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One of the more surprising moves by the Los Angeles Rams this offseason was the signing of veteran lineman Coleman Shelton. It’s not that they didn’t need depth along the offensive line. It’s the size of Shelton’s contract that showed this wasn't just a depth signing.
The Rams gave Shelton a two-year deal worth $12 million, including $6 million fully guaranteed at signing. It’s starter-level money and on Monday, general manager Les Snead confirmed Shelton was signed to take over as the team’s starting center.
This will move second-year pro Beaux Limmer back to the bench after a strong rookie season in 2024, allowing him to continue developing at all three interior spots. The primary reason the Rams signed Shelton was to improve the communication up front, something that cost them in the playoff loss to the Eagles when Jalen Carter had a free run at Matthew Stafford on back-to-back plays late in the fourth.
"What we missed with Coleman when he left was that able to communicate to all of our young OL, and maybe even our veterans," Snead said, via the Rams’ official site. "Hey, maybe (in) an audible situation, maybe when things change, and being able to handle that in the moment, it was very vital. Beaux Limmer did an unbelievable job evolving into becoming the starting center, but I've often said he was a freshman and working amongst a bunch of PhD's. So there was an element where you missed, not necessarily in what he was doing, but in what the center does for other people."
If not for the miscommunication that allowed Carter to sack Stafford quickly, the Rams might’ve won that game because Tyler Higbee had broken open across the middle on third-and-2 when Los Angeles was at the Eagles’ 13-yard line.
It’s possible that sack, as well as the quick pressure fourth down, lingered in the minds of Sean McVay and Snead as reasons to seek an upgrade at center. Limmer played well when called upon after taking over for Jonah Jackson, but it seems the Rams feel they need to get better at a crucial spot.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams GM Les Snead confirms plan at center with Coleman Shelton back
Continue reading...
The Rams gave Shelton a two-year deal worth $12 million, including $6 million fully guaranteed at signing. It’s starter-level money and on Monday, general manager Les Snead confirmed Shelton was signed to take over as the team’s starting center.
This will move second-year pro Beaux Limmer back to the bench after a strong rookie season in 2024, allowing him to continue developing at all three interior spots. The primary reason the Rams signed Shelton was to improve the communication up front, something that cost them in the playoff loss to the Eagles when Jalen Carter had a free run at Matthew Stafford on back-to-back plays late in the fourth.
"What we missed with Coleman when he left was that able to communicate to all of our young OL, and maybe even our veterans," Snead said, via the Rams’ official site. "Hey, maybe (in) an audible situation, maybe when things change, and being able to handle that in the moment, it was very vital. Beaux Limmer did an unbelievable job evolving into becoming the starting center, but I've often said he was a freshman and working amongst a bunch of PhD's. So there was an element where you missed, not necessarily in what he was doing, but in what the center does for other people."
If not for the miscommunication that allowed Carter to sack Stafford quickly, the Rams might’ve won that game because Tyler Higbee had broken open across the middle on third-and-2 when Los Angeles was at the Eagles’ 13-yard line.
It’s possible that sack, as well as the quick pressure fourth down, lingered in the minds of Sean McVay and Snead as reasons to seek an upgrade at center. Limmer played well when called upon after taking over for Jonah Jackson, but it seems the Rams feel they need to get better at a crucial spot.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams GM Les Snead confirms plan at center with Coleman Shelton back
Continue reading...
