That oline!!

[Tano]

Yeah, Allen gas a bit of a nasty streak in him, huh?

[twitter.com]

Man even his farts are nasty

 

[OldSchool]

Well lets get one thing out the way. AB is not "my guy". He's JAG. I just firmly believe he wasn't a problem last year to the level everyone else sees him to be (and scapegoat him). Sorry I'm just not gonna go with the crowd on this subject.

I get it, and yet he wasn't brought back and wasn't given a starting job in a league where the one area of play that is declining across the whole league is offensive line play. He wasn't good enough in 2020 to be given a chance with many teams desperate for OL play. The Rams on a less than stellar OL brought back everybody but 1 guy that speaks volumes.

 

[Angry Ram]

The wrong play was called imho but hey shit happens.

Shit does happen lol

I get it, and yet he wasn't brought back and wasn't given a starting job in a league where the one area of play that is declining across the whole league is offensive line play. He wasn't good enough in 2020 to be given a chance with many teams desperate for OL play. The Rams on a less than stellar OL brought back everybody but 1 guy that speaks volumes.

Sure; pretty much the norm with JAGs. All I'm saying the line played well last year, playing well now, and of course getting better regardless of one guy.

That does it for me here. Cheers guys.

 

[Kupped]

It was Havenstein that gave up the sack not Edwards. Edwards is playing lights out. He was one on one vs Vita and others multiple snaps and was excellent. Edwards did give up the pressure on the ball to Jackson where Stafford arm was hit, but that was a long developing play he can’t be expected to block forever.

Allen is still getting beat a few times a game but they are protecting him well with the RB or TE in front of the QB when Allen draws the one on one, which is rare. Carberry rightly so deserves credit for understanding his players and giving the help - but Edwards isn’t one of them.

Edwards is turning into an absolute beast. Fun to see.
One of the things I felt strongly about with the whole "Allen is suddenly the starter again" situation was that he was going to look better between two big, solid guards... something he didn't have in 19.
In addition to that... Allen has been very solid.

 

[Kupped]

I get it, and yet he wasn't brought back and wasn't given a starting job in a league where the one area of play that is declining across the whole league is offensive line play. He wasn't good enough in 2020 to be given a chance with many teams desperate for OL play. The Rams on a less than stellar OL brought back everybody but 1 guy that speaks volumes.

That's where it all ended up, but ignoring how we got to this point is convenient.
The Rams offered Blythe more money to stay than KC offered, but he wanted to go closer to home and play for the team he rooted for as a kid.
The Chiefs moved on from *their* center to sign Blythe... He was, at that point, their starter.
Creed Humphries was available when the Chiefs drafted and they took him... and he proceeded to win the starting job.
So, Blythe is a JAG... but he's got a job and was a draft pick away from starting for the Chiefs, a preseason Super Bowl favorite.

 

[majrleaged]

Yeah, Allen got a bit of a nasty streak in him, huh?

[twitter.com]

I love that about him

 

[Kupped]

Edwards is turning into an absolute beast. Fun to see.
One of the things I felt strongly about with the whole "Allen is suddenly the starter again" situation was that he was going to look better between two big, solid guards... something he didn't have in 19.
In addition to that... Allen has been very solid.

I was just curious after posting this.. it's fun to see how much value the Rams get out of their draft picks.
Edwards is just such an effing home run.
You look at the guys coming into the season who were considered the best at the position and look at the contracts/draft position... Zack Martin, Nelson, Thuney, Bitino, Scherff... Edwards is absolutely performing in the top tier and only cost a 5th!! And it's only his 3rd season!!! Wyatt Teller is a similar story.
Just a fantastic job in scouting and developing.

 

[OldSchool]

That's where it all ended up, but ignoring how we got to this point is convenient.
The Rams offered Blythe more money to stay than KC offered, but he wanted to go closer to home and play for the team he rooted for as a kid.
The Chiefs moved on from *their* center to sign Blythe... He was, at that point, their starter.
Creed Humphries was available when the Chiefs drafted and they took him... and he proceeded to win the starting job.
So, Blythe is a JAG... but he's got a job and was a draft pick away from starting for the Chiefs, a preseason Super Bowl favorite.

They offered backup money for 1 year for their starting center? That free agent contract made him the 37th highest paid center hardly a ringing endorsement. Another spin to him signing with KC is he was insurance in case the rookie center they anticipated drafting, not saying they knew they would get Humphrey but they wanted to draft a center, being ready to start week 1.

 

[Kupped]

They offered backup money for 1 year for their starting center? That free agent contract made him the 37th highest paid center hardly a ringing endorsement. Another spin to him signing with KC is he was insurance in case the rookie center they anticipated drafting, not saying they knew they would get Humphrey but they wanted to draft a center, being ready to start week 1.

As mentioned, the Rams offered him more.

