How will the Rams o-line shape up for '09?
The Rams offensive line is in a state of flux, a good state of flux, but there are number of questions still to be settled. The signing of Jason Brown gives the Rams the meaty, tough pivot man that's been lacking for some time. That, combined with the near certain departure of long-time bulwark LT Orlando Pace, underscores a big change for the Rams line as it gets younger and prepared to pave wide open lanes through the near future. But what about the rest of the line? What will it look like for the 2009 season?
More likely than not, the Rams will take one of the premier offensive tackles in the 2009 Draft, probably either Virginia's Eugene Monroe or Baylor's Jason Smith. With that player on board, the '09 starters at C and both OT spots, Alex Barron on the right, are settled. That leaves a question mark over the guys in the middle next to Jason Brown, the guards.
There's a 99.9% chance that Jacob Bell will again be the Rams starter at left guard. Bell's play and loss of bulk left more than a few fans questioning the move, but getting some stability in the middle and a solid off-season of workouts and bulking up should put minds at ease over Bell's presence on the line. To the right of Jason Brown, the situation is still pretty fluid. The Rams tendered an offer to last year's starter, Richie Incgonito, but he didn't finish the season on a high note in terms of his attitude. However, it's not unreasonable to think that the new regime can't fix that.
How does John Greco fit into the equation? Getting some reps late last season, including a start over the attitudinally-incapacitated Incognito, Greco showed real promise, cementing the belief that he has what it takes to start in the NFL. I'd say there's probably going to be some real competition at camp between Greco and Incognito for the starting RG job.
Of course, teams could still make an offer to Incognito, figuring he's a young starter as good as any prospect they're likely to get in the third round. In that case, would the Rams make a move to retain him? They almost have to because of their need for depth. With reports that Romberg is looking elsewhere - Leckey's also a free agent - the Rams don't have a backup center. Incognito has value to the team because he can play that position, and almost would have to if the Rams are without Brown at all during the course of the season.
Behind the starters, the depth gets questionable. Obviously, one of the Greco/Incgonito combination gives the Rams depth in the middle, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Greco maybe taking practice snaps, just to bone up on the position. Versatile backup OL Adam Goldberg is a free agent, and a guy the Rams may have interest in keeping once they get things figured out with the first group of free agent starters, i.e. James Butler. There's also G Roy Schuening, who the organization liked, but felt needed some more refinement. He'll be one to keep an eye on come camp time. More than likely there will be other backup linemen available as the spring and summer drag on; there usually are. The Rams are better positioned for depth in the middle than at OT, where they'll have to consider Goldberg and additional backup help.
Then there's another kink in the equation. What if the team does not draft an OT with the second overall pick, opting instead to wait until the second round? In his Tuesday chat at STLToday.com, Jim Thomas mentioned the possibility of moving Barron to LT in that circumstance.
This is what makes the rebuilding process so entertaining. Stay tuned.
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Comments
As much as I am a fan of Incognito’s talent as a blocker, I don’t think he “earned” the RG starter hat outright. That was one of the two reasons I voted to let them battle it out in camp. The other? I want Spags and the new crew to feel make all the depth chart decisions from here on out. Outside of Bulger, SJ, Josh Brown & Donnie Jones, I figure the depth chart should be completely erased and penciled in during camp.
Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.
by 3k on Mar 6, 2009 11:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why does Bulger get a pass -
is it just because of that big contract?
by Toddius on Mar 6, 2009 1:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The contract plus past success
His recent struggles make a lot of people forget how good he was.
Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.
by 3k on Mar 6, 2009 5:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
hold on
I understand your point but I don’t think Long, Witherspoon, Carriker, Jason Brown, McMichael, Bartell, or Atogwe should worry too much about competition.
by MathB on Mar 6, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying they should worry
What I’m saying is that just because they started at a position under the last regime, they shouldn’t start there under this regime. Do I think they’ll all be there (except for Witherspoon) to start this year? Sure. But I want Spags to have total control – the kind of control Linehan had (and used when he had Fakhir Brown cut from the team instead of just benching him).
Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.
by 3k on Mar 6, 2009 6:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Guards
It seems like all we have is a lot of Guards.The reason Incgonito can’t play center is because he’s a hot head he needs to screw his head on strait and grow up.Grrr.I can also see Seterstrom coming back cheap he was a starter last 2 seasons and last years camp he was working out at center.He’s hade some bad luck.He would help with depth but still don’t have any depth at O/T Greco couldn’t even play left guard last year but he was just a rookie he gets a pass.
by Magyar on Mar 6, 2009 1:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Jason Smith, Jacob Bell, Jason Brown, Richie Incognito, Alex Barron
Is a hell of a line in my opinon. Also, what sticks out is that they are all very young still, so there is still a lot of room for improvement. I am a firm believer that given a line(look at the ATL game last year and the time he had) Bulger is a very good to elite QB. It makes a HUGE difference when a QB knows when he lines up under the center that he doesnt have under 2 seconds to get the ball off or else hes sacked or hit. Having that line(and needing to get a good FB) the Rams offense has the potential to put a lot of points up again.
Here is my only argument. I want Aaron Curry. Bad. Name the last time the Rams had a top of the line LB. When I say top of the line I mean a LB where RB’s go the other way because of them. Ray Lewis comes to mind. Now i’m not comparing them two, but Curry to me is a lock to be a ELITE linebacker in this league. I think he would bring a swagger to our defense that we’ve never had. I think that if we added another big DT, and added curry, our defense has the making to be VERY good.
Take your pick. To be honest, I will not disagree with either pick of Smith or Curry. I will disagree with anything else, well maybe if we somehow took Crabtree. But in all honesty, I want a great D more than anything here in STL. We’ve never had it, and I think Curry would be the start of something great.
by Jombari on Mar 6, 2009 9:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Crabtree or Defense
We’re a lonnnggg way from a great defense in STL. So far Carriker has showed little success. Chris Long @ 260 lbs needs to be re-groomed as a LB. Otherwise, he’ll get tossed around by opposing 330 lb O-Linemen. Little and Glover are too old. Fakhir should’ve stayed cut. Tye Hill is perennially injured. We’ve basically got Otogwe, Bartell and Witherspoon to anchor the D. Everyone else is suspect. The offense, on the other hand, has some credible players; Jackson, Brown, Avery, Burton, McMichael and some may count Bulger too. We know Holt is gone and Pace is too old and wounded. Our remaining O-lineman may rise to mediocre. So, the smart choice is to get Crabtree and have three good WR’s. Then pick up some O-linemen and defenders in rounds 2-7.
by edpjr on Mar 7, 2009 1:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
no thanks on the crabs
crabtree r u 4 real, please dude,Curry,O/T,r bust.I think wide receivers r deep this year some of the corners n the NFL r hurt in because a lot of these kids can straight up fly,there’s a hand full that r bigger and faster then the crabtree kid.Did anyone c the receivers dominate the 40 at the combine?NASTY
by Magyar on Mar 7, 2009 9:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
We need to go ot
We get smith then a big wr ,we are gonna be a running team who will spread the offense .
the west is ours
by jaram on Mar 7, 2009 2:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
A running team?
A running team with ONE RB that misses about 1/4th of the season on average due to injuries? We already gave Bulger a $65 mil lifetime contract for something. He needs somebody to throw to and some TE’s and RB’s that can pass block too. The Rams MUST be two-dimensional on offense to compete – run and pass. Holt is over the hill and on the way out, so is Pace. Without getting Crabtree, who besides Avery and Burton is gonna catch passes? Looker? Klop? There’ll be O-Linemen available in rounds 2-7. But you only get one shot at Crabtree. How’d you like him playing in Seattle with Housh and us getting bombed by Hasselbeck and company two times in 2009?
by edpjr on Mar 8, 2009 12:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Good Point Ed
about Seatlle………..and they will take Crabs at #4 or wherever they pick
by JordansDad on Mar 9, 2009 3:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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