As time elapses, and it allows me to consider the vast improvement with this group, I've ignored proper recognition of what John Sullivan has done for the offensive line
In hindsight, what I heard wasn't very promising about Sully. He had a bad back, and been reduced to a backup role. Only played, or rather started a game in 2016. As fans would note he did well in that game, but that were trying to move on there. And there was the moment that Rams had eyes on Bill Center, Ryan Groy. Signed Groy, but the Bills matched.
It wasn't until April that the club signed Sully.
And, it sure wasn't hailed as the changing tide.
Getting Whitworth was massive, but as time has finally revealed to me, Sully's part in the wildly improved offensive line is very large.
And just to remind, Tim Barnes had some extraordinarily bad snaps in 2015.
Placing Sully into the line gathered lots of questions. Health at the top of the list. And if the Rams' McVay felt strongly that the guy was going to be a strong asset why the long wait to get him in?
Well, that question sort answered itself. Sully proved to the coaching staff, his colleagues, and me over the course of half season to be a quiet solution.
And that's kind of how you want your OL to be? No flags, no issues, no drama. Make the hole, don't allow free shots on the QB, don't draw attention.
Resilient, consistent, and no issues. All good
And perhaps Sully's presence, coupled with Whitworth's very methodic process to detail, is why the right wing has enjoyed such a resurgence in quality work.
I think their tone is right. It's only half way through. Lotta, lotta football to be played. Don't exaggerate the moment, and continue to do the dirty work, and get it right.
As of now, Sully is as large an improvement as any not named Whitworth with the group. He just does it so quietly it doesn't get much applause.
