LA Rams OL coach Kevin Carberry proves adept Kromer successor

Early miscues

While the arrival of a new offensive line coach carried the warmth of hope and optimism, the reality of the matter was simply that the guy showed up without years of working with a very veteran offensive line. This was a unit that had worked together since at least 2019, and if there was any hope for instant changes to the roster, they were quickly dashed during the 2021 NFL Draft.

Perhaps the greatest heartbreak for the LA Rams fans occurred with the 57th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. With the LA Rams losing veteran center Austin Blythe to the Kansas City Chiefs, the team was expected to draft an offensive center.

While centers have not been a high priority for the organization in the past, this year’s draft class boasted three prospects with solid grades and the expectation that at least one would fall to the Rams at 57: Alabama’s Landon Dickerson, Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Quinn Meinerz, and Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey.

Tutu who?

When the LA Rams made a selection at 57, the Rams had an option to choose either Quinn Meinerz or Creed Humphrey. Instead, the Rams chose a rather small wide receiver Tutu Atwell. Not only was the decision not to choose an offensive lineman very frustrating for LA Rams fans, but the choice to add another wide receiver to a rather deep group was incredibly puzzling.

In retrospect, it could very likely be that Carberry was less interested in adding new talent via the draft than assessing the talent already on the roster. And it was clear from the early depth chart that Carberry was subject to making a mistake or two.

The first offensive line configuration was Austin Corbett at the center and Bobby Evans at right guard. But when the pads went on, the team quickly backtracked and reinserted former starter Brian Allen at the center and restored Austin Corbett to the right guard.

The LA Rams may not have gotten it right with their first pass at configuring the 2021 starting offensive line, but the team has certainly been showing up large in crucial situations. And for the simple fact that Carberry has worked his magic so far with players that he has inherited, and not chosen, is a pretty solid way to earn a solid reputation. So what has Carberry done? Let’s do a quick walkthrough…