OL articles n posts n vids (June & July)

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  • May 31, 2018 at 9:08 pm #86853
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    Andrew Whitworth Ready for Year 13 in NFL

    http://m.therams.com/s/30854/409?itemUri=40892409/138148011312141212131313552111

    Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth[​IMG] is the oldest player on Los Angeles’ roster by a fairly significant margin. He turned 36 last December while in the midst of another terrific season – his first with Los Angeles.

    But a streak of sorts came to an end in the last quarter of the season as well, when Whitworth received a game of rest in Week 17 against the 49ers. Prior to that, Whitworth had started 70 consecutive games, dating back to 2013 when the offensive lineman was in Cincinnati.

    While it is a significant streak for any player – especially an offensive lineman – Whitworth downplayed its importance in relation to what L.A. was chasing at the time. And he related his streak to now retired Browns left tackle Joe Thomas.

    “Obviously what Joe Thomas did was tremendous,” Whitworth said this week, referring to Thomas’ streak of over 10,000 consecutive offensive snaps played to begin his career. “But I think of it back to my career, even, it’s like [there have been] a lot of games it was either a situation where I was sat because we were up big in a game, or sat because we had made the playoffs, and some of that type stuff. So at the end of the day, I think for me, just being in a winning situation and having the opportunity to win division titles and stuff is, obviously, something that means more to me than the streak, I guess you could say.

    “But we were actually talking about it the other day – because I was thinking about Joe playing 10,000 and I was thinking, shoot, I’ve got to be somewhere close to 11 [thousand]. That’s my guess, because I know I’ve played in 183 games – of just pure snaps, I’m somewhere around there,” Whitworth continued. “So it’s crazy to think about – it really is. John Sullivan[​IMG]had to make me feel bad the other day and told me I’ve spent over a year of my life in an NFL training camp – so I started thinking about that, too, and I felt old quick.”

    Even if Sullivan made Whitworth feel his age, the left tackle doesn’t look it. He’s been as active as ever during Los Angeles’ OTAs over the last two weeks, leading the offensive unit by running from drill to drill, competing at the line of scrimmage in both pass protection and run blocking.

    Whitworth said even as he enters his 13th year in the league, he’s finding that each season is different.

    “I’ll tell you what, this year’s been special. This offseason, guys have really worked hard. It’s been one of the best I’ve been around as far as guys just really putting in the effort and the energy of just the task of every day, trying to find something to get better at,” Whitworth said. “I’ve really been impressed with how this group has trained. So everything has to continue day in and day out, but if anything, the first five or six weeks of being here, you can really see that this team has got a mission.”

    As one of the unquestionable leaders on the team, Whitworth said that kind of culture gets established from the top down. But while it starts with the coaching staff, it’s up to the players to make sure everyone is truly held accountable. Whitworth is certainly a significant part of that from a player standpoint.

    “Ultimately, it’s up to the players to carry on that culture and to cultivate it, and to keep day in and day out, pushing each other to make that culture grow even stronger,” Whitworth said. “All the coaches really can do is give you direction. It’s up to us to handle it and make sure it moves in the right way. And, I’ll tell you what, all these guys have done a tremendous job of coming in every day, working extremely hard, and putting their heads down and realizing the only thing that matters right now is us getting better.”

    But in setting the culture, Whitworth knows he’s a mentor to many of the younger players – especially those on the offensive line. That’s a role he embraces, taking care to not be overbearing in the process.

    “I think you just be there for them and help them with little tidbits throughout the day,” Whitworth said. “They get to see how we tick and how we operate. And they get a chance to hear and listen – even in our room, with coach [Aaron] Kromer – just how we dialogue together. And hopefully, that creates an atmosphere where they kind of understand more how they can improve every day, and what they can be looking to try and concentrate on as they’re playing.”

    June 2, 2018 at 6:36 pm #86951
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    quote=den-the-coach sez

    Offensive Line Breakdown….Who Will Make the Final 53?

