Coleman Shelton

[PARAM]

That’s my question. I think Shelton is a smart experienced OC but how much help from the OGs does he need. He is physically overmatched against the better NTs.

Center is the least paid position on the OL across the league for a reason but people want this dominant center when bang for your buck it doesn't add as much to EPA as other positions on the team (let alone the least important OL position). Since centers rarely block anyone 1 on 1 and their job is to make line calls and assist block the guards, teams often just use less athletic, smaller but more intelligent guys there.

Can you do cool things with a dominant center, absolutely! Same with a dominant LB. But it's not as important as other positions.

I am interested to see Dedich get a little more time at center this preseason FWIW.

Shelton doesn't get help from OGs, he helps the OGs. As do most centers.

Most NTs are not lining up directly over him and those that are slanted to take the gap on either side of him (more likely) are still mostly blocked by OGs with a secondary block from him. Centers in the NFL today do not get help from OGs (nor was this that big a thing in the past). They help OGs.

Teams just don't play 0 tech anymore with their nose which is directly over center and with less teams playing base D teams just don't really two gap anymore.

This issue of blocking a NT head on is a thing but it's really a minor issue blown way out of proportion by one poster. Of course, I'm open to being convinced otherwise if someone can show me examples of this not only happening more than a handful of times in the season or it happening in such a way as to derail downs regularly on drives.

Yeah, Shelton just isn't up to it, eh?

The last 3 years the Rams had the #1 offense (2025), #15 (2024) and #7 (2023). One of these things is not like the others. Coincidence, the year Shelton played in Chicago?

 

[IkeBruciest]

Rams value brains more than probably any other team. Kinda like Kyren, Shelton isn't athletic or powerful compared to others at his position, but he does all the little things that helps his team win. Kyren may be the slowest starting RB and Shelton one of the weakest starting O linemen, but they know the offense like a coach on the field.

 

[OldSchool]

Again I know we disagree somewhat on Shelton. He is great at his line calls and has an excellent rapport with Stafford, so those are two major factors why Shelton was brought back. Furthermore, he had his best season according to PFF both running and in pass protection.

Now that being posted, I would look for a succession plan and they have some options on the roster currently with Dedich, Dylan McMahon (taken from the Eagles 3 years ago) & the Tar Heel duo of Austin Blaske and the Lindberg baby, Chad. Beaux Limmer also will have his opportunity, but after the Whiff in the city of brotherly love, Limmer has been a Deer in head lights ever since.

As to top centers to keep your eye on come this college football season, Sherdian Wilson (Texas Tech), Greg Johnson (Minnesota) & my favorite Joe Otting (Notre Dame). Besides seeing more of Otting, when you think of a good center name, IMO, you can't go wrong with Joe Otting.

Being good at line calls is fine. Being average at best for the rest of his job does little for us. That leaves a lot of room for us to upgrade.

And you know how I feel about PFF besides the fact you said "his best year" which isn't much of an endorsement

The bolded part offers absolutely nothing encouraging for options beyond Shelton.

Now Otting is fine but you might remember who my guy is. And this is a centers name!


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