Wagoner: Rams Mailbag parts 1 & 2

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  • July 11, 2015 at 12:28 pm #27173
    Avatar photozn
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    Have Rams solved their offensive line issues?

    Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer

    http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/19520/have-rams-solved-their-offensive-line-issues

    EARTH CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis Rams made some rare mid-July news this week when they used a fifth-round supplemental draft pick on Clemson offensive tackle Isaiah Battle.

    That move brought their haul of rookie offensive linemen added this offseason to a whopping five. It also coincides with the return of the Twitter mailbag. And, as you’d expect, there were questions about Battle and the line.

    Justin Koski @koski_justin
    @nwagoner with 5 new OL, is the answer to the Rams oline riddle finally on the roster?

    @nwagoner: That’s one of the biggest questions surrounding this team right now. But unfortunately there’s no answer for it at the moment. The Rams made a conscious decision to rebuild the line with youth rather than adding veterans, which is fine but it also feels like a bit of an overcorrection. To be sure, big free-agent investments made on the line didn’t work out either, so going the other way does make some sense. But it also seemed like the Rams could have added at least one veteran piece at a cheaper rate to help out right away. The team believes Robert Havenstein and Jamon Brown can start right away, and there’s a real chance they will. Beyond that, banking on a fourth, fifth or sixth-round pick is probably asking too much. But in an ideal world, they can all offer solid depth with one developing into a starter. Regardless, offensive line coach Paul Boudreau has a big task in front of him.

    CHuff @huffster21
    How many of these olineman can we realistically keep? I assume some would get plucked from our practice squad.

    @nwagoner: Over the past few years, it hasn’t been unusual for the Rams to go heavy on offensive linemen. They’ve kept 10 or even 11 at various points in Jeff Fisher’s tenure. But nine is probably a realistic number with 10 an outside possibility. Even assuming that, they’re probably going to end up releasing a player or two that might come with some level of name recognition. I’d venture to guess that one of the three centers competing for the starting spot, for example, will be squeezed out in the final tally. If you don’t project to be a starter, it would be wise to add some versatility to your game if you want to make this roster on the offensive line.

    James Armstrong @jamessarmstrong
    Nick what can you tell us about Isaiah Battle. Anything special or just an OL numbers game?

    @nwagoner: The Rams believe they got good value with Battle. In other words, a player who would have gone a round or two higher under normal circumstances but had enough question marks to drop him a bit in the supplemental draft. They have no plans to rush him, and anyone expecting him to compete with Havenstein right away will probably be disappointed. But he does have some athleticism and really long arms. He showed some prowess as a run blocker (Clemson’s rushing stats were much better when running to his side) and has the tools to be an effective pass blocker. If he develops as the Rams hope, he could legitimately have a chance to overtake Havenstein, but it isn’t likely to happen for two to three years.

    Randy Mathew Smith @RandyMSmith1986
    @nwagoner is there a slotted salary for a Sup Draft rookie like there is for the regular draft?

    @nwagoner: Yes. The draft slotting system is generally used as the basis for a contract. In this case, the Rams were considered to have the eighth pick in the fifth round and that’s where Battle’s contract will likely come in. Or very close to it if not. That’s how the Cleveland Browns handled it in 2012 when they drafted Josh Gordon. He got a deal that was equivalent to the second pick of the second round.

    connor @con_cunningham
    @nwagoner How’s Brian Quick doing with his recovery? Will he be ready to play Week 1?

    @nwagoner: Brian Quick made progress during organized team activities and was able to do some individual work throughout the spring sessions. The hope is that he’ll be able to start doing some team drills sooner than later in camp, but we’ll see how he is when he gets back with the team at the end of this month. I’d tend to think he’s got a good shot to be ready to play Week 1 barring any setbacks, but again, we’ll evaluate where he is when camp starts.

    July 11, 2015 at 12:51 pm #27175
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    I don’t understand why a lot of posters are worried about Snead saying that Battle will have a red shirt year. Jones had one, almost two red shirts year. That was mostly due to recovering from injuries and they could have probably put him on IR if they had wanted. They kept him on the 53 man roster. Battle has a long way to go, but so did Quick and Robinson.