    Still have a few more OTA’s then Mandatory Mini Camp prior to Training camp, however, presently the Los Angeles Rams have a total of 15 Offensive Linemen in Camp and on September Morn barring injury of course, I look for the Rams to keep 9 or in fact, 10 as the cuts will be tough with the draft upgrades.

    The Starters:

    LT…Andrew Whitworth…The linchpin to the OL and some will debate that Whitworth was less effective towards the end of the season including the playoff game against the Falcons, but there is no debating that Whit is a major locker room presence and will be look upon to assist some of the draft class in their transition into the NFL.

    LG…Rodger Saffold….IMO, it was Saffold’s best year under Offensive Line Coach Aaron Kromer as Saffold was rock solid week in and week out. Playing in between established pros like Whitworth & Sullivan helped as Saffold did not have to cover for anyone and one will surmise is a contract extension in his future?

    C…John Sullivan…Loved Sully all last year and there were a couple of games many of us were concerned about Sullivan getting injured, but Big John was always ready the following week. Sullivan really knows the offense, which assisted Goff greatly and I’m glad the Notre Dame alum is back and can teach new Center Brian Allen a few things about what it takes to be a professional.

    RG…Jamon Brown….Some were tough on Brown, but I felt once he settled in at RG, he improved greatly week over week and created many holes for TGIII. Brown also improved in his pass protection and actually graded out well in the playoff game against the Falcons.

    RT…Rob Havenstein…Big Rob came back after being dinged up in 2016 to play very solid at RT. Havenstein will always have us holding our breath against the speed rushers (The Texan Game) but he rallies to always just get enough of the guy to give Goff the opportunity to make a play and is one of the better run blockers on this team, really can create some gaps for the running backs and that was his claim to fame at Wisconsin.

    The Draft Class:

    LT…Joseph Noteboom….The more I read about Noteboom the more I liked, granted a third round pick, so there are going to be question marks, however, Noteboom is very athletic and under the tutelage of Aaron Kromer should be ready to contribute sooner rather than later. Also an Academic all American so all of us should not have to worry about Noteboom picking up the scheme and stunts that are run by the defense.

    C…Brian Allen….This was the surprise pick of the draft for me as I knew the Rams might draft a Center, just did not realize Brian Allen was on their radar. Allen a leader that backs down to no one and has a wrestling background that seems to be preferred by OL Coach Aaron Kromer because of leverage combined with quick hands and feet to aid at the point of attack. Allen not a big as Sullivan, but was essential in the ground attack for the Spartans of Michigan State.

    OG….Jamil Demby….One of my favorite picks, but I might be a tad biased because I work with several colleagues that played at the University of Maine and being a connect a dots guy with the addition of Liam Cohen to the coaching staff as he was the OC at Maine, felt good that Demby was headed to Southern California. Anyway big kid that played LT for the Black Bears and will transition to Guard and reminds me of Saffold, but will have to get stronger at the next level, but I feel really good about Demby making the team and being a future starter for many years to come.

    First Man Up:

    C/G…Austin Blythe…A real surprise to me last season as he was released by the Indianapolis Colts (who really need offensive linemen) and I did not expect him to make the team, but from the start of preseason, Blythe showcased the ability to play Center & Guard without much drop-off. Blythe another former wrestler that is very quick off the ball will have challenges again making the squad with the addition of Allen and the bigger Jake Eldrenkamp, but Blythe was very valuable last season and I don’t see things changing in 2018 for the former Hawkeye.

    The Rest:

    LT/RT…Cornelius Lucas….Did not expect much from the big man from Kansas State, but he caught my eye against the 49ers in the final game of the year as he played an excellent RT not allowing any pressures whatsoever. Lucas will be challenged as he will have an opportunity to play both positions come Training Camp, but he has the size that OL Coach Aaron Kromer covets in his tackles and one would surmise the Rams want to keep two tackles on the final 53 as they did all of last season.

