Sky is not falling on LA Rams offense in 2020

Set the record straight, again

Amidst the LA Rams chaos of 2019’s fall from 13-3 to 9-7, the offensive line lost all starters but left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Immediately following the season, both Whitworth and Austin Blythe had clean-up surgery, suggesting that they were playing injured for some part through the end of last season.  And the Rams’ passing offense was fourth-best in the NFL.

Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks attracted 72 passes and recorded just 583 yards (8.1 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns. He caught just 42 of those passes, good for just a 58.3 percent accuracy when thrown his way.  All that and the Rams passing offense was still fourth-best in the NFL.

The story should follow facts

So when PFF writer Ben Linsey cites the following for his precipitous drop in the ranking by the Rams:

"“The Rams will have to replace Brandin Cooks with either Van Jefferson or Josh Reynolds… Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp is still a pretty nice combination …, and both Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee can pose a threat as receivers from the tight end position. … The big question for the Rams on offense is how well their offensive line can hold up for Jared Goff to get the ball out to those weapons.” – Ben Linsey of PFF"

The narrative doesn’t fit the ranking, period. If the poor offensive line play in 2019 was good enough for a fourth-place ranking, how can that same factor be used to justify dropping the Rams to 15th?