    Agamemnon

    July 12, 2015 at 3:50 pm #27215
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Mailbag: Is the Rams defense ready to take off?

    Nick Wagoner

    http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/19526/is-the-rams-defense-ready-to-take-off

    EARTH CITY, Mo. — In Saturday’s mailbag, we went heavy on the offensive line — don’t worry there’s another OL question in this one — but today we turn our attention to the defense.

    Namely, can a defense entering its second season under Gregg Williams use that experience to start fast and meet expectations. All that and more in this version of our Rams Twitter Mailbag.

    Adam @RAMdom_Haus
    Do you see an improved chemistry on D or is there still a sense of “getting to know you” for GW?

    @nwagoner: One of the most obvious things during organized team activities (OTAs) was how much further along the Rams were defensively than they were a year ago. It’s imperative for them to get off to a fast start and be more consistent but it doesn’t seem like there’s going to be as many growing pains this time out. In fact, Williams made it a point to say near the end of OTAs that he’s been able to both weed out things he doesn’t feel work and add things he think will work. Big things are expected of this defense this year and with good reason. But once again, it’s their job to finally deliver on a consistent basis.

    Matthew Jauregui @Firecap30
    The Bears made it work with rookie RG & RT in Kyle Long and Jordan Mills, why can’t the Rams have the same success?

    @nwagoner: Well, the word success isn’t necessarily the one I’d go with for that Bears team. Kyle Long and Jordan Mills started as rookies and made it through the season but it’s not like they dominated. Long was clearly more effective than Mills and was mostly solid. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus charged Long with allowing two sacks, nine quarterback hits and 21 quarterback hurries. But Mills struggled mightily, allowing three sacks, 13 hits and 62 hurries. In fact, PFF graded Mills as the third worst tackle in the league in his rookie season. So basically, the Rams had better hope that Rob Havenstein is much better than that. The Bears’ duo also had the added advantage of working with a veteran center in Roberto Garza, something the Rams don’t have in place. Nobody is writing off the chances of the Rams’ offensive line coming together and playing well but it’s going to take some time to get going.

    Eddie in Santa Paula @EDnSantaPaula
    Do you start akeem over JoLann at linebacker?

    @nwagoner: I think ultimately, that’s probably what the Rams will do with Akeem Ayers as the third starting linebacker and Jo-Lonn Dunbar as the primary backup across the board. That also doesn’t preclude Dunbar from getting snaps. Williams has said he has packages in for all of his defensive players so he might find spots to use Dunbar, particularly on running downs. But based on the money being paid and Ayers’ versatility, I’d be a bit surprised if he doesn’t win the job.

    JLR0825 @JLR0825
    Who is going start on the offensive line for the Rams?

    @nwagoner: Nothing is set in stone right now, especially at center but the Rams seem to like the idea of something like this (from left to right): Greg Robinson, Rodger Saffold, Barrett Jones, Jamon Brown and Rob Havenstein. Jones still has a lot of learning to do; Tim Barnes could get the nod because of experience and it’d be unwise to rule out Demetrius Rhaney. That competition will play out through training camp and the preseason. At right guard, don’t be surprised if Garrett Reynolds gets a chance should Brown have any miscues. Reynolds worked at left guard with Saffold sitting out team portions of OTAs and offers a veteran solution if Brown takes a little while to develop.

    Chris Watkins @CWat1024
    In what game this season do you expect Gurley to make his first professional carry?

    @nwagoner: I don’t really have any expectation for Todd Gurley since we don’t know how far along he is right now. If we use the timetable he gave me before the end of OTAs, he’ll be doing individual drills at the start of training camp and then will be able to slowly work his way back into the mix in team drills as camp goes along. I don’t think it’s out of the question that his first carry will come in Game 1. And I get the sense from the Rams that they don’t think he’ll miss many games if he does have to sit at the start of the season. They don’t want to rush him back but he’ll be about 10 months removed from the injury at the start of the season. It’s realistic to think he’ll be able to contribute at some level when the season starts but we’ll have to see where he is when camp begins later this month.

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