Week 2 O-line Grades

[Elmgrovegnome]

Where did you find the Rams being interested in ruiz? I've never heard this and I'd like to know more. But even if so, ruiz was the only lineman they liked? They didn't see a single lineman until the 7th round that they liked? I find that just to hard to believe.

Also I think you're maybe a bit pessimistic in terms of the defenses we've faced. We can say a lot about the cowboys but they have a nice defensive front. And the eagles maybe even more so. I mean that's been the identity of their defense for years. Sure, scheme helps but our offensive line has played well. I get being skeptical we're only 2 games in. But we're doing the line a disservice by suggesting that they're only good because of bad defense and scheme.

You may be right about Corbett eventually moving over. But If blythe and Corbett continue to hold up I don't see why you couldn't keep them where they are.

Overall, I think people greatly overestimate what having a "good offensive line" means. You're not gonna have 5 pro bowlers. Our 17-18 line may have spoiled us. "good" lines in today's NFL usually consists of 2 good lineman, a decent lineman, and 2 lineman who aren't liabilities on the majority of dropbacks. That's who I think we are. HOPEFULLY anyway.

One of the posts a few months ago a reporter said he knew for a fact that the Rams loved Ruiz but he would never fall out of round 1.

As it stands now, the line is decent. Last year the entire interior was a liability along with the first backup off the bench. One has been released, one is injured, the other has been demoted. So yeah the line is improved. None of them are great. Maybe Whitworth still is but we don’t know how he will hold up.

I guess my point is that in 2018 defenses found a counter to the offense with six man fronts. McVay had no counter. The line was not good enough to play a straight up style and run inside.

I noticed the Cowboys, who were an offensive PI away from taking the lead, started coming with blitzes and a heavy pass rush. It stopped the offense. Hopefully with Edwards in that will negate the effectiveness of that attack. For now there is only two that really struggle in pass pro and one can get help on the edge. That’s much better than three.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Thinking this line is actually very good and not in need of upgrades is shortsighted.

I think the line is improved over last season, but certainly not very good.
Our Super Bowl year, we would work the field 15 yards out and deeper. Which forced teams to play off coverage and stay focused on the middle of the field.
Now we play more 12 personel and dink and dunk. Which was necessary to keep Goff from getting destroyed.

Maybe Corbett is the future center. Maybe its Blythe. IdK.

 

[Ram_Rally]

One of the posts a few months ago a reporter said he knew for a fact that the Rams loved Ruiz but he would never fall out of round 1.

As it stands now, the line is decent. Last year the entire interior was a liability along with the first backup off the bench. One has been released, one is injured, the other has been demoted. So yeah the line is improved. None of them are great. Maybe Whitworth still is but we don’t know how he will hold up.

I guess my point is that in 2018 defenses found a counter to the offense with six man fronts. McVay had no counter. The line was not good enough to play a straight up style and run inside.

I noticed the Cowboys, who were an offensive PI away from taking the lead, started coming with blitzes and a heavy pass rush. It stopped the offense. Hopefully with Edwards in that will negate the effectiveness of that attack. For now there is only two that really struggle in pass pro and one can get help on the edge. That’s much better than three.

Thanks. Not sure how I missed that. I think Goff was only pressured 7 times Sunday so that's good.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Sunday Ticket has this in-week feature called Short Cuts that show every play, rapid-fire with everything else edited out. Can watch the entire game in thirty minutes.

This morning, I was watching, and decided to just focus on Edwards; and was extremely impressed. His run-blocking was particularly strong in my opinion. Came off initial blocks and moved to second level with ease. Did not whiff or seem out-of-position.

Got bulled some in pass protection when the DL got leverage but never shoved back into Goff. Most important, he did not whiff or miss a stunt in pass-pro ... the type of errors that don’t just get the QB sacked but result in turnovers and injuries.

 

[Snaz]

Sunday Ticket has this in-week feature called Short Cuts that show every play, rapid-fire with everything else edited out. Can watch the entire game in thirty minutes..

I tried watching those in the past, can't handle them. but if your focusing on a player that might work, bu the coached film on NFL.co, I think is better for that

 

[Mackeyser]

I think the line is improved over last season, but certainly not very good.
Our Super Bowl year, we would work the field 15 yards out and deeper. Which forced teams to play off coverage and stay focused on the middle of the field.
Now we play more 12 personel and dink and dunk. Which was necessary to keep Goff from getting destroyed.

Maybe Corbett is the future center. Maybe its Blythe. IdK.

the dink and dunk isn’t just for the O line.

it’s also to disrupt that 6 man front that was giving our scheme with all 11 fronts fits.

Also, we’re getting down field play. Goff was the most accurate with the deep ball this past weekend going 4-4 on balls over 20 yards.

I dunno how the OL is gonna shake out, but this OL isn’t the liability so many think it is

 

[InnovatedMind]

Week 2 -Eagles
I reviewed the game tape play by play reviewing the O-line. Below are my grades. There were some really excellent plays out there. I hope multiple people rewatch the game and focus on the blocking we are getting. I was critical of the coaching staff in the offseason not bringing in fresh blood, but so far their decision is paying off. Havenstein has been excellent, Corbett has turned the corner and turned into a nasty effective player. Blythe hasn't been perfect but overall he has been really good. Edwards was excellent today when he came in, to my credit I have been a huge fan of his after watching his tape all last year. Whitworth has been Pro Bowl form.

Havenstein Grade A - Totally dominant in the run game and responsible for several big runs. Pretty solid in this game in pass pro as well.

Corbett Grade B+ - Plays with a nasty streak and really moves bodies. Sometimes has perfect second level blocks after first level blocks. Playing at Saffold level in my book right now. Still a little work to do in pass pro. No major breakdowns.

Blythe - B Blythe has been showing more push in the run game and really solid overall. Gave up a sack in this game by failing to pick up the inside stunt by Graham. But that was a difficult block. Graham was lighting quick and Blythe was just a tad slow.

Edwards A - Edwards improvement over Noteboom is so noticeable. He got excellent push and actually showed surprising burst to get out to the second level today. His biggest improvement over Noteboom is his ability to lock onto his block. This guy is so underated and might have a pro bowl or two down the road from what I can tell.

Whitworth A - Still doing his thing. Not much to say. Even in pass pro he is showing perfect form.

Everett was a little inconsistent. Him and Higbee tend to be inconsistent.
Woods was real good again. Kupp improved over last week.

The TE/WR blocking can often make or break a play, often time the scheme has them blocking bigger players in assignments that seem such a disadvantage, but the tradeoff is they are great decoys for those delay screens that Mcvay runs to them when the defense is thinking they are blocking.

Great breakdown. Helps me put it into perspective, having someone like you break it down for the noobs like me.

 

[Ram65]

Edwards came in fresh later in the game which I think gave him a little advantage. I thought he played better at LG than RG last year. The Rams were still running more right after he came in. He did get a good push and held up in pass pro. Noteboom does well on the move, He has been off-balanced too often. It will be intereeting to see who starts when Boom is healthy. I know it's frowned upon to rotate O Lineman but, bringing in Edwards later in the game might be a good idea if they want Boom to start.

 

[Merlin]

the dink and dunk isn’t just for the O line.

it’s also to disrupt that 6 man front that was giving our scheme with all 11 fronts fits.

Also, we’re getting down field play. Goff was the most accurate with the deep ball this past weekend going 4-4 on balls over 20 yards.

I dunno how the OL is gonna shake out, but this OL isn’t the liability so many think it is

Yeah Goff did have some time on some of the dropbacks. Time that he would not have had last season.

And Edwards btw isn't particularly great at pass pro. He's just hard to move so resists those power rushes that can shrink the pocket vs guys like Boom and Blythe. Where he really pays off is the run game because of his size and physicality so that left side with him in there next to Whit (who is on a big time run game resurgence this season) suddenly becomes a nasty threat for the defense.

If these guys we have in there right now can stay healthy and log enough snaps together, I believe they'll settle in as a better than average OL. And that's all I want at this point. A great OL would be even better of course but all we need is a good run game threat (which we've had so far) and some pass pro that isn't a sieve.

Hopefully this current group will stay healthy and gel together into the kind of line that can not only endure a tough playoff type defense but maybe even excel against it.

 

[Dodgersrf]

the dink and dunk isn’t just for the O line.

it’s also to disrupt that 6 man front that was giving our scheme with all 11 fronts fits.

Also, we’re getting down field play. Goff was the most accurate with the deep ball this past weekend going 4-4 on balls over 20 yards.

I dunno how the OL is gonna shake out, but this OL isn’t the liability so many think it is

With the shorter passing game we're using, its not as much of a liability as it was last year.

I still don’t believe, its good enough to run the longer passes we were using 2 years ago. At least not as consistently.

I'm much more comfortable than last year, with those guys up front.
However. To say that this line is as good as 2018 would be false.
To say that this line is as bad as last year would also be false.

 

[FarNorth]

With the shorter passing game we're using, its not as much of a liability as it was last year.

I still don’t believe, its good enough to run the longer passes we were using 2 years ago. At least not as consistently.

I'm much more comfortable than last year, with those guys up front.
However. To say that this line is as good as 2018 would be false.
To say that this line is as bad as last year would also be false.

Agree with "not as consistently." We need an element of surprise and to be opportunistic, not to throw out of third down holes. Can't throw into the teeth of great pass rushers who know we have to go long. But we can make this work.

Our possession game including both runs and short passes will open up opportunities downfield. And, of course, the more third downs we convert-- and this year's O is once again excellent at that-- the more plays and opportunities we will have.

If we can run the ball, avoid getting into third and long, and don't predictably default to passing play calls, the deeper passes will be there.

 

[TexasRam]

It’s not pleasure. It’s frustration. Again watch the game and only focus on Noteboom.

I highly recommend it for everyone. Just keep your clicker in your hand and fast forward to every offensive snap. Rewind it 5 times and watch every linemans block. Skip past the defensive plays, commercials and everything else. It takes less then 20-30 minutes and you can clearly see what every lineman is doing. Oldschool mentioned people like to shit on Boom. Honestly maybe some do but I don't. I see alot of potential there. But he cannot lock onto his man whatsoever. He has more push this year and those quick feet so all the talent in the world. But until he can lock on and not lose his man he's a liablity. Jamon Brown had the same issue. Strong as a bull and real quick but if you can't hold onto your man you can't play at this level.

It's possible Noteboom could excel at LT and I would not give up on him at all. He just doesn't have the hand strength or technique yet. Some have said balance. Maybe that is part of it, I really don't know. But on tape it's real clear his man disengages almost immediately on most plays.

 

[Mackeyser]

With the shorter passing game we're using, its not as much of a liability as it was last year.

I still don’t believe, its good enough to run the longer passes we were using 2 years ago. At least not as consistently.

I'm much more comfortable than last year, with those guys up front.
However. To say that this line is as good as 2018 would be false.
To say that this line is as bad as last year would also be false.

I think as the run game stays consistently good that the OL will get more chances to hold up on longer developing passing plays.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Agree with "not as consistently." We need an element of surprise and to be opportunistic, not to throw out of third down holes. Can't throw into the teeth of great pass rushers who know we have to go long. But we can make this work.

Our possession game including both runs and short passes will open up opportunities downfield. And, of course, the more third downs we convert-- and this year's O is once again excellent at that-- the more plays and opportunities we will have.

If we can run the ball, avoid getting into third and long, and don't predictably default to passing play calls, the deeper passes will be there.

I think our offense now, is also the offense for the future.
With the money going to our skill positions, our oline is more than likely going to be o linemen on rookie deals.

 

[Soul Surfer]

I think our offense now, is also the offense for the future.
With the money going to our skill positions, our oline is more than likely going to be o linemen on rookie deals.

Idealy, the trick is to make sure all of their deals are offset by at least a year so you only have to replace one player at a time.

Some years you'll have to make a one year like we did with Blythe.

