Rams Sign Andrew Whitworth
By Jamaal Artis
The Los Angeles Rams made a free agent splash outbidding other teams for veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth. An eleven year veteran previously with the Cincinnati Bengals Whitworth will be tasked with guarding quarterback Jared Goff’s blind side.
The Rams signed Whitworth to a three-year contract for 36 million with 15 million guaranteed. Three years for a 35-year-old offensive lineman may seem like a risky move but, Whitworth has remained and elite player as he’s gotten older.
In his eleven year career Whitworth has only missed a total of eight games. Six of those games occurred in 2008, therefore leading Whitworth to only miss two games in the past eight seasons.
This consistency is key for the Los Angeles Rams as they have been known to battle various injury battles. Also, the veteran leadership of Whitworth is going to be extremely beneficial to the team. Last season, the Rams only had two starting players that were thirty years of age.
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Although it is a good sign for the franchise, as they will only continue to get better and better, these young guys need a veteran example. Whitworth, who has played in the Pro Bowl and playoffs, provides just that.
Whitworth is a three-time pro-bowler and was named to the 2015 All-Pro team joining Tom Brady as the only players older than 30 to be selected. Bringing him in means the Rams are willing to admit the mistake in making the 2014 No. 2 pick Greg Robinson the left tackle. Robinson likely moves to right guard or tackle now.
For Rams GM Les Snead this a big coup to shore up one of the Rams biggest problem areas from last year. The Rams were one of the worst blocking units last year unable to open holes for Todd Gurley and unable to protect anybody taking the snaps.
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The Rams have been unable to put together a competitive team with youth perhaps they now know that a veteran presence will shore up their inefficiencies, Whitworth is a stepping stone to turning the team around.