Sando: Rams Camp Battle Update: Left Guard

[r8rh8rmike]

Rams camp battle update: Left guard

By Mike Sando | ESPN.com
aug 13, 2012

Revisiting the St. Louis Rams training camp battle we previewed back in early July:

Left guard: Rokevious Watkins versus Bryan Mattison was the projected camp battle. It hasn't materialized.

My take then: "Watkins is a rookie fifth-round choice with college experience at both guard and both tackle spots. He's listed at 338 pounds and has weighed considerably more, but the scouting reports question his strength. Mattison started four games for the Rams last season after two seasons in Baltimore as a backup. I've wondered whether Quinn Ojinnaka might project as the starter here, but he's more apt to play tackle. Barry Richardson could be a consideration, as well."

The update: Ojinnaka has gotten the first-team snaps to this point. Watkins reported to camp out of shape. His chances should improve over time.

Richardson has been working with the first team at right tackle, ahead of Jason Smith. Richardson also played left tackle against Indianapolis in the preseason opener. Mattison practiced with the first team at left guard only when the Rams needed Ojinnaka to fill in for Rodger Saffold at left tackle.

Against the Colts, Mattison made a couple good blocks for Isaiah Pead in the second quarter. Ojinnaka appeared more comfortable in pass protection than as a run-blocker. The job appears to be Ojinnaka's to lose, but the team will want more of a mauler in the position long term. Developing Watkins has to be a priority even if Ojinnaka is better suited to start right away.

Kevin Hughes, an undrafted free agent in 2011, played left guard late in the game. He gave up a couple quarterback pressures under difficult circumstances as the Rams were well behind at that point.

This could be a position for the Rams to address in the 2013 draft.

[BrokenWing]

Yes, along with RT, LT, Right Guard and possibly center. Other than that our offensive line is *awesome.*

[tomahawk247]

Yes, along with RT, LT, Right Guard and possibly center. Other than that our offensive line is *awesome.*

So you wanna replace Harvey Dahl?

[BrokenWing]

Oh oops, no not really.

[MrLegend28]

and all pro Scott Wells?

[BrokenWing]

I'm not sold on someone who has yet to actually play for us yet and I'm not convinced he won't have an injury problem. If he proves injury free once he starts playing, then we should be good at center, but I'd still draft one at some point anyway for actual depth instead of "oh yeah this guy can play center too."

[RockinRam]

This is the line I see that would perform for us the best this year.

LT: Saffold
LG: Smith
C: Wells
RG: Watkins
RT: Dahl

[sosa39rams]

This is the line I see that would perform for us the best this year.

LT: Saffold
LG: Smith
C: Wells
RG: Watkins
RT: Dahl

This is definitely interesting. Better to have a weak link at RG rather than a RT. Then again, you may argue that a good RG is more important than a good RT (look at the Saints, Zac Streif at RT? He shouldn't be aloud to see the field, but Brees had all pro OG's and could climb the pocket effectively).

[RockinRam]

This is definitely interesting. Better to have a weak link at RG rather than a RT. Then again, you may argue that a good RG is more important than a good RT (look at the Saints, Zac Streif at RT? He shouldn't be aloud to see the field, but Brees had all pro OG's and could climb the pocket effectively).

I think with time Watkins can be a solid RG. He showed some good run-blocking in the Colts game, he just needs to get more in shape.

If he isn't ready to go, plug Robert Turner in there. Turner has been very underrated so far.