But the big thing you try to avoid is big mega year deals like the ones we have with Whitworth and Havenstein.

But it's doable.

 

[BonifayRam]

View: https://twitter.com/RamsBrothers/status/1305898162670968832



Whitworth received a 95.2 overall grade, which is the highest amongst LT’s in week 1.

Blythe (81.9) was 3rd overall (amongst C’s)

Corbett (80.3) was 6th overall (amongst G’s).

 

[BonifayRam]

I can’t see any possible way Noteboom could be considered at LT given his specific shortcomings. I agree with Edwards staying the LG going forward. Having Noteboom work solely at LT may be the last attempt to save his career with the Rams.

Okay, now that Kromer has lost Noteboom to the IR once again (back to back seasons) How could Kromer possibly return to having Noteboom kick David Edwards out of the LG post? It will be interesting to see what Kromer will decide to do once Noteboom returns to full health & comes off his current non-playing designation.

Kromer does have some other OL'ers he could plug in @ LG (Sheldon- Allen- Anchrum-Cabral- Evans) but non of them have any NFL starts @ OG like Edwards who played on all 18 gms thus far in his short NFL career with 12 events where he started or played a major part of a gm @ OG.

 

[BonifayRam]

It’s early, but Rams’ O-line looks much better than it did in 2019

Andrew Whitworth is PFF's highest-graded offensive lineman through two weeks.

sports.yahoo.com

The Rams offense has gotten off to a strong start this season, ranking eighth in points scored and fifth in total yards. A big reason for that is the improved play from the offensive line, which was a huge weak spot of the team last year.

Jared Goff is getting more time in the pocket, which has gotten the play-action passing attack back to its 2017 and 2018 levels. Running lanes are easier to find for Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson, leading to the league’s third-best rushing attack.

The most important player on the offensive line is 38-year-old Andrew Whitworth, who’s playing like he’s 28 and in the prime of his career. Despite going up against the likes of Aldon Smith, Everson Griffen, Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett, Whitworth is holding his own at left tackle.

In fact, he’s the highest-graded offensive lineman in the NFL through two weeks, according to Pro Football Focus.

Andrew Whitworth – highest graded OL through W2 (95.0) pic.twitter.com/z3qIsQrfFQ
— PFF (@PFF) September 24, 2020

He has yet to allow a sack in two games and has only committed one penalty, locking down the left side of the Rams’ offensive line next to Joe Noteboom and now David Edwards. Whitworth isn’t the only lineman playing at a high level, either.

Austin Blythe has a respectable 67.4 PFF grade at center with only one sack allowed, with Austin Corbett’s grade sitting at 74.3 with no sacks allowed. Rob Havenstein has allowed some pressure at right tackle, but he hasn’t given up a sack and his PFF grade is an impressive 76.3 after he ended last season at 50.9.

As a team, the Rams are only 17th in the NFL in ESPN’s pass block win rate metric, but they’re seventh in run block win rate, which means they’re opening up holes and preventing defenders from making plays at the line of scrimmage.

Individually, Whitworth, Corbett and Blythe have been among the best performers at their positions, the latter two in run block win rate.

Andrew Whitworth 6th among OT – 97% pass block win rate
Austin Corbett 4th among OG – 77% run block win rate
Austin Blythe 6th among C – 73% run block win rate
Team has 7th-highest run block win rate – 72% https://t.co/ReJzWlZagt
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) September 24, 2020

It’s still early in the season and the Rams will face several more tests down the line, but the returns look good so far. Sean McVay’s play calling has been brilliant and protected the offensive line from having to sustain blocks for very long on straight dropbacks, but they’re executing the job they’re being asked to do. So far, so good.

 

[FarNorth]

It’s early, but Rams’ O-line looks much better than it did in 2019

Andrew Whitworth is PFF's highest-graded offensive lineman through two weeks.

sports.yahoo.com

The Rams offense has gotten off to a strong start this season, ranking eighth in points scored and fifth in total yards. A big reason for that is the improved play from the offensive line, which was a huge weak spot of the team last year.

