LOS ANGELES — The beginning of the season did not go the way Rams offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr. hoped it would.
Sure, the second-year lineman had more playing time than expected due to injuries, but he did not make the most of that opportunity. In Week 1 at right tackle, he felt like his performance was adequate, though not up to his own standards with five pressures allowed. Week 2, flipped over to the left side, was a different kind of challenge as he allowed three sacks.
“That was bad. I was sick to my stomach the way I played,” McClendon said of processing that performance. “So just trying to come in make sure I do the same thing, keep getting a good routine and stick to it.”
Until this past Sunday against the New England Patriots, that was McClendon’s last start. He spent the intervening weeks doing extra meetings with right tackle Rob Havenstein and assistant offensive line coach Zak Kromer, watching extra film and picking their minds on how to read defensive fronts.
When Havenstein sprained his ankle in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, McClendon was back on the field. He wanted to prove to himself that he could get the job done, and he allowed only one hurry in 12 pass-blocking snaps.
With Havenstein and Joe Noteboom both nursing ankle issues last week, McClendon would get his chance to start again.
“Knowing that I was going to start, just making sure I was prepared,” he said, “preparing myself the best that I could and give myself the best chance that I could to play great.”
McClendon got the result he was cooking up, without a pressure allowed while being a serviceable part of the Rams’ running game, sealing off his blocks.
“Sometimes when you get to take a step back … watch Rob and then get pushed into action, I thought he did a good job and helped that line have the day they had,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said.
“The more these guys play if they’re wired the right way, the better that they’re going to get,” head coach Sean McVay added. “They’re going to learn from some of the things that you can have opportunities to be able to learn and grow from. You’re going to gain some confidence from some of the successful outcomes you have if you understand why that occurred and then how I can continue to replicate those types of things.”
It remains to be seen whether McClendon will be called upon again this week for the Rams (5-5) against the Philadelphia Eagles (8-2). Havenstein was back at practice on Thursday as a limited participant after sitting out on Wednesday. Noteboom took part in the full practice Thursday.
But regardless, McClendon put something to be encouraged about on the game film, and has something to build off of.
“Definitely feel a little better,” McClendon said. “Still some improvement, some technique stuff I could do but I was proud of myself.”
Starting right guard Kevin Dotson did not practice on Thursday with an illness.
Nose tackle Neville Gallimore returned to a full practice after missing the last three games with a stinger.
Cornerback Charles Woods (ankle) did not practice on Thursday.
