Simmons: Offensive Line Beginning to Take Shape

Offensive Line Beginning to Take Shape

By Myles Simmons

http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Offensive-Line-Beginning-to-Take-Shape/a019a426-a334-4a06-afdb-b648dd54d549

The offensive line has been a popular topic in and around Rams Park for a number of weeks — and for good reason. With the team using four of its nine draft picks to select players on the offensive front, and using a fifth to bring in running back Todd Gurley, St. Louis has given off a clear indication that it will be utilizing a power-run game in 2015.

It’s a prospect that has guard Rodger Saffold excited.

“It’s a lot of fun being able to run the ball,” he said at OTAs this week. “But just being able to put us in a position to win games, that’s what I really wanted. And I think that we’ve done everything that we possibly could to make that happen.”

Aside from the four draft picks, the Rams have added additional rookie undrafted free agents, and signed unrestricted free agents during the offseason. With ostensibly three starting roles currently up for grabs, there will be some stiff competition through the preseason on the offensive front.

But currently in team drills, the Rams are working without the two presumed returning starters, Saffold and Greg Robinson. Both men had offseason surgery — Saffold on his shoulder, Robinson on his toe — and have been in the building for the majority of the last few months. In that time, the pair worked out and watched a lot of film together.

Robinson, who has slimmed down to 319 pounds from a high of 339 last year, said he felt like he made significant strides in the offseason. Saffold agreed with his teammate’s assessment.

“I watched him get a lot stronger,” Saffold said. “I watched him pay a lot of attention to what we did just in our own time in film study, those types of things. And I think he’s learning a lot more. I expect to see a big improvement out of him.”

Moving from left to right, St. Louis is currently rotating through three candidates for center — Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones, and Demetrius Rhaney. According to Jones, each of the three has gotten a chance to work with the first, second, and third offensive units.

“We have three good candidates from what I see, and I think it’s pretty open,” Jones said of the competition. “You’ve got to make the most of your opportunities for sure.”

Jones also said that he feels completely healthy for the first time since he was drafted out of Alabama.

“It’s tough to block some of these D-linemen we have when you’re not at full strength,” Jones said. “So it definitely feels good being healthy.”

The challenge of blocking the Rams’ vaunted defensive line isn’t lost on rookies Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown.

“Our defensive front is amazing,” Havenstein said. “It’s definitely good work just getting out there. Even if you lose a rep to those guys you know it’s something you can learn from.”

“I think it’s going to help me a lot going up against guys like Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald,” Brown said. “I get to go against them now, so I get to go through the growing pains and everything — kind of get adjusted and acquainted to the NFL level. Who better to do that against than these guys?”

Brown played primarily at tackle for his last couple of years at Louisville, but has been working exclusively at guard in St. Louis. He said that he’s been able to draw on some of his earlier college experience to help with the transition to the pros.

“The biggest difference to me is learning the techniques as a guard and how to use my hands, how to be in the right body positions and right posture,” Brown said. “It has been a transition, but I think I’m coming along pretty good.”

Head coach Jeff Fisher said this week that all of the rookie offensive linemen have done well in getting up to speed.

“They’re fast learners,” Fisher said. “They’re especially strong, talented. We’ve got five of them here that I think have a chance to make this team. When you come from programs like Iowa, like Wisconsin — you’re technically sound. You’re ahead. ‘JB’ did a great job there at Louisville and I think he’s right behind them. He’s especially strong. They’ve had a good couple of weeks.”

Brown and Havenstein both credited the veterans for helping the younger players in the process. Robinson said that while it’s different given that he was a rookie last year, he’s embraced helping this season’s first-year crop. And as the elder statesman of the line, Saffold has welcomed his leadership role as well.

“I’m doing my best with that,” Saffold said. “The O-line room was pretty much vacant most of the beginning of this year, and now there’s nowhere to sit. So you’ve go to really be able to help these guys out. Right now I’m kind of like a coach. I’m just sitting there, reading the scripts, and helping out where I can.”

“Everyone’s been very helpful with the secrets and ins and outs of the trade — what to expect and what to see and what calls mean in certain situations,” Havenstein said. “Obviously the playbook and everything that comes into a professional offense is a little bit bigger than it was in college.”

So while it’s still too early to predict how the unit will eventually line up Week 1 against the Seahawks, the offensive line’s talent and competition should give the Rams good depth and options for the entire season.