This undrafted free agent signing could launch the legend of DC Chris Shula

DC Chris Shula can cement his legacy

The Rams hired Chris Shula as the team's new defensive coordinator in 2024. And I have to say that in just his first year, DC Shula showed innovation, creativity, and resolve with a young and inexperienced group. This was his defense, but he inherited many of the moving pieces from his predecessor, DC Raheem Morris. If you doubt the fact that Shula wants to put his thumbprint on his defense, consider the number of significant changes the Rams defense underwent in 2024.

Veteran starting ILB Ernest Jones IV was traded away before the season started. The Rams' defensive front, including edge rushers, invested heavily in younger players, many of whom earned starting roles to start the season. The Rams' safety positions were retooled as well, adding veteran Kamren Curl, while giving both rookies Kamren Kinchens and Jaylen McCollough significant rotational roles.

The defense started rocky. But that is not unusual for a new defensive coordinator with a new defensive philosophy. The true litmus test for the 2024 season, as far as the defense is concerned, was how they competed in the NFL Playoffs. You may want to sit down for this, as it gets pretty impressive.

The Rams' defense allowed just 309.5 yards per game, good enough to be ranked fifth in a field of 14 of the best teams in the NFL. The team allowed just 18.5 points per game, good enough to be the second-ranked defense among 14 teams. The Rams allowed 195.5 rushing yards per game, courtesy of Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley. But no defense had an answer for Barkley. As far as the team's passing defense, the Rams' pass rush led the entire NFL with 16 quarterback sacks. That is even more impressive when you consider the fact that the Rams played just two playoff games and faced the most formidable offensive lines in the NFL.

The Rams also were Scrooge-level stingy in surrendering passing yards. This defense allowed just 114.0 passing yards per game. That is less than half the amount of passing yards allowed by the next-best passing defense.

Just another day at the office for the merry band or Chris Shula's relentless pass rush. And this defense has a window of opportunity to get a lot better. One of the intriguing chess pieces joining this defense is 6-foot-1, 225-pound inside linebacker Shaun Dolac from Buffalo University. While an undrafted collegiate free agent, he is a tackling machine who is a far more effective defensive weapon than he was used in college.

Dolac is a unicorn, a phenomenally effective defender whose versatility affords the creative juices of Chris Shula a new blank canvas to paint a new role for Dolac. Okay, so we have assigned Chris Shula a huge responsibility. Now, let's tout the achievements of Shaun Dolac. and showcase why he is worth the trouble.

Here we go: