Signs point to fewer catches, better season for Rams' Todd Gurley

The Rams' Todd Gurley struggled last season, thanks in part to a bad offensive line and an inept passing game. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Alden Gonzalez

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Todd Gurley was one of the most disappointing fantasy running backs -- not to mention actual running backs -- amid the Los Angeles Rams' 4-12 season in 2016. ESPN ranked Gurley fifth in its preseason rankings last September, behind only Adrian Peterson and three big-time receivers -- Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones. But by the end of the season, Gurley didn't even finish within the top 65 in standard scoring leagues.

Gurley did, at least, recoup some value in points-per-reception leagues by more than doubling his catch total from his rookie season.

Fantasy players might not be able to count on that in 2017.

The Rams, under a new offensive-minded head coach in Sean McVay, are determined to help Gurley recapture his big-play ability. But they might not count on him to be as much of a factor in the passing game. They have replaced Benny Cunningham, a more traditional backup running back who saw a lot third-down snaps, with Lance Dunbar, who, when healthy, can be a major pass-catching threat out of the backfield.

The Rams want Dunbar to establish himself in a role similar to that of Chris Thompson, who totaled 84 receptions for McVay's offenses in Washington the past two seasons.

That should mean less catches for Gurley, who saw his targets rise from 26 in 2015 to 58 in 2016.

Last week, Gurley was asked if he expects to catch more passes in 2017.

"We'll see," he said.

Would he like to?

"Yeah, I would. But we’ll see what happens."

The Rams just want Gurley to be a force on the ground again. Because he was recovering from a torn ACL, Gurley waited until the Rams' fourth game to make his first start in 2015. But he still finished with 1,106 rushing yards, third-most in the NFL. He was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, and conventional wisdom presumed that he would get even better if given an additional year of learning the league and recovering from a major injury.

But the Rams' offensive line was a disaster, their passing game was ineffective and Gurley didn't do a good enough job hitting what few holes presented themselves. He started all 16 games in 2016, but he gained only 885 yards on the ground, the fewest in history for a running back with at least 275 carries. Gurley compensated somewhat with 43 catches for 327 yards through the air. But he totaled only six touchdowns, four fewer than what he amassed in 12 starts the prior season.


With Andrew Whitworth now at left tackle and quarterback Jared Goff taking the proverbial step forward in his second season, the Rams expect Gurley to have more room to run in 2017.

Last season, with defenses stacking the box on nearly every play, Gurley averaged only 1.59 yards before first contact, ranking 41st among 42 qualified running backs. He was on the field for 90 third-down snaps, 12 fewer than Cunningham and ranked 26th at his position. And he received 10 carries within five yards of the end zone, a workload topped by 15 players.

All of those numbers should improve, even if the receiving numbers decline.

"I like it," Gurley said when asked for his sense of how he fits into the new offense. "It’s not the same. But mostly every offense is the same, [just] kind of different schemes. The coaches have just been doing a great job of coaching us up and making sure we’re focused [on] the details and the little things."

[www.espn.com]

https://sports.yahoo.com/m/0ec9411a-b1f1-37c6-972d-e227ea3150c1/watch:-sneak-peek-at.html
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Is it just me or does this piss you guys off too?
I mean in my opinion this is not The Rams and Chargers stadium.
This is our Freakin stadium and the Chargers are the mother-in-law
that nobody wants living there.
Hey Spanos,get a job and buy your own stadium.
OK I'm done.I think.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-shape-regular-season-playoffs-super-bowl-lii

Culture-changers
5. Wade Phillips, defensive coordinator, Los Angeles Rams. He is 39 years older than Sean McVay, the head coach who just hired him, but Phillips' track record as a high-impact coordinator is unquestioned. Aaron Donald, Trumaine Johnson & Co. should be better just for Phillips' presence and take a lot of pressure off young Jared Goff and the offense.


Stars who need some help
18. Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams. Gurley's 1.59 yards before first contact in 2016 ranked 41st in the NFL. He had no room to run. The Rams hope the installation of a zone scheme under Sean McVay and the additions of veteran offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan will help.


Defensive MVP race
27. Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams. Only nine players have more than Donald's 28 sacks the past three seasons, and all nine of them play on the edge. So do the eight players who follow Donald on that list. No one else dominates from the interior of the defensive line the way Donald does right now.


What's in store in Year 2?
76. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams. A new coaching staff is in place that had nothing to do with drafting Goff No. 1 overall in 2016. They're stuck with him for at least a couple of years, so we'll see how Sean McVay & Co. do developing a guy they didn't pick. His future and theirs depend on it.


