The Rams offensive line can be effective without drafting an OT at #2

by VanRam on Mar 24, 2009 11:29 AM CDT in 2009 NFL draft Comment 28 comments

Football Outsiders has their mock draft up now, and, as usual, they put some real thought into it, factoring in team management precedent as well as how they assess players. They've got the Lions taking OT Jason Smith and the Rams drafting LB Aaron Curry. Something the mock drafters said over there got me thinking about the Rams draft strategy, and the conventional wisdom that says they'll take an OT with the second overall pick. Barely a week ago, I was fixed on the Rams drafting an OT with their second overall pick, but in the last few days, well, I'm just not so sure anymore. Here's what the FO crew said that shed some new light on the debate of who the Rams should pick at #2:

We figure Smith over Eugene Monroe because of their nature; Monroe's more of a finished product, but he's a pass blocker first. The Lions are going to be building around an ability to run the football, for better or worse, and Smith's the better run blocker.

Assume Detroit takes Jason Smith first overall, which may or may not be a sure thing based on reports this week. That essentially mandates that the Rams choose between Monroe or Curry. But the Rams are also building around the running game, and for that, they may already have a LT that fits the need. Alex Barron, despite his trouble with snap counts, has proven to be an effective run blocker (and a decent enough pass protector), giving some credence to the notion of moving him to LT.

As for replacing Barron on the right side, the OTs most apt to be available with the Rams second round pick all seem to be natural fits at RT, or at least guys who would need to start their NFL careers on the right side, including players like Oklahoma's Phil Loadholt or UConn's William Beatty. They could even find a replacement RT in the later rounds among names like Kent State's Augustus Parrish or Oregon's Fenuki Tupou.

This probably isn't going to give the Rams an elite offensive line. However, it gives them a line for 2009 well-suited their new offensive philosophy and an offense that will feature Steven Jackson as its centerpiece. Beyond 2009, ideally, the rookie they draft to fill the RT spot is a guy sitting on some potential and the coaching staff can coax him into the LT role should Barron not work out, or they choose to part ways when his contract ends after next season. Of course, they could also draft an OT next year too to replace Barron...or free agent...whatever, the point is, they've got options.

Long story short, the Rams could have an effective o-line for an offense built around Steven Jackson and the running game - the Jason Brown signing certainly supports that - even if they choose not to draft an OT with their second overall pick. Echoing Taiko's cost/benefit analysis from yesterday, drafting Curry would most likely give the Rams the biggest impact while filling one of the team's biggest needs in the middle of their defense...without having to sacrifice anything by not drafting an OT with that pick.

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Make the smart move....

We need help on defense. Period. Yeah the offensive line is in shambles, but we got a star for that group during the first weeks of free agency. Now is the time to get a star on defense and that stars last name is Curry. I don’t know about you guys, but the biggest difference that I see between good teams and bad teams is leadership; and I’m not talking about from the sidelines or upstairs. We need leaders on the field! Curry can be that leader to get our defense motivated and get us where we need to be. We have a leader on offense in Steven Jackson. Let’s get one on defense…..

by RamsMan83 on Mar 24, 2009 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is a great read... and I'm only halfway through it.

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Mar 24, 2009 11:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

id be comfortable

with Loadholt at RT.

I would NOT be comfortable with passing on an OT in both the first and second rounds.

Rams Gab!
www.ramsgab.com

by jroman on Mar 24, 2009 12:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Third round...

if guys like loadholt or beatty are available in the third then we should go for a reciever in the second. we need a WR to come in and produce and i dont think we can find one in the third. but we could find a RT in the third that could produce so go WR second, RT third.

by rams since day1 on Mar 24, 2009 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

draft day

We talk about how bad the defense was but man we were three and out more than any team in the league at least it looked that way but we just got Brown we got Bell last year and in this west coast offense Bulgar on short throws the best so the offense maybe alright,but take a tackle in the second round,this defense needs Curry it is the only defense in the NFL where the MLB does not have the mic helmet that is no leadership at linebacker,Curry is smart he will be the coaches ear on the field line everybody up right and stop all these big plays through the middle,he’s that good (ACC fan).

by 39jackson on Mar 24, 2009 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Go Curry or go home

I was discussing this with a friend and really the only downside to drafting Curry would be that our 2nd round pick would essentially be guaranteed to be an OT. Not necessarily a bad thing, but we could sure use help at a few other spots. Curry seems like he could finally be that MLB we have been needing for the past decade.
NFC West is soon to be ours again.

