Rams Plan To Start Two Rookies On Offensive Line

The NFL offseason is in the home stretch with training camp set to kickoff at the end of July. As the roster stands right now, two of the Rams’ projected starters on the offensive line are rookies. Insert Robert Havenstein and Jamon Brown.

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Havenstein is the projected RT for the St. Louis Rams while Brown is the projected LG. No team ever wants to start a rookie at tackle for numerous reasons. For one, this is the best chance that a player has at sacking your quarterback. And another huge reason being the speed difference.

NFL speed verses college speed are polar opposites. It usually takes a rookie tackle a year or two in order to adjust to NFL speed. Havenstein has two things going for him. He has great length and gave up hardly any sacks in college. But playing at Wisconsin, how many good defensive ends did he line up against?

Havenstein’s main attribute is his run-blocking ability. And that will be greatly needed heading into 2015. The Rams will make their presence known in the run game. And Havenstein will be an intricate part of that success. But, when it comes time to throw the ball, Havenstein will likely struggle against the top pass rushers in the NFL. We as Rams’ fans will have to live with it and hope he progresses as the season moves along.

Top pass rushers that the Rams will see in 2015 include:

Elvis Dumervil,  BAL –   17 sacks

Ryan Kerrigan, WSH    –  13.5 sacks

Everson Griffen,  MIN – 12 sacks

Clay Matthews,   GB     –  11 sacks

Brown is a pick I really liked for the Rams. Brown is penciled in as the new LG while the second string is rookie teammate Cody Wichmann. This looks a little troublesome. Not only would you rather have an experienced guard as your starter, but to have your backup a rookie as well, sets up for an interesting season. Brown has great size and strength. And while Brown will likely beat out Wichmann for the starting spot, how Brown will stand up to 300 pound defensive tackles and linebackers remains to be seen. Brown also excels in run blocking. So, we can expect the Rams to run the ball 60 percent of the time with this current offensive line.

Joe Barksdale still remains a free agent and is still being pursued by the St. Louis Rams. With the Falcons signing another tackle in recent days, many believe Barksdale is no longer considered to be a high priority for the Falcons. This gives the Rams a great chance in bringing him back to St. Louis.

It will be very fun to watch these young guys go through the ups-and-downs of an NFL season. Gotta love it!