Offensive Linemen Next Year

[Dr. Defense]

So with yesterdays events (Richie leaving town, Bell to IR) coupled with our tackle issues, I think we aren't in that great of a position going into this draft anymore. I think we are in a lot of trouble right now. As it stands, the only real solidified position on this line is Center. Here is who we have right now from linemen other then Jason Brown. Alex Barron, Adam Goldberg, Mark Setterstrom, John Greco, Jason Bell, Ryan McKee, Eric Young, Phil Trautwein, Rodger Allen III, Jason Smith.

That doesn't look like a good list to me. I have never heard of McKee, Young, Trautwein, Allen III. We don't know what's going on with Smith. He can't get over this concussion and their are reports saying that the Rams are going to put him on IR. Barron is in the last year of his contract, which should excite us. But with all the holes on this team, we might have to keep him. I could see us franchising him for a year to buy some time. Then you have Goldberg who is a journeyman of sorts and doesn't really do one position great, but does everything well. I think he is more of a backup kind of guy. We haven't really seen a lot from Greco. Bell had been to small, and now he lands himself on IR. Hasn't lived up to his contract. Finally we have Mark Setterstrom, who plays well above expectations when he is healthy, but has an injury issue.

The way I see it, their is a good chance we might see a lot of new faces on this line next year. Really wouldn't suprise me if Round 1 we went Suh, Round 2 we went Qb, Round 3 we went with a nice big offensive guard, some names to throw out Mike Johnson, Brandon Carter, John Jerry.

We all know that Spags is a firm believer in winning the wars in the trenches, so why not get some big boys to win those fights. Hopefully with we can Richie Icognito Version 2.0. Except 2.0 has the stupidity chip removed.

[RamsGuy]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

Just because they are shutting Jason Smith and Jacob Bell down doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Just gives them more time to recover and come back at full strength next year. Jacob Bell, in my opinion, was improving this year. Jason Smith will do fine next season with a year under his belt.

Alex Barron we should be able to re-sign cheap. I think the organization and Barron know he won't bring in much interest in the off-season. That is just my opinion, though. We might not want to bring him back, but with all the other needs, we might have to.

In the mean time, I would really just focus on giving Setterstorm and Greco playing time. I'd see if anyone can fill the vacancy left by Incognito. I believe one of the two can.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

I'm not that worried about the O line.

The Rams have their LT (Smith, who I think will be a very good player), C (Brown) and one OG (Bell) in place. The other OG spot is ready to be claimed by Greco or Setterstrom, and I think either has the potential to be a more than capable starter.

The one real hole is RT, which I believe will be open when Barron is not resigned and Smith is moved to LT. The Rams can fill that spot in the 3rd-5th round.

[RamsGuy]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

I'm not that worried about the O line.

The Rams have their LT (Smith, who I think will be a very good player), C (Brown) and one OG (Bell) in place. The other OG spot is ready to be claimed by Greco or Setterstrom, and I think either has the potential to be a more than capable starter.

The one real hole is RT, which I believe will be open when Barron is not resigned and Smith is moved to LT. The Rams can fill that spot in the 3rd-5th round.

You think it's possible to move Greco out at tackle? He's a versatile lineman.

[RockinRam]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

I like Brandon Carter and John Jerry as possible picks for our RG spot.

Incognito was a big guy, who could push defenders back while run blocking. IMO, we need to replace him with a similar guy, but who is smarter.

That guy could be Brandon Carter or John Jerry.

However, I would love to have Mike Iupati as our future RG. The guy is a monster at 6-5 330lbs, and he crushes people. He's also a huge upgrade in the pass protection department over Incognito.

Brandon Carter is the biggest guy in the draft at 6-8, 370lbs, he can pick up most defensive linemen with two fingers.

[Dr. Defense]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

However, I would love to have Mike Iupati as our future RG. The guy is a monster at 6-5 330lbs, and he crushes people. He's also a huge upgrade in the pass protection department over Incognito.