Jared Goff is getting more time in the pocket, which has gotten the play-action passing attack back to its 2017 and 2018 levels. Running lanes are easier to find for Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson, leading to the league’s third-best rushing attack.

The most important player on the offensive line is 38-year-old Andrew Whitworth, who’s playing like he’s 28 and in the prime of his career. Despite going up against the likes of Aldon Smith, Everson Griffen, Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett, Whitworth is holding his own at left tackle.

In fact, he’s the highest-graded offensive lineman in the NFL through two weeks, according to Pro Football Focus.



He has yet to allow a sack in two games and has only committed one penalty, locking down the left side of the Rams’ offensive line next to Joe Noteboom and now David Edwards. Whitworth isn’t the only lineman playing at a high level, either.

Austin Blythe has a respectable 67.4 PFF grade at center with only one sack allowed, with Austin Corbett’s grade sitting at 74.3 with no sacks allowed. Rob Havenstein has allowed some pressure at right tackle, but he hasn’t given up a sack and his PFF grade is an impressive 76.3 after he ended last season at 50.9.

As a team, the Rams are only 17th in the NFL in ESPN’s pass block win rate metric, but they’re seventh in run block win rate, which means they’re opening up holes and preventing defenders from making plays at the line of scrimmage.

Individually, Whitworth, Corbett and Blythe have been among the best performers at their positions, the latter two in run block win rate.


It’s still early in the season and the Rams will face several more tests down the line, but the returns look good so far. Sean McVay’s play calling has been brilliant and protected the offensive line from having to sustain blocks for very long on straight dropbacks, but they’re executing the job they’re being asked to do. So far, so good.

Gil Brandt predicted this in June, to much collective scorn and ridicule by group think talking heads...

 

[TexasRam]

It’s early, but Rams’ O-line looks much better than it did in 2019

Andrew Whitworth is PFF's highest-graded offensive lineman through two weeks.

sports.yahoo.com

The Rams offense has gotten off to a strong start this season, ranking eighth in points scored and fifth in total yards. A big reason for that is the improved play from the offensive line, which was a huge weak spot of the team last year.

Jared Goff is getting more time in the pocket, which has gotten the play-action passing attack back to its 2017 and 2018 levels. Running lanes are easier to find for Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson, leading to the league’s third-best rushing attack.

The most important player on the offensive line is 38-year-old Andrew Whitworth, who’s playing like he’s 28 and in the prime of his career. Despite going up against the likes of Aldon Smith, Everson Griffen, Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett, Whitworth is holding his own at left tackle.

In fact, he’s the highest-graded offensive lineman in the NFL through two weeks, according to Pro Football Focus.



He has yet to allow a sack in two games and has only committed one penalty, locking down the left side of the Rams’ offensive line next to Joe Noteboom and now David Edwards. Whitworth isn’t the only lineman playing at a high level, either.

Austin Blythe has a respectable 67.4 PFF grade at center with only one sack allowed, with Austin Corbett’s grade sitting at 74.3 with no sacks allowed. Rob Havenstein has allowed some pressure at right tackle, but he hasn’t given up a sack and his PFF grade is an impressive 76.3 after he ended last season at 50.9.

As a team, the Rams are only 17th in the NFL in ESPN’s pass block win rate metric, but they’re seventh in run block win rate, which means they’re opening up holes and preventing defenders from making plays at the line of scrimmage.

Individually, Whitworth, Corbett and Blythe have been among the best performers at their positions, the latter two in run block win rate.


It’s still early in the season and the Rams will face several more tests down the line, but the returns look good so far. Sean McVay’s play calling has been brilliant and protected the offensive line from having to sustain blocks for very long on straight dropbacks, but they’re executing the job they’re being asked to do. So far, so good.

Those grades are pretty fair in my opinion. The thing to keep in mind is these scores reflect the players match to the system. If we come across a defense that can shut down our run game then we could be exposed for longer developing pass plays.

shutting down the run game is easier Said then done. The system forces a defense to respect The counters, bootlegs and reverses, so committing too hard against the developing run zone or area would get the defense burned.

Forces defense to play a guessing game.