March 26, 2023
The Rams' offensive line finally stabilized and got some respect

THOUSAND OAKS – Rams operating again Cam Akers credited the offensive line for a three-goal scoring efficiency towards the Denver Broncos final week. Quarterback Baker Mayfield did the identical on a productive day with no turnovers and solely 4 omissions all through the sport. 51-14 win over Broncos.

It begins with the lads within the entrance, they mentioned.

Nonetheless, the Rams’ right-handed Rob Havenstein declined the mortgage and centered consideration on Coleman Shelton, the versatile offensive lineman who has began video games this season on each defensive positions and centre.

“I simply wish to say particularly for Coleman, how nice it’s to have a man like this in our room, on our line, who can flip over to play guard after which seamlessly take off his glove and now play centre.” aforementioned. “Locked as a guard, however nonetheless locked within the heart. His preparation is terrific. I wished to emphasise that as a result of it’s a true testomony to him.”

After the Rams misplaced beginning heart Brian Allen to a late-season calf damage, the offensive line gave the impression to be returning to its heavyweights. The Rams’ offensive line allowed for 5 sacks and 9 quarterback hits Against the Green Bay Packers in Week 15A recreation by which Allen splits after two offensive performs, forcing Shelton to maneuver from proper guard to heart.

However the offensive line rapidly rebounded six days later, placing in certainly one of their finest performances of the season, not permitting a sack towards the Broncos’ sturdy protection. In truth, Mayfield was shot solely as soon as.

The Rams’ Week 16 offensive line mixture consisted of Havenstein on the precise, Shelton within the centre, Oday Aboushi on the precise, Matt Skura on the left and Ty Nsekhe on the left. Solely Havenstein and Shelton had been Week 1 begins, however Aboushi, Skura and Nsekhe have performed lots this season on account of accidents that compelled the Rams to play 12 totally different offensive line mixtures within the first 12 video games of the season.

With fixed offensive line scrambling, the Rams’ total offensive struggled with quarterback Matthew Stafford. hasn’t played since Week 11 due to neck injury. Nonetheless, the Rams discovered some stability after beginning the identical offensive line mixture of Nsekhe, Skura, Allen, Shelton and Havenstein between Weeks 12 and 15.

Havenstein credited Shelton for being clingy, but additionally emphasised follow repetitions and familiarity for sharp operating blocking and flawless go blocking towards the Broncos. Akers contributed to 118 of the Rams’ total of 158 runsand Mayfield went 24 out of 28 for 230 yards and two touchdowns, opening the sport 11 out of 11.

“You at all times need some sort of offensive line to at all times roll,” Havenstein mentioned. “Clearly, that wasn’t our story this 12 months, however being with guys, the identical sort of circulate of men out and in, lastly obtained time in follow, how guys wish to hit the blocks, how guys see it, speak particulars at conferences.”

The Rams’ offensive line depth was on the verge of being retested after Aboushi was suspended for a recreation on account of a post-game argument with Broncos outdoors defender Randy Gregory. Suspended for one match, nevertheless, Aboushi and Gregory gained their enchantment and their sentences had been fined.

Aboushi will play on Sunday towards the Chargers, the crew he performed for final 12 months. And most significantly, for the Rams, they are going to have the identical offensive line mixture from their memorable efficiency towards the Broncos.

“I assumed the League had dealt with this correctly,” Aboushi mentioned. “Recognize the chance there (with Chargers). Earlier than all of it occurred (with damage) I assumed I performed ball there, however I had nothing however good power towards them and I recognize the chance.”

AKERS LOCKED

Havenstein additionally put the credit score again to Akers for his prolific outing towards the Broncos. He took a take a look at what Akers was doing on the sidelines to maintain the rhythm in the course of the matches.

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