LA Rams veterans sing praises for new additions to OL
By Bret Stuter
The LA Rams offensive line is still a work in process, but the team is confident that the roster has more than enough depth and talent to effectively compete in the 2022 NFL season. That’s a pretty tall order for second-year offensive line coach, Kevin Carberry. Of course, there were not many new faces to the squad after the 2021 NFL Draft.
One addition to the offensive line, undrafted rookie tackle A.J. Jackson, had an incredibly impressive training camp and carried that over to a surprise spot start at left tackle, and he did very well in the role. That should translate into his slotting in as the projected backup offensive left tackle.
In terms of the Rams’ starting left tackle role, that is expected to fall upon returning lineman Joseph “Joe” Noteboom. Noteboom has had plenty of experience in the role, starting seven games at the left tackle role in 2020. He also appeared at left tackle once in 2021 as well. So how does veteran starter Rob Havenstein see Noteboom panning out as a starter?
Haventstein covered his impressions and work with the team’s younger projected starters, and he is already displaying his turn at taking on the mantle former owned by veteran Andrew Whitworth.
Okay, so Noteboom is impressing his veteran teammate Rob Havenstein. But what of rookie Logan Bruss, a player projected to slide in from his tackle role to compete for a starting right guard role on the team this year?
The LA Rams know that the offensive line is both a strength and an area of concern this season. How can that be? Well, the offensive line was a solid and cohesive unit in 2021, protected veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford quite well, and played relatively healthy all season. The concern comes in the form of the offensive line struggling to open running lanes for the running backs, and the horrific yards per rush that the Rams offense generated in 2021.
And so, a new chapter unfolds. Two-fifths, or 40 percent, of this year’s offensive line, is new for the Rams. And so, we hope for the best in 2022.