Rams LT Andrew Whitworth expected to return

[Soul Surfer]

That LT situation is ugly.

Definitely not ideal but at least we have the option with an Evans who really did an amazing job for a rookie at right tackle.
Who's to say he can't elevate his game further as a left tackle?

 

[Riverumbbq]

yep- but sign Whitworth for one more season & you have to add Brian Allen in there. As bad as Ram fans think he is, it is not The Rams thinking & Ram fans maybe pleasantly surprised.

Why do we HAVE to add Allen ? Snead signed 3 C/OG's after the season began, why should these signings be considered less than any previous Snead signings ? The competition at Center should be fierce once Allen returns, but I'm not sure the job will be automatically his for the taking.
jmo.

 

[Rams43]

About the extending Whit discussion...

Gonna be tricky to get this OL ‘right’ this offseason. VERY tricky.

Yeah, Big Whit could solve the LOT position until Boom is healthy, whenever the hell THAT might be. Different posters have different opinions on that timeline, but really, who knows? I agree that gambling on LOT is not acceptable.

The excruciating part of the Whit decision is that he would consume some very scarce cap room that is badly needed at so many other positions. Sigh... And yet, another FA there would probably cost just as much As Whit and probably wouldn’t be quite as good.

Is there a way that we can start 5 quality OL players without Whit or Boom early on? I dunno.

Evans
Corbett
Blythe, Allen, draft pick
Edwards
Hav

That unit MIGHT work until Boom is healthy. But it might be weak at both Tackle positions, too. A healthy Hav should be okay at RT, leaving Evans at LOT as our unknown. But I will say this. Such an OL would be very cost effective and allow for approx $8 million more for other Ram needs.

It all depends on what the Rams brain trust thinks of Boom, Evans, Corbett, Blythe, and Allen‘s respective starting prospects projected out to next September.

A classic example of why the Ram brain trust makes the Big Bucks.

 

[Riverumbbq]

About the extending Whit discussion...

Gonna be tricky to get this OL ‘right’ this offseason. VERY tricky.

Yeah, Big Whit could solve the LOT position until Boom is healthy, whenever the hell THAT might be. Different posters have different opinions on that timeline, but really, who knows? I agree that gambling on LOT is not acceptable.

The excruciating part of the Whit decision is that he would consume some very scarce cap room that is badly needed at so many other positions. Sigh... And yet, another FA there would probably cost just as much As Whit and probably wouldn’t be quite as good.

Is there a way that we can start 5 quality OL players without Whit or Boom early on? I dunno.

Evans
Corbett
Blythe, Allen, draft pick
Edwards
Hav

That unit MIGHT work until Boom is healthy. But it might be weak at both Tackle positions, too. A healthy Hav should be okay at RT, leaving Evans at LOT as our unknown. But I will say this. Such an OL would be very cost effective and allow for approx $8 million more for other Ram needs.

It all depends on what the Rams brain trust thinks of Boom, Evans, Corbett, Blythe, and Allen‘s respective starting prospects projected out to next September.

A classic example of why the Ram brain trust makes the Big Bucks.

Blythe just eats more of that limited CAP imo. Edwards' time was brief at LG before being forced to RG, but I prefer his previous play at LG, then moving Corbett to Center where I believe he may have been intended following the Allen injury and Blythe nailing it down as he knew the calls. People seem to be resistant to Brewer at RG, but he may have been the best at the position during pre-season, and his size is right. I'm back to preferring Scherff if we are going to allocate free agency money, rather do this than spending on Fowler, and this would settle RG for years to come with a proven rush blocker, he might even boost Havenstein back to a 2017/18 level of play having a solid vet next to him.

 

[Soul Surfer]

I think they can get Blythe at half the price they could get Whitworth.
And they would be getting the second most important position on the offensive line, (being Center, IMO) and we would be getting a player whose abilities could be on the rise rather than a Whitworth who is more than likely, declining.
We saw firsthand what an offensive line looks like when it's weak in the middle and I really don't want to see that again in the first half of the season.

Whitworth is a legend for a second round draft pick and what he did for the Rams and especially Goff is immeasurable.
Moving on from a player of his ability is a tough call but sometimes you have to make those tough calls.

 

[So Ram]

Why do we HAVE to add Allen ? Snead signed 3 C/OG's after the season began, why should these signings be considered less than any previous Snead signings ? The competition at Center should be fierce once Allen returns, but I'm not sure the job will be automatically his for the taking.
jmo.

of course you still have to add him to the mix. Kolone just resigned as well as Nate Trewyn. There is nothing wrong with competition. You just have to add Allen to the mix.How it works itself is another thing.

my point is The Rams have all the depth they need if Whitworth resigns.Blythe could even resign ? He just had 2 shoulder surgeries.
I believe in Kromer & I know Mcvay does as well. Kromers first season with Rhe Rams he was at the combine sitting in the stands next to Zak.They scouted the offensive line together. It was reported that he thought The Rams Offensive Line was good enough to be successful & The Rams did not draft a O’lineman to the dismay of ALL kinds of Rams Fans.
Anyway I just see this group being better than when Kromer took over depth wise. Plus the experience under his coaching.

 

[Riverumbbq]

of course you still have to add him to the mix. Kolone just resigned as well as Nate Trewyn. There is nothing wrong with competition. You just have to add Allen to the mix.How it works itself is another thing.

Oh, I have him in the mix as previously mentioned, but I don't have him currently leading the field. I think that's wide open considering the added competition, and that may grow with free agency or the draft.
jmo.

