[Elvis]

Back where he belongs:

[PARAM]

+1000 no team is prepared to handle as many injuries to one group as we have. Unfortunately the OL might be the most important group that needs to stay healthy to have a successful year.

I remember back in 2019, Snead saying the upside to all those OL injuries is a lot of guys got much needed experience much earlier than they would have. Edwards, Evans and Corbett.

When you look at our starting 5 by game, it's amazing we're 3-3.

Game 1: Noteboom, Edwards, Allen*, Shelton, Havenstein (L)
Game 2: Noteboom, Edwards, Shelton, Anchrum*, Havenstein (W)
Game 3: Noteboom, Edwards*, Shelton, Jackson, Havenstein (W)
Game 4: Noteboom, Evans, Shelton*, Jackson, Havenstein (L)
Game 5: Noteboom, Edwards*, Kolone, Jackson, Havenstein (L)
Game 6: Noteboom*, Evans, Kolone, Jackson, Havenstein (W)


* = exited game with injury

Of course the defense is playing great and that has a lot to do with our record. Unfortunately, our 'first next man up', Anchrum didn't get much experience at all. Jackson looked good last year when he played almost an entire game at LT. Noteboom and Anchrum are going to have to wait until next year to play again. Bruss also. But we could have a dearth of OL talent in 2023......not that it helps us this year.

Here's how I evaluated the OL after the Super Bowl win:
Offensive Line
Offensive Line
Signed: Andrew Whitworth, Rob Havenstein, David Edwards, Bobby Evans, Tremayne Anchrum, Alaric Jackson
Free Agents: Brian Allen (U), Austin Corbett (U), Joe Noteboom (U), Coleman Shelton (R)
So much to unpack here. The first question is whether Big Whit retires. I suspect he will, but we're still waiting on a formal announcement. If he does, I think re-signing Noteboom will become a priority, unless the team really thinks Jackson is ready to start at LT (seems unlikely). Not sure we can afford to bring back both Allen and Corbett, so the question is... did we win a title because of them, or in spite of them? Of the two, my gut tells me that Allen is more likely to be prioritized. We could find an OG in the draft.



Pretty spot on. I don't recall anyone at the time saying "that's a horrible plan that's bound to fail." That's not surprising, as Joe Noteboom was coming off a very good performance in the playoffs against Tampa, and most assumed we'd add some depth in the draft.

The plan was sound. It just didn't work out. Injuries are the biggest reason, by far.

Spot on indeed.

[Elvis]

[max]

I think there a good chance that Noteboom never plays another down for the Rams. There's a good argument that he just isn't built to physically hold up in the NFL and when he has played he's been average at best. Add to this, AJackson so far looks at least as good as Noteboom for far less money.

Not sure how much money we save by dumping Noteboom, but its gotta help to some degree. If AJax can play solid LT the rest of the way we will only need to add another starting quality IOL.

[AvengerRam]

I think there a good chance that Noteboom never plays another down for the Rams. There's a good argument that he just isn't built to physically hold up in the NFL and when he has played he's been average at best. Add to this, AJackson so far looks at least as good as Noteboom for far less money.

Not sure how much money we save by dumping Noteboom, but its gotta help to some degree. If AJax can play solid LT the rest of the way we will only need to add another starting quality IOL.

Noteboom's contract is not very conducive to a one and done scenario. He'd leave $13M in dead cap on the books if let go after this year. The following offseason, that number goes down to $6M.

If I had to guess, he'll still be on the roster next year. I won't be surprised at all, though, if he's not a starter.

[PARAM]

Noteboom's contract is not very conducive to a one and done scenario. He'd leave $13M in dead cap on the books if let go after this year. The following offseason, that number goes down to $6M.

If I had to guess, he'll still be on the roster next year. I won't be surprised at all, though, if he's not a starter.

Now if somebody said, "I don't think Cam Akers will ever play another down for the Rams" I could agree. I heard somebody mention, 'you can't go by PFF's stats because they have no idea about missed assignments'. How did Noteboom handle the division playoff game vs JPP? There's talent there for sure. FWIW, JN started 3 games in 2021....2 at LT and 1 at RT. The Rams were 3-0 and the offensive yardage gained in two of those games were the second most and third most on the season (21 games). Consistency may be a problem and I don't know how any of our OL can get an accurate/fair evaluation when they've been in flux since midway through game 1. Has JN been injured frequently in his young career? Yes. But does that mean he'll continue to miss time and never be a quality OL? No. Rodger Saffold missed 17 games from year 2 to year 4 (7, 6 and 4). He was also a LT at the time. But when we let him walk after 2018, you'd think we had lost Anthony Munoz. Point? You never know if/when the injuries will stop and a career could be had, let alone whether he'll ever play another snap for the team. And you are 100% correct....the contract suggests he'll be back in 2023.

[ramsman34]

Regarding the OGs for the whiner game, I’d Skura starts at LG, it will confirm what most of us have seen in Evans. He just ain’t that good. Continuity wise, I think Evans starts anyway. But I’m certain Skura is getting a lot of looks and will probably take over there soon if we don’t trade for an OG.

[PARAM]

Regarding the OGs for the whiner game, I’d Skura starts at LG, it will confirm what most of us have seen in Evans. He just ain’t that good. Continuity wise, I think Evans starts anyway. But I’m certain Skura is getting a lot of looks and will probably take over there soon if we don’t trade for an OG.

Skura has been with the team for 5 weeks. After 2 weeks on the practice squad, he was promoted to the active roster. How long does it take a seasoned vet to 'get up to speed'?

[ramsman34]

I think the concern would be familiarity/chemistry/communication on that left side. Would basically be all new from the center over. Maybe that’s not a big deal. Whomever is the more physical guy should be the dude in there. Can’t have that LG on skates against this D front. Evans is just soft and not athletic to my eyes. He’s had years to get his body right, and perfect his footwork, knee-bend, hand striking and placement. But he looks the same as when he first came in to these eyes. Or slightly improved. Low ceiling player. So ya, Skura is a vet. Listed at 6’3”; 313. Wish he were bigger but if he’s nasty and has good technique, he needs to be in there.

[Elvis]

I think there a good chance that Noteboom never plays another down for the Rams. There's a good argument that he just isn't built to physically hold up in the NFL and when he has played he's been average at best. Add to this, AJackson so far looks at least as good as Noteboom for far less money.

Not sure how much money we save by dumping Noteboom, but its gotta help to some degree. If AJax can play solid LT the rest of the way we will only need to add another starting quality IOL.

If AJax does end up with the LT job long term, The Rams will most likely pay him sooner rather than later. That's how they tend to do...