Van, thanks again for hosting a great forum.

by strugglemonkey on Mar 24, 2009 6:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

beatty

I live in Connecticut and believe me beatty would be a steal in the second round!

by strike77 on Mar 24, 2009 6:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Take Curry, a no brainer !!!

We have so many needs that we need to fill as many holes as we can through the draft this year and next. That being said we need to go Curry 1st, a WR in the 2nd, and a RT in the 3rd.. The T and WR position are alot deeper than the LB position. You have to take the best player available that fills a need and that player is Curry. In the 2nd I would take Robiskie at WR, and in the 3rd, I would take either Meredith or Loadholt to play RT. If you take RT in the 2nd the drop off at WR in the 3rd is alot more than the drop off from tackle. We then take the best player available at CB, DT, backup RB, in rounds 4-6 and then maybe get a PR-KR in the 7th..

We can get 3 possible starters in the 1st 3 rounds and good backups in the other rounds. You won’t hit on every pick but I think this regime has shown a great understanding on how to build a team and they are patient and not going to spend unnecessary money. Right now we are the 4th youngest team in the league, granted we have to sign Frerotte and a couple of more backups but we have gotten alot younger and better already in this off season. We have the possibility of having 6 new starters and then possibly 5-6 players in new positions or different roles. Then in year #2 if we can sign another 2-3 free agent starters and then have another strong draft , suddenly you have turned over half your starters and more than half of your roster and we are ready to contend for a title in year # 3….

I hope we eventually can become like the Giants, Patriots, and Steelers where we are drafting for backups, who we can groom once high priced guys go elsewhere or age sets in. They are drafting at the bottom alot but still manage to draft good players and don’t get held hostage when they become free agents. The Giants for example have 10 draft picks this year and can use picks to trade up or trade them away for future picks. The Pats also have 12 picks this year and have allowed guys to leave and get compensatory picks. Those organizations know what they are doing and thats where I hope we are headed..

by Uncfan1 on Mar 24, 2009 6:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The T and WR position are alot deeper than the LB position

I might disagree; the LB corps is pretty deep this year.

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Mar 25, 2009 3:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LB Corps deep

Yes the LB corps is deep… and maybe overall deeper than tackle and WR but I think its Curry and then everybody else.. There are going to be good LB’s in the 2nd and 3rd but not the quality of Curry.. The tackle position is good but not as good as last years group. At this point we need a RT, not a LT, you can get good quality there in the 3rd. The WR corps is stronger in the 2nd than it will be in the 3rd, that was my point. Best way to go is get the best player in Curry.. Better WR in 2nd than 3rd and we can still get quality tackle in the 3rd..

by Uncfan1 on Mar 25, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh it's definitely Curry and everyone else

I’m just worried that if we go Curry-WR-OT, we’ve got 3 starting-worthy OLBs (Curry, ‘Spoon, Pisa) among whom we’d have to pick one to play MLB. Spoon did his time; yes, we could move Curry inside. But that adds a level of difficulty (switching positions) to a move, on Curry’s part, that is already difficult (adjusting to NFL after college).

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Mar 26, 2009 1:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Pisa would be the odd man out, unless Curry can play the middle.. They have said that the middle is Chris Drafts’ at least for now. I think Curry can play the middle, I believe that Spags wouldn’t have him do it unless he thinks he really can. I like Curry— Robiskie or Briit— and then Loadholt or Meredith…

by Uncfan1 on Mar 26, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Illogical

I keep saying we have to be VERY careful with our early draft picks. Else we end up with another Alex Barron or Tye Hill or even disappointments (so far) like Carriker and Long. The Rams 2008 roster was just plain lousy. Even though we’ve jettisoned some deadwood and former superstars past their prime, there’s a lot of bad players left. So we need a lot of new youth and talent just to get to mediocre. We’ve already got plenty of 300 pounders to play the O-Line, plus we’ve added a superb Center (Brown) and a good blocking back (Karney). Another thing, it wouldn’t hurt the $65 million dollar man at QB to learn to scramble a little, nor should a certain HIGHLY paid RB not be able to break loose on his own once in awhile. So why waste the first round pick on an OT? The draft is full of quality O-Linemen this year. We can get them in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. WE NEED an impact player immediately. And, I only see two good choices for the Rams with the 2nd pick; one is Crabtree and the other is Curry. My preference is Crab. And, yes, I’ve read the posts about getting a veteran WR somewhere. Been there, done that, anybody remember Drew Bennett If Bulger could get the ball to him, Crabtree would score us some TD’s. I’m also OK with Curry at LB. I figure he and Witherspoon would perform well. But we’d still be stuck with Pisa AND the D-Line with 35 year old Little, underperforming Carriker and too little Long ain’t gonna scare opposing QB’s or stuff the run. Too many weaknesses to fill in one season. 8-8 would be a miracle.

by edpjr on Mar 24, 2009 6:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

wait, who are you arguing with?

