A few days ago, Los Angeles Rams’ starting left tackle Greg Robinson said "it hasn’t been all so pretty" when asked about the play of the offensive line in the early stages of the team’s OTA’s.
And whether it was Greg’s inability to effectively utilize Fisher-speak, or simply being brutally honest, it really doesn’t matter. As he stated, they’ve got until September to work out any kinks.
Rams’ insider Dani Klupenger sat down with center Tim Barnes after practice on Tuesday. Barnes, who does Fisher-speak well, reiterated a point G-Rob made just a few days prior: they just need the offensive line to stay healthy.
Both Barnes and Robinson have been a full go this offseason. What about the rest of the Rams’ starting front five?
Now, it’ just continuing to get guys healthy. Rob (Havenstein) hasn’t been out there. Jamon (Brown) has been limited. And now Rodger (Saffold), he’s a little beat up a little bit.
A little beat up? Oh...
Saffold has played only two full seasons in his six year career. He successfully played in all 16 games his rookie year (2010), before missing seven games in 2011, because of a pectoral injury he suffered while lifting weights. The following season, Saffold missed six games due to an MCL sprain sustained against the Redskins. Two plays into the very first preseason game of the 2013 season, Saffold dislocated his shoulder, causing him to miss four games. In 2014, he was once again able to remain healthy and play the full slate. And last year, 2015, after having his left shoulder surgically repaired in the offseason, the Rams placed Saffold on IR because of a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
Maybe this isn’t news. And, given his injury history, it should probably come as no surprise. But, having been out since early October of 2015, “a little beat up" is not how I expected to hear Saffold described as the team runs unpadded drills the following June.
Here’s to hoping Garrett Reynolds is having a productive offseason.