Do you love or hate Alaric Jackson’s 2 Rams OL scenarios for 2023?

Alaric Jackson’s two scenarios

I love Alaric Jackson’s creation of two scenarios. Before we get to his scenarios, keep in mind that there are two limits to his scenarios as they were laid out. First of all, Alaric Jackson missed the return of rookie (soon-to-be second-year) offensive lineman Logan Bruss. That was not an intended sleight, but rather was born out of the fact that the guy had competed with the same group of guys for four months time, and Logan Bruss was not among them due to a preseason injury.

The second discussion point is Alaric Jackson’s use of pending veteran free agents in forming his two offensive line scenarios. I don’t believe that he is passionately lobbying for their return, but it’s clear from the discussion that he values both their competitiveness and veteran leadership. Coming from a current player, those are huge endorsements of themselves. So what insight does he offer in these scenarios?

Scenario I:

Starters (left to right): Joseph Noteboom, Alaric Jackson, Brian Allen, Tremayne Anchrum, Rob Havenstein
Backups: Coleman Shelton, Ty Nsekhe*, Chandler Brewer, and Matt Skura* with Oday Aboushi*, AJ Arcuri, and Max Pircher
* expiring contracts mean re-signing these veteran free agents

I’m less in favor of this scenario, but I would not rule it out of the LA Rams’ options.

The biggest problem that I have with this version is simply slotting in Joseph Noteboom in as the LA Rams left tackle once more. Hey, I’m not here to splash any gasoline on what will likely be a hot discussion throughout the offseason, but I cannot for the life of me wipe my mind from the slaughter of the 2022 season opener, a game in which quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked seven times, and if my memory serves me correctly, three of those sacks came from his blind side.

I’m not a Joseph Noteboom hater. I’m simply of the opinion that he, like an NBA sixth-man, is far more effective of a player coming off the bench and slotting into any one of four offensive line positions in the event of an injury until a more permanent solution is readily available.