Andrew Whitworth has handed over the reins at left tackle after retiring from the NFL this offseason, stepping away from the game after 16 incredible seasons. In his place, the Los Angeles Rams will start Joe Noteboom – a former third-round pick out of TCU.
Whitworth has always been complimentary of Noteboom and seen great potential in the young tackle, but now that Noteboom is taking over as a full-time starter, Whitworth has even higher expectations for him.
In a recent interview with Rams Wire on behalf of Pepsi, Whitworth opened up about Noteboom’s potential and what he’s seen from Joe over the years. One thing that stands out to Whitworth is Noteboom’s anchor as a blocker.
His ability to set and not get knocked back reminds Whitworth of former six-time All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas.
“For Joe, it’s the ability – he has a really special anchor. I look at Joe Thomas, he was a tremendous setter at left tackle. Had a really fluid set. Joseph sets really fluid and has a really special anchor,” Whitworth said. “Joe Thomas was a guy that had such a smooth set, but what really made him special was how strong the anchor he had. Not always being the biggest tackle out there, he could set back as far and as fast as he wanted and was actually able to anchor on people in a really special way. That’s one of the things for linemen, especially tackles, as far as you have to move and as athletic as these guys are, you gotta be able to anchor and not get knocked back in a split-second. Sometimes when they choose to attack, Noteboom has a really special anchor and can sit people down. To me, if you can do that, the rest of the stuff is just a matter of experience.”
Noteboom has made starts at left tackle before, but never for an entire season. And since struggling at left guard in 2019, a season that ended prematurely due to injury, Noteboom has focused primarily on playing tackle – unquestionably his best position.
Whitworth expects him to play well in his first year as a starting left tackle, seeing no reason he can’t excel as a pass blocker.
“… He’s gonna be a great pass protector and play well from the jump, I would imagine,” Whitworth continued. “He’s always played well in moments he’s gotten to go in there and I don’t see him in an 18-game season playing any different. I think he’ll be very consistent and play well, so as a young player, it really stuck out to see him be completely out of position a little bit and still be able to anchor guys down, which is a trait that any left tackle would love to have.”
Since retiring, Whitworth has partnered with Pepsi to give away a tiny home built for NFL game days, allowing one fan to stay in the “18 Week Pack” for 18 weeks this season, complete with two TVs, a fridge, a murphy bed and a loft.
Check it out in the video below.
