Tag: Joe Noteboom

5 Rams to watch in Week 1 vs. Bills

The Rams kick off the 2022 season against the Bills on Thursday night and here are 5 players to keep a close eye on.

The quest for the Los Angeles Rams to defend their title as Super Bowl champions begins on Thursday night versus the Buffalo Bills. It’s been months since the Rams took down the Cincinnati Bengals to secure their first Super Bowl victory since 1999, but it’s now time for them to shift their focus to the 2022 season.

Both teams in Thursday’s season opener are among the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season. The Bills are coming off a 2021 campaign in which they looked poised for a Super Bowl run themselves before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.

With the Rams looking to prove that they are here to stay as Super Bowl contenders for years to come, let’s take a look at five players to watch in Week 1 against the Bills.

Matthew Stafford expects big things from ‘ultra-talented’ Joe Noteboom at LT

Matthew Stafford says Joe Noteboom has “looked great in camp” and expects him to have a great season now that he’s locked in at LT

There’s so much excitement about some of the Rams’ newcomers this season, from Allen Robinson and Bobby Wagner to Decobie Durant and Derion Kendrick. While Joe Noteboom isn’t technically a new addition, he is entering his first season as a full-time starter at left tackle.

Since 2017, that’s been Andrew Whitworth’s spot. But it’s Noteboom’s job now, and he has some big shoes to fill. Matthew Stafford isn’t the least bit worried about the switch and actually expects big things from the former third-round pick.

“I know Joe Noteboom is going to come in and play great at a high level,” Stafford said. “He’s ultra-talented. You watch him on tape and it’s pretty impressive. He makes it look really easy.”

This is Noteboom’s first summer focusing solely on left tackle, which is different than past years when he was cross-training at both tackle and guard. That, in Stafford’s mind, should help him improve even more, knowing he doesn’t have to work at a separate position, too.

“He’s looked great in camp,” Stafford added. “I think it’s just one of those deals where he’s gonna settle into his role. We’ve moved him around. I was only here for a year but every time I flip on an old game, he’s at a different spot. He’s kind of got his spot and go out there and work on that craft every single day. Have that love, that dedication for playing in that spot and I think the sky’s the limit for him.”

Noteboom has done a really nice job every time Whitworth has been unavailable, earning a 76.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus last season. He only allowed one sack in 174 snaps played, looking much more comfortable at left tackle than he did previously at guard.

He may be likely to make the Pro Bowl this year since it’s more or less a popularity contest, but Noteboom should emerge as an above-average left tackle in 2022.

Cardinals’ D.J. Humphries climbs LT rankings in NFC West

Humphries moves up from No. 4 to No. 2 in 2022 with the departure of Andrew Whitworth and Duane Brown.

The NFC West had four quality left tackles for several years. The players are different now. The Arizona Cardinals still have D.J. Humphries and the San Francisco 49ers still have Trent Williams, but the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams will have new starters as Andrew Whitworth retired after the Rams won the Super Bowl and the Seahawks moved on from Duane Brown.

Below are this year’s NFC West rankings at left tackle.

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Joe Noteboom works out at Andrew Whitworth’s house ‘all the time’

Joe Noteboom and Andrew Whitworth have remained close, working out together at Whitworth’s place “all the time”

Andrew Whitworth is passing the torch at left tackle this year after announcing his retirement from the NFL. The Rams didn’t have to look very long or far for his replacement, simply re-signing Joe Noteboom to a three-year deal.

Though Whitworth isn’t on the roster anymore, he remains close to the team and its players – specifically the offensive linemen.

Whitworth often has the Rams’ big men over to his house for workouts in his garage, which players call “The Dojo.” It was a routine they started when Whitworth turned his garage into a workout room during the pandemic, helping keep himself and his teammates in shape.

Entering the 2022 season, Noteboom still goes to Whitworth’s house to work out “all the time.” And Whitworth loves grinding with him in the gym, anticipating a strong year from the young lineman.