Underrated additions
98. Andrew Whitworth, OT, Los Angeles Rams. The Rams lured the veteran left tackle from Cincinnati by guaranteeing him $15 million over the next two years. He and veteran center John Sullivan are being asked to stabilize the line in front of young QB Jared Goff and young RB Todd Gurley.

Is McVay faced with as large a rebuild as Fisher was when hired by the Rams?

Full slideshow can be seen here: http://www.therams.com/photos/photo-gallery/PHOTOS-OTA-Day-5/8fe2417a-b89b-472c-ac04-7ae91afa5c33

Higbee's blocking is much better

After a long holiday weekend, the Rams were back on the field for their fourth of 10 OTA practices on Tuesday. Here are five takeaways from the session.

1) Brown takes snaps at right tackle

There’s a solid competition brewing at right tackle between Greg Robinson and Jamon Brown. With the free agent signing of left tackle Andrew Whitworth, head coach Sean McVay moved Robinson to the right side of the line. And after Brown impressed throughout the offseason program, the coaching staff opted to give him first-team snaps at right tackle during Tuesday’s session.

“The right tackle position is something that we’re evaluating. I think Greg has shown some good signs. Any time that you transition from the left to the right, there is an adjustment period,” McVay said. “It was good to see Jamon Brown. He’s continuing to grow and improve.

“That’s a position where we feel like we’ve got some good options at that spot,” McVay continued, “and we’ll continue to evaluate that moving forward.”

[MORE: Brown talks taking snaps at right tackle]

Brown played at both tackle spots in college at Louisville, so he has familiarity and a sense of comfort there after working at guard for his first two seasons in the NFL.

“It’s kind of easy to knock the rust off and get back to doing what I did,” Brown said. “It’s been going pretty good. I don’t think there’s too much rust.”

2) Johnson, Donald absent

While cornerback Trumaine Johnson has been an active participant in the Rams’ offseason program, he opted to skip Tuesday’s practice.

“It’s a situation where I continue to remind people that it is voluntary,” McVay said. “We’re not sure where Trumaine was today, but it is voluntary. Guys that stepped up in his absence did an excellent job. I’m sure we’ll find out specifically because he’s done a great job this offseason communicating and being here every day.”

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald also continued to opt to train elsewhere. Last week, general manager Les Snead confirmed it is a contract-related absence for Donald, saying he’s hopeful a deal will get done. But McVay said there was no update on Donald following Tuesday’s practice.

3) Sullivan leading competition at center

One of the advantages of signing free agent center John Sullivan was his familiarity with McVay’s offensive system, having played in it with Washington last year. Also sporting several years of starting experience in Minnesota, Sullivan has at this point solidified his role as the Rams’ first-team center.

“Certainly right now John has definitely taken a hold of that spot. He’s done a great job commanding up front, with the calls, with the communication,” McVay said. “I think we feel very fortunate to have John, but you also want to continue to allow guys to develop.”

Those younger players at center include Austin Blythe — who the Rams recently claimed off waivers from the Colts — and college free agent Jake Eldrenkamp of Washington. The club also has 2014 draft pick Demetrius Rhaney at the position.

“Whoever gives us the best ability to win games and play at a high level is who we’re going to put out there,” McVay said. “Right now, we feel like John has done that and it’s pretty clear.”

4) Everett making early strides

Rookie tight end Gerald Everett has made a number of catches during the early going of OTAs and McVay noted Tuesday the second-round pick is making solid progress.

“When you look at the tight end position, we ask those guys to move around a lot. They’re involved in the run game, the pass game, sometimes protection,” McVay said. “I think he’s getting more comfortable with our verbiage, with the system each and every day. Did some good things. I think once he feels more comfortable with that, it’ll enable him to play a little bit faster and that’s where you can see that athleticism show up that we liked so much on tape from him in college.”

5) Working on the two-minute drill

Since he was hired in January, McVay has consistently talked about Los Angeles becoming “situational masters.” To that end, the Rams have been installing and working on different aspects of their offense over the last week — first down, second down, third down, red zone. On Tuesday, the club practiced two-minute situations.

“I thought the offense did a nice job with their tempo, getting in and out of the huddle, the communication. The defense did a good job, too,” McVay said. “It’s always hard when you’re not playing tackle to see would a guy break a tackle, would he not. But, the tempo, the communication, was at a premium on both sides and that’s what we felt good about.”

