It seemed the Los Angeles Rams offensive staff’s plan all offseason was to roll with Austin Corbett at the starting center position and Bobby Evans as his replacement at right guard. That was the belief up until Monday, when Brian Allen had clearly assumed the role of starting center, with Corbett back at right guard, as he had been all of 2020.
The Rams released their unofficial depth chart on Tuesday, with it listing Corbett at starting center and Allen on the second team, but I wouldn’t put any stock into that. Head Coach Sean McVay appeared on Rams camp live today with LA Rams broadcaster J.B. Long and was asked “Do you have more answers or questions regarding who is going to snap that first football to Matthew Stafford against the Chicago Bears?”
Here was McVay’s response:
I think we are starting to get some clarity on that, Brian Allen is really starting to assert himself and Austin Corbett has been outstanding at the right guard position. Bobby Evans is another guy we expect that if need be, he can play at a high level; but Brian has really done a nice job and were going to continue to evaluate it but if we were to play right now he’s (Allen) has done a good job and would be our center.
In his presser following Tuesday’s practice, McVay noted that if you are looking for one of those “stand out” players of training camp this year, Brian Allen would be that guy, according to Turf Show Times’ Kenneth Arthur.
Allen last appeared in the 2019 season where he started nine games for the Rams but since then he has been struggling with injuries. It was a struggle for him in that 2019 season but McVay has reiterated on multiple occasions that he has done a nice job in camp.
I believe this could have more to do with the lack of confidence in Evans than it had to do with Corbett not transitioning well back to center. Remember, Evan’s natural position is at offensive tackle and that is what he was drafted to do. Thankfully, Corbett’s versatility has given them numerous amount of options on what route they could take and Allen’s ascension back to being a starting center after having such a rough start to his career could turn out to be the story of camp.
