Multiple people saying Noteboom will likely stay at LG. I don’t understand why. Last year, we were all expecting he was Whitworth’s eventual replacement. Now he’s not?
We shall see.
Some people don’t even like the Edwards pick, and others have him being LT next year? That’s quite a range of expectation.
Last year they didn’t have a possible alternative at LOT. If Edwards comes through, then if you move Noteboom, you have to make 2 shifts–OT and OG–but if Noteboom stays put, you only need to make one.
It’s speculation either way. All that assumes a lot, including that Noteboom even works out (which I expect btw).
In terms of Edwards, there are reasons for the disparity. He played hurt last year (shoulder) and it had an effect on his tape. He says that much himself. Also, he is a twice converted player who has played OL for just 3 years, so he has gaps in his game. He was a high school qb and started college as a TE. Those who like him (including, reportedly, Kromer) point to his innate physical traits and psychological disposition and see a potential left OT there.
Kromer has a long very good history developing OL, but also on top of it, of all the good Rams OL coaches (including Hanifan and Boudreau), he is the only one who also seems to be able to pick players in a draft (both Hanny and Boudreau were famously bad at that). So all that combined fuels optimistic views.
The theory then becomes, in year 1, Evans and Edwards learn all 4 non-center spots, as per the Kromer way of things. Then it splits up. Some of us see Evans as destined for right guard/tackle, and Edwards as destined for left OT.
As I said Edwards has a lot of juicy left OT traits. Bits from his write-ups:
Early quickness in pass sets
Mirror movement needs work, but is fairly natural and fluid
Natural length is terrific
body control for his size is terrific.
Graceful big body
A long torso tackle with good feet and base.
he has started for the past three seasons, protecting the blindside for his starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook, who is left-handed.
Edwards possesses an excellent blend of size, length, power and agility
Has top-tier athleticism for a player at his height
Edwards who seems more than capable of playing either left or right.
long, athletic kid. … Really light on his feet
That all sounds like a left OT.
Plus there’s this:
Violent thanks to explosive first step and force generated in short space, will be reliable to run behind, even on short yardage down and distances.
is a bully and plays chippy when he’s let off the leash
Controlled aggression. Plays with attitude and effort.
Unpleasant disposition in the run game.
.
Agamemnon
