Rams sign Sullivan

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-5-roster-cuts-that-can-make-an-impact-elsewhere/

PFF from Five players that could still make an impact in 2016 and should be picked up sooner rather than later(note: this is from 2016)

1. John Sullivan, C

Cut by the Minnesota Vikings

In 2013, John Sullivan was as good as any center in the game, and at that point, had three straight seasons graded among the top three centers in the league. Coming off knee problems, his 2014 season was less impressive, and he missed the entire 2015 season with back issues, but at only 31 years old, chances are that Sullivan can still be a very effective player. His issue in Minnesota was that Joe Berger—the player that replaced him at center in 2015—played at an All-Pro level in his stead, surrendering just one sack all season and ending the year with a PFF grade of 88.0, trailing only Cowboys C Travis Frederick. Sullivan was going to have his work cut out for him winning back his job anyway, but Minnesota bringing on board Tony Sparano to the coaching staff—who has history with Berger as a player in Miami—seemed to seal his fate. Sullivan hasn’t enjoyed the best preseason of his career, earning poor grades in the 44 snaps he has played so far, so his best football may still be some time away, but for any team in need of a center, the chance of acquiring a potential All-Pro heading into September should prove a very attractive proposition. Sullivan may not be ready to hit the ground running at that level, but he should be able to upgrade several situations around the league.(note: this is from 2016)

John Sullivan Has Successful Outing In First Start With Redskins

Alaina Getzenberg

http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/John-Sullivan-Has-Successful-Outing-In-First-Start-With-Redskins/fe10ccd3-82bf-48f6-a180-f1e11a202b81

A variety of different players have stepped up each week for the Redskins. In fact, it appears to be the theme of the 2016 season – a new player seems to make an impact every game.

In the win over the Eagles, the Redskins’ offensive line had a huge performance despite being without two starters. Both center Spencer Long and guard Shawn Lauvao sat out with injuries, leaving Arie Kouandjio to take over at guard and John Sullivan to start his first game as a member of the Redskins at center.

The veteran played 43 offensive plays in the loss to the Cardinals the week before, when Long first went out, but was called upon to make his first start in the NFL since 2014.

For him, getting that opportunity to show what he can do once again was something special.

“It felt great. I want to keep playing football; I want to be a starter,” Sullivan said. “This my goal ultimately, but I’m just embracing whatever role this team needs from me. If that’s to be a backup and come in the game when need be, that’s fine, too. I want to be a team player. You can’t beat winning and you can’t beat playing in the NFL, there’s nothing like it.”

Sullivan joined the Redskins in September after center Kory Lictensteiger was placed on Injured Reserve, although he was moved back to the active roster on Saturday. Sullivan became a starting center in the league in 2009, his second season, and remained in the starting lineup for 93 games over the course of six seasons before injury forced him to miss all of the 2015 campaign.

While Sullivan is a very experienced player, being able to communicate with other veteran members of the offensive line in preparation for his start was a useful tool to making sure he was ready to go.

“[Lictensteiger and I] were talking as peers,” Sullivan said. “We were together for three weeks in Minnesota back in 2009, and went through the Combine together, that whole pre-draft process. So I’ve known Kory for a long time. He’s a great resource. Whenever there are little technique issues, calls and stuff like that, I’m able to ask Kory, bounce it off him and it’s like talking to (offensive line coach) Bill [Callahan]. Kory’s very experienced in this offense; he’s a great asset.”

The offensive line put on quite a performance with the help of tackle Trent Williams starting again in his first game back from a four-game suspension. The team ran for 107 yards and only gave up two sacks on quarterback Kirk Cousins.

The group showed how effective it can be with the offense’s last drive, where the game-winning touchdown was scored in a large part by Williams and the offensive line’s ability to block down field for running back Chris Thompson.

While it is unclear how much longer Sullivan will get the opportunity to start in games, the offensive line has show all year an ability to make do with whatever combination of players it is working with they’ve been able to get the job done. And with Sullivan taking on some responsibility, the Eagles game was no different.

“The group is great,” Sullivan said. “Trent gave a speech pregame about there’s always going to be adversity when you go out there playing in the NFL. So how we handle that, when times get tough – do we execute and stay the course? When you do that, like [Sunday], good things happen and you come out with wins.”

Rams sign veteran center Sullivan, filling big need for their O-line

Alden Gonzalez

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19084364/los-angeles-rams-sign-center-john-sullivan

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams signed veteran center John Sullivan on Wednesday, plugging their biggest remaining hole a little more than three weeks before the draft.

Sullivan, who visited with the Rams in late March, started 93 of 96 games for the Vikings from 2009 to ’14 and spent last year as a backup with the Redskins, where new Rams head coach Sean McVay served as offensive coordinator.

Sullivan turns 32 in August and missed the entire 2015 season because of back issues. If he can return to form, however, the Rams would have a solid center to join what is expected to be an improved offensive line. From 2011 to ’14, Pro Football Focus scored Sullivan a 90.7, 86.3, 87.7 and 82.9, respectively.

The Rams had quite possibly the game’s worst offensive line last season and finished with a 4-12 record. They signed veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth, prompting Greg Robinson to move to right tackle and Rob Havenstein to move to right guard. The center position became open after the release of Tim Barnes, who started the Rams’ last 32 games.

The Rams initially signed Ryan Groy to an offer sheet, but the Bills matched.

Apr 26, 2016