Re: Make no mistake....

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JamesJM
I think you bring up a VERY good point and I'm certainly not so adamantly restricted to what I happen to 'think' is the case regarding preparation that I discount contrary views. Hell, I've got a great example right at hand:

Two weeks ago our HS played it's first game. We knew the OL was suspect.... make that HIGHLY suspect.. and that turned out to be precisely correct. Protection, line blocking, was non-existent. Thus... and I believe it's the first time I've seen this in my life.... the second week of practice the #1 spot for every OL position was put up for grabs. Out of 5 starters 3 were replaced....

2nd game - the improvement was dramatic. Not good... I'm not going to get carried away here, , but night and day improved.

Yes, I'm open to the possibility that I'm wrong. - JamesJM

We should all be open to the possibility that we are wrong.

Given that here's what I would be surprised by, if it happens. That a veteran top OL coach like Kromer doesn't know how to upgrade a line with young talent.

That line has 2 veteran tackles and a guard in his 4th year. The new 2nd year starters have looked good so far.

It ought to be better than the line was at the end of the year last year, when Sullivan was a clear liability who got picked on.

That coach decided they were ready based on the result of the scrimmages---which did involve live action against competitive #1s on the other teams. Not sure why I would doubt him. They used the p-s games to assess and coach-up a bunch of younger guys, giving them invaluable experience they would never have gotten otherwise. Looks like one good result of that was Edwards coming through. A 5th round rookie capable of playing left OT.

So like I said, Kromer has done it before and he has plenty to work with. I think the results will show that. That could be wrong, but I would be surprised if it were.

Fwiw here's VB on that from his Q&A.

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After seeing Allen and Noteboom all last year and this summer, what do you think their chances of success are?

I think they’ll be fine, I really do. And I think Allen has a chance to be a physical upgrade. And that’s taking nothing away from Sullivan, I just think John was showing some physical slowing down. Allen is a wide, physical, strong center. I think he has a chance to be solid. And I’ve been impressed with Noteboom going all the way back to last year

There is zero hesitation from anyone with the Rams – and that includes some veteran offensive linemen – about the young offensive linemen, including the two new starters. The Rams have been preparing for this transition for more than a year. They really seem confident they are right where they need to be. As Rob Havenstein told me when I asked him: “Trust the process”

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/05/2019 10:26PM by zn.