Offensive coordinator removed from position

~ Cam Cameron is reportedly among the candidates to take over the offense.

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams removed Greg Olson as offensive coordinator and fired offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, a little over a week after a 3-13 season in which the offense ranked near the bottom of the league in several categories.

Rams spokesman Rick Smith said Monday that Olson could be reassigned to another position with the Rams, but is also free to look for another job. He confirmed Boudreau's firing, but declined to elaborate. Smith also declined comment on reports that Cam Cameron, fired as head coach at Miami after the Dolphins finished 1-15 in his only season there, was among the candidates being considered as Olson's replacement.

The Rams were considered by some to be a playoff contender prior to the season. But the one-time "Greatest Show on Turf" ranked 24th in total offense (297.5 yards per game), 28th in points (16.4 per game) and 27th in touchdowns (27).

The Rams were hit hard by injuries from the outset, losing perennial Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Pace for the season in the second quarter of the season-opener against Carolina. Several other offensive line starters missed games, forcing the coaches to mix in street free agents and practice squad players.

Other key offensive players missed significant time as well. Running back Steven Jackson missed four games and part of a fifth with groin and back injuries. Quarterback Marc Bulger missed four games with rib injuries and was sacked 37 times (Rams quarterbacks were sacked 48 times overall). His passer rating of 70.3 was a career low.

The result was an 0-8 start en route to the worst record since the franchise moved to St. Louis prior to the 1995 season. Coach Scott Linehan took over play-calling duties after the fourth game, but things didn't get better.

In fact, Jackson and Pro Bowl wide receiver Torry Holt both had sideline tirades, apparently over play-calling decisions. In another incident, a TV camera caught Bulger rolling his eyes after speaking with Linehan.

Rams president John Shaw has said Linehan's job is safe. In two seasons in St. Louis, Linehan is 11-21.

Both Olson and Boudreau came to St. Louis with Linehan. In 2006, the Rams ranked sixth in total offense (360.4 yards per game) and 10th in points (22.9 per game).

Cameron was among the finalists when Linehan was hired.