With Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams go all-in on run game
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/p...dd-gurley-st-louis-rams-go-all-in-on-run-game
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Five minutes after the St. Louis Rams selected Georgia running back Todd Gurley with the 10th overall selection in the NFL draft Thursday night, coach Jeff Fisher's phone lit up.
Amongst the many texts Fisher received was a simple one that read "Congratulations, great pick." On the other end of the text was former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George, the same running back who spent eight years carrying the load for Fisher's Titans.
While their playing styles may be different, the Rams now turn to Gurley to take a running game that's been more bark than bite, and lead it to the lofty heights that George once spearheaded.
"He’s special," Fisher said. "Their running styles are different. [But] when their careers are all said and done, he could be that guy, yes."
Since Fisher and general manager Les Snead arrived in St. Louis, they've consistently pointed out that they'd like their offense to center on a power running game. Despite some half-measures taken through the draft -- the Rams took four running backs in the first three years of Fisher and Snead's tenure -- they never fully committed to making it happen.
Which is why the results have been mediocre at best. In three seasons under Fisher, the Rams have averaged 106.3 rushing yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry, ranking 19th and 17th in the league, respectively. Although backs Tre Mason, Daryl Richardson, Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham have flashed potential, none have been able to consistently perform against the tougher defenses in the NFC West.
In 2014, the Rams averaged 77.8 yards and 3.36 yards per carry in six division games. In their 10 other contests, the Rams rushed for 116.8 yards and 4.56 yards per rush.
Of course, those numbers can't be exclusively pinned on the running backs. A porous offensive line that still has glaring holes at center, one guard spot and right tackle is equally responsible. Now that the Rams have invested so heavily in running back, they must do the same with the front five. Re-signing tackle Joe Barksdale, signing guard Justin Blalock and/or spending some of their remaining five picks on the line would be a good start.
Some might argue that Fisher is still stuck in the past and clinging to the days of George as a way to win. There's merit to that argument but there's also recent evidence that a generational talent at running back can be a difference maker. It's why Minnesota doesn't want to part with Adrian Peterson, the player that many at Rams Park point to as the best back to enter the draft before Gurley.
Undoubtedly, there's a certain amount of risk that comes with picking Gurley, who is still rehabilitating from a torn left anterior cruciate ligament. But if he's healthy, there's no denying his talent.
At Georgia, Gurley averaged 3 yards per rush after contact and gained more than 1,500 of his 3,285 rush yard after contact. He also had 114 carries that gained 10 yards or more since the start of the 2012 season.
Gurley, who didn't visit with the Rams before the draft, doesn't know much about St. Louis other than his friendship with linebacker Alec Ogletree, who played with him at Georgia. But he does know one more thing.
"I know they like to run the ball," Gurley said Thursday night.
And with Gurley in place, finally perhaps the Rams can do it as well as Fisher has long hoped.
