I did see him get beat a couple of times when he first slid over but then got his feet under him and performed very well. Stoked we find these guys on the cheap. just hope he doesn't have to be called on.

 

[TexasRam]

Edwards has a long way to go, but he is way ahead of Evans and Demby as far as backups that might be thrust into live action.

It’s like a horror coming to a theater near you. Don’t bother getting popcorn, you will lose your appetite.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Demby--"Where's Waldo?"

McVay's "where's Waldo" comment making fun of Demby sure doesn't covey much confidence in him. Especially naming a rookie first off the bench ahead of him. Still scratching my head how Demby made the final 53.

 

[Merlin]

Edwards has a long way to go, but he is way ahead of Evans and Demby as far as backups that might be thrust into live action.

It’s like a horror coming to a theater near you. Don’t bother getting popcorn, you will lose your appetite.

I think if they gotta go to Edwards he'll do just fine. He is a guy who will improve week to week, as well, vice just trying to hold things down like some depth/swing OL out there.

Center depth has been the biggest concern all preseason, and moreso for me because I don't like Blythe at the pivot. Way this roster has shaped out Brian Allen's health is crucial for us this season and Edwards' quick acclimation is a big part of that reason (if not for him our OG and OT depth would be terrifying). When all is said and done, he is going to be a long-term answer for us on this OL and will go down as a hell of a steal in round 5.

 

[A55VA6]

He was easily the best backup in preseason.

 

[Loyal]

If Brian is as sturdy as he sounds. we'll have no worries. Dude is confident as he77! Edwards seems fine?

 

[den-the-coach]

Not sure if it's a ringing endorsement that he's the best considering how some of the offensive linemen fared in preseason. I believe they will have 7 active on Sunday and I'm guessing it will be Edwards & Demby although Shelton is the primary backup to Center, one would surmise that if Brian Allen went down they would slide Blythe to Center and Edwards to RG. Again Demby did play better against the Broncos in the third preseason game and Guard is his best position, but Bobby Evans really has struggled and seems to have toiled most with scheme.

 

[Loyal]

Not sure if it's a ringing endorsement that he's the best considering how some of the offensive linemen fared in preseason. I believe they will have 7 active on Sunday and I'm guessing it will be Edwards & Demby although Shelton is the primary backup to Center, one would surmise that if Brian Allen went down they would slide Blythe to Center and Edwards to RG. Again Demby did play better against the Broncos in the third preseason game and Guard is his best position, but Bobby Evans really has struggled and seems to have toiled most with scheme.

Get yur mind in line with the program, coach! Let's do our positive visualizations for Oline success!
It's gonna be fine....It's gonna be fine....It's gonna b...

 

[den-the-coach]

Get yur mind in line with the program, coach! Let's do our positive visualizations for Oline success!
It's gonna be fine....It's gonna be fine....It's gonna b...

I trust OL Coach Aaron Kromer, the boys will ready when the bullets start flying.

 

[Ramstien]

I've got a feeling that this Edwards kid is going to really develop and have a bright future with the Rams. No, I'm not just drinking the Kool-aid.

 

[A.J. Hicks]

Demby--"Where's Waldo?"

McVay's "where's Waldo" comment making fun of Demby sure doesn't covey much confidence in him. Especially naming a rookie first off the bench ahead of him. Still scratching my head how Demby made the final 53.

I understood the Mcvay "Where's Waldo?" comment as painting the picture of how many different positions Demby was thrusted into during the preseason. When you go watch the tape it's a 'where's waldo' situation trying to find where Demby is playing.

I didn't read that as making fun of Demby.

 

[fearsomefour]

You could see him jump out on film (in a good way) in pretty much every position he played. He's solid at most positions and I actually think he's better at Tackle than Guard. I did see him get beat a couple of times when he first slid over but then got his feet under him and performed very well. Stoked we find these guys on the cheap. just hope he doesn't have to be called on.

He was ok in preseason.
But just ok.
But, that is what one would expect from a rookie.
Hopefully he and Evans and Demby can spend this season studying and learning.

 

[fearsomefour]

I understood the Mcvay "Where's Waldo?" comment as painting the picture of how many different positions Demby was thrusted into during the preseason. When you go watch the tape it's a 'where's waldo' situation trying to find where Demby is playing.

I didn't read that as making fun of Demby.

Finding Demby was easy....just see where the pass rusher burst into the back field from.

 

[Psycho_X]

I just hope that if we do have to use some of our depth that it’s not until at least mid season. The youth needs some coaching.

 

[Zaphod]

I just hope that if we do have to use some of our depth that it’s not until at least mid season. The youth needs some coaching.

With any luck they've settled into they roles and are currently only training for one or two positions.

 

[Corbin]

@Memento do you want to just pay up now or when it actually happens?

#PSYCIC4HIREHERE

 

[Memento]

@Memento do you want to just pay up now or when it actually happens?

#PSYCIC4HIREHERE

Fine. How does one pay?

 

[Merlin]

He was ok in preseason.
But just ok.
But, that is what one would expect from a rookie.

He has far exceeded expectations for a 5th round pick. Winning primary backup responsibilities and handling himself vs other teams' starters and primary backups at different line positions to include LT is kind of a big deal.

This dude is going to go down as a fine pick and part of the reason this year's draft ends up being ranked as one of our best. I have very, very high expectations for this group personally.

 

[Corbin]

Fine. How does one pay?

Literally I don’t know! Lol