Turf Show Times
While the drama swirling around Los Angeles Rams starting left tackle Alaric Jackson and whether, or not, he’ll face NFL disciplinary actions is disconcerting, the situation is not untenable. In just the past three years, L.A. has faced the problems of having one or more offensive line starters missing a number of times. It won’t be a new occurrence.
Last week, I wrote a piece on the depth of the L.A. offensive line, stating in the conclusion that I thought the Rams and Sean McVay could “easily fill in and scheme around” a short term absence by Jackson. A forum member disagreed, stating “I don’t expect the Rams to be able to “easily” scheme around the massive hole at LT, especially with an older statuesque QB pushing 40YRs old back there…”
It offered a perfect chance to look back and research how often the Rams have had to overcome missing starters on the line and how the backups compared from a broad view. Here are the results after digging through Rams boxscores on Pro Football Reference and poring over game film on NFL+.
Week number, position, player, and game outcome in bold and italics. L.a.’s total yards gained and sacks given in bold alone.
At the end of August, before the season began, the Rams traded for Kevin Dotson. It took the first three games for him to become oriented with the Rams offense and be installed at starting right guard. Joseph Noteboom started those first three games in his stead.
#4 LT Alaric Jackson – WIN 29-23 OT Indianapolis Colts
Noteboom started at left tackle and Dotson took over for good at right guard. Rams had 467 total yards and handed over two sacks.
#8 RT Rob Havenstein – LOSS 20-43 Dallas Cowboys
Noteboom started at right tackle. Rams had 280 total yards and relinquished two sacks.
#9 RT Rob Havenstein – LOSS 3-20 Green Bay Packers
Noteboom started at right tackle, more importantly quarterback Matthew Stafford sat out this game. Rams had 187 total yards and forfeited two sacks.
#15 RT Rob Havenstein – WIN 28-20 Washington Commanders
Noteboom started at right tackle. Rams had 445 total yards and coughed up two sacks.
#17 LT Alaric Jackson – WIN 26-25 New York Giants
Noteboom started at left tackle. Rams had 391 total yards and rendered four sacks.
Center Coleman Shelton left in free agency and L.A. brought in Jonah Jackson. The plan to move guard Steve Avila into the pivot didn’t work out, putting Jackson in the middle. Jackson had struggles with injuries, pressing Round 6 draftee Beaux Limmer into season-long service at center.
#1 LT Alaric Jackson and RT Rob Havenstein – LOSS 20-26 OT Detroit Lions
Joe Noteboom started at left tackle, Warren McClendon at right tackle, and Jonah Jackson at center. Noteboom left with injury late the 2nd quarter, replaced by AJ Arcuri. Steve Avila also left in the 2nd quarter with Jackson moving over a spot. Limmer stepped in at...
