Via Pro Football Focus: OG Austin Corbett, Los Angeles Rams

[den-the-coach]

Via Pro Football Focus:

OG Austin Corbett, Los Angeles Rams

Another offensive lineman with a lot to prove, Austin Corbett was an intriguing prospect who was potentially overdrafted by the Browns in the second round. His NFL position was always up for debate, having played tackle in college, but he was always viewed as an interior lineman at the next level. He has been playing almost exclusively at left guard in the NFL, having impressed the most at the Senior Bowl at center, but that playing time has been almost universally poor thus far. What’s impressive is how consistently below-average Corbett has been so far, with every start he had for the Rams last season earning an overall PFF grade in the 50.0s. Corbett enters 2020 needing to show improvement to save his future at the NFL level.

 

[den-the-coach]

I find this interesting as Corbett needs to showcase he's ready to be an NFL starter and if not, where do the Rams turn at LG? Most likely Brewer or Evans, however, let's keep in mind that Kromer really liked Austin Corbett coming out of Nevada and IMO, I thought Corbett played well from a pass protections standpoint, but I'm hoping for a little more umph in the run game. Hopefully, Corbett got stronger in the off season, I do know he was working out with Whitworth.

 

[JonRam99]

OL positions are so complicated & have so many variables as far as how to stand out & be successful, I really wouldn't know what to say, but hearing that he's working directly w/ AW has to help, as communication & cohesiveness is one of the most important factors. I think AC has the tools to be a really good LG, & I'm hoping that a full camp will help him gel so we can see what we really have in him.

 

[Neil039]

It’s time the Rams get cast offs from other teams who produce for the Rams. I truly hated the 90s and 2006-2015 where Ram players left and then had success with other teams.

Here’s hoping Corbett settles into one of the interior positions and plays well from here in out.

 

[Rams43]

It’s hard to handicap the starters on this OL other than Whit and Edwards. And even Whit might be in a rotation with Boom by midseason. Hell, Edwards has been suggested as potentially a better fit at LG and might be a possible LOT reliever for Whit if he should struggle.

It’s frustrating to have so many possible starting candidates on this OL and so few snaps for them because of the virus restrictions.

Intensely frustrating for both players and their coaches. For this reason I suspect that our opening day OL starters might get a slight shuffle or two once the season gets underway and practices better reveal the best five.

The good news is that the Rams are apparently blessed with good depth, huh?

 

[BonifayRam]

I find this interesting as Corbett needs to showcase he's ready to be an NFL starter and if not, where do the Rams turn at LG? Most likely Brewer or Evans, however, let's keep in mind that Kromer really liked Austin Corbett coming out of Nevada and IMO, I thought Corbett played well from a pass protections standpoint, but I'm hoping for a little more umph in the run game. Hopefully, Corbett got stronger in the off season, I do know he was working out with Whitworth.

If Corbett, after his first 2020 training camp & preseason gms does not show great improvement overall then I am OK with going with one of our other possible prospective OG's get an opportunity to get snaps with the offense. I really do not expect a downward trending performance from Corbett.

I would agree that starting RG David Edwards was an excellent first time starter @ the LG position & could end up there IF there was an issue. Rams have more than 7 OL'ers like Chandler Brewer, Coleman Shelton, Jeremiah Kolone, Brian Allen, Bobby Evans & rookies Tremayne Anchrum & Cohl Cabral are all looking for a chance @ the OG posts.

 

[Faceplant]

I thought Corbett did well while he was in there.

 

[Corbin]

I feel pretty confident with Evans and Edwards going into this year of holding the line with a year under their belt.

 

[Merlin]

After we added Corbett last year I went back and read the articles and fan takes on the guy (I tend to favor the fan takes too btw) and the story on him was unilaterally that he was shitty in the run game. The guy was beaten for jobs by nobodies in Cleveland two years running. Then of course watching him during the season he helped us in pass pro but his run blocking was not good. After the season I took a look at PFF which reinforced that take too btw. And finally the most important thing for myself is reviewing the film of the last season (I generally do that after the draft hoopla is over) which also reinforced that he was marginal in the run game at best for us. So we know who this guy is.

Now that doesn't mean he can't improve. But for me overall this goes back to the line as a whole where we have a collection of guys who are pass blockers, or better at pass blocking than run blocking. In fact the only player who I would project as a slam dunk "good run blocker" is Edwards.

Whit might recover a bit but he's fighting father time. Havenstein used to be a good run blocker but there's a ton of unknowns with him right now. So if we get lucky the OTs will be good there, but the bigger problem is on the interior.

Corbett and Blythe are both subpar in the run game, and neither are great in pass pro (Blythe in particular is poor at both he's just better at pass pro). Noteboom was so bad in the run game that it will probably eliminate him from the LG competition. Outside of Edwards at RG there aren't any good run game improvement options. Really there is only Allen (who is good in the run game but sucks in pass pro) and maybe Brewer although he's a bit of an unknown. Maybe Anchrum factors in here too, although even if he does I don't think he'll be a plus graded run blocker in his rookie season.

We need that run game to be good this year if we want to be a real contender instead of the type of team that is gonna get bounced early in the playoffs. So for that to happen we need Whit & Hav to improve, and at least one player to step up at either LG or C.

