Tag: Alaric Jackson

Alaric Jackson prefers to play left tackle but is willing to play guard, too

Alaric Jackson revealed that he’d prefer to play left tackle for the Rams, though, he’s willing to play any position the team needs him to.

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The Los Angeles Rams are looking for improved health — and more consistency — from their offensive line unit entering the 2023 season. While the starting group is undetermined, Alaric Jackson shared that he’d prefer to play the left tackle position for the Rams.

“I love playing left side, honestly,” Jackson said, via The Athletic. “Tackle is my thing, for the most part. I understand that they paid Joe, so I get that whole part. But whatever I can do for the team, I’ll do for the team.”

Jackson joined the Rams before the 2021 season as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa. After seeing minimal playing time as an undrafted rookie, Jackson made six starts for the Rams in 2022 when Joseph Noteboom went down with a season-ending Achilles ailment.

Sadly, Jackson’s 2022 campaign would also be cut short due to blood clots. The positive news is that Jackson is cleared to play football this season and the third-year offensive lineman is seeking to carve out an expanded role in the trenches.

As Jackson pointed out, the Rams handed Noteboom a new contract before the 2022 season, seemingly making him the heir to Andrew Whitworth long-term at the left tackle spot. Even though Noteboom is recovering from an injury of his own, he’ll likely get the first opportunity to start at left tackle.

That being said, Jackson could push for the starting spot with an impressive offseason or if Noteboom struggles. Jackson is capable of playing multiple positions along the offensive line for the Rams, but he believes he is most comfortable protecting the blindside of Matthew Stafford.

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Matthew Stafford loves Alaric Jackson’s competitiveness: ‘Typical nasty offensive lineman’

Matthew Stafford loves the edge Alaric Jackson plays with. “It’s fun to be around.”

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The Los Angeles Rams are going to have a decent amount of competition on the offensive line before the 2023 season begins. Following the start of OTAs, Matthew Stafford praised the competitiveness of Alaric Jackson, who is hoping to earn an expanded role in the trenches in the coming months.

“Yeah, I think he’s a competitive guy. I think it comes out in his attitude probably when you guys talk to him, but also when he plays. Typical nasty offensive lineman and it’s fun to be around,” Stafford said. “He’s definitely a competitive guy that wants to get out there and play physical. It’s up to all those guys to go earn their spots, like it is everybody on our team. But just as much competition as we can possibly have at all the positions is a good thing for us.”

In Week 6 of the 2022 season, Joseph Noteboom suffered a season-ending injury after he signed a multi-year extension with the Rams. With Noteboom sidelined, Jackson made six consecutive starts along the offensive line, spending time at guard and tackle.

But after the team’s Week 9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jackson was inactive and would miss the rest of the season due to blood clots. After taking time away from the Rams to improve his health, the third-year undrafted lineman out of Iowa could earn an increased role in 2023.

Noteboom continues to rehab his Achilles injury, which has allowed Jackson to receive snaps with the starters in OTAs. Whether or not he ends up becoming a starter to begin the upcoming season, Stafford is undoubtedly happy to have Jackson be part of the revamped offensive line group in 2023.

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Alaric Jackson gets brutally honest about Rams’ O-line on Twitter

Alaric Jackson shared his unfiltered thoughts on the Rams’ offensive line, picking who he thinks should start and come off the bench

It was an absolutely dreadful year for the Rams’ offensive line, which not only lost Andrew Whitworth to retirement and Austin Corbett in free agency, but four of the five starters went down within the first six weeks of the season. The endless shuffling led to major struggles as a whole for the offense, setting an NFL record with 12 different offensive line combinations in the first 12 games of the season.

Second-year pro Alaric Jackson was one of the 13 players who started a game up front for the Rams, lining up at both right guard and left tackle. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with blood clots midway through the season and was forced to sit out the final nine games.

With the season now over, Jackson took to Twitter and shared his brutally honest thoughts about the state of the Rams’ offensive line. It’s rare for a current player to talk about his team’s depth chart, but Jackson wasn’t afraid to give his take on the situation.

He didn’t hold back, listing who he believes should be the five starters and who should be backups and reserves. His first idea was to have Joe Noteboom, himself, Brian Allen, Tremayne Anchrum Jr. and Rob Havenstein starting from left to right.

In his second scenario, he has Noteboom – who the Rams signed to a three-year, $40 million contract – coming off the bench. Jackson listed himself as the starting left tackle, with Anchrum, Allen, Coleman Shelton and Havenstein starting in the other four spots.

Jackson also mentioned that he believes there should be a “restructuring of deals,” though he didn’t specify who that applies to. Of course, Jackson didn’t mean any disrespect to his teammates; he just wants what’s best for the team.

Considering how shocking it was to see Jackson share his unfiltered thoughts on Twitter, he clarified that he wasn’t trying to attack any of his teammates or call them out. He said he talked to each of them and made sure they knew he wasn’t trying to criticize anyone’s “personal character.”