“The O-line still comes over here and trains with me at my place and so it’s fun to be with those guys and see what they’re up to,” Whitworth said on The Volume’s “3 & Out” podcast. “I’m not gonna lie, there’s some days you get in there with them and you’re getting after it and you get that feeling of what it was like being in the locker room and being around the guys and grinding towards a goal. It’s definitely a special environment. I don’t think that really changes whether you’re playing or not. Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll always miss that a little bit. But it’s fun to see them kind of in that mode of taking that next step. Joseph Noteboom is one of those guys, and he’s gonna replace me there with the Rams. He’s here all the time at my place training and it’s fun to watch him grind and he’s chasing his dream and what he’s looking forward to doing. Couldn’t be happier to support him and can’t wait to watch him do his thing.”

Noteboom has had the chance to learn from Whitworth for the last four years since joining the Rams as a third-round pick in 2018. He probably anticipated taking over the left tackle spot earlier than this year, but when Whitworth’s been out, Noteboom has done an excellent job filling in.

The Rams hope that continues on a full-time basis this season and next, which is why they gave him an extension to remain on the roster – and a raise to $13.3 million per year.

Look: David Edwards, Joe Noteboom still work out in Andrew Whitworth’s garage

Andrew Whitworth may be retired, but he still has Rams linemen over for their usual workouts at “The Dojo”

Andrew Whitworth retired from football earlier this offseason, calling it a career after 16 seasons in the NFL. It’s sad to see the Rams’ left tackle leave his perch as the blindside blocker, but he hasn’t gone very far since retiring.

Whitworth was in the Rams’ war room during the draft and he was on the field with Sean McVay during OTAs, staying close to the organization he spent the last five years with. He’s also remained good friends with some of their young offensive linemen, too.

Whitworth’s trainer, Ryan Sorensen, shared a video on Instagram of David Edwards and Joe Noteboom working out in Whitworth’s garage – aka, “The Dojo.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CezrGGUlrx5/?hl=en

Whitworth has been staying in great shape himself, raising questions about whether he might pull an Eric Weddle and return for the playoff run if the Rams come calling. It’s unlikely, especially considering the good hands their offensive line is in, even after Whitworth’s retirement.

Rams place Higbee and Noteboom on IR, activate Joseph-Day and Henderson Jr.

The Rams put Tyler Higbee on IR, ruling him out for the Super Bowl. They also activated Sebastian Joseph-Day and Darrell Henderson Jr.

The Rams shared a mixture of good news and bad news on Friday ahead of Super Bowl LVI. The good news is that Sebastian Joseph-Day and Darrell Henderson Jr. have both been activated off injured reserve, making them eligible to play in Sunday’s game.

The bad news is that Tyler Higbee and Joe Noteboom were placed on IR, ruling them out for the Super Bowl. The Rams needed to make room on the roster for Joseph-Day and Henderson, and moving Higbee and Noteboom to IR was the easiest way to do it.

Losing Higbee is a big blow to the offense. He played 92% of the offensive snaps this season and was typically the only tight end on the field. He’ll be replaced by Kendall Blanton, who filled in admirably in the NFC title game with five catches for 57 yards.

The return of Joseph-Day provides a boost to the defensive front, joining the rotation with Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson. He’s a great run defender but has also improved as a pass rusher the last two years.

Henderson is unlikely to have a significant role with Cam Akers and Sony Michel handling the bulk of the work in the backfield. He could mix in as a receiver at times, but expect Akers and Michel to get most of the carries.

Rams activate Joe Noteboom from COVID-19 reserve

The Rams took Joe Noteboom off the reserve/COVID-19 list, making him available to play against the Ravens

The reserve/COVID-19 list is beginning to clear out for the Los Angeles Rams after there were 29 players on it at one point this month. On Tuesday, the Rams activated Joe Noteboom from COVID-19 reserve after he missed the last two games against the Seahawks and Vikings.

This may not seem like big news, but it’s a positive development considering Andrew Whitworth is still on COVID-19 reserve and not certain to play against the Ravens on Sunday. If he’s asymptomatic and tests negative, he could be activated. Otherwise, he’ll remain on the reserve list for 10 days.

Because Whitworth was placed on the list Saturday, he’d be eligible to be activated on Monday – not in time for Week 17.

The Rams also made several other roster moves, placing Darrell Henderson Jr. and Ernest Jones on IR. This was expected after Sean McVay said they’d be put on IR Monday, though the team is hopeful they can play in the postseason.

They restored Javian Hawkins, Warren Jackson and Justin Lawler to the practice squad, and cut Ryan Santoso, Greg Stroman and Carson Tinker from the practice squad, too.