 

[TheTackle]

The Browns drafted him to play LT as I documented here. Based on his performance as an interior lineman, now in a zone blocking scheme, his future looks bright

 

[Ram65]

I think Blythe took a step back because of the injuries especially the ankle. I see him bouncing back to being serviceable. Corbett could get a shot at OC. I didn't focus on Corbett last year but, that 50 burger from PFF has made me wonder for some time how capable he is. Whit and Hav should be good. Both have a lot to prove and will be ready. Edwards could switch to LG and have Evans compete at right guard. Kromer will give Brewer and the rest a chance.

LT Whit
LG Edwards
OC Blythe/Corbett
RG Evans/Brewer
RT Havenstein

 

[Psycho_X]

I thought Corbett did well while he was in there.

He looked like an all star compared to how Demby had played. We had no where to go but up. Curious to see how he does this season with some of the changes happening to how our offense works. Last season I'd put him as a serviceable backup but will need to see improvement to be happy with him as our starter.

 

[MachS]

IDK according to a lot of people on this board he's a great player who we're so lucky to have. Careful posting statistical evidence to the contrary regarding our OL. 2nd round bust thus far that we got for peanuts and has never been an impact player in the NFL. Anyone would look like an upgrade playing after Demby who should be working at Target.

Back to back years of rolling the dice with our OL. If the running game doesnt get going again, and if Goff doesn't get better protection this team goes nowhere. That's why so many of us were upset we didnt add OL talent, but instead drafted a 3rd RB, 4th WR and 3rd TE with 2nd, 2nd, and 4th round picks. Just a stupid, stupid risk giving how the OL derailed our season last yr. I LOVE Akers and like Jefferson a lot, but neither make the impact you drafted them for if the OL blocks like last year.

LT - Whitworth... will be 39yrs old in December. Coming off his worst year in what a decade?
LG - Corbett ... Fingers crossed he's at least an NFL average starter at G. As stats show he was below average last year.
C - Blythe ... Journeyman player, best suited as a backup. Gets dominated physically a lot at the point of attack. Did play better at C vs G
RG - Edwards... 5th round young player who played well for a rookie last year. Seems to have upside but still very unproven at NFL level
RT - Hav/Evans.. Hav battled injuries last yr and his play literally fell off a cliff. Evans is another young player who played decent, but still has a ton to prove at NFL level.

Noteboom and Allen both coming off injury and aren't likely to start for who knows how long...both played horrible last year anyways. If you look at this talent objectively I think a middle of the pack line is the upside for us here. The days of a top 5 OL are long gone unfortunately until we add more talent. A looooooot of faith being put in Kromer just like last year alm: .

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

Back to back years of rolling the dice with our OL. If the running game doesnt get going again, and if Goff doesn't get better protection this team goes nowhere. That's why so many of us were upset we didnt add OL talent, but instead drafted a 3rd RB, 4th WR and 3rd TE with 2nd, 2nd, and 4th round picks. Just a stupid, stupid risk giving how the OL derailed our season last yr. I LOVE Akers and like Jefferson a lot, but neither make the impact you drafted them for if the OL blocks like last year.

MachS,
I'm curious who would you have taken in this last draft, especially in the second round when we picked. Was there a prospect at that point in the draft with as much upside as Akers and Jefferson?
How about the third round, what O lineman was on the board so that you would have passed on Lewis and Burgess?
Just askin'

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[BonifayRam]

*Reference PFF's 2019 Corbett grade 51.8.....if that grade is a real bona fide concern then what does that tell about below other expected main Ram OL'ers for this upcoming season?

RT- Havenstein 50.9 [starter]
RG/OC- Blythe 50.3 [starter]
RT- Evans 49.4 [starter]
OL- Shelton 48.2 [reserve]
LG- Noteboom 37.5 [starter]
LG- Demby 27.6 [reserve]

Two of the above 6 are expected to be starters in 2020. Three of the 6 are expected to play key roles in Kromers OL & projected as future starters. Five of them have at least one full Ram training camp/ Preseason experience under their belt going into the 2019 season, something Corbett did not. I can see where Corbett being the only projected starter that was not here for TC & preseason last year might make him a more likely candidate to be challenged too.

*Reference what occurred with the Browns & Corbett's failure to earn a starting position after two Browns TC's & preseasons..... being discussed as being a negative attached to Corbett...... Was it not the same Browns that signed GRob to $6 1/2 million a yr contract after the Rams disastrous failed experiment with expectations that he GRob was their answer to their LT problems because Corbett failed at it? Were the Browns that blind to see the 6-4 short armed Corbett just does not have the required length to play LT in the NFL? The Browns still utilized their top drafted OT Corbett as their main OT (not OG) reserve in 2018. He did see relief action & started 1 gm his rookie season @ RT for them. Browns did move Corbett in 2019 to work in @ OC & RG during the Browns TC/ preseason.

I maintain that a Kromer did have major issues figuring out early last season his starting LG post. His game plan LG strategy "in hind-sight" choices......to start Noteboom as 1st team LG & Demby 2nd team LG was .....were two back to back proven bad OL decisions.

It sure appears to me that Kromer was fully aware of his serious mistakes & was mandated by Snead/McVay to resolve it immediately. Kromers solution was the Browns young reserve OL'er..... Corbett was what he wanted as his starting LG. Thus, Snead traded for him in Corbett's 2nd season where this LG played in 11 gms started the last 7 gms for Kromer. I believe fully that left OG IS Corbett's best starting position leave him there please.