Since 2021, the LA Rams ground assault has been a bit of a mixed bag. The team has tried to establish the running attack. Sometimes it succeeds, sometimes it does not. Fans have been left both confused and mystified about why the team’s efforts have resulted in such a wide range of outcomes.
One of the keys to grinding it out on the ground is opening up wide enough holes to allow a running back to put up 100-plus yards in a single game. Since 2021, that has been less often than you may expect. But this article depends on those occurrences, as there is a commonality that binds their appearances together.
We know that the Rams offensive line has been beset by injuries over the course of the past three seasons. So there has certainly been no continuity in terms of the Rams starting blockers. While 2021 was a season with relatively few injuries, 2022 was a season of almost complete upheaval. To fill in the gaps, the Rams literally signed veteran offensive linemen off the streets to come in and plug the holes.
But even as 2023 restored some semblance of continuity, it also meant a transformation of the offensive line once more. The new iteration of the offensive line relied upon three new starters. So comparing the offensive line over the span of the past three years can easily become frustrating.
Illustration is necessary now, otherwise you are just taking my word for my assertions, and I recommend always remaining professionally skeptical. Like Vinny Gambini, you must see if I am building an argument out of bricks, or cards. So let’s go:
Rams 100+ yard rushers since 2021
Okay, so what is the big deal about the LA Rams rushing offense, and what, or who, is the common thread to it all? Well, let’s break down the 11 occasions when a running back broke the 100 yards plateau in a game:
*Week 13, 2021 – vs. Jacksonville: RB Sony Michel rushed for 121 yards
*Week 16, 2021 – @ Minnesota: RB Sony Michel rushed for 131 yards
*Week 16, 2022 – vs. Denver: RB Cam Akers rushed for 118 yards
*Week 17, 2022 – @ Los Angeles Chargers: RB Cam Akers rushed for 123 yards
*Week 18, 2022 – @ Seattle: RB Cam Akers rushed for 104 yards
*Week 4, 2023 – @ Indianapolis: RB Kyren Williams rushed for 103 yards
*Week 6, 2023 – vs. Arizona: RB Kyren Williams rushed for 158 yards
*Week 12, 2023 – @ Arizona: RB Kyren Williams rushed for 143 yards
*Week 14, 2023 – @ Baltimore: RB Kyren Williams rushed for 114 yards
*Week 15, 2023 – vs Washington: RB Kyren Williams rushed for 152 yards
*Week 16, 2023 -vs. New Orleans: RB Kyren Williams rushed for 104 yards.
So far, it’s almost impossible to determine a common thread. Three different seasons and three different running backs accomplished the feat. So there must be more to it.
Well, there is. We noticed the pattern that whenever IOL Coleman Shelton started as the center, the team had a pretty good chance of gaining 100+ yards by the efforts of one running back. But let’s test that theory:
We can survey Coleman Shelton’s game logs to determine the answer. So what do we learn from inspecting his work as center for the Rams offensive line? Let’s break down the games in which he had either a start or a significant role to play in the game:
Week 13, 2021 – vs. Jacksonville: Started at center. 58 snaps
Week 16, 2021- @ Minnesota: Started at center. 70 snaps
Week 16, 2022 – vs. Denver, Started at center. 65 snaps
Week 17, 2022 – @ Los Angeles Chargers. Started at center. 49 snaps.
Week 18, 2022 – @ Seattle. Started at center. 61 snaps.
He started every game for the LA Rams at center in 2023.
So what does that tell us? Well, despite the volatility of the Rams offensive line in 2022, and the numerous iterations of this offense, the common thread for a running back putting up 100 yards has been undervalued offensive lineman Coleman Shelton.
Why Steve Avila Is the perfect successor to Shelton at center.
To make sense of it all, we have to focus on why offensive center Coleman Shelton was so effective as a starter for this offense. After all, his grades from Pro Football Focus do not scream superstar by any means. So what is it about Coleman Shelton that made him so vital to a strong rushing attack, and how can the Rams coaches hope to replicate that proficiency with Steve Avila in 2024?
The key to Shelton’s success at run blocking is his willingness to leave the blocks and block somebody. Unlike some offensive linemen who view their role simply blocking at the line of scrimmage, Shelton was more than happy to block linebackers and defensive backs. In doing so, he extended rushing lanes beyond the four-five yard threshold and extended them to seven to ten yards.
Beyond that, it was up to the running back.
But I’ve reviewed plenty of footage from 2023. And the more I see, the more rookie Steve Avila stands out at the glue-guy for this offensive line. Avila was almost generous to a fault, blocking his guy and the peeling off to stop a defender from breaking away from his teammate. Avila was like a jack hammer on the offensive line, smashing successive shots one way and then another, putting defenders on their heels on three sides.
But another aspect of Avila’s game that stood out is his willingness to take his blocks downfield to secondary targets and beyond.
Steve Avila had a very strong rookie season. Now, he's making a position change and has a chance to be a breakout star on the LA Rams' OL.#RamsHousehttps://t.co/Bto8Q4swAN
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) July 12, 2024
But PFF did not give Steve Avila much credit in the run-blocking department. To rebut that errant oversight, here is what NFL Draft analyst, Justin Melo, had to say about Steve Avila’s run-blocking abilities:
“Avila was also an expert run blocker despite PFFs questionable 55.8 grade in that department. The Rams ranked 11th in the league in rushing, averaging 120.3 yards per game as the ground-and-pound attack became a focal point of Sean McVays offense. That signaled significant improvement as McVays rushing offense finished 28th in 2022 (97.7/game). It is no coincidence that Avilas consistency helped lead to the uptick in rushing production.”
– Justin Melo
Unlike the one-man gang of Coleman Shelton in previous seasons, the coaching staff has a trio of versatile and mobile rhinos on the interior offensive line that not only can repel defenders in pass-blocking, but can lead the runner in a stampede that will crater the line of scrimmage and put defenders on their heels or on their backs.
While the Rams did not extend IOL Coleman Shelton, they clearly were fully aware of his contribution to the team’s running attack in hand-picking his successor.
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