There’s a lot more that goes into stopping elite edge rushers than simply getting your hands on them and trying to block them. Communication with the guard is paramount, as is properly setting to be in position to block.
Recently retired Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein knows all about that, which makes this film breakdown of a play against the Houston Texans outstanding. He explains the logic behind aggressively kicking out and going to get Will Anderson Jr., rather than dropping back and waiting for him to attack.
Knowing he had Kevin Dotson to the inside, Havenstein tried to funnel Anderson that way. It was something he and Dotson talked about before the snap.
“I know I have K-Dot’s eyes right away and I’ll let K-Dot know that, too. Like, as we’re going to the huddle, be like, ‘Hey, if I get a good look here, I’m jumping and I need your eyes.’ ‘All right, cool. Got you.’”
Havenstein said he tried to use his help as much as he could, knowing how good some of today’s edge rushers are.
“Try to use my help as much as possible because some of these guys out there on the edge definitely warrant where you’re going to need some help,” he added.
The full video, which is nearly an hour long, can be seen below. It’s a fascinating look inside the mind of a great right tackle to see what he’s thinking about on specific snaps, and what goes into playing a difficult position on the O-line.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Watch: Rob Havenstein gives awesome film breakdown of pass-blocking set
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
