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RamsFanSinceLA
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RamsFanSinceLA
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RamsFanSinceLA
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zn
Show me any sort of evidence that indicates Hav has the talent of a top OT.
Show me any sort of evidence that indicates Hav DOESN'T have the talent of a top OT.
The guy is playing extremely well. The only true test in my mind is if he was playing on an OL NOT coached by Kromer. But for me, he is getting the job done on the field very effectively. Whether he gets another contract after this one is yet to be seen but I have no problems with him getting paid like he is now. He's earning it.
Every single scouting report on him from before he was drafted till now.
That's why when he was drafted in the 2nd round, many argued that he was overdrafted and that the 2nd round was too high for him.
This is typical of how his (purely) physical skills are described. I edited out everything that is a matter of technique, experience, and coaching. Just a couple of examples, 2 from before the draft and one from last year. The point is, while he is solid, and absolutely has the right mindset, his weaknesses set a fairly low ceiling. That just means he is not a big cut above other tackles and finding someone like him and as least as good as he is would not be a big challenge.
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WEAKNESSES Stiffness in knees causes him to come out of stance way too tall. ...Initial lateral quickness not good enough to count on him with back-side cut-offs. Unathletic build...Some scouts worry about stiffness becoming an even greater problem after first few years in the league.
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Less than ideal athleticism
Lacks lateral agility
Does not get into space well
Often needs help when facing speed rushers
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Havenstein is not blessed with outstanding physical traits or athleticism, but he understands the nuances of pass protection and always seems to be in position to strike and anchor against most pass-rushers. However, he did struggle with speed off the edge at times. Havenstein was solid as a run-blocker, quickly engaging to control defenders and using his size and power to strain the block.
What are the results on the field?
The End.
The results on the field is another in a long line of replaceable Kromer ROTs playing well.
The issue is what are the effects on the cap.
If by 2021, when they sign Goff, they can afford at best 8-9 top contract guys, is Hav one of them? Remember there's already at least 5 to account for---Goff, Donald, Cooks, Peters, Gurley. Beyond that they will get at most 3-4. Do you include among those 3 or 4 top contract guys a guy who plays one of the most easily replaced positions in the league? Bearing in mind that they have an OL coach who has always gotten a lot out of ROTs who would otherwise just be considered solid---so odds are very good he can do it again.
The odds aren't quite as good for the other positions, one of which will be lost to the Rams because Hav got one of their few big contracts.
They will have to find someone no matter what .That's just how the cap works. The question is only which position. If Kromer can coach em and it's easier to find em (and both things are true) then to me logic says, you replace the ROT, not some other position.
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Your points on the cap are good and I agree with them. What I don't agree with is how simple and easy it would be to replace Hav. We will just have to agree to disagree on that point.
Good post. But to clarify, no one said "how simple and easy" it would be to replace ROT. It IS however relatively easier. That's just true.
It goes like this.
If you keep Hav you lose someone else. Keeping Hav may assure you don't have to look for another ROT, but keeping Hav ALSO means you WILL have to look for some other position. There's just no way around that.
And so part of the calculation is this. It is just true that it is relatively easier to replace a right OT than many of the other positions in question than what value do you put on locking in your ROT. .
So to me it matters that it (actually and genuinely really) is relatively easier to find solid ROTs. And there's a good reason for it. Every single college OT capable of playing in the pros can play on the right side. That's a large pool to draw from. Only a handful can play on the left. There's just more bodies that can play on the right. Meanwhile Kromer has a long record. No ROT has every played poorly for him--they have all been solid. That includes guys who did nothing before him and were not as effective after they no longer played for him.