[www.therams.com]

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/05/31/...s-blindside-right-tackles-left-defensive-ends

Death of the Blind Side, and Rise of the Plain-Sight Pass Rush
The book and the film it inspired brought fame and fortune to left tackles across the NFL. But the game has evolved, with right tackle becoming just as important—if not more so—on the front five
by Andy Benoit


Attacking the offense’s right edge, Von Miller is in better position for a strip-sack and—perhaps more troublingly for an offense—is in the QB’s peripheral vision
Photo: John Leyba/Getty Images

Eleven years ago, Michael Lewis, the smartest writer in America, wrote perhaps the smartest football book of its generation: The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. Through the story of Michael Oher, Lewis argued that left tackle was a football team’s second most important player because of the way he protected its most important player, the quarterback. This became conventional wisdom, and since 2004 left tackle has been the second-highest-paid position in football.

But with football’s constant evolution, conventional wisdom inevitably reaches the point of becoming flawed. The question is: When it comes to the blind side, have we reached that point?

In the current NFL landscape, the overwhelming majority of top pass rushers play left defensive end or linebacker, which means they line up across from the right tackle. That includes J.J. Watt, Von Miller, Khalil Mack, Justin Houston, Joey Bosa, Vic Beasley, Cameron Wake, Cliff Avril, Markus Golden, Ryan Kerrigan, Carlos Dunlap, Cameron Jordan, Jason Pierre-Paul and Danielle Hunter, a 22-year-old rising star who recorded 12.5 sacks for the Vikings last year.

Starting right tackles, on average, make barely half of what left tackles make. Yet, based on the defenders they face, you could argue that right tackles are more important. Not only are the top sack-producers coming from the offense’s right side, but so are the turnover-creators.

Many of these left defensive ends are the leaders in sack-fumbles. Cliff Avril sets the bar there. Before him, it was now-retired longtime Colts edge rusher Robert Mathis, who lined up primarily on the left side.

This makes perfect sense. Most quarterbacks are righthanded. When you rush the QB from his right side, you’re closer to the ball. Picture a pass rusher: He dips low around the corner, with his helmet at about the height of the quarterback’s shoulder.

This, by the way, naturally puts the defender out of the quarterback’s line of vision. Maybe he’s not completely in the QB’s blind spot, but he’s in an uncomfortable part of the QB’s periphery, which brings us to the next danger posed by a pass rusher coming off the offense’s right side.

A quarterback who sees a pass rusher coming can brace for the hit, not preferable for a defender getting that sack. But when the QB has a pass rusher in his line of vision, he might also brace for a hit that is not imminent. That, in and of itself, can be enough to ruin a play.

The primary goal of a pass rush isn’t to hit the quarterback (though that’s always a plus), it’s to force the quarterback to play on your schedule, not his. A quarterback who sees a pass rusher coming almost always will operate on the defense’s schedule. If he’s a good quarterback, he’ll check the ball down early. If he’s a bad quarterback, he’ll panic and break down his own pocket.

Though no defensive coach or player would ever admit it in these terms, the beauty of a blind-side hit is that it’s more likely to injure the quarterback. But how often does that actually happen? How many instances can you remember when a QB dropped back, got drilled blindly from the left side and was out of the game?

Any hit can knock out a quarterback. In fact, if you hit a quarterback from his right side, you’re more likely to impact the arm, hand or shoulder he throws with. Plus, with shotgun now the formation of choice, the quarterback’s vision cone is bigger, making the blind side a little less blind anyway.

Of course, there’s also a chicken-and-egg conversation to be had. Are more sacks coming from the offense’s right side because offenses habitually put their less talented tackle over there? And is the opportunity to exploit a less talented blocker why defenses are putting their best pass rushers on that side? Perhaps.

But let’s go back to the original thinking of the blind-side tackle. Another reason it became valuable is the left is usually considered to be the weak side. In other words, the side away from where the tight end aligns. The thinking is that, with QBs being righthanded, tight ends most often line up on the right side. Which means right tackles have a help-blocker while left tackles are all alone.

But, in actuality, this is no longer the case. With more spread offenses, tight ends are lining up on the line of scrimmage less often. And with the preponderance of quick-strike throws, the immediate spacing of the formation becomes more significant.

The strength of your formation is not usually determined by right and left, but rather, by where the ball is spotted. If it’s on the left hashmark, your formation is likely to have more bodies on the right, where there’s more field space. If the ball is on the right hash, there’s more field space to the left. The strength of the formation is likely to go there.

This means left and right tackles are equally likely to face one-on-one pass-blocking scenarios. The difference is that when a right tackle is in one-on-one, he’s more likely to be up against an elite pass rusher. Defensive coaches don’t care who is at left or right tackle—they care about which of those two players is weaker. That’s what they’ll center their pass rush concepts around. And it’s how an offensive coach will build his protections.

