LOS ANGELES — As the Rams’ first-team offense jogged to the line of scrimmage on the first day of training camp, there was a new-but-familiar face standing over the ball, pointing out linebackers and calling out assignments.
After a year in Chicago, Coleman Shelton is back at center for the Rams, signing back with the team on a two-year contract this offseason and bringing a calming presence to the Rams’ offensive line.
“The command, the communication, that’s such an important part,” head coach Sean McVay said. “That rapport between the center and the quarterback and how that echoes from inside out. You hear our guards communicating more. I think it’ll be great. I have so much confidence in what Beaux Limmer’s going to be for our football team down the line, I think for him to be able to see how Coleman runs the show will only make him better.”
Since his return to L.A., teammates have lauded Shelton for his attention to detail and the preparation he puts in before practice and games. And while Wednesday’s practice at Loyola Marymount was uneven for the line – the Rams’ pass rush won frequently and had backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo under pressure for much of the day – Shelton came away encouraged with the foundation his group is building.
“It always just kind of goes back to you have to have a focus, you got to come out to practice with a purpose,” Shelton said. “And trying to get better every day, trying to stack your practices and just focus on the process over the results.”
With left tackle Alaric Jackson limited to individual work as he recovers from blood clots, the Rams rotated at first-team left tackle on Wednesday. Warren McClendon Jr. worked at both tackle positions, though he looked more comfortable on his usual right side.
Veteran D.J. Humphries, a summer free agent signing, was the other man protecting Garoppolo’s blind side during the first day of practice.
“For a guy that got on a couple Zooms with Ryan Wendell, you could feel that he’s played a lot of football,” McVay said. “Got great athleticism, great demeanor.”
STAFFORD WORKS WITH TRAINING STAFF
Starting quarterback Matthew Stafford (sore back) was not on the sidelines on Wednesday, instead working in privacy with the training staff as he tries to ready for a return to practice next week.
“Think that’s the best thing in terms of being able to strengthen, be as strong, sturdy and feel as good as he can be for the time that we get back out here on Monday,” McVay said.
NO NEWS ON WILLIAMS EXTENSION
McVay and senior manager of football administration Matthew Shearin met on Wednesday with running back Kyren Williams’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, as the two sides try to reach a deal on a contract extension. But McVay said there was nothing new to report after the meeting.
“I think there’s a lot of good intentions on trying to be able to get that done,” McVay said. “We’ll see if that ends up happening.”
PLAYS OF THE DAY
The highlight of Wednesday’s practice was receiver Jordan Whittington going up to make a catch on a go route while double covered, falling to his back to come down with the ball from quarterback Stetson Bennett IV.
“He’s consistent. Somebody who goes out there and is asking the right questions and somebody who loves the game,” said receiver Puka Nacua, who trained with Whittington and former Ram Cooper Kupp this offseason. “When we’re in the meeting rooms, he’s asking the right questions, he’s trying to figure it out.”
Receiver Xavier Smith also stood out with a touchdown on a jet sweep from about 20 yards out. He avoided a tackle for loss while receiver Konata Mumpfield made the block that sprung the score.