    LT/RT….Darrell Williams…Williams reminds me of the girl who is very attractive, but always not dating anyone. Williams has had his moments in preseason over the years and is still young at 24, however, against the San Francisco 49ers in the last game of the year was just awful and poor Sean Mannion could hardly get set before he was harassed by Williams’s look out blocks. Williams seems to be a better LT than RT and I knew he had more talent than Pace Murphy, but with the ability of Lucas to play RT and the addition of Noteboom I expect Williams to be given his walking papers on cut down day.

    C/G….Jake Eldrenkamp….I loved this signing last season and much was written that the Rams almost drafted the former Huskie, however, Eldrenkamp was outplayed by Austin Blythe last preseason and released by the Rams and then added later to the practice squad for depth along the interior. There is much to like about Jake from State Farm as he has great size at 6’5 305 and very smart, but unless he can showcase the ability to be quick off the ball and create some gaps, Eldrenkamp could be on the outside looking in once again.

    C/G…Aaron Neary….Another Offensive Lineman that IMHO, was just plain awful against the 49ers and besides Williams failing miserably at left tackle, the pressure up the middle in that game was unacceptable and much of that fell at the hands of Neary. The Rams claimed Neary from the Eagles and his only body of work was against San Francisco, but with the addition of Brian Allen to me that showcases the Rams came away as impressed as I was from the former Eastern Washington product.

    LT/RT…Michael Dunn…IMHO, the Rams added Dunn before the start of the offseason because they only had only two tackles under contract at the time in Whitworth and Havenstein and needed somebody before they resigned Lucas and Williams, who could have signed elsewhere. In preseason Dunn looked overmatched whether he was at Left Tackle or Right Tackle and his surname underscores his opportunity to make this football team.

    OG…Jeremiah Kolone…The only UDRFA added to the Offensive Line from San Jose State at 6’3 316lbs defiantly has the size, but will he get a chance? You never know, however if the former Spartan can make the practice squad, that would be an accomplishment.

    June 4, 2018 at 12:36 pm #87033
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    June 7, 2018 at 5:42 pm #87155
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    OL Continuity Key for Rams Offensive Success

    Myles Simmons

    http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/OL-Continuity-Key-for-Rams-Offensive-Success/07a3d399-f57e-46ee-8169-e3ead83a2d7d

    We all know Los Angeles’ offense improved dramatically in its first season with head coach Sean McVay calling the plays. Pairing a defense with a penchant for turnovers with McVay’s big-play offense vaunted the Rams to finish as the league’s highest-scoring team.

    Ten of the Rams’ 11 starters from last season return on the 2018 offensive unit. And five such key members reside on the offensive line.

    Run game coordinator/offensive line coach Aaron Kromer helped shape the Rams’ OL into one of the league’s better units. Pass protection isn’t all on the offensive line, but quarterback Jared Goff was sacked 25 times in 15 starts in 2017 after being taken down 26 times in just seven starts as a rookie.

    And, of course, running back Todd Gurley went from 885 yards rushing in 2016 to 1,305 in 2017, also leading the league with 13 rushing touchdowns, 2,093 yards from scrimmage, and 19 total touchdowns.

    All of those numbers help illustrate why it’s a big deal for L.A. to have the same five starting offensive linemen heading into 2018 — left tackle Andrew Whitworth, left guard Rodger Saffold, center John Sullivan, right guard Jamon Brown, and right tackle Rob Havenstein.

    “It’s huge, I think getting another year to play under coach Kromer’s leadership and guidance,” head coach Sean McVay said this week. “We’ve talked about those veteran leaders on the left side over and over and they continue to do things the right way. You’re seeing Jamon and Rob continue to take steps in the right direction. Those guys that have been here definitely offer some stability and kind of an understanding going into Year 2 of the system.”

    “It’s kind of crazy, but when you have the same five guys on the line every single down it almost makes your wide receiver corps feel better, it makes the quarterback feel better, makes the running backs feel better,” Saffold said recently. “You’re just a more efficient offense, I feel like, when you have the same guys up front that you see every week.”