As the game continues down its current path, the two tackle positions will balance out. We’ll soon see right tackles valued equally to left tackles. It’s just taking a little longer than it should to throw this latest bit of conventional wisdom out the window.

Reporter Dani Klupenger talks with offensive lineman Jamon Brown about his first-team reps at right tackle.

Watch Brown Interview

Offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth describes his practice habits after Tuesday of Rams OTAs.

Watch Whitworth Interview

reg Robinson committed an NFL-leading 31 total penalties over the last two years and was graded 71st among 78 qualified tackles by Pro Football Focus in 2016. Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports
10:27 AM ET

• 
  
  Alden GonzalezESPN Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Greg Robinson will tell you he didn't see this coming, but he's happy to at least still be a tackle.

"Just the space," Robinson said. "It’s more natural for me."


Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2014, struggled mightily at left tackle during his first three NFL seasons, prompting a switch to the right side. The Los Angeles Rams opted against picking up his fifth-year option earlier this spring, and now they're not even sure if Robinson will start. Jamon Brown, a guard through his first two years, was the one taking first-team snaps at right tackle during organized team activities on Tuesday, leaving Robinson to get his work done alongside the backups.

It's still early, though, and Robinson will tell you he's "getting accustomed" to his new position.

"The first week or so was a tough one, but I’m getting it down," he said. "As a goal, all I’m planning on doing is proving with every opportunity I can that I can do well on the right side."

Robinson committed an NFL-leading 31 total penalties over the last two years and was graded 71st among 78 qualified tackles by Pro Football Focus in 2016, a year when the offensive line's struggles made life miserable on quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley. The Rams have since guaranteed $15 million to a 35-year-old Andrew Whitworth, solidifying themselves at left tackle and prompting change throughout the right side.

Rob Havenstein is transitioning from right tackle to right guard, a move prompted by the Rams' belief that he can do a better job of picking up assignments in the interior.

Right tackle, said first-year coach Sean McVay, "is something that we’re evaluating."

Brown, a third-round pick in 2015, made all of his starts at tackle for Louisville, starting on the right side before moving to the left. But with Robinson on the roster and Havenstein selected a round earlier, the Rams, under Jeff Fisher, used Brown mostly at left and right guard, giving him a combined 14 starts there in 2015-16. Going back to right tackle "was just kind of a suggestion last week because they’re trying to plug in guys and evaluate guys at different spots," Brown said.

McVay said Robinson has "shown some good signs" at right tackle, but also stated that Brown's athleticism and strength show up there.

The majority of the stuff comes back pretty natural, just because that’s what I’ve been doing for the four years I was in college," Brown said. "It’s kind of easy to just kind of knock the rust off and just get back to doing what I do. "

Whitworth, a three-time Pro Bowler, has been helping Robinson any way he can. He's trying to act as "positive reinforcement," Whitworth said, talking through schemes, walking through technique and simply making himself available. He stands as a much-needed third veteran on this offensive line, along with left guard Rodger Saffold and center John Sullivan.

But Robinson, 24, must carve his own path.

"Honestly, just another day on the field is an opportunity," he said. "That’s all I’m looking forward to. I’m willing to just prove myself in any way I can, and every day that’s the only thing I’m focused on. Since the beginning I’ve been trying my best. In terms of my play, I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied. All I can do is keep stacking blocks and continue building."


[www.espn.com]

Are you fucking kidding me here ESPN? John Clayton might be the best NFL reporter in the entire country, and you're laying him off? Maybe if he had a show where he called his co-host an asshole for an hour a day they'd keep him.

Worthless bloody organization.

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Headed to Dallas mid June....
Looking for a good steak house in Dallas and some fun things to do between golf and concerts I am going to.
Anyone have suggestions?

Just curious...I know that Mannion hasn't played much with us so there's not a ton to go off of but what do you guys think of Mannion? What kind of floor/ceiling do you think he has?

Personally, i liked him coming out of college. I thought he was a big QB with a strong arm, accurate, and a quick release. I honestly thought he was a perfect fit for what Fisher was ***TRYING*** to do on Offense (errrr what i thought he was trying to do) and definitely think he gave us a better chance of winning games than Keenum ever did. Honestly, he still might be our best bet right now considering where Goff is RIGHT NOW (i still think Goff is a future pro bowler).

Opinions?

Robinson to the bench?

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I have a Samsung French Door fridge that my wife just called me about saying the freezer isn't cold. Ice cream melted and shit. I need a filter, would this cause that? I need some help.

The fridge I have is the one in this link

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung...JmmflX7Qhx9tybtPaAAYYcEvyKTBwrKvicxoCW7Pw_wcB

Ruh ro, hopefully nothing.

