Los Angeles Rams midseason report card: C minus

MIDSEASON REPORT CARD

--PASSING OFFENSE: C -- Case Keenum has thrown for 1,708 yards and seven touchdowns, but he's also been intercepted 10 times. Three of those picks have been returned for touchdowns. The Rams do not scare anyone at wide receiver - at least as downfield threats - and Tavon Austin has not been as productive as hoped despite an entire offseason devoted to getting him more involved.

--RUSHING OFFENSE: D-minus - The ground attack was expected to be the Rams' strength, but it's been anything but. Todd Gurley has just 403 yards through seven games and is averaging just 3.0 yards per carry. That's a complete fail considering the Rams were counting so much on Gurley carrying the offense.

--PASS DEFENSE: C - The Rams have surrendered 11 touchdown passes and more than 1,600 yards through the air. After losing CB Janoris Jenkins and S Rodney McLeod to free agency and losing Trumaine Johnson for the last two games to a foot injury, the pass defense has felt the impact.

--RUSH DEFENSE: B - The Rams' rush defense is surrendering just 3.9 yards per carry, which is more than respectable. Led by a fierce defensive line - when healthy - and an active linebacker corps, the Rams are well equipped against the run.

--SPECIAL TEAMS: A - After struggling last year, K Greg Zuerlein has hit all 10 of his field-goal attempts and all his extra points. P Johnny Hekker is averaging 45.5 yards per punt.

--COACHING: C - Jeff Fisher and his staff have been unable to get the Rams to play consistent 60 minutes of football throughout the year. They are among the most penalized teams in the league, haven't been able to spring star RB Todd Gurley or dangerous slot WR Tavon Austin. And Fisher badly misplayed a fake punt that helped contribute to a loss to the Buffalo Bills and a decision to go for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions rather than take the field goal in a tied game. The three points Fisher chose not to take ended up being the margin of win for the Lions.

--OVERALL: C minus

Most Valuable Player: Linebacker Alec Ogletree. he has made a seamless move from outside linebacker to middle linebacker - and flourished as the defensive play-caller - to lead the Rams with 47 tackles and a forced fumble. Ogletree is a three-down player and can be counted on in run support and pass defense, a huge asset for a middle linebacker in today's NFL.

--Most Disappointing Player: Running back Todd Gurley. Gurley has played nowhere near the level he did as a rookie last season - when he gained 1,106 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 13 games. He has rushed for just 403 yards and a 3.0 yard per carry average. Part of the problem is an offensive line that grades out among the worst in the NFL, but Gurley has also taken a definite step backward.

Most Surprising Rookie: Tight end Tyler Higbee. Higbee leads an otherwise nondescript group of Rams rookies this year by working his way into the tight-end rotation and emerging as an asset in pass and run blocking.