But at the same time, if they had a problem with what he said about them as football players, he doesn’t care.

“If you care about my opinion that much get better and I’ll rerank you,” he wrote.

Notably, Jackson left David Edwards and Logan Bruss out of his projections. Bruss tore his ACL in the preseason and missed his entire rookie season, while Edwards suffered two concussions and was shut down for the year. Jackson tweeted that Edwards is in “good spirits he will be fine,” which is good news. But Edwards is also a free agent, so he may not be back.

As for Bruss, Jackson tweeted that a torn ACL is a “long (road) my boy gotta get healthy, he fasho on his way.” One would assume he’d be ready for the start of the season, however, given the timing of the injury last year.

Jackson is still under contract in 2023 after signing with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2021, but he has a base salary of just $940,000 with just $6,668 guaranteed. He feels he’s deserving of a one-year prove-it deal that allows him to show he’s deserving of being a starter after getting “played in the draft.”

The Rams should certainly keep Jackson in the mix next season because he was one of their five best offensive linemen when he was on the field, especially at left tackle. It gets complicated with Noteboom playing on the contract that he currently is, though the Rams could consider moving him back inside to guard – despite that being his weaker position of the two.

Los Angeles has a lot to sort out across the roster this offseason, but the offensive line should be priority No. 1.

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Rams designate David Edwards to return, put Cooper Kupp and 2 others on IR

The Rams designated David Edwards to return and put 3 other players on injured reserve, including Cooper Kupp

The endless shuffling of the Rams’ offensive line will continue this week. On Wednesday, the team made four roster moves, three of which involved the O-line.

The Rams designated David Edwards to return from injured reserve, noting that he practiced on Wednesday. They now have 21 days to activate him from IR. He’s been out since Week 5 due to a concussion but is working his way back.

Additionally, Los Angeles put three players on IR, all of whom were starters in Week 10: Cooper Kupp, Alaric Jackson and Chandler Brewer. Jackson is out for the year with blood clots, while Brewer will be sidelined 4-6 weeks due to a knee injury.

Kupp has an ankle injury that requires surgery, so he’ll be out at least four weeks while on injured reserve.

Assuming Edwards returns from IR and is activated this week, the Rams will have two other open roster spots after losing Kupp, Brewer and Jackson.

Rams LT Alaric Jackson to miss rest of season with blood clots

The Rams are experiencing more injuries along the offensive line as Alaric Jackson will miss the rest of the season with blood clots.

The Los Angeles Rams have rolled out an endless number of different offensive line combinations this season and they’ll be deploying a new one in Week 11. Following the loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10, Sean McVay revealed Tuesday that Alaric Jackson will miss the rest of the season with blood clots.

Jackson has started in six straight games for the Rams this season at right guard and left tackle due to multiple injuries along the offensive line, but he was held out Sunday because of a knee injury. The 24-year-old out of Iowa has performed considerably well in a starting role and has been one of the bright spots in the trenches.

 

But some things are bigger than football and Jackson is dealing with blood clots, which isn’t something to mess around with, regardless of whether or not you play in the NFL. So with Jackson dealing with a serious issue, the Rams are shutting him down for the season.

With Jackson sidelined for the rest of the year, veteran Ty Nsekhe is likely going to join the starting offense, giving the Rams their 10th different offensive line combination of the season. Just as a reminder, the Rams are playing their 10th game of the season on Sunday versus the New Orleans Saints.

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Rams LT Alaric Jackson exits game vs. Buccaneers with knee injury

Alaric Jackson went down with a knee injury in the first quarter and is questionable to return

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The Rams trotted out their eighth offensive line combination of the season on Sunday against the Buccaneers, and things quickly got even worse. In the first quarter, Alaric Jackson suffered a knee injury and had to leave the game.

He’s considered questionable to return after being taken into the medical tent. Veteran offensive lineman Ty Nsekhe replaced Jackson at left tackle.

Jackson is filling in for Joe Noteboom, who suffered a torn Achilles a few weeks ago and is out for the season. The Rams simply cannot afford more injuries on their offensive line.

UPDATE: Jackson returned at the start of the second quarter, taking back his spot at left tackle.

Rams OC Liam Coen on LT Alaric Jackson: ‘He’s just so steady’

Liam Coen has been extremely impressed with Alaric Jackson since he’s become the starter at left tackle for the Rams.

The Los Angeles Rams have experienced a myriad of injuries along the offensive line this season, prompting a handful of guys to step up in the absence of multiple starters. With Joe Noteboom suffering a season-ending Achilles injury, Alaric Jackson has stepped up and offensive coordinator Liam Coen has been thoroughly impressed with his performance at left tackle thus far.

“He’s just so steady. You never really see him get either which way, high or low, he’s pretty steady as he goes. I think he’s embraced the opportunity to play a position that he’s very passionate about and he did a nice job,” Coen said. “I thought he did a nice job last week and continued to develop at the tackle position, but he’s so steady, he’s a pro, he’s continuing to learn, obviously being a young player in this league, but really excited for him.”

