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Rams43
When the trio of max, zn, and dz get into it then it’s always entertaining.
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Predicting our ‘20 OL starters before these final 7 games much less the FA and draft is a bit audacious. But interesting and fun, nonetheless.
Here’s my best take based on current info...
Boom will probably be our LOT. I think he’s our best candidate and should be healed by September.
Edwards seems to be our best candidate for one OG spot, probably RG according to some knowledgable people.
But after that? Geez...
Hav’s future (as a starter) could go either way based upon how the coaches read the tea leaves when he returns.He could very well find himself in a battle for starting position next year. I think he’s in ‘prove it’ territory in his last projected 5 games. Never thought I would need to say that when this season started. Hav has been the biggest surprise/disappointment on our ‘19 OL. So, he could very well be one of our projected starter replacements, IMO.
I would count the non-Edwards OG position as a new starter next year. Could be Evans/Corbett or some other already on our roster. Might be an outsider FA brought in or a high draft pick, too. Any combo there would meet my definition of ‘new’. IOW, Blythe ain’t coming back.
I have to say that they should upgrade from Allen. Yeah, he might one day develop into a quality C, but he might not. And the ‘20 Rams must have someone that they feel certain can do the job at C. Period. So, by definition, Allen can’t be that guy because the injury has robbed him of the opportunity to prove himself sufficiently in these remaining 7 games and his performance prior to injury just wasn’t nearly what is needed.
So, if I’m Snead/McVay, I would make OL personnel decisions that err on the side of caution. They simply have to. The inaugural season in the new stadium demands it. The fans demand it. A repeat of an OL fubar next season would be a career wrecker event. They will NOT make that mistake again.
Sooooo....
I agree with max here. There will be at least 2 ‘new’ starters on our OL next year, possibly even 3.
Edit: if Hav can’t hold his starting position at RT, we could conceivably have 5 players starting at positions other than the starters were at the beginning of this season. Is that enough ‘change’ for y’all? Lol.
My take.
They are not moving on from Hav. Not in 2020. If your issue is experience then you don't dump your 2nd most experienced OL just for the sake of 1 M in savings. Hav has had a bad year before (2016) and come back from it. VB thinks he was playing hurt this year.
Besides Have, viable candidates to start are Edwards and Evans. Don't discount Edwards at LOT--he fits. Also, Evans will be at OG.
NB might be ready to go he might not. Since we've agreed to err on the side of caution, saying that is being cautious.
Blythe is in an audition to be the Rams center. If he doesn't pass he's not back. Allen we don't know about. VB said the Rams think Allen was progressing, but he's in the same boat NB is--you don't count on it.
I don't know about Corbett. I have my doubts.
If Whit returns, which is possible, I move him to LOG.
They will draft a couple and maybe find a cheap veteran. Said cheap veteran can placehold for a rookie in 2020.
Once this OL settles down, we will never hear again the old argument that a good line needs high picks. In fact when Hav comes back, if Corbett stays at a spot, the Rams will be starting 3 2nd rounders. That OL will not be as good as next year's which will most likely have fewer high picks.
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