The hallmark of the Rams’ rapid turnaround in 2017 was the retooling of their offensive line. They brought in Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan, and immediately, they had one of the best units in the NFL.
Just two years later, things fell apart. The offensive line was a complete mess last season, with three starters missing significant time due to injury. Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen were both lost to season-ending injuries in their first year as starters, forcing Sean McVay and Aaron Kromer to shift players around.
Noteboom and Allen weren’t playing particularly well to begin with, but they remain in the plans for the Rams moving forward. Unfortunately, McVay indicated at the combine that neither will be ready to play until training camp, putting them behind the eight ball in the O-line competition.
Les Snead also admitted on the Rams Revealed podcast recently that the injuries will set back their development.
“The biggest thing I can say about the offensive line is I know probably from the standpoint of perception, the offensive line’s taken a lot of heat,” he said. “But what we did realize over the last couple years, we did know we need to draft a lot of young players and we need to begin the process of developing them and begin the process of them growing together. And interestingly in all of this, two very unfortunate injuries to Brian Allen and Joe Noteboom, which is going to set back that development process. Every NFL team goes through this, but that’s going to set them back. It’s not going to derail their career with the Rams, it will set back their development.”
Snead did note that with those injuries, other players were given opportunities to play – guys like Bobby Evans, David Edwards and Austin Corbett.
He was encouraged by the way they played down the stretch, which helps with the process this offseason.
“But in that process, I always say every thorn has its rose. Maybe that’s not true, every rose has its thorns, but the rose of the thorn of those injuries was – and with Rob Havenstein’s injury – some of the young guys like Dave Edwards, Bobby Evans got a chance to play,” Snead said. “We were able to trade for an Austin Corbett. And down the stretch, that group solidified, played well, showed good things. So what we have to do with our free agents, free agents from other teams, the draft, is figure out do we want to continue the progress that’s been made over the last couple years? Do we need to add new people there? And if so, is it veteran, is it rookie? And we’re still working through that.”
Havenstein’s absence thrust Evans into the starting lineup at right tackle, which Snead saw as a positive. However, he’d rather have everyone healthy and competing for the four starting jobs next to Andrew Whitworth (assuming he returns) than players getting handed starting jobs due to injuries.
There could be a shakeup to the offensive line in 2020 if Austin Blythe leaves in free agency and Noteboom and Allen can’t progress, so don’t be surprised if a few new faces are in the starting lineup come Week 1.
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