I would like to have him too, but the problem is drafting him. The number 1 or 2 slot is much too high for him. He is projected to go 1st-2nd round. That means that even if he does last till the second we would have to pick him then. That would mean we wouldn't pick a quarterback till round 3, which I don't believe is a smart decision. But in reality, I think he'll be gone before the end of the first. No way a power team like Pitts or Baltimore lets him slide past.

As for Bell, I just don't like what he brings to this team. Spags is trying to make us a power running team, straight north and south. Bell has been a smaller lineman for the majority of his career. He adds weight this year and gets placed on IR. Are these two facts related or is it just chance? I'm not sure. However I do believe that Bell is more of a zone blocker then a power blocker.

Also I thought that Setterstrom was a FA after this year, and that their might be some hesitation from the organization to re-sign a guy that has had injury issues.

[dave626]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

Well it doesnt much matter who the starters are. In Ramtown ALL the OL guys play cuz of our consistent injury bug. (Suh then Spoon)

[A-Web]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

Either way, we have issues. The last of which is Smith potentially going to the IR. That would actually be the best move for this team at the moment. There is not much to salvage this season, and I am content to ONCE AGAIN be the 2nd pick in the draft. But if this isn't the last time, I might lose it.

We are |o|o|o|o|X||X|. That is our offensive line thus far. The only concern I have is one tackle, and a new TE. Needing one (Right tackle) is not the end of the world, and can be addressed as late as the 5th-6th round, if not by filler already on the team. The problem, is getting the group to actually work together and play football. Aside from that, the defensive line could use an additional tackle (hmm...tough choice there...) and we also need another DE because Little is only going to have so much left in the tank after this season. After that, we have some holes in the OLB position, and our secondary is going to be falling apart if it doesn't get reinforced.

Does anybody REALLY believe that we will have Atogwe next year? We cannot tag him again, or he will be one of the 5 highest paid players in the ENTIRE LEAGUE. Not just as a safety. Literally, the entire league. So, unless we can work out a different contract (which I don't see happening), he is out of here.

We get destroyed by the pass. Whether that means we need a better rush, or we need a better secondary, it needs addressed. And the ability to score touchdowns is another MUST. How many games this year have we been unable to even find the endzone a single time? How many times have we lost by less than 7 points, and sometimes, the opposing team doesn't even need to score a single touchdown to beat us.

These are problems. I have no issues with special teams at all on this team. I would like to see a more qualified return man than Danny out there, but he has been serviceable at least.

[rayzorram]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

Just because they are shutting Jason Smith and Jacob Bell down doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Just gives them more time to recover and come back at full strength next year. Jacob Bell, in my opinion, was improving this year. Jason Smith will do fine next season with a year under his belt.

Alex Barron we should be able to re-sign cheap. I think the organization and Barron know he won't bring in much interest in the off-season. That is just my opinion, though. We might not want to bring him back, but with all the other needs, we might have to.

In the mean time, I would really just focus on giving Setterstorm and Greco playing time. I'd see if anyone can fill the vacancy left by Incognito. I believe one of the two can.

Your statement that Jason Smith will do fine next season with a year under his belt.
has me puzzled because I believe apart from pre season he was in 8 games this year with 5 splits. Fortunately the experience he got in playing full games were against Minnesota, Indy and the Jags. I hope your'e right that this was enough playing time to significantly help us barring further injuriess.

[RebelYell]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

Why is it that if a players gains any weight, he's instantly injury prone in the eyes of Rams fans? If he loses weight he's worthless but if he gains weight he's worthless. While Bell hasn't lived up to expectations, that was more because expectations were high because of the contract size. He's played well.

I'm with Av on this one. The offensive line needs one player and that's RT and he could honestly be on the roster in Greco, Goldberg or Trautwein. I wouldn't rule that out at all. If you draft a guy later, he is added to the mix just as well. Last year, several very solid OTs were taken in the 4th round and later. Give them a year to develop as the Rams did with Smith and it could all be good.

Offensive line is one of the lessor areas of concern at this point. The key for having a solid offensive line over the long haul is to routinely bring in talent, let them develop and if they fail, you replace them with your string of talent or get a free agent. The Rams have 3 very young, very good prospects in Greco, Setterstrom and Allen to go forward with. Just saying right now, in 2011, don't be shocked in Allen is a starter on the left side.

[RockinRam]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

Why is it that if a players gains any weight, he's instantly injury prone in the eyes of Rams fans? If he loses weight he's worthless but if he gains weight he's worthless. While Bell hasn't lived up to expectations, that was more because expectations were high because of the contract size. He's played well.

I'm with Av on this one. The offensive line needs one player and that's RT and he could honestly be on the roster in Greco, Goldberg or Trautwein. I wouldn't rule that out at all. If you draft a guy later, he is added to the mix just as well. Last year, several very solid OTs were taken in the 4th round and later. Give them a year to develop as the Rams did with Smith and it could all be good.

Offensive line is one of the lessor areas of concern at this point. The key for having a solid offensive line over the long haul is to routinely bring in talent, let them develop and if they fail, you replace them with your string of talent or get a free agent. The Rams have 3 very young, very good prospects in Greco, Setterstrom and Allen to go forward with. Just saying right now, in 2011, don't be shocked in Allen is a starter on the left side.

Idk how people think that Roger Allen and Setterstrom are good prospects?

Roger Allen is an undrafted free agent. There's a reason he's been inactive this whole season.


Meanwhile, with Setterstrom, he is decent when healthy, which is not the majority of the time.

[Mooselini]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

I think the line is fine. We have the left side of the line from center figured out. Just need to plug in players on the right side. We can assume Greco will take duties at RG, but RT I really am not worried about.

Just need to stay healthy is all...I think Barron will be gone next year.

[RebelYell]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

Idk how people think that Roger Allen and Setterstrom are good prospects?

Roger Allen is an undrafted free agent. There's a reason he's been inactive this whole season.


Meanwhile, with Setterstrom, he is decent when healthy, which is not the majority of the time.

Where a player is drafted is the basis for his prospects as an NFL player? If that's the case, why don't we just cut all our 6th and 7th round players because they are worthless.

Maybe you don't realize this but Jeff Saturday was undrafted. The Rams have had many rookie free agents that contributed over the years. Warner, London Fletcher, Ron Carpenter, Tom Nutten, Damarco Farr, Tony Horne, James Hodgins. Odd isn't it that those are all guys who were on Superbowl teams.

[sturgess77]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

Nope rebel, RockinRam is right, no one has ever been good if they go undrafted or even out of the like 4th round...I mean jeese have you ever even seen a foosball game...:p

[RockinRam]

Re: Offensive Linemen Next Year

Where a player is drafted is the basis for his prospects as an NFL player? If that's the case, why don't we just cut all our 6th and 7th round players because they are worthless.

Maybe you don't realize this but Jeff Saturday was undrafted. The Rams have had many rookie free agents that contributed over the years. Warner, London Fletcher, Ron Carpenter, Tom Nutten, Damarco Farr, Tony Horne, James Hodgins. Odd isn't it that those are all guys who were on Superbowl teams.

Okay, so Roger Allen III is the next Alan Faneca eh?

There is a reason why the guy was undrafted, and there is a reason why the guy has been inactive this whole season.

Giving out names of players that were undrafted that are successful doesn't really mean anything. Everyone is different.


I'm not saying the guy has no chance in hell of being a good player. But, calling him a GOOD prospect? Way too early, no real justification, no proof, we haven't even SEEN him play.



The way you're talking, how about we just trade all our top picks for 8 7th round picks? Since EVERYONE in the draft are good prospects...