This isn't a "Austin Blythe is great" take.. this is the point that he was viewed as someone who could come in and start. A JAG.
And you've watched the NFL long enough to know that counting on a rookie to start, especially at a position like center where they're responsible for calls, etc, is not something you can really do. You can draft them, but you still have to have a plan to start.
I mean.. look how many people on this board thought Quinn Meinerz could come in and start at Center right away.

So, I'm not saying Blythe was great, I'm simply saying that I don't think he was nearly the problem that some suggest. The Rams pressure and sack numbers from last year weren't close to bad and if you have a total POS at center, that's going to be hard to do. His worst performance, to me, was against the Jets.. but unless I'm remembering incorrectly, the ugly plays happened when isolated on Williams and they didn't get him help. That's just a coaching mistake, imo. Williams is a beast.

 

[OldSchool]

As mentioned, the Rams offered him more.

This isn't a "Austin Blythe is great" take.. this is the point that he was viewed as someone who could come in and start. A JAG.
And you've watched the NFL long enough to know that counting on a rookie to start, especially at a position like center where they're responsible for calls, etc, is not something you can really do. You can draft them, but you still have to have a plan to start.
I mean.. look how many people on this board thought Quinn Meinerz could come in and start at Center right away.

So, I'm not saying Blythe was great, I'm simply saying that I don't think he was nearly the problem that some suggest. The Rams pressure and sack numbers from last year weren't close to bad and if you have a total POS at center, that's going to be hard to do. His worst performance, to me, was against the Jets.. but unless I'm remembering incorrectly, the ugly plays happened when isolated on Williams and they didn't get him help. That's just a coaching mistake, imo. Williams is a beast.

He was signed as an emergency policy. He was offered a 1 year deal by 2 teams to be a backup/insurance. And we've both watched the league long enough my friend to not generalize anything with rookies being able to start or not. It's a player by player scenario. Also there were a couple centers in the league that were believed to be plug and play day 1 starters.


View: https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1444135056767864836

 

[Kupped]

He was signed as an emergency policy. He was offered a 1 year deal by 2 teams to be a backup/insurance. And we've both watched the league long enough my friend to not generalize anything with rookies being able to start or not. It's a player by player scenario. Also there were a couple centers in the league that were believed to be plug and play day 1 starters.


View: https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1444135056767864836

If he had signed with the Chiefs *after* the draft, I'd give more weight to your argument.
The reality is they had nothing in hand when they signed him and, in fact, let their previous center walk for nothing.
Blythe had a 69 PFF last year, nothing earth shattering, but not close to "bad"... and, yes, it's just one measurement, but it's an outside, objective 3rd party to point to when you and I are just seeing different things.

I'm not generalizing anything about rookies except that counting on them to start before you've even had the chance to draft them is a stretch.

 

[majrleaged]

As mentioned, the Rams offered him more.

This isn't a "Austin Blythe is great" take.. this is the point that he was viewed as someone who could come in and start. A JAG.
And you've watched the NFL long enough to know that counting on a rookie to start, especially at a position like center where they're responsible for calls, etc, is not something you can really do. You can draft them, but you still have to have a plan to start.
I mean.. look how many people on this board thought Quinn Meinerz could come in and start at Center right away.

So, I'm not saying Blythe was great, I'm simply saying that I don't think he was nearly the problem that some suggest. The Rams pressure and sack numbers from last year weren't close to bad and if you have a total POS at center, that's going to be hard to do. His worst performance, to me, was against the Jets.. but unless I'm remembering incorrectly, the ugly plays happened when isolated on Williams and they didn't get him help. That's just a coaching mistake, imo. Williams is a beast.

Don't forget. Kc has one of the best at moving around and throwing in the run. So an adequate center is good enough in a pinch.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I'd like to see us climb out of the basement in rushing (3.3 YPC) tomorrow. I believe our OL is better than this.

 

[OldSchool]

If he had signed with the Chiefs *after* the draft, I'd give more weight to your argument.
The reality is they had nothing in hand when they signed him and, in fact, let their previous center walk for nothing.
Blythe had a 69 PFF last year, nothing earth shattering, but not close to "bad"... and, yes, it's just one measurement, but it's an outside, objective 3rd party to point to when you and I are just seeing different things.

I'm not generalizing anything about rookies except that counting on them to start before you've even had the chance to draft them is a stretch.

So you hamstring your team by going into the draft without a center on the entire roster? Bold strategy Cotton.

 

[Kupped]

So you hamstring your team by going into the draft without a center on the entire roster? Bold strategy Cotton.

Well, you're making my argument for me.

They knew they didn't have a center and wanted to upgrade from Reiter and they saw Blythe as an opportunity to do that and get a starter at a very inexpensive investment. They also wanted to really upgrade, so they were looking for a potential starter in the draft.

And, again.. Blythe graded out fairly well by PFF.

Centers are a mixed bag in this league... there are many guys who are interchangeable, imo, and then there are top tier guys. Obviously, the Chiefs were hoping to get to top tier at that position, otherwise you don't invest that much in a position where 4th round starters and lower litter the landscape.

