LA Rams newest offensive lineman Max Pircher is not just a camp body

Not as bad as you might think

Just to be clear, players on the offensive line do not score points, help make catches, handle the football, nor throw accurate and timely passes.  The Rams offensive line in any given year contributes to rushing yards, the number of quarterback sacks, and yards gained. The 2020 LA Rams offensive line allowed the sixth-fewest number of quarterback sacks in the NFL.

Los Angeles Rams

The same Rams offensive line even moved defenses well enough to get the tenth-most rushing yards in the NFL, without a single rushing putting up 700+ rushing yards. Let’s be realistic. The LA Rams rushing trio of Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson, and Malcolm Brown was simply not very intimidating to NFL defenses.

Finally, the same offensive line allowed the Rams to gain the 11th most offensive yards in the NFL and the 11th most rushing touchdowns. The top offensive line in the NFL? Perhaps not. But the LA Rams put their financial backing into other positions.

Even the Rams roster has been less challenged than you might think initially. While the Rams have indeed lost a starting offensive center to free agency, the team welcomes back a young offensive lineman who the team has been high on for several years.  Austin Blythe, out. Chandler Brewer, in. Did the talent level drop significantly in the process? In the eyes of the coaching staff and personnel department? Perhaps not as much as in the eyes of fans.