the new OL thread (5/6)

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Brain Baldinger | The Real Reason the Rams’ O-Line Always Works

Erin Coscarelli is joined by NFL analyst Brian Baldinger and Super Bowl champion offensive tackle Rob Havenstein for a deep dive into what makes the Rams’ offensive line tick. Baldy and Rob chat about the under appreciated difficulty of switching sides on the line. Baldinger credits the Rams’ consistent success not to draft capital but to exceptional communication and chemistry — noting the unit effectively played 12-personnel concepts out of 11-personnel by using receivers like Cooper Kupp as blockers. The episode closes with thoughts on newly drafted quarterback Ty Simpson, with Baldinger and Havenstein both urging him to shadow Matthew Stafford in everything — calling it the perfect quarterback apprenticeship.

00:00 – Rob Havenstein’s post-retirement physical recovery.
01:03 – Introduction of Brian “Baldi” Baldinger and his “Baldi Breakdowns.”
02:50 – Analyzing the Rams’ signature Super Bowl-winning drive.
04:32 – The importance of a great start and “getting off on the ball.”
05:20 – Why the Rams find success with mid-round O-line picks.
07:44 – Coach Aaron Kromer’s philosophy: Coaching to a player’s specific body type.
08:50 – Andrew Whitworth’s “Perfect Rep Friday” and the value of walkthroughs.
11:04 – The “Chopsticks” effect: Why switching sides (Left to Right tackle) is so difficult.
16:30 – How the Rams use wide receivers like Cooper Kupp to help the offensive line.
19:56 – The difference between protecting a pocket passer (Stafford) vs. a mobile QB.
23:30 – Preparing for the future: How Ty Simpson can learn from Stafford.
27:42 – The evolution of the Rams’ “Trend Setting” use of multiple tight ends.

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In the Baldy/Hav vid. I give Erin Coscarelli a lot of credit. She shut-up and let them talk to each other. Dont see that much among the celebrity-interviewer crowd.

Sometimes Erin is a bit too cheerleady-smarmy for my taste but she does have talent.

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The Hav quote. Quoting the unknown defensive lineman from 2018: “I’m not sure which one of you guys is good, but you all play well together”

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from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/05/06/rams-rob-havenstein-film-beakdown-pass-blocking/89959372007/

…this film breakdown of a play against the Houston Texans [is] outstanding. He explains the logic behind aggressively kicking out and going to get Will Anderson Jr., rather than dropping back and waiting for him to attack.

Knowing he had Kevin Dotson to the inside, Havenstein tried to funnel Anderson that way. It was something he and Dotson talked about before the snap.

“I know I have K-Dot’s eyes right away and I’ll let K-Dot know that, too. Like, as we’re going to the huddle, be like, ‘Hey, if I get a good look here, I’m jumping and I need your eyes.’ ‘All right, cool. Got you.’”

Havenstein said he tried to use his help as much as he could, knowing how good some of today’s edge rushers are.

“Try to use my help as much as possible because some of these guys out there on the edge definitely warrant where you’re going to need some help,” he added.

The full video, which is nearly an hour long, can be seen below.

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What NFL Tackles See That You Don’t | Tape Talk: Rob Havenstein

Former Los Angeles Rams team captain Rob Havenstein joins Film Watchers to provide expert insights into offensive line play. The discussion examines specific pass protection techniques, maneuvering against various defensive fronts, and the strategic communication required between teammates to successfully manage stunts, blitzes, and complex pass sets throughout a game.

We split this educational film breakdown into 3 parts:

Part 1: How to Pass Set in Different Situations and Against Different Looks

Part 2: The Technique and Mental Game of Pass Protection

Part 3: Run Blocking Overview

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Rams Wire@TheRamsWire
ESPN’s Mike Clay ranked the Rams’ offensive line as a top-5 unit in the NFL, with no clear weak links up front.

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Current 2026 NFL Offensive Line projected starters: pic.twitter.com/oGq7k4anGY

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) May 12, 2026

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from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/05/12/rams-offensive-line-rankings-best-nfl-espn/90043751007/?taid=6a0348e72096e10001ccdb63&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

…the Rams’ O-line looks like one of the best in football entering 2026 – at least on paper. ESPN’s Mike Clay graded every projected starting offensive line in the league and he ranked the Rams’ group fifth overall. There are no major weaknesses, either.

Here’s the rating for every player up front in L.A.

LT Alaric Jackson: 7.9
LG Steve Avila: 5.5
C Coleman Shelton: 6.8
RG Kevin Dotson: 7.4
RT Warren McClendon Jr.: 5.7

Based on Clay’s analysis, Jackson is the best lineman for the Rams, with Dotson close behind. Avila and McClendon are considered the weakest, but even their grades are above-average.

The O-lines ranked ahead of the Rams in order from 1-4 are the Broncos, Eagles, Bears and Bills. All four teams in the NFC West have offensive lines ranked 15th or better, with the 49ers coming in at No. 7, the Seahawks at No. 10 and the Cardinals 15th overall.

Health is the most important thing with this group. The Rams have decent depth on the offensive line but they’re lacking a reliable swing tackle, so it’s crucial that Jackson and McClendon stay available.

Beaux Limmer and Justin Dedich are solid options on the interior, and Keagen Trost can play any guard or tackle spot. The potential is there for Los Angeles to finish with one of the best lines in football again this season.

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