Los Angeles Rams: Offensive line issues remain unresolved
Despite offseason changes, the Los Angeles Rams offensive line’s preseason debut was unremarkable and issues remain front and center.
The Los Angeles Rams offensive line changes were one of the key offseason topics under first-year coach Sean McVay. The most optimistic takeaway from the Rams’ 13-10 exhibition win over the Dallas Cowboys? The line remains a work in progress.
The first unit went three-and-out on its first series against the Cowboys. Wide receiver Robert Woods dropped a short pass to start the drive. But Dallas stuffed running back Todd Gurley for a 3-yard loss on second down. Jared Goff hit Gurley out of the backfield for a 10-yard gain on third down — not enough for a first.
Fortunately, the Rams got the ball back on a Cowboys turnover and scored a touchdown. Rookie wide receiver Cooper Kupp recovered a Woods reception in the end zone to cap a five-play, 33-yard drive.
Gurley, however, finished with just two rushing yards on four carries. And until new arrival Sammy Watkins and currently injured Tavon Austin give the Rams a deep threat, defenses will continue to crowd the line of scrimmage to take away Gurley and the short passing game.
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The Los Angeles Times suggested that the right side of the line was out of sync. Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown started training camp in unfamiliar spots. The Rams coaching staff had Havenstein, a two-year starter at right tackle, at right guard. Brown, a guard the last two years, moved to right tackle.
But less a week before the scrimmage, the staff moved Havenstein and Brown back to their original spots. This from the LA Times:
"So it’s probably no wonder they looked out of sync against the Cowboys."
Turf Show Times gave the offensive line a C+ grade, crediting the second unit for the backup running backs’ success. Justin Davis rushed for 70 yards on nine carries, and Malcolm Brown finished with 25 yards on five attempts.
ESPN.com, however, was far less kind to the backup O-line:
"Their second unit struggled, particularly backup center Austin Blythe, who made a high snap to Mannion that prompted the Rams to lose 28 yards. And reserve tackle Pace Murphy had a really tough day, allowing at least three defensive ends to blow by him for vicious hits on Mannion."
The Rams offense is not going to be successful unless Gurley has a bounce-back 2017. Goff has more weapons in Watkins, Kupp, Wood and tight end Gerald Everett — even if Austin doesn’t have a great year.
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But Goff still needs time to pass. The deep ball has to open up the field for Gurley and the plethora of Rams possession receivers.