The Rams were 10-6 last year and it's pretty easy to argue that injuries to Goff, Donald and Kupp could've been the difference between making the playoffs and going to the Super Bowl.

You just don't get there with gaping holes on your oline.

 

[Tano]

Well, you're making my argument for me.

They knew they didn't have a center and wanted to upgrade from Reiter and they saw Blythe as an opportunity to do that and get a starter at a very inexpensive investment. They also wanted to really upgrade, so they were looking for a potential starter in the draft.

And, again.. Blythe graded out fairly well by PFF.

Centers are a mixed bag in this league... there are many guys who are interchangeable, imo, and then there are top tier guys. Obviously, the Chiefs were hoping to get to top tier at that position, otherwise you don't invest that much in a position where 4th round starters and lower litter the landscape.

The Rams were 10-6 last year and it's pretty easy to argue that injuries to Goff, Donald and Kupp could've been the difference between making the playoffs and going to the Super Bowl.

You just don't get there with gaping holes on your oline.

Never said it was gaping. Blythe was adequate on most downs. However, I graded him as an F on 3rd down and long, 3rd down and 1 and goal to goal plays around the 1 or 2 yard line.

Those were the plays that I wanted at least a C average center and Blythe was nowhere close to giving us that.

Plus as I said before, he missed so many blocks 5 yards or more beyond the line of scrimmage that might have sprung our running backs to 10 plus yard gains instead of 5 to 10 yard gains.

His second down and long plays weren't very good either but I would grade him as a D+ on those plays.

 

[OldSchool]

Well, you're making my argument for me.

They knew they didn't have a center and wanted to upgrade from Reiter and they saw Blythe as an opportunity to do that and get a starter at a very inexpensive investment. They also wanted to really upgrade, so they were looking for a potential starter in the draft.

And, again.. Blythe graded out fairly well by PFF.

Centers are a mixed bag in this league... there are many guys who are interchangeable, imo, and then there are top tier guys. Obviously, the Chiefs were hoping to get to top tier at that position, otherwise you don't invest that much in a position where 4th round starters and lower litter the landscape.

The Rams were 10-6 last year and it's pretty easy to argue that injuries to Goff, Donald and Kupp could've been the difference between making the playoffs and going to the Super Bowl.

You just don't get there with gaping holes on your oline.

Not anywhere close to your argument sorry man. I pointed out he was signed as an insurance policy for the center they planned on drafting. They didn't have a center and needed one. They tried to resign Reiter for the same amount of money and failed and fell back on Blythe. They revamped their oline. Blythe is good depth and insurance and nothing more. If he was good like some are suggesting he wouldn't have signed a 1 year deal with KC for what he did. If he were good he would still be with the Rams.

 

[Kupped]

Not anywhere close to your argument sorry man. I pointed out he was signed as an insurance policy for the center they planned on drafting. They didn't have a center and needed one. They tried to resign Reiter for the same amount of money and failed and fell back on Blythe. They revamped their oline. Blythe is good depth and insurance and nothing more. If he was good like some are suggesting he wouldn't have signed a 1 year deal with KC for what he did. If he were good he would still be with the Rams.

So, right there, you are making my argument, whether you realize it or not. There’s a difference between “good enough” and “good”.
I’m only saying he wasn’t a problem and that he’s good enough. The league is filled with guys like that. And you keep skipping by the empirical aspects of the line performance as well as perceptions of outsiders. My argument isn’t Blythe was “good”, it’s that he wasn’t nearly the problem many suggest.

 

[OldSchool]

So, right there, you are making my argument, whether you realize it or not. There’s a difference between “good enough” and “good”.
I’m only saying he wasn’t a problem and that he’s good enough. The league is filled with guys like that. And you keep skipping by the empirical aspects of the line performance as well as perceptions of outsiders. My argument isn’t Blythe was “good”, it’s that he wasn’t nearly the problem many suggest.

The very fact that they paid this supposed starting center less than they're paying their long snapper tells you they weren't planning on him starting. And the thought that a SB contender who was completely rehauling their offensive line to protect the highest paid QB in the NFL is going to be happy with as you describe a JAG at Center is honestly laughable. Spend tons of money and upgrade his protection except center we can skate by with this JAG.

At this point we're just spinning wheels. Have a great day.

 

[Kupped]

The very fact that they paid this supposed starting center less than they're paying their long snapper tells you they weren't planning on him starting. And the thought that a SB contender who was completely rehauling their offensive line to protect the highest paid QB in the NFL is going to be happy with as you describe a JAG at Center is honestly laughable. Spend tons of money and upgrade his protection except center we can skate by with this JAG.

At this point we're just spinning wheels. Have a great day.

Except that’s the actual order things played out in.
I guess it’s laughable that KC rolled out a guy last year who’s on a practice squad now.
I mean… they would never play a guy that bad, amirite?!?!??
Cheers!