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We are exactly 100 days away from real football

By Dan Hanzus
Published: May 30, 2017

You know you're deep into the NFL offseason when the top story over Memorial Day weekend revolved around uneasy negotiations between Mike Vick and the Falcons toward a one-day retirement contract.

The news cycle has slowed, no doubt, but the good news is every day that passes on the calendar takes us one step closer to real football.

Sometimes the inexorable march of time, the prison into which all humankind is born, works in our favor.


Tuesday puts us exactly 100 days away from Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots, Week 1.

To celebrate the 100-day marker, the warriors in the NFL Media Research Department have put together some notable 100 stuff from the 2016 season. Let's have a look.

Most Games With 100+ Passer Rating

» Matt Ryan, 12
» Dak Prescott, 11
» Aaron Rodgers, 9
» Drew Brees, 9
» 4 Players Tied, 8

Most Games With 100+ Rushing Yards

» Ezekiel Elliott, 7
» Jordan Howard, 7
» LeSean McCoy, 7
» Le'Veon Bell, 6
» DeMarco Murray, 5

Most Games With 100+ Receiving Yards

» Julio Jones, 7
» T.Y. Hilton, 6
» Travis Kelce, 6
» Jordy Nelson, 5
» DeSean Jackson, 5

Most Games With 100+ Scrimmage Yards

» David Johnson, 15
» Ezekiel Elliott, 11
» Le'Veon Bell, 11
» Jordan Howard, 10
» LeSean McCoy, 10

Coaches With 100+ Career Wins

» Bill Belichick, 237
» Andy Reid, 173
» John Fox, 128
» Marvis Lewis, 118
» Mike McCarthy, 114
» Pete Carroll, 104
» Mike Tomlin, 103

And here's your reminder that Belichick could go 0-16 for the next 41 years and still have a better career winning percentage than Gus Bradley.

Andy Reid, meanwhile, is one measly Super Bowl win away from the Hall of Fame. His latest quest to finally check that box begins in exactly 100 days.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-are-exactly-100-days-away-from-real-football

It's time to put this up as a reminder once again. While we appreciate any member who starts threads and brings content to this site, it would also be appreciated if you would first use the search engine and/or at least scan the first page before posting something that has already been posted by another member.

Carry on...

Click link below to listen to podcast.
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http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/05/29/...s-kelce-jordan-reed-jason-witten-kyle-rudolph

The 10 Best Tight Ends in Football
Gronkowski or Kelce? How much of an upgrade did the Packers get in Martellus Bennett? And does Jason Witten still make the cut?
By Andy Benoit and Gary Gramling



Tight ends. Every team wants good ones, but there aren’t that many good ones in the NFL. We’re unveiling the top 10, based on the votes of myself, Andy Benoit and researcher Ryan Lacey.

From a voting standpoint, the big question was whether Gronk, coming off another injury-filled season, had enough to hold off some of the position’s rising superstars. Did he? Find out by listening to the thing.

Number 10—1:46 - Kyle Rudolph(Vikings)

Number 9—6:21 - Tyler Eifert(Bengals)

Number 8—7:49 - Martellus Bennett(Packers)

Number 6 (tie)—12:38 - Delanie Walker(Titans)

Number 6 (tie)—18:16 - Jason Witten(Cowboys)

Number 5—23:25 - Jimmy Graham(Seahawks)

Number 4—29:32 - Greg Olsen(Panthers)

Number 3—34:41 - Jordan Reed(Redskins)

Number 2—38:33 - Travis Kelce(Chiefs)

Number 1—42:11 - Rob Gronkowski(Patriots)

I just can't fully grasp the stuburness that makes people choose to not wear these. Back in December my 24 year old cousin was ejected from a car, hitting a tree and cutting his body into three parts. Killing him instantly. And last night a 19 year old kid that I've known for years and who actually worked for me for about a year was thrown out of the t-top of a trans am during an accident, the car landed on him and killed him.

I hear people say things like "you're just as likely to get trapped and die" or "it's too uncomfortable." Just anything to make it make work in their minds. We all have that choice obviously....but I don't understand it. It's like riding a motorcycle without a helmet. Sure, you can and you feel more free...but why risk it.

I was in an accident 2 days before my high school graduation. I was doing about 90 in my wicked sweet Shelby Daytona...I saw a car pulled over ahead of my and tried to slow down, well my brakes locked up, I lost control and the car flipped 3-4 times. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt and made it out with just one tiny little scratch that didn't even bleed. I've never drove a car without a belt since.

So I'm curious, how many of us wear them?