Rams inactives: Terrell Lewis a healthy scratch, Joe Noteboom out due to COVID

Terrell Lewis is a healthy scratch against the Seahawks while Joe Noteboom is among the Rams’ players still on COVID-19 reserve

The Los Angeles Rams got several players back from COVID-19 reserve ahead of tonight’s game against the Seahawks, including Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey and Odell Beckham Jr.

However, it was reported earlier today that Rob Havenstein, Tyler Higbee and Jordan Fuller all failed to test out of COVID protocols, so they will not be active against Seattle. The same goes for Joe Noteboom and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who remain on the COVID-19 list.

Bryce Perkins, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett and Anthony Hines are the Rams’ only inactive players due to non-COVID reasons, all of whom are healthy scratches.

Below is a list of Rams players who will not play against the Seahawks due to COVID-19.

Antoine Brooks Jr., Terrell Burgess, Jamil Demby, Jordan Fuller, Jake Gervase, Rob Havenstein, Tyler Higbee, JuJu Hughes, Noteboom, Okoronkwo and Jared Pinkney.

With Noteboom and Havenstein both out, the Rams could turn to Bobby Evans at right tackle. They may also give Austin Corbett or David Edwards a shot at that position, since both have experience there. Evans is the likeliest replacement, however.

The Seahawks are also short-handed in this one. Tyler Lockett and Alex Collins are both still on the COVID-19 list, so they will not play against the Rams.

4 Rams players to watch vs. Seahawks on Sunday

Here are four Rams players to watch during Sunday’s impending bout with the Seahawks.

The Los Angeles Rams will be heading back to SoFi Stadium to clash with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 following a massive road victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The last time we saw the Rams and Seahawks square off back in Week 5, Los Angeles emerged victorious by a score of 26-17.

Both teams are vastly different than they were in Week 5 as the Seahawks have looked out of sorts since Russell Wilson made his return to the offense from an injury he suffered in the first matchup with the Rams. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has altered their offense a bit in recent weeks, and Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller are now sporting horns on their helmet.

Ahead of Sunday’s divisional showdown, Seattle and Los Angeles are dealing with a variety of injuries and COVID-19 issues, making it tough to gauge who will be active on game day. Amid the chaos happening across the NFL, here are four players to watch on the Rams in their upcoming tilt with the Seahawks.

Les Snead on Joe Noteboom: ‘A lot of teams tried to trade for him’

Les Snead revealed this week that “a lot of teams” tried to trade for Joe Noteboom, but the Rams valued him too much.

When Joe Noteboom was selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, fans were curious to see if he would be the eventual successor to Andrew Whitworth at left tackle. But with Whitworth still playing at an elite level at 40 years old, Noteboom operates as a swing tackle behind Whitworth and Rob Havenstein.

Noteboom has been asked to step into the starting offense multiple times this season, whether it be due to injuries or issues with COVID-19. While Noteboom has impressed in his stints on the field, Les Snead recently went on the “Coach McVay Show” to inform J.B. Long and D’Marco Farr that multiple teams attempted to trade for Noteboom before.

“Internally, we’ve felt confident in what Joe does. And just to give everyone a little bit of insight, Joe’s one of those players where a lot of teams tried to trade for him,” Snead said. “They looked out our lineup and looked at how Joe’s maybe the third tackle and we always said no, that wouldn’t be a worthwhile trade based on the upcoming season and the attrition that goes into (it).”

Noteboom made a spot start for the Rams back in Week 8 when Whitworth was sidelined with a knee injury. And with Havenstein being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of this past week’s game with the Arizona Cardinals, Noteboom made the start at right tackle.

The TCU product has become a valuable offensive lineman for the Rams as he’s capable of playing nearly every spot besides center in the trenches. His versatility was likely something that intrigued the teams that expressed interest in trading for him.

While it remains to be seen if Noteboom evolves into a full-time starter for the Rams, it’s clear that Snead and the other members of the organization value what he adds to the offensive line right now – and possibly beyond this season, even though he’ll be a free agent in March.

“Jacked for Joe and hopefully the good news is that we drafted him to be a part of the Rams for a while,” Snead said. “We felt like he had a chance to develop into a very productive offensive tackle in this league and we’d like to keep that marriage going.”

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