Rams OLine ranked Fourth in NFL

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  • #1019
    wv
    Participant

    Rams OLine ranked Fourth in NFL by ‘footballguys’:

    http://subscribers.footballguys.com/apps/article.php?article=bitolrank2014

    4. St. Louis

    2014 rank: 4th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +2.

    Overall: A Run: A- Pass: A

    STL OL

    The Rams’ offensive line currently grades out among the league’s best units. Among the key issues for this line is the health of former All-Pro left tackle Jake Long. Long tore his ACL and MCL toward the end of last season, and his rehab is a situation to be watched closely. If he’s healthy, Long is among the league’s most dominant left tackles. If he isn’t healthy, the Rams have many options to replace him. First on that list is probably right guard Rodger Saffold. Saffold signed an enormous deal with the Raiders this offseason, who failed his physical (probably not a real injury but rather regret about the price paid). Saffold returned to the Rams on a more moderate deal. Saffold is a mauler who has played well at guard, but should the need arise, could swing back to the left side. Joe Barksdale, currently the right tackle starter, is a hugely underrated player, who could also swing back to the left side in an emergency. First round selection Greg Robinson played left tackle at Auburn, but is more likely to start his career at left guard, which was his position as a prep. Robinson is a ridiculously talented prospect physically, but extremely raw in pass protection. It could take multiple seasons before this player can be trusted to be an island against top pass rushers. At center, Scott Wells is another player who is great when healthy, but like Long, finished the year on the injured reserve. Wells is likely to be full go for week one, after rehabbing his broken leg. Overall this is a very talented group of starters, and the depth picture is also interesting. Former fourth round pick Barrett Jones can back up at guard and center, but Tim Barnes is more likely to be the first on the field should Wells get injured again. Former Pro Bowl guard Davin Joseph recently signed with a team on a “show me” deal that is unlikely to see him challenge for a starting position. Still, if Long gets hurt or suffers a setback, he could step in for Saffold at that right guard spot. Brandon Washington appears to be on the way out, as Greg Robinson is going to get his starting position and it’s questionable if the team still has him in their plans. Other depth names at tackle include Mike Person, Mitchell Van Dyk and Demetrius Rainey. Person is a seasoned player but the other two names are recent late round picks and could be candidates for the practice squad. Overall this line has a lot of talent, and can be the best line in the league, should Long and Wells return healthy and Robinson acclimates to the pro game.

    5. Chicago

    • This topic was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by wv.
    #1022
    Agamemnon
    Moderator

    Agamemnon

    Agamemnon

    #1023
    wv
    Participant

    That’s quite an eye-opening projection — fourth in the league.

    If they stay healthy, i think thats a reasonable expectation.

    w
    v

    #1028
    Hram
    Participant

    If the Rams have the 4th best Oline in the league then we will 11 games. It’s a pretty big if…

    #1034
    wv
    Participant

    If the Rams have the 4th best Oline in the league then we will 11 games. It’s a pretty big if…

    IF.
    w
    v
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconic
    laconism is a figure of speech in which someone uses very few words to express an idea, in keeping with the Spartan reputation for verbal austerity.

    Examples
    Spartan
    Lycurgus
    A witticism attributed to Lycurgus, the legendary lawgiver of Sparta, was a response to a proposal to set up a democracy there: “Begin with your own family.”[8]

    When he was consulted on how Spartans might best forestall invasion of their homeland, Lycurgus advised, “By remaining poor, and each man not desiring to possess more than his fellow.”[8]

    When asked whether it would be prudent to build a defensive wall enclosing the city, Lycurgus answered, “A city is well-fortified which has a wall of men instead of brick.”[8]

    When Leonidas was in charge of guarding the narrow mountain pass at Thermopylae with just 7,000 Greek men in order to delay the invading Persian army, Xerxes offered to spare his men if they gave up their arms. Leonidas replied “Molon labe” (Greek: Μολών λαβέ), which translates to “Come and take them”.[11] It was the motto of the Greek 1st Army Corps.

