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The league’s youngest offensive line
By Nick WagonerSAN FRANCISCO — The St. Louis Rams have annually been amongst the league’s youngest teams since coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead took over in 2012.
They will likely remain near the top of those rankings this year, though many of their prized young draft picks have now been around for awhile. One area where they will be younger, though, is on the offensive line.
Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com, tweeted out his list sorting the teams with the oldest and youngest offensive lines in the league.
The Philadelphia Eagles come in with a projected starting average of 29.6. Coming in as the youngest? You guessed it, the Rams with a projected average age of 23.4.
That should probably come as no surprise given the massive overhaul the team had in that position group this offseason. They parted ways with center Scott Wells and tackle Jake Long, both of whom were two of the oldest players on the team, let alone the offensive line. They also haven’t re-signed tackle Joe Barksdale.
In place of that trio, the Rams currently project rookies Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown at right tackle and guard, respectively, and a center competition between youngsters Barrett Jones, Demetrius Rhaney and Tim Barnes. The winner of that competition could change the average age.
Aside from those three spots, the Rams bring back second-year left tackle Greg Robinson and sixth-year lineman Rodger Saffold, the clear elder statesman of the group.
Youth isn’t necessarily a bad thing in any place on a team but it can be a scary proposition for an offense that desperately needs to perform better in 2015. It’s why we’ve consistently advocated the addition of a player such as veteran guard Justin Blalock, assuming he’s healthy and willing.
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