    That aligns with what Brown said on the subject, noting that with continuity — both in personnel and in playbook — comes confidence.

    “Everybody is coming back, we are running some of the same things that we did last year, don’t have to worry about the new systems or the new things that come with a new system,” Brown said. “We kind of have that level of comfort to where we’ve been here before, we know some of the this. We hear something and it’s like, ‘Oh, we remember this from last year.’ You’re just picking back up on it.”

    McVay has acknowledged many times over the offseason how fortunate L.A. was last year to have its starters on the offensive line play each of the first 15 games of the season. The Rams were the only team in the league to have that happen, which is why it was so important to build depth up front. Plus, the Rams are a veteran group — particularly on the left side.

    Draftees Joe Noteboom, Brian Allen, and Jamil Demby have benefited from that fact, with McVay saying they’ve been able to take some extra reps to spell the older players. Austin Blythe — who subbed in for Sullivan at center a pair of times in 2017 — has been a part of that as well.

    “We’ve been really pleased with Joe Noteboom, what Demby has been able to do, and also Allen,” McVay said. “I think coach Kromer does a good job of kinda cross-training guys inside and then having the tackles be able to play both the left and the right. It’s good. There’s definitely some depth on our line right now. We feel good about that and hopefully we’re able to stay as healthy as we were last year, but thinks sometimes don’t always work out the way that you want. Got to have these guys ready to go if that’s the case.”

    June 7, 2018 at 10:59 pm #87170
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    With First OTAs Complete, Noteboom Feels Good About Progress

    Kristen Lago

    http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/With-First-OTAs-Complete-Noteboom-Feels-Good-About-Progress/3be08b1c-80cd-42df-b236-50c357334426

    In April, left tackle Joseph Noteboom was one of over 400 college prospects eager to make his dreams a reality by becoming a professional athlete. Now eight weeks later, a lot has changed for the TCU product.

    Not only was he selected by the Rams in the third-round of this year’s draft, but he has also completed his first set of OTAs in the NFL — marking a significant transition for the 22-year old.

    “[It was] pretty awesome,” Noteboom said. “The main difference has been being on your own. You’re not babied as much, so you have to be more accountable and responsible. But you learn quick. It’s the NFL — you do everything you can to stay here.”

    The three-week session was the left tackle’s first taste of playing in the league, something he says has been “pretty on par from what I thought” heading into it. And although the Rams’ high-speed offense is admittedly more detailed than his college scheme, Noteboom has been fortunate to learn from a talented group of linemen.

    Last season, the club’s offensive line was ranked among the best in the league and features one of the top tackles in the game in Andrew Whitworth. As he did in 2017, the 13-year veteran has made a point to take the younger players under his wing.

    “He’s really a laid-back guy, but really experienced,” Noteboom said. “He has these little details he can tell you about that no one really knows [and] he’s so willing to help us. It’s not like a waste of his time, he’s glad to help. Usually he comes up to us and tells us stuff.”

    But it’s not just the mentorship from the older vets that has surprised the rookie tackle. For Noteboom, one of the most exciting aspects of OTAs was getting to observe and learn from head coach Sean McVay.

    “I knew he was a good coach from what he did last year, but seeing him, he knows every position — their techniques, their footwork, everything like that,” he explained. “Just really impressed with him and seeing in person what a great coach he is.”

    And now that Noteboom has a feel for both the coaching staff and roster, he is hopeful that during the rest of the offseason his progress will come more steadily.

    “Just knowing the playbook front to back and knowing exactly what to do, so I don’t have to think about it so much,” Noteboom said of his offseason goals. “Just work on my technique from here on out.”

