3 players the Rams may have parted ways with far too prematurely

(3) - C Coleman Shelton

No, I'm not kidding. Despite the LA Rams' new-fangled offensive line, the team saw a chance to grab veteran Jonah Jackson, making Coleman Shelton suddenly expendable. But Shelton is doing an admirable job starting for the Chicago Bears right now. In fact, he has played 126 offensive snaps, allowed just one quarterback sack, and committed one penalty.

But that is not what the Rams miss right now.

Inevitably, the LA Rams running backs have only rushed for 100+ rushing yards in the game behind the run-blocking of Coleman Shelton. The pattern first appeared in 2021, as veteran RB Sony Michel managed to put up 100+ rushing yards, but only when Coleman Shelton was blocking at the center position. The pattern continued through the 2023 NFL season.

But in two games in 2024, the Rams have yet to get anywhere close to 100+ rushing yards from a single running back. And the only noticeable factor is the absence of Coleman Shelton at offensive center. Hmmm.

(2) - RB Royce Freeman

The homogeny of the current LA Rams running back corps is frightening. The group is comprise of four runners, all of whom stand 68 to 69 inches in height, and all of whom tip the scales from 192 to 214 pounds in weight. If the Rams find success with running back, then it falls to reason based on similary size and styles, all will succeed. But right now, the Rams ground attack is failing to put up sufficient yards.

But like a Nascar racer, the car is running on four tires that are identical to one another. So there is not true alternative to test the effectiveness of a power back. And the absence of a big bodied runner like veteran RB Royce Freeman means this team has nobody to hand the football to who can punish defenders. In 2023, Freeman carried the football 77 times for 319 yards and two touchdowns. While he was no Pro Bowler, he added a dimension to the offense that simply does not exist in 2024.

Freeman is a punishing runner who was quite effective for the team last season. Unfortunately, the pattern of the team with north-south running backs is to part ways after one season. And Royce Freeman merely extended that confusing tradition.