2012-2016- The Fisher Era

The L.A. Rams offensive line is big, but can it protect QB Jared Goff and Todd Gurley?

The Los Angeles Rams’ front office has assembled one of the largest offensive lines in the NFL. The Rams offensive line consisting of Greg Robinson, Jamon Brown, Tim Barnes, Rob Havenstein, and Rodger Stafford makes up a young core of NFL draft picks over the last few years stockpiled by the Rams. Is 2016 the year they burst out onto the scene now that they have their quarterback and running back in place?

With an average height of 6’5” tall weighing, 322 pounds per player, The Rams O-line is considered by some pundits like Gary Klein of the L.A. Times to be one of the largest in the NFL. Does the bigger line necessarily mean better? The Rams, last season, were one of the worst offensive teams in the NFL, averaging only 17.5 points per game. They were near the bottom in most major offensive passing categories, including touchdown passes, and pass yards per game. Was this the fault of the O-line? Not necessarily.

When looking at the offense more closely as to why the Rams struggled so much moving the football in 2015, you could see that it wasn’t an inefficient offensive line. Instead, it was an offensive line that was unable to stay healthy. Add in an inefficient pass attack and receiving corps, and the common view of a bad offensive line may be a little exaggerated.

In an era where offenses are looking to be more explosive pass first offenses with smaller offensive lines, the Rams are going old school with a power game, led by a large offensive line. Coach Fisher’s philosophy has always remained to sticking to a power running game first. Fisher talked about how he wanted to stockpile as many offensive line draft picks as possible and have that young core grow together. “I’ve said this for a long time, we were able to accomplish it last year, I’ve always wanted to draft four or five offensive linemen in the same draft and we did that,” Fisher told the Orange County Register. “They all got to play and all developed. A need now becomes a strength for us.” The coaching staff hope that this depth of o-line talent will come to a huge benefit to Jared Goff this season.

The Los Angeles Rams offensive line is and statistically speaking efficient, but not spectacular. With the inclusion of Goff in the draft and the further development of Todd Gurley in his second season, the front five will have a major responsibility in providing the right protection for their young quarterback and running back. If the O-line led by Tim Barnes under Center, Jamon Brown and Rodger Saffold at the Right and Left Guards respectively, and the duo of Rob Havenstein and Greg Robinson at the tackle positions, the Rams just may lead the trend of power football back their way.

Sources: Gary Klein, L.A. Times, NFL.com, Nick Wagoner, ESPN.com, Rich Hammond, O.C. Register

Martin is a staff writer for Rams talk. He is a graduate from California State University, San Bernardino, majoring in Mass Communications and History. For more on his opinions, follow him on Twitter at @MCruz1988.

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