IRVINE — Back in college at TCU, Steve Avila and his linemates used to wonder: If given 10 opportunities, how many times could they successfully block Aaron Donald?
Through two weeks as a rookie with the Rams, he has gotten his answer. Working as the first-team left guard, Avila often finds himself matched up with the three-time Defensive Player of the Year during one-on-one pass blocking and 11-on-11 scrimmages.
The results, to put it kindly, have been mixed. More often than not, Avila finds himself pushed far off his block, if not blown by and needing to resort to tugging at Donald’s jersey. So Avila can provide a dose of reality to any other amateurs wondering what he once did.
“I’m gonna tell you, it’s zero,” Avila says with a wry smile. “I was victim of having that mentality in college with a couple of my buddies. I was like, ‘Eh, maybe two.’ The answer is zero.”
If not a baptism by fire, it’s been one by 280 pounds of muscle and nine years of experience for Avila. But it’s a necessary one for the second-round pick whom the Rams will rely on heavily in the coming season.
After earning consensus All-American honors and not giving up a sack as a senior in Fort Worth, Avila stood out to the Rams’ front office and coaching staff for his communication up front, his ability to play multiple positions and, most of all, his toughness.
“You don’t have to be glass eaters or anything like that,” offensive line coach Ryan Wendell said. “But if you want to be an NFL offensive lineman, you have to be looking for contact on every play. That’s what we saw from Steve on film. He’s got no problem putting his face in and hitting people.”
Though they considered moving up into the first round, the Rams stayed put at the 36th overall pick. Avila was at the top of their board when Day 2 of the NFL draft began, and they scooped him up when their turn on the clock came.
Now preparing for his rookie year, Avila reminds himself that he doesn’t have to worry about returning to class in a couple of weeks. All of his time can be devoted to his craft and learning the Rams’ offense.
“This is literally all I’m doing. It’s a lot easier to go back and watch film for a little more time, it’s a lot easier to go over the plays a little more,” Avila said. “It’s a lot more weight off your shoulders.”
There’s still the adjustment. It’s still football, but Avila is taking in new techniques and finding his footing in the NFL speed of play, and against tougher competition.
“Steve still has a long way to go, like we all do,” Wendell said. “But he approaches it the right way every day in the sense that that guy comes, it’s never too big for him, he’s got a real level personality. Each day he’s taking in notes, he’s working on little things and you see improvement daily.”
“I just want to help the team where I can and I feel like I was drafted for a reason and I feel like that was to start and to contribute,” Avila said. “At the end of the day, I just want to be great. I’ve got people back home I want to make proud, I’ve got expectations for myself.”
And there’s no better teacher for Avila than daily sessions against Donald as he prepares for his first taste of in-game competition this week with Saturday’s preseason opener against the Chargers.
“If you’re made of the right stuff like Steve is, then you embrace that competition every day,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “Yeah, [Donald]’s the best to ever do it inside and I truly believe that, and I think most people believe that. So for [Avila] just to go and battle, don’t try to make stuff up versus Aaron. You got to just go play your game.”
Briefly
Right tackle Rob Havenstein was held out of practice with a sore neck as a precautionary measure, per a team spokesperson, while Donald, receiver Van Jefferson and center Brian Allen received veteran rest days.