 

[OldSchool]

Snead signed 3 C/OG's after the season began,

Oooohhhh you mean after Allen got hurt we signed some centers? Who'd have thought that would happen

 

[Riverumbbq]

Oooohhhh you mean after Allen got hurt we signed some centers? Who'd have thought that would happen

If you believe Corbett, Sheldon & Trewyn are unworthy competition, your assessment is duly noted.

 

[FarNorth]

I think they can get Blythe at half the price they could get Whitworth.
And they would be getting the second most important position on the offensive line, (being Center, IMO) and we would be getting a player whose abilities could be on the rise rather than a Whitworth who is more than likely, declining.
We saw firsthand what an offensive line looks like when it's weak in the middle and I really don't want to see that again in the first half of the season.

Whitworth is a legend for a second round draft pick and what he did for the Rams and especially Goff is immeasurable.
Moving on from a player of his ability is a tough call but sometimes you have to make those tough calls.

Ok... but who plays left tackle? And is that guy good enough to help prevent a meltdown on the line as a whole?

 

[“Turbo set!”]

There is no choice but to bring him back.

 

[Rams43]

Blythe just eats more of that limited CAP imo. Edwards' time was brief at LG before being forced to RG, but I prefer his previous play at LG, then moving Corbett to Center where I believe he may have been intended following the Allen injury and Blythe nailing it down as he knew the calls. People seem to be resistant to Brewer at RG, but he may have been the best at the position during pre-season, and his size is right. I'm back to preferring Scherff if we are going to allocate free agency money, rather do this than spending on Fowler, and this would settle RG for years to come with a proven rush blocker, he might even boost Havenstein back to a 2017/18 level of play having a solid vet next to him.

That OL might work, River. Except for the Scherff part.

Evans/Boom
Edwards
Corbett
Brewer/or ???
Hav

Might need some tinkering, but it just might work. I still like Boom at LOT long term, though.

 

[Riverumbbq]

That OL might work, River. Except for the Scherff part.

Evans/Boom
Edwards
Corbett
Brewer/or ???
Hav

Might need some tinkering, but it just might work. I still like Boom at LOT long term, though.

I still bring in Whitworth for 2020 and draft another OT high. The Scherff idea may be taking it one step beyond, he could be Franchise Tagged himself, but if he's not I do see him as fair game considering that McVay was the Washington OC which drafted him originally. If the Rams can afford both Whitworth and Fowler, they can certainly afford Whitworth & Scherff. It will be interesting to see if McVay hires other former Washington coaches like Gruden or Callahan which also may influence Scherff.
Noteboom is probably the future LT, but drafting another OT this off-season will allow for more competition at both R & LT following Whitworth's departure.
jmo.

 

[Mackeyser]

I swear to God I will shoot my pinky toe off if they sign him.

Easy there, Cheddar Bob...

 

[OldSchool]

If you believe Corbett, Sheldon & Trewyn are unworthy competition, your assessment is duly noted.

Duly noted, I point out a flaw in the logic and you make assumptions on what my opinion of the players on the roster is. Fun game.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Duly noted, I point out a flaw in the logic and you make assumptions on what my opinion of the players on the roster is. Fun game.

What flaw did you point out ? Your habit of making snide remarks doesn't impress, but have at your game if you find the fun in it.

 

[BonifayRam]

This is the best of the best UFA LT's currently:

Anthony Castonzo | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

Anthony Castonzo signed a 2 year, $33,000,000 contract with the Indianapolis Colts, including $17,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $16,500,000.

www.spotrac.com

Like you I consider chances of a 32 yr old Anthony Castonzo departure from the Colts highly improbable unless a losing team with "amounts of cap funds to burn" comes down with a serious dose of "Stupid Over-Paidness Illness".

Ok... but who plays left tackle? And is that guy good enough to help prevent a meltdown on the line as a whole?

This "who plays left tackle?" is an issue for about 3/4's of all NFL teams.

Snead made good efforts to invest in several College LT's in the 2019 draft with Ram team valued assets 3rd & 5th rd selections (Evans/Edwards).

Later on Snead traded with the Browns & utilized a Ram 2021 5th rd. pick to get a college 3 season starter @ LT & former high 2nd rd 2018 draft selection Austin Corbett who eventually won the starting LG post for the final 7 gms.

Recap: Snead got the Rams 3 former starting OT's this last season & all three of them earned 2019 starting positions @ LG, RG & RT.

It should also be said here that McVay/Kromer started 2019 with two other untested/unseasoned Ol'ers from the Rams 2018 draft class. Neither Noteboom nor Allen had any starting experience both delivered falling grades before ending soon after mid season on the IR.

Looking back now that's a dangerous amount of unseasoned OL'ers being depended on to protect your $134 million franchised easily rattled pocket passer leading a NFC Championship team who has invested it's future team assets for a win it all event in 2019.

I would expect that Snead draft's LT on day two in the 2020 draft. Presently signed 2nd season OL'ers Edwards & Evans along with the unknown 2020 draft selection must be the leading prospects to be our starting LT when OTA's & Training Camp begin.

 

[OldSchool]

This is the best of the best UFA LT's currently:

Anthony Castonzo | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

Anthony Castonzo signed a 2 year, $33,000,000 contract with the Indianapolis Colts, including $17,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $16,500,000.

www.spotrac.com

Like you I consider chances of a 32 yr old Anthony Castonzo departure from the Colts highly improbable unless a losing team with "amounts of cap funds to burn" comes down with a serious dose of "Stupid Over-Paidness Illness".

I read several reports recently he was going to follow Luck into retirement after dealing with some injuries. He's young still but it could happen.

 

[Merlin]

Scherff is the piece if he hits the market. I'd be all in on him if I'm the GM even if it means I have to let Whit go in FA. But I'm skeptical at this point that will happen.