LA Rams: OC Coleman Shelton bulldozes running lanes for RBs

By the time that offensive lineman Jeremiah Kolone replaced Coleman Shelton as the LA Rams offensive center, the Rams rushing attack had put up 94 yards and average 4.7 yards-per-carry. While the game was not yet over, the statement was made. This was a game that the LA Rams needed to show up on the ground. Thanks to Shelton, they were able to do exactly that.

Shelton was pretty solid in all aspects of the game. He held the point of attack on passing downs, he blocked downfield on running plays, even if the play went in another direction. Finally, he was incredibly active in calling out blocking assignments for the Rams offensive line. Incredibly active, as in telling guys who to block by whom.

The Raiders challenged the offensive line, pushing an A-gap blitz at times, and showing A-gap blitz looks at other times. It was a welcome task, a preseason game where the Raiders defense absolutely checked all of the boxes. Thankfully, nothing seemed to fool Shelton. He was in the zone tonight.

Los Angeles Rams

The LA Rams needed some positive momentum with their running game, a part of the offense that truly hasn’t gotten on track yet this season. They were able to do that in this one. Shelton may not excite many fans. That’s okay. But if you have the chance to rewatch the game, keep your eyes trained on the offensive line and particularly Coleman Shelton in the middle.

Rams roster

This was the type of game that the LA Rams needed from someone on the offensive line. Now don’t get me wrong, the starters are likely having their success moments. But as far as preseason and position battles, the team has been a bit dysfunctional where the offensive center position is concerned.

Once more, the Rams seemed to cycle through their entire bottom two-thirds of the roster. That’s what the Rams are out to do in preseason games. But it does create challenges to follow who is making good plays on the offensive line, where there is a complete absence of statistics in the box score to aid in forming conclusions. It requires a focus on the player to get a good bearing on how well he played. That’s what I tried to do tonight.

Shelton was called on a ticky-tack offensive holding that never should have been called. Other than that, I saw an offensive center who checks all the boxes needed to be in the conversation for a starting role. Will that happen before the final roster is set? Doubtful. But he is a necessary player for the 53-man roster. I’m not confident in Brian Allen’s ability still. The LA Rams, whether they realize it or not, will need to have Coleman Shelton available this season to put in there.