    June 21, 2018 at 9:25 am #87523
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    from PFF: Ranking all 32 offensive lines by pass-blocking efficiency

    https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-ranking-offensive-lines-by-pass-blocking-efficiency

    …

    15. LOS ANGELES RAMS
    2017 pass-blocking efficiency: 78.6

    Best individual PBE: John Sullivan, 97.7

    The Rams’ unit went from drastically underachieving in 2016 to becoming a strength of the team in 2017. The line allowed just 151 pressures on their 551 passing plays. Veteran free agent acquisitions John Sullivan and Andrew Whitworth both performed at a high level throughout the season, and both ended the year ranked 18th among their respective positions with PBE ratings of 97.7 and 96.1, respectively. While Whitworth showed slight signs of decline in 2017, he still ranks first among qualifying tackles over the PFF era with a career pass-blocking efficiency of 97.0.

    June 22, 2018 at 3:30 pm #87556
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    Kromer Looking Forward to Evaluating O-Line at Training Camp

    Kristen Lago

    https://www.therams.com/news/kromer-looking-forward-to-evaluating-o-line-at-training-camp

    Evaluating the offensive line, much like its counterpart on defense, is a difficult task during the offseason.
    Given the latest collective bargaining agreement, the offseason program is more focused on technique and skill development with no opportunities for one-on-one matchups. Plus, practices throughout OTAs and minicamps are restricted to jerseys and shells, with no padded practices allowed until training camp.

    But for Rams offensive line coach and run game coordinator Aaron Kromer, there is, however, an important purpose for the offseason program when it comes to the front five — allowing players to learn the system fully before they attempt matchups against some of the league’s best.
    “I think any human needs confidence first — can they do it correctly on air, can they do it correctly on a bag, can they do it correctly on a backup player that isn’t really ready to play?” Kromer said. “But then ultimately the test is, can you block the guys you’re going to have to block during games?”
    For the Rams, the offensive line has a bit of an advantage in this regard. During training camp, the club’s O-Line will be up against players like Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers, who are highly considered some of the most dominant in the NFL.
    As such, training camp will create a measuring stick of sorts, giving Kromer a chance to fully evaluate both veteran and rookie players.
    “I think we’ll get a lot of opportunity during training camp of going ones on twos, and then twos on ones, so it’ll give everybody that opportunity,” he said.
    And training camp will be especially beneficial for the group of rookies the club drafted in the spring. Los Angeles’ 11-player draft class consisted of three offensive lineman, including the Rams’ top pick of the draft in Joseph Noteboom.
    Kromer said the group has been doing “a great job of learning, understanding why things are happening, and trying to master those techniques.” But like the rest of the O-line room, the rookies will also have to wait until after training camp to receive a true evaluation.
    “Right now, everything we do is schematics, technique and you don’t have the physical nature of the plays, and the games,” Kromer said. “But as far as an evaluation period, you can’t evaluate the offensive line until after training camp, during training camp, and during the preseason games when everything really starts happening fast.”

    June 24, 2018 at 11:18 pm #87620
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    July 12, 2018 at 10:00 am #88017
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    from PFF: NFL offensive line rankings: All 32 team’s units entering 2018

    https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-nfl-offensive-line-rankings-all-32-teams-units-entering-2018

    [Note: the first 9 are in order, Eagles, C-Boys, Falcons, Steelers, Titans, Saints, Raiders, Lions, & Packers…Seattle is 30th btw]

    …

    10. LOS ANGELES RAMS
    PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP:

    Left Tackle: Andrew Whitworth, 79.8 overall grade
    Left Guard: Rodger Saffold, 84.6
    Center: John Sullivan, 74.6
    Right Guard: Jamon Brown, 52.1
    Right Tackle: Rob Havenstein, 77.9

    2017 season-end rank: 6th (-4)

    The Rams offensive line was arguably the most-improved unit in the NFL in 2017 after the additions of left tackle Andrew Whitworth and center Jon Sullivan. How long they’ll remain at that level remains to be seen though as Sullivan turns 33 this year and Whitworth 37. Whitworth already showed signs of slowing down late in the season as his Wild Card performance against the Falcons was the lowest-graded game of his entire career.

    July 13, 2018 at 12:41 am #88064
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    July 14, 2018 at 9:17 am #88103
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    July 22, 2018 at 1:22 pm #88377
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