Los Angeles Rams: Jamon Brown now key on offensive line
After the departure of Greg Robinson, the Los Angeles Rams offensive line remains in question with Jamon Brown assuming the starting right tackle role.
The "bust" issue may be gone, but a huge question mark still exists on the Los Angeles Rams offensive line. The play of third-year right tackle Jamon Brown made Greg Robinson expendable on the Rams offensive line. The team traded Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, to the Detroit Lions for a sixth-round pick in 2018.
Robinson — and the Rams — heard the word "bust" more and more throughout his career. Los Angeles benched Robinson at left tackle for two games last season. The Rams then picked up free agent left tackle Andrew Whitworth in free agency. They refused to pick up the fifth-year option on Robinson's contract and then watched as Brown outplayed him at right tackle during the offseason team sessions.
And just like that, Robinson was gone at the end of a recent three-day minicamp. Making Brown a key piece of the 2017 Rams roster.
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Head coach Sean McVay proclaimed Brown a starter entering training camp in July. But in his usual fashion, McVay didn't promise much more, as TheRams.com reported:
Jamon has done some really good things. Right now, he will be the guy that will be the tackle when we go out there, but by no means is our starting lineup set in stone. We're going to continue to evaluate these guys and try to put them in situations that are competitive, where you really, truly evaluate what goes on in games. And then the preseason is going to be a great tool for us as well.
But it's Brown's job to lose.
Recently, Sports Illustrated determined the 10 most important players on the Rams roster, before the Robinson trade. Robinson wasn't on the list then. Brown should be now.
The third-round pick from Louisville doesn't have the "bust" factor following him. However, he does face pressure in helping improve what was a porous Rams offensive line in 2016.
Brown played in 11 games last season, starting five at left or right guard. The unit was partly responsible for quarterback Jared Goff's 26 sacks in seven games and Todd Gurley's 885 rushing yards and 3.2 yard per carry in 2016. The Rams must decide quickly whether Brown is their guy when training camp opens. If they wait and discover he isn't, more problems may arise on the line.
Rob Havenstein, projected to start at right guard, may have to move back to right tackle (his position last season). That could cause further disruption on the Rams offensive line and have an effect on Goff. And another year of Goff struggles would have a serious impact on the team.