I think everyone on this thread is on the Curry bandwagon, which is now hurtling so fast it’s almost ridiculous. If the Lions draft Curry I almost expect half of this board to stick a knife in their bellies.

Whatever decision Spagnuolo and Devaney make, I have trust in right now. They’ve made smart choices so far in free agency, and made the tough decisions in roster cuts. If they decide that it’s Monroe or Curry or Crabtree or the darkest of dark horses, BJ Raji (who went 3rd in the Football Outsiders mock draft), I’ll assume that the player will have impact, and fits a master plan.

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Mar 24, 2009 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I don’t know who edpjr is talking too? I don’t want to take a WR who just had ankle surgery no matter how good he is… How many WR have been busts over the last 5 years? A few… ask the Lions… They can’t afford to miss on their first pick of the new regime, let alone thats its the # 2 that will be paid roughly $ 60 million. If they go tackle— it’s a good choice that we really need— but it’s for a right tackle and right tackles are not worth $ 60 million… All I am saying is that we can maximize our picks by getting a right tackle later and getting a LB and WR in the 1st— 2 rounds.. Who is the best and safest pick??? Curry… Then we go Witherspoon, Draft, Curry or Witherspoon-Curry- Pisa in the LB corps.. In the 2nd Beatty could be there to be had but I believe there could be 2 really good WR— Britt or Robiskie— that could start day 1 and I don’t think Burton is ready to be the # 2 guy yet.. Then we have Loadholt or Meredith there in the 3rd.. We have a starting LB, WR, and RT with this route.. If we go Monroe or Smith 1st, then we have Robiskie or Britt at WR, or Clint Sintim/ Larry English/ or Marcus Freeman at LB… then in the 3rd you have WR- Iglesias/ Ramsees/ Massaquoi or LB- Beckwith/Brown/ or Mckillop… I think we will get a vet WR at some point maybe even after the draft but after getting rid of Holt, Bennett, and Looker we will need WR’s…

by Uncfan1 on Mar 24, 2009 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

WR in Round 2

I cannot see how the Rams can take a WR in Round 2. If we take Curry at two (If Detroit takes him, I could see everyone looking for a gun), then we have to go T in Round 2. Beatty will be there, almost for sure not in Round 3, and I think he could start day 1 at RT, with potential to move to LT if Barron fails/leaves and we get no one else. But to take a WR in the second round just doesn’t make sense. Another rookie wideout just adds a clutter of WRs who have no focus or leader to show them how to play the game. Add a veteran WR. If you wait till the third round for a T, then Bulger will be on the DL after game two, and we can play the game of seeing if the backup QB throws more INTs than we score points each week.

Robiskie just seems too overrated to take at that point when there are greater needs at T.

by kickasskeever on Mar 24, 2009 9:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So you think we don’t need another quality WR?? So Avery, Burton,-who wasn’t healthy last year— and your vet pickup ?and then who???? so Robiskie is overrated and I guess so is Britt.. so you would rather have Stanley as your 4th WR.. hmmm and I guess even though Bulger maybe upright to throw the ball he will have alot of great talent with your WR corps to throw too…that makes alot of sense.. tackle is a need yes but the tackle position is deeper than the LB or WR position… you get the best guys available at that pick.. and what tape have you watched or scout or expert has said Robiskie is overrated or is that just your expert opinion…

by Uncfan1 on Mar 24, 2009 9:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

WRs and such

In two years we’ve lost Bruce, Holt, Bennett and it’s likely Looker is finally gone too. The first two guys were pro-bowlers past their prime, the third guy was a complete bust and the last guy worked at it hard but never quite made it. There was also another guy named Kevin who now plays quite well in Philly. So, we really need a top notch WR and I’m pulling for Crabtree. The published medical reports indicated that his ankle and foot injuries were not significant. Warner was/is a masterful QB who won us our only Super Bowl, but even he had Bruce, Holt, Az-Hakim and Rickey Proehl to throw to.

by edpjr on Mar 24, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a philosophical thing, maybe.

