5 reasons LA Rams offensive line goes from rags to riches

The balance disturbed

But neither Allen or Noteboom seemed to be ready.  Or perhaps it was sending two new players side by side to start in the NFL which resonated confusion, overthinking and poorer decision making.  In any case, the Rams won their first three games, but they were not winning in LA Rams style.  In Todd Gurley‘s first three games, he rushed for 97 yards, 63 yards, and 43 yards respectively.

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Finally, the Rams faced a dreadful trap game in the 1-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home.  While Todd Gurley led the Rams with just 16 rushing yards, quarterback Jared Goff torched the Bucs for 517 yards in the air. Until that game, the Rams had sustained a rather balanced offensive attack. But in this game, the Rams rushed 11 times and passed 68 times.  Balance, schmalance.  On that day, in that game, the Rams forgot their identity.

And then, injuries began to happen. Allen’s and Noteboom’s seasons ended early, forcing the Rams to promote Evans and Edwards to starting roles.  Blythe was injured temporarily, forcing the Rams to trade with the Cleveland Browns for offensive guard Austin Corbett. When Blythe returned, he took over at center allowing Corbett to slide in at his more natural guard position. Havenstein fell to injury, which prompted the Rams to sign C Coleman Shelton from the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.