    Herodotus recounted another incident that preceded the Battle of Thermopylae. The Spartan Dienekes was told that the Persian archers were so numerous that when they shot their volleys, their arrows would blot out the sun. He responded with “So much the better, we’ll fight in the shade”.[13] Today Dienekes’s phrase is the motto of the Greek 20th Armored Division.

    When asked by a woman from Attica, “Why are you Spartan women the only ones who can rule men?”, Gorgo replied, “Because we are also the only ones who give birth to men.”[8]

    In an account from Herodotus, “When the banished Samians reached Sparta, they had audience of the magistrates, before whom they made a long speech, as was natural with persons greatly in want of aid. Accordingly at this first sitting the Spartans answered them that they had forgotten the first half of their speech, and could make nothing of the remainder. Afterwards the Samians had another audience, whereat they simply said, showing a bag which they had brought with them, ‘The bag wants flour.’ The Spartans answered that they did not need to have said ‘the bag’; however, they resolved to give them aid.”[16]

    After invading Greece and receiving the submission of other key city-states, Philip II of Macedon sent a message to Sparta: “If I win this war, you will be slaves forever.” In another version, he warned: “You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city.” According to both accounts, the Spartan ephors replied with one word: “If” (αἴκα).[18]

    #1046
    Herzog
    Participant

    It’s weird having the Rams Offensive and defensive lines ranked among the league’s best. I’m just not used to it….I could get used to it though….It’s almost surreal actually

    #1096
    InvaderRam
    Moderator

    i just want to add that the interior of this oline is the best i’ve ever witnessed on a rams team. personally witnessed. i’m sure other “wiser” fans on this board will remember other ones. hehe!

    and this is without robinson having played a down of professional football yet. but i am that convinced. this running game is gonna be powerful.

    #1188
    zn
    Moderator

    pff

    2013 Offensive Line Rankings

    https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/01/13/2013-offensive-line-rankings/3/

    13. St Louis Rams (26th)
    PB: 17th, RB: 9th, PEN: 26th

    Stud: Many, ourselves included, wondered if Jake Long (+25.8) was done. He’d enjoyed a great start to his career in Miami but two so-so years left a lot to be desired. Well, this was the year he came back with a bang, and it’s a horrible shame his season ended with an ACL and MCL tear.

    Dud: He may be a former first-rounder but Chris Williams (-21.8) is just a liability as a lineman. Far too much pressure, not enough good run blocking, and he’s the team’s weak link on offense.

    Analysis: A step forward but perhaps not as much as they would have like to see. They nailed it with the pickup of Long and got surprisingly good play from Joe Barksdale, Shelley Smith and Rodger Saffold at guard. That would suggest a higher finish, but the interior trio of Williams, Harvey Dahl and Scott Wells really didn’t play up to the level that was needed of them.

    #1280
    zn
    Moderator

    from NFL Analysis: Ranking offensive lines? Go figure

    Frank Cooney

    http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl-analysis-ranking-offensive-lines-165922207–nfl.html

    ST. LOUIS RAMS

    –OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – LT Jake Long, LG Greg Robinson, C Scott Wells, RG Rodger Saffold, RT Joe Barksdale. Backups – G Davin Joseph, C Barrett Jones, C Tim Barnes, G Brandon Washington, T Mike Person, T Sean Hooey, C Demetrius Rhaney, T Mitchell Van Dyk, T Travis Bond, T Abasi Salimu.

    Long’s health holds the key, especially at the start of the season. If he is ready coming back from ACL surgery, the unit is set. If not, the decision will be whether to slide the rookie Robinson to left tackle or move Saffold there. That would open a spot for Joseph, who was signed in the offseason after being released by Tampa Bay. There will also be an intriguing competition between Jones and Barnes. Jones is considered the heir apparent to Wells, but he wasn’t ready to play last season when Wells was injured, and Barnes got the nod. Barksdale is rarely talked about, but he continues to improve and was the only lineman to start all 16 games last season. Washington will also try to make a case for himself as a backup. Person and Hooey might battle for a backup tackle spot, although in the expected lineup, guards Robinson and Saffold could be the backups at tackle. Rookies Rhaney and Van Dyk have potential, but are probably headed to the practice squad.

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