If I can play devil’s advocate, your line of thinking sounds like: “The NFL is a passing league, you have to pass in order to win, ergo you need a legit #1 receiver. The Rams don’t have one, Crabtree looks like one.”

My line of thinking is: “The Rams have holes all over the field, none bigger than the sinkhole in the middle. Just like in baseball, you have to build for success from the inside out. Spending the #2 pick on Crabtree would be like buying $10,000 rims for a $500 car that doesn’t run.”

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Mar 24, 2009 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok so under your scenario we take Crabtree… so its Crabtree, Avery, Burton and who? to compare that group to the glory years is crazy but I will go with ya.. then what do we do about LB and T… explain further and you might sway me a little but I still think Curry is the way to go… who is there in the 2nd or 3rd better than Curry? when I think the margin between those available and Curry is wide.. but the margin between Crabtree and the other WR available in the 2nd is a little closer.. but if you can give me a good arguement and players that you want to take later then by all means fill me in…

I think 8-8 by any means will be a miracle… Arizona is going to be good again and I think Seattle has improved if Hasselback is healthy along with their additions and well the 49’ers are the 49’ers… The NFC east is still going to be very good, then the Panthers, Falcons, Saints, Vikings, Packers, Bears, improved Lions team, it will be tough for us to make a huge improvement.. I see 6-10 this year… 8-8 by year 2 and hopefully 10-11 wins by year 3…. But who knows the Falcons and Dolphins had a quick turn around but I think ours will take a little longer and being smart in the draft and free agency is the way to go…. Get the best LB to me is the way to go to set the tone of the defense…

by Uncfan1 on Mar 24, 2009 11:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

More on WRs

I do tend to think pass first and run second. Our passing game and running/catching by Marshall Faulk got us to two Super Bowls. Ground Chuck never got us past the NFC Championship game. The Pats, Broncos, etc. have also won a few titles by passing. I just think we’ve got ourselves a $65 mil QB with no one to throw long to except 2nd year guys Avery and Burton. Maybe McMichael and Jax can catch a few screens or short ones across the middle. As far as the running game goes, we’ve got Jax and that’s it. That combo just doesn’t make for a very robust offense. We could end up averaging 14.5 ppg again – yecch! On “D”, Aaron Curry and Will Witherspoon might well be able to stop up the middle, which would be great. The backfield with Atogwe, Butler, and Bartell should be better too. But, in all honesty, who thinks our D-Line isn’t going to be a weak spot?? Our D allowed over 29 ppg last year. Even if Butler and Curry dramatically improve things down to 20 ppg allowed, our offense has still got to produce three TD’s or 2 TD’s and 2 FGs per game just to get us competitive. I just can’t figure out how it will happen without a new big spark on offense. One more thing (wishful thinking); what if we had Julius Peppers to anchor our D-Line?

by edpjr on Mar 25, 2009 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

edpjr...

He needs to play more saying they have no one to run with but SJ is wrong cause Darby can play we need to open holes thats really the problem

Touchdown St.Louis Rams Won the SuperBowl

by WaZuP cReAtOr on Mar 25, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well...

I’ll give the benefit of the doubt to Darby at RB. But do you think Pittman or Leonard really provide any depth?

by edpjr on Mar 25, 2009 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure

You know their names; that at least means they provide minimal depth if not more.

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Mar 26, 2009 1:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

why don’t you have anything ever intelligent to say on here…???? just sayin…

by Uncfan1 on Mar 27, 2009 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've noticed that too.

by edpjr on Mar 28, 2009 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s ok to disagree with someone but at least come back with a logical arguement and plead your case… Don’t say something like we can get our future QB next year and then not say who you think that is… Stuff that like drives me crazy.. If you know so much then enlighten the rest of us idiots but don’t be a jerk…

by Uncfan1 on Mar 28, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no, it don't

I also know the names of Les Josephson, Willie Ellison, Lawrence McCutcheon, John Capaletti, Jim Bertleson, Wendell Tyler and about every other Ram’s RB for four decades. Jax has missed around 8 games the last two seasons, how many of them did we win?? After Darby, we ain’t even competitive at RB.

by edpjr on Mar 26, 2009 11:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs