When you are the number two pick overall in the NFL Draft you are obviously expected to come in and dominate as soon as you step onto the field.  In some positions it is much easier to do then others.  As an offensive tackle it is especially difficult.  Even the greats, like Orlando Pace, have a little bit of a tough time in transition.  Jason Smith has not had the greatest start to his NFL career but you are beginning to see signs of progress.  This week with the injury to Richie Incognito, Smith will get another start albeit at right tackle.  There are some who are clamoring for Smith to start at left tackle this week against the Lions but I believe for this week, and this week only, Smith should get the start at right tackle and then receive the rest of the starts at left tackle in 2009.

Here is my reasoning.  I like many others believe the Rams have made a mistake by not increasing the workload at left tackle so that he is ready to play left tackle for 2010 and beyond, even if it means that Marc Bulger, or whatever quarterback is back there, has to pay the price in the short term.  The horse has left the barn on that decision so where do the Rams go from here, and where do they go especially this weekend?  My belief is that Smith should stay at right tackle against the Lions because this is the Rams best chance to win a game this year and for the franchise it is important to get a win by any way possible at this point.  The Rams have to get a win in Detroit for the team's psyche, because if they don't they are in serious jeopardy of 0-16.  One win will not fix the problems at Rams Park but at least it will bring a little ray of sunshine into Earth City.

Regardless of what happens this Sunday in Detroit it is time to move Smith over to left tackle immediately following this game.  He is getting paid like a left tackle and is expected to be the anchor for the next 5-10 years.  It is time for the team to take the training wheels off and let Smith sink or swim.  The learning curve needs to be accelerated and it is time.  The Rams are headed into a stretch of three games at home (after Detroit) so the crowd distraction won't be a problem and Smith should have some comfort.  There is no need to worry about the future of Alex Barron, because that dye has been cast.  It is time to focus on the future and Jason Smith is the future.  Move Smith to left tackle after the game in Detroit and let's see what happens.  The next game against the Saints is the time.


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