Last week, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said with the injury issues and trying out different players at different positions, there have been "continuity" issues on the offensive line.
LaFleur and head coach Sean McVay have reiterated that they want to find the best five linemen and figure out their positions later, and right guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr. said "without a doubt," he should be one of those starting five. The only issue with him not being a starter is the Rams trying out Joe Noteboom in his spot, but he has a message for the man challenging him for a role as a first-teamer.
"If Joe's better, he's got to show me. If he's going to outwork me, he's got to show me that, and if they believe that then fair on," Anchrum said on Rams Revealed. "Whoever's going to start in that right guard spot, they're going to have to outwork me, and that's not an easy task to do, so we're going to find out."
However, that is not a shot at Noteboom or his abilities but rather the mindset Anchrum and the offensive line are carrying into 2023.
"This offensive line is going to be the best it's ever been. I believe that wholeheartedly," Anchrum said. "We've got a little newfound energy just because of the feeling of competition. If you're on this team, obviously, you know who the starters are, but the offensive linemen, this year, we're like, 'You got to prove it. If you're the best, I don't care what you've done two, three, four years ago. If you're the best, show me.'"
Anchrum was five picks away from being deemed 2020's Mr. Irrelevant — an honor bestowed upon the last selection of the NFL draft. The seventh-round pick worked his way into 12 games his rookie season, but the last two have not been in his favor.
In 2021-22, he has failed to remain healthy past September, getting placed on injured reserve both years and being limited to two games.
Now in year 4, the Clemson product is competing for the starting right guard position and doing so at a high level. With 67 snaps under his belt this preseason, he is tied for the fifth-highest pass-blocking grade among all NFL guards in 37 opportunities, according to Pro Football Focus.
Anchrum said he won't be disappointed if he doesn't earn a start in week 1 because he trusts the decisions of the coaching staff because it's not a "one-off" or "personal."
The Powder Springs, Georgia, native said despite the down year in 2022, the Rams' standards have been unwavering.
"We will dominate our competition," Anchrum said. "We obviously have a younger team, different things have happened in the past, setbacks, adversity, whatever, but the goal has never changed. The standard is the standard, and that's what we're going to abide by."
You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419
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