Brown pushing Robinson to be starting ROT?

Greg Robinson will have to fight for a starting right tackle job

By Alden Gonzalez

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/33943/rams-greg-robinson-will-have-to-fight-for-a-starting-job-at-rt

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Greg Robinson will tell you he didn’t see this coming, but he’s happy to at least still be a tackle.

“Just the space,” Robinson said. “It’s more natural for me.”

Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2014, struggled mightily at left tackle during his first three NFL seasons, prompting a switch to the right side. The Los Angeles Rams opted against picking up his fifth-year option earlier this spring, and now they’re not even sure if Robinson will start. Jamon Brown, a guard through his first two years, was the one taking first-team snaps at right tackle during organized team activities on Tuesday, leaving Robinson to get his work done alongside the backups.

It’s still early, though, and Robinson will tell you he’s “getting accustomed” to his new position.

“The first week or so was a tough one, but I’m getting it down,” he said. “As a goal, all I’m planning on doing is proving with every opportunity I can that I can do well on the right side.”

Robinson committed an NFL-leading 31 total penalties over the last two years and was graded 71st among 78 qualified tackles by Pro Football Focus in 2016, a year when the offensive line’s struggles made life miserable on quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley. The Rams have since guaranteed $15 million to a 35-year-old Andrew Whitworth, solidifying themselves at left tackle and prompting change throughout the right side.

Rob Havenstein is transitioning from right tackle to right guard, a move prompted by the Rams’ belief that he can do a better job of picking up assignments in the interior.

Right tackle, said first-year coach Sean McVay, “is something that we’re evaluating.”

Brown, a third-round pick in 2015, made all of his starts at tackle for Louisville, starting on the right side before moving to the left. But with Robinson on the roster and Havenstein selected a round earlier, the Rams, under Jeff Fisher, used Brown mostly at left and right guard, giving him a combined 14 starts there in 2015-16. Going back to right tackle “was just kind of a suggestion last week because they’re trying to plug in guys and evaluate guys at different spots,” Brown said.

McVay said Robinson has “shown some good signs” at right tackle, but also stated that Brown’s athleticism and strength show up there.

“The majority of the stuff comes back pretty natural, just because that’s what I’ve been doing for the four years I was in college,” Brown said. “It’s kind of easy to just kind of knock the rust off and just get back to doing what I do. ”

Whitworth, a three-time Pro Bowler, has been helping Robinson any way he can. He’s trying to act as “positive reinforcement,” Whitworth said, talking through schemes, walking through technique and simply making himself available. He stands as a much-needed third veteran on this offensive line, along with left guard Rodger Saffold and center John Sullivan.

But Robinson, 24, must carve his own path.

“Honestly, just another day on the field is an opportunity,” he said. “That’s all I’m looking forward to. I’m willing to just prove myself in any way I can, and every day that’s the only thing I’m focused on. Since the beginning I’ve been trying my best. In terms of my play, I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied. All I can do is keep stacking blocks and continue building.”

LMU93 wrote:

Brown was switched to OG after being drafted, not at Louisville. He started every game at LT/RT his sophomore-senior years there. I think he was made an OG because they penciled in Robinson and Havenstein as the starting OTs. He broke his leg trying to tackle a defender that had made an interception after 9 games in 2015. I can’t recall why he missed a few games last year. Maybe he doesn’t win the RT job and he settles in as their 6th man. I just think it’s not far-fetched at all for him to win it.

Agamemnon wrote:

The site asked me who I voted for and then kicked me off?????????????????????????????

Fwiw that didn’t happen to me. I got a photo essay showing among other things that Pierre Garcon, at his current size as a WR, would have been an average offensive lineman in eras past.

Rams offensive lineman Greg Robinson staying positive while competing for a starting job

http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-greg-robinson-20170531-story.html

He was the No. 2 pick in the NFL 2014 draft but has struggled with penalties and protection issues playing left tackle.

The Rams this offseason signed a three-time Pro Bowl player to take his spot, moved him to the right side and then declined to exercise their fifth-year option, a move that would have ensured him a roster spot — and a salary of more than $12 million — in 2018.

Through it all, Greg Robinson said this week that he remained positive.

“Whatever opportunities I have, I’m looking forward to my future,” he said after an organized team activity workout. “Hopefully, it’s with the Rams.

JackPMiller wrote:

I’d still prefer GRob at LG, and Havenstein at RT. Brown, Weichman and Eldercamp(sp.) can battle it out for RG. Rhanwy could be the back up Center, and Saffold and Donnel could battle to for the backup Tackle spot.

Kromer knows what he is doing, as he has proven time in and time out. And Hav is set at LG. Hav is ahead of every single guy you name there.

So maybe this is one of those rare cases where the coaches know more than we do.

I will say this.

1. Kromer does not use guards in ways we’re used to. “Conventional wisdom” on this won’t work. He actually puts more emphasis on guard play than on tackle play. And…he knows what he wants and knows it when he sees it.

2. He has been very very good at it. Under Kromer in Buffalo Incognito had the best seasons of his career. In New Orleans before that, he produced 2 top guards out of lower round picks: Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans.

Trust The Kromer.

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