Reviewing the tape of Sunday’s 28-22 victory over the New England Patriots confirmed what Rams head coach Sean McVay suspected in terms of the positive developments along the offensive line. He was happy with pass protections and how the group picked up blitzes, and with some efficiency in the running game, even if he believes there’s still room for growth in both areas.
“But I was pleased with the group,” McVay said. “I thought it was a positive step in the right direction, for sure.”
The Rams made a change before the game, starting rookie Beaux Limmer at center instead of veteran Jonah Jackson.
Limmer started seven of the first eight games this season after injuries to Jackson and Steve Avila. The sixth-round pick didn’t allow sack in any of those starts while continuing to grow in his pre-snap reads.
After Jackson started in his first game back from injured reserve, the Rams reverted to Limmer, he again came up with a clean bill against the Patriots, allowing just one quarterback pressure.
“He’s gotten better. He’s gotten a lot of opportunities to improve in these game settings, in these practice settings,” McVay said. “And he’s just answered the bell. He’s continuing to learn. There’s a lot of communication that’s required at that spot. I think he’s got a big-picture understanding; the game makes sense to him.”
As for Jackson, McVay said he doesn’t believe he’s still bothered by the shoulder injury that sidelined him for six games. Rather, the cumulative effect of time missed in season as well as training camp and OTAs with other injuries has impacted the free-agent acquisition’s ability to get up to speed.
“Steve at least had an offseason and a training camp. Jonah didn’t really have any of those things,” McVay said. “So I think I still have a ton of confidence in the type of player that he is, the type of man he is, the way that he’s wired. But I think it’s just getting opportunities to play football. It’s hard to get better at football without playing it.”
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McVay continued, “He just hasn’t had a lot of opportunities, not to mention that while there’s some similarities, there’s some differences in terms of the intricacies of the techniques, the fundamentals that we’re asking, getting familiar playing with the guy next to you whether that be a tackle or a guard, or are you playing center or are you playing guard? So I don’t think that [the shoulder is] an issue. I think it’s more just being able to continue to improve and get those opportunities to do that. And I do have a lot of confidence in him that that’ll be something that will be obtained.”
While McVay said there’s a possibility that right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) is back this week after missing the previous two games, the coach was also pleased with the performance of second-year lineman Warren McClendon Jr. in his place.
The former fifth-round pick struggled in two starts to open the season, allowing five pressures in Week 1 before giving up three sacks in Week 2. But in his first start since then, McClendon didn’t allow a single quarterback pressure.
“I thought he was consistent,” McVay said. “The more these guys play, if they’re wired the right way, the better that they’re going to get. … I think he’s able to self correct, I think he’s able to understand why things don’t always go the way we want. And then you also see the understanding and the improved techniques and fundamentals as it relates to some of the core plays. And then you say, ‘Ok, now this is really starting to make sense, that’s a good job. Let’s continue to replicate that.’”