3 keys for LA Rams Saturday’s joint practice with Dallas Cowboys

Which offensive line configuration(s) are used?

The LA Rams may have stated that the team has set the projected starting offensive line, but this will truly be the first and perhaps only test for that configuration. You see, you can’t lie when the pads go on. Once full contact begins, you either have everything right, or you don’t. For the Rams, getting it all right across all five offensive linemen is the goal. Unfortunately, I’m not convinced that the team is there just yet.

I like offensive lineman Austin Corbett, and believe that he can be very effective on the offensive line wherever the LA Rams place him. So the question is not how well Austin Corbett plays. But as soon as the LA Rams moved Corbett to fill the offensive center position, they created a new void at the right guard position. That is the role filled by offensive lineman David Edwards in 2019. So the Rams could go with a configuration of Andrew Whitworth, Joseph Noteboom, Austin Corbett, David Edwards, Rob Havenstein. Could, but that takes Noteboom out of the role of backing up Whitworth.

Right now, the team is planning to run with Whitworth, Edwards, Corbett, Bobby Evans, and Havenstein.  Evans at right guard is where the questions arise. Does Evans make sense there? Would the Rams be better off with Noteboom in at left guard, and Edwards in at right guard? Would the team be better off with Corbett back at right guard, and a newly buffed-up stronger version of Brian Allen at the center position?

The offensive line is crucial for the 2021 season, so I am definitely quite interested to see who plays where, and how well they play when they are in there. The Rams now have a veteran quarterback under center and a slightly depleted backfield for the running game. That all means that there is a lot riding on how well the offensive line performs this season. Will this group deliver? Well, they may be running for the last time with veteran Andrew Whitworth. You can bet they will give it all they’ve got this year.