THOUSAND OAKS — Andrew Whitworth, the Rams’ recently retired left tackle, made another visit Tuesday for the Rams’ intrasquad scrimmage, but Whitworth isn’t roaming the sidelines this summer to supervise his successor Joe Noteboom.

Whitworth and the Rams likely aren’t worried about Noteboom being the full-time starter at left tackle because they have prepared for this transition the past four years and Noteboom has impressed them with his 17 spot starts since 2019.

Noteboom appeared comfortable in his pass protection matchups against linebacker Bobby Wagner and outside linebackers Leonard Floyd and Justin Hollins during the scrimmage.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford is well protected with Noteboom. Whitworth’s visits are more for research purposes as the new analyst for the Rams’ preseason TV broadcasts, and if he was there partly to keep an eye on Stafford’s new blindside protector, Noteboom likely didn’t mind. The two left tackles have seen each other regularly since winning Super Bowl LVI. Also, Noteboom received pointers from Whitworth after Tuesday’s scrimmage.

“In the offseason, I was working out at his house every day, so I saw him quite a bit,” Noteboom said. “Seen him up here, he’ll go to the facility, so quite a bit. Four to five times a week when he was there. So, that’s great. He still cares about the team. He still cares about us and us doing well, and he’s always open to any questions. So, it’s still really great to have him around.”

The 6-foot-5 Noteboom had to wait four years to become the starter, but the long-term developmental plan is already starting to show positive results with Noteboom providing ample time for his quarterbacks and creating lanes for his running backs. It also helps that Noteboom is still receiving guidance from Whitworth from a close distance and from veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein on the field.

“I feel really comfortable,” Noteboom said. “Being here for four years, I know all the plays, I know what they want, I know the system. Then last year I kind of got to sit behind Whit (Whitworth) and Rob and just watch what they do and come in and play at those certain times. But just being here, the familiarity, getting all the practice work last year, it’s been an easy transition. I feel comfortable, still got to get a lot better, but feeling good right now.”

Havenstein has also been a mentor for Noteboom, but he recently joked that he probably doesn’t need many pointers because the TCU product has athleticism on his side.

“Joe’s an incredible athlete first off,” Havenstein said. “Hard worker, incredible athlete, love being around the guy. We both had the privilege of being around Andrew for as many years as we were. Joe is one of the smoothest athletes I’ve ever seen. It’s honestly annoying at times because he just makes it look so effortless. With how strong and lean and quick and grounded as that guy is, I’m excited to see what he does.”

For most people, it can be intimidating to have a predecessor be a shadow at work. But not for Noteboom because he regularly knocks on Whitworth’s door to take advantage of his wisdom and gym garage.

“He’s got a garage that he’s upgraded,” Noteboom said. “He’s got everything he could possibly want.”

KUPP’S DAY OFF

Star wide receiver Cooper Kupp received a veteran’s day off. That created more opportunities for the unproven wideouts during the scrimmage.

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Tutu Atwell and Ben Skowronek joined Allen Robinson to form Stafford’s starting receivers group for the scrimmage that consisted of about 60 plays. Jacob Harris, Lance McCutcheon, Landen Akers and Austin Trammell played primarily with the second unit but received some snaps with Stafford.

“Ben Skowronek made a handful of plays, also TuTu,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “(Stafford’s) got a comfort level with (tight end Tyler) Higbee and with Cooper, but some of these newer guys, today was a great step in the right direction to be able to start establishing that rapport that will be critical for this year.”

Wide receiver J.J. Koski also played in the scrimmage but left early after sustaining a shoulder injury, according to McVay.