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Practice Report 9/9: Gurley Primed for Strong Year 2
By Myles Simmons
[www.therams.com]
If you’re a competitor like Rams running back Todd Gurley, the preseason probably isn’t much fun.
First of all, the games don’t count. And when you’re the focal point of the offense like Gurley, as seen on Hard Knocks, the coaching staff likely doesn’t want you getting hit very much.
It’s all about making sure the team is in the best shape possible to begin the season. And now that Week 1 has arrived, everyone is looking forward to Todd Gurley receiving his usual starter’s workload against the 49ers.
“He does some amazing things,” offensive lineman Rodger Saffold said. “It always makes the offensive linemen feel good when your running back gets about 20, 30 yards.
“It’s just like — yes,” Saffold continued with a laugh, “because it’s a lot better for an offensive lineman when you score in four plays than when you score in 12.”
This year, Gurley will be breaking off those explosive runs with a “C” on his uniform. The running back has been named a captain for the first time, showing the immense respect Gurley has earned after his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season in 2015.
“It means a lot,” Gurley said Friday. “I’m honored and I’m going to to take that role and try to lead this team as much as I can.”
The knee injury Gurley suffered his final year of college that kept him out until Week 3 last year is effectively behind him. Even if it did affect Gurley in 2015, he was still able to become the league’s No. 3 rusher with 1,106 yards.
“I still do a little maintenance stuff twice a week — just make sure I get a couple extra strength exercises.” Gurley said. “But other than that, that’s about it.”
“This offseason I was able to do a lot more than I was the past offseason because of my knee,” Gurley added. “So I was able to do extra workouts and stuff like that.”
If there’s one element the Georgia product appears to want to add this year, it’s becoming a better receiver. Gurley was targeted only 26 times last season, making 21 receptions for 188 yards and no touchdowns. That latter stat is what Gurley really wants to change.
“It’s about time for me to get a receiving touchdown this year,” Gurley said. “Hopefully I’ll get at least one, so that’ll be an improvement from last year, for sure.”
Gurley sat out the second contest against the 49ers in 2015 with a toe injury, but he was electric in the first. He recorded 20 carries for 133 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown run during which he used his speed to go untouched from the line of scrimmage to the end zone.
This matchup will be featured on Monday Night Football, which creates a spotlight Gurley embraces.
“I love it,” Gurley said. “I love the big games, everybody’s watching and that’s what we’re made for.”
With a new coaching staff, the 49ers brought in Jim O’Neil to be their defensive coordinator. He held the same position with the Browns last year — another team Gurley torched for over 125 yards rushing. Still, San Francisco has some strong defenders that could be a challenge for Gurley.
“Obviously, their linebackers are great — they have some great linebackers inside, outside,” Gurley said. “Their interior defensive linemen are pretty good. I know they have a couple guys banged up, but it’s the first game of the year, so they’re going to be ready to play as much as we are.”
One of the players Gurley figures to meet up with a bunch on Monday is linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who led the league in tackles last year.
“It’s the best versus the best,” Gurley said. “Somebody’s got to come out on top, somebody has to lose.”
Niners head coach Chip Kelly said this week the key to trying to slow down Gurley is team tackling — if defenders can catch up to him.
“Very rarely are you going to get one person to get him on the ground,” Kelly said. “We have to do a great job in our leverage of the running back and we have to do a great job in guys running to the football, playing with great effort because he made such an impact as a rookie.”
“I think he’s faster than people give him credit for, maybe,” Kelly continued. “But he’s also such a big, physical runner – you’re going to have to get a lot of guys around him and you’re going to have to gang-tackle him.”
And so even though the running back took only four carries during the preseason, he’s feeling ready for the bright lights — and many carries — that will come on Monday night.
“I feel like my practice habits have been pretty good, just as far as finishing my runs and just out here every day, going hard as much as possible,” Gurley said. “So once the game comes, I feel like I’ll be fine.”
EXTRA POINTS
— Los Angeles had some good news on the injury front, as the team was able upgrade two players on the report. Right tackle Rob Havenstein (foot) and linebacker Bryce Hager (concussion) both went from limited participants on Thursday to full participants on Friday.
The remainder of the report went unchanged, as cornerback E.J. Gaines (thigh), wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (shoulder), and wide receiver Nelson Spruce (knee) all did not participate on Friday.
— Los Angeles reached an injury settlement with offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds, terminating his contract. The Rams placed Reynolds on injured reserve following the club’s final preseason game during the roster reduction from 75 to 53 players.
By Myles Simmons
[www.therams.com]
If you’re a competitor like Rams running back Todd Gurley, the preseason probably isn’t much fun.
First of all, the games don’t count. And when you’re the focal point of the offense like Gurley, as seen on Hard Knocks, the coaching staff likely doesn’t want you getting hit very much.
It’s all about making sure the team is in the best shape possible to begin the season. And now that Week 1 has arrived, everyone is looking forward to Todd Gurley receiving his usual starter’s workload against the 49ers.
“He does some amazing things,” offensive lineman Rodger Saffold said. “It always makes the offensive linemen feel good when your running back gets about 20, 30 yards.
“It’s just like — yes,” Saffold continued with a laugh, “because it’s a lot better for an offensive lineman when you score in four plays than when you score in 12.”
This year, Gurley will be breaking off those explosive runs with a “C” on his uniform. The running back has been named a captain for the first time, showing the immense respect Gurley has earned after his AP Offensive Rookie of the Year season in 2015.
“It means a lot,” Gurley said Friday. “I’m honored and I’m going to to take that role and try to lead this team as much as I can.”
The knee injury Gurley suffered his final year of college that kept him out until Week 3 last year is effectively behind him. Even if it did affect Gurley in 2015, he was still able to become the league’s No. 3 rusher with 1,106 yards.
“I still do a little maintenance stuff twice a week — just make sure I get a couple extra strength exercises.” Gurley said. “But other than that, that’s about it.”
“This offseason I was able to do a lot more than I was the past offseason because of my knee,” Gurley added. “So I was able to do extra workouts and stuff like that.”
If there’s one element the Georgia product appears to want to add this year, it’s becoming a better receiver. Gurley was targeted only 26 times last season, making 21 receptions for 188 yards and no touchdowns. That latter stat is what Gurley really wants to change.
“It’s about time for me to get a receiving touchdown this year,” Gurley said. “Hopefully I’ll get at least one, so that’ll be an improvement from last year, for sure.”
Gurley sat out the second contest against the 49ers in 2015 with a toe injury, but he was electric in the first. He recorded 20 carries for 133 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown run during which he used his speed to go untouched from the line of scrimmage to the end zone.
This matchup will be featured on Monday Night Football, which creates a spotlight Gurley embraces.
“I love it,” Gurley said. “I love the big games, everybody’s watching and that’s what we’re made for.”
With a new coaching staff, the 49ers brought in Jim O’Neil to be their defensive coordinator. He held the same position with the Browns last year — another team Gurley torched for over 125 yards rushing. Still, San Francisco has some strong defenders that could be a challenge for Gurley.
“Obviously, their linebackers are great — they have some great linebackers inside, outside,” Gurley said. “Their interior defensive linemen are pretty good. I know they have a couple guys banged up, but it’s the first game of the year, so they’re going to be ready to play as much as we are.”
One of the players Gurley figures to meet up with a bunch on Monday is linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who led the league in tackles last year.
“It’s the best versus the best,” Gurley said. “Somebody’s got to come out