Given all of the injuries that occurred in the interior of the offensive line for the Rams to begin this season, Jackson was asked to step in at guard. But when Noteboom was carted off of the field in Week 6 versus the Carolina Panthers, Jackson was moved to left tackle, and he continues to perform well.

When the Rams brought Jackson in as an undrafted free agent a season ago, he was an offensive tackle out of Iowa. So Jackson is now getting an opportunity to play his natural position and he’s certainly making the most of it while he’s caught the attention of the coaching staff.

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5 Rams to watch in Week 8 vs. 49ers

The Rams are set to host the 49ers in Week 8 at SoFi Stadium and here are 5 players to keep an eye on.

The Los Angeles Rams are coming off their bye week and they’ll be thrown right into the fray by having to face the San Francisco 49ers for the second time this season already. The Rams faced the 49ers on the road back in Week 4, which ended with Los Angeles being on the wrong end of a 24-9 blowout.

San Francisco has certainly been a thorn in Sean McVay’s side in recent years as Kyle Shanahan’s squad has matched up well with the reigning Super Bowl champions. While Deebo Samuel and George Kittle have presented plenty of challenges for the Rams, the 49ers now have Christian McCaffrey in their backfield.

Ahead of a pivotal showdown with a divisional rival to avoid being 3-4 entering Week 9, here are five players to watch for the Rams in Week 8 versus the 49ers.

Sean McVay has utmost confidence in Alaric Jackson stepping in at LT

Alaric Jackson is taking over for Joe Noteboom at LT, and Sean McVay doesn’t sound the least bit worried

Andrew Whitworth held down the left tackle position for five years with the Rams, but his retirement this offseason led to a change. In stepped Joe Noteboom, fresh off signing a $40 million extension.

Noteboom unfortunately tore his Achilles in Week 6 and will miss the rest of the season, thrusting Alaric Jackson into the starting role. Jackson excelled in Noteboom’s place against the Panthers two weeks ago, and he’s unquestionably the Rams’ best option at that position.

Sean McVay committed to Jackson playing left tackle full-time and has the utmost confidence in his ability to play at a high level. It helps that McVay sees left tackle as Jackson’s most natural position on the field.

“I thought he did a really nice job. I think, if you said natural position fit, I think that’s probably his most natural position is at tackle. What I do think he’s benefited from playing at guard where things happen quicker, got to be able to get your second step in the ground,” McVay said Monday. “I think that helped him for some of the things that will occur outside, where things seem to be sped up a little bit more with a lot of the things that you’re seeing based on the landscape of the league, particularly for those inside players. So I thought his length, I thought his comfort in his pass sets, his understanding of where he fits within the framework of some of the stuff in the run game, I was really pleased with him. I think it says a lot about him to be able to get so many reps at the right guard spot for the last month almost exclusively, And then just to seamlessly slide out the left tackle and be as sharp as he was in some instances when you’re going against some really good players from that rush that we saw from the Panthers, so very encouraged. I think it’ll be good for him to be able to kind of settle in and try to play really good ball there this week.”

Jackson joined the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2021, playing 61 offensive snaps as a rookie. He’s played 312 snaps so far this season, but those have mostly been at guard in wake of the rash of injuries suffered by several other players.

His best position is left tackle so it’ll be great to see how he performs at that spot the rest of the year – and hopefully he can stay healthy for the remaining 11 games.

Rams’ makeshift O-line shut out the Vikings, who lead the NFL in sacks

The offensive line of the Rams was fantastic in keeping Matthew Stafford upright on Sunday against the Vikings.

Ahead of Sunday’s tilt between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings, much was made about the Vikings leading the league in sacks. But after entering Sunday’s game with a league-high 44 sacks, Minnesota exited the game with 44 sacks on the season, showing how well the offensive line of the Rams performed.

Besides leading the NFL in sacks, the Vikings had tallied two-plus sacks in every single game prior to Sunday’s contest. So for the Rams to prevent Matthew Stafford from getting sacked once, it’s an impressive feat, especially considering that Andrew Whitworth was inactive.

Also, Brian Allen left Sunday’s game early with a knee injury, forcing Coleman Shelton to step in at center. Shelton would seamlessly replace Allen as the offensive line kept Stafford upright for the majority of the contest. With Shelton kicking over to center after starting the game at left guard while David Edwards was in at left tackle, rookie Alaric Jackson was asked to step in at left tackle once Allen went down.

Despite logging a total of nine snaps before Week 16, Jackson finished with the highest PFF grade of any Rams offensive player on Sunday with an 81.3. Rob Havenstein, Edwards, and Allen were all given grades above 70 as well.

It has been impressive to watch the transformation of the offensive line this season despite the interchanging parts being moved around. Los Angeles is hopeful that its offensive line — with whoever may be starting — is able to keep Stafford clean again in Week 17 versus a blitz-heavy team in the Baltimore Ravens.