LA Rams: Brian Allen is suddenly the starting center

Brian Allen is the new starting center for the LA Rams offensive line.

Yes, the pads went on. Let me clarify, the pads were donned by the players of the LA Rams offensive and defensive fronts, and suddenly all that we knew about the starting offensive line is something that we never really knew. In tee shirts, shorts, and sneakers, offensive linemen all look big enough. When the offensive plays amount to choreographed steps in the dirt ala a one-two-three-push one-two-three-base one-two-three-pivot, it’s like cooking out of a recipe book.

But put the pads on, and it’s football. There are no more casual handshakes, pirouettes, and walk-through. Now it’s gnashing of teeth, sweat dripping into the eyes, wide-based pushing forward with all-your-might as your opponent pushes back with all-his-might. it’s the first taste of football. The first course. But it’s not really football, not yet.

But it is enough for the LA Rams to go back to the whiteboard. It was enough for the Rams to rethink the strategy of pulling out right guard Austin Corbett to fill a void at center. It was enough to get center Brian Allen a shot at reclaiming his 2019 starting role.

Suddenly, back to square one.

Forget what you know. It’s an entirely new football roster depth chart for the LA Rams now. Now that the pads are on, offensive linemen must execute blocks, rip out of their three-point stance with power and speed, and the closer to the football you go, the more chaotic it becomes for an offensive lineman.