i keep seeing mentions of both tight ends.

i like it.

also. verse and fiske. i hope we keep hearing more and more about those two. maybe the two most critical players on defense right now?

• This reply was modified 5 months ago by InvaderRam.

i woulda liked to see him extended.

zn wrote:

Theme of 2024 could be winning at the margins. Regression in some phases is to be expected; where can Rams progress? Kicking–32nd in 2023 Field position–24th T/O margin–21st Takeaways–30th Pressure%-25th Others: 4th down, timeouts, clock mgmt

yeah.

for me special teams and turnovers need to improve.

zn wrote:

Anyway. The point is, I am wondering if Ryan Wendell is that level. Best Rams OL coach since Houck? You can’t say that after just 1 year but that’s where my thoughts are tending.

i agree with you about nutten and timmerman. and just as you say it’s too early to say about wendell it’s a little early to anoint jackson and dotson. but on paper that trio looks top drawer.

from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2024/7/18/24201163/rams-offensive-line-rankings-steve-avila-brandon-thorn

Brandon Thorn of the Trench Warfare Substack just released part 1 of his 2024 OL Almanac. One of the best offensive line analysts, Thorn considered the Rams one of his two breakout units heading into the 2024 season. Said Thorn,

“Head coach Sean McVay has gradually morphed his running game from a zone-based scheme to a gap-heavy one with Duo as the central concept. This has emphasized more size, power and differing skill-sets than what the Rams have leaned towards in recent years…Entering the 2024 season the Rams have gone from the 24th heaviest unit last season to the 3rd heaviest with the off-season addition of Jonah Jackson in free agency that bumped last year’s rookie second-round pick Steve Avila inside to center. Add in Kevin Dotson coming off a breakout season as one of the most physically imposing guards in the league and the Rams all of a sudden are armed with a potentially dominant interior trio that can control football games. Left tackle Alaric Jackson’s ability to hold up in pass protection against higher-end competition remains a question mark, but the four other starters across from him lack any glaring concerns, providing this line with a ‘trump card’ as a run blockers and shrewd enough scheming to cover up their primary weakness. McVay’s transformation from having a smaller, quicker line operating in a zone heavy scheme should be complete this season and the pieces are in place for the results to lead to an elite ground game in 2024.”

In Thorn’s preseason offensive line rankings, he ranked the Rams at number 11 heading into the season in the ‘solid offensive lines’ tier. With that said, it will wouldn’t be surprising to see the Rams jump into the top-seven by the end of the season.

This is a group that the Rams have invested heavily in over the last few years. While they rank tied for 25th in total draft capital, they are the sixth-highest paid unit in the NFL. Avila remains the best value for the Rams at center as he’s paid $2.1M in 2024. Said Thorn on Avila,

“Avila balled out as a rookie at left guard and despite kicking inside to center this season, has plenty of experience there dating back to his days at TCU. Avila is also in the perfect scheme to capitalize on his skill-set.”

i don’t think i’m going on a limb when i say avila goes into this season with the most potential of any center the rams have had in the past 30 years.

so does this say anything about lake?

i’m happy but also a little disappointed because i can’t help but think that this doesn’t happen if lake impressed in otas.

that’s seven veteran dbs and i’m assuming the eighth db is rookie kinchens.

wv wrote:

He pointed out Jerry Bus’s son used to run the Lakers.  Noone complained.

well jerry’s kids have run that team into the ground.

zn wrote:

plus a first-time coordinator

also at the time lovie was a first time coordinator as well so pretty much an unknown quantity like shula.

it’s gonna be fun to watch.

trevor lawrence just signed a 5 year 275 million extension with 200 million guaranteed.

the price just keeps going up.

zn wrote:

During the latest episode of “Behind The Grind,” director of scouting strategy James Gladstone told Les Snead and Sean McVay that the Rams landed four of the top 50 players on their board by drafting Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Blake Corum and Kamren Kinchens in the first three rounds.

if the rams know something the rest of the league doesn’t, i’m all for it. i definitely could see all four becoming starters at some point.

zn wrote:

It’s a small, small sample size without pads on. But my eye is on sixth-round rookie receiver Jordan Whittington, particularly his play energy away from the ball despite contact being limited.

maybe the thing i’m most excited about so far in the offseason. as you and others have mentioned before it’s unusual when you hear and read this much about a rookie prospect this early. it’s not just jourdan. i don’t know if sean mcvay has said anything yet, but lafleur was talking about him the other day. it seems like other members of the press have made a note about how much he has stood out.

now if sean mcvay starts talking about him, that’s when my ears will really start perking up.

this offense could be so special. just need to hear more positive things about avila at center and allen at tight end.

zn wrote:

With veteran tight end Tyler Higbee recovering from knee surgery, tight end Davis Allen appeared to pick up right where he left off with Stafford.

this might not be a bad thing.

sounds like corum is absorbing the playbook at an accelerated rate. with williams out, hopefully he’s out on the field applying that knowledge. have him as ready as possible for the regular season.

zn wrote:

If he can develop, that would be an obvious big plus.

not just him but all of the second year players. turner, nacua, avila, allen…

well. this just makes the corum pick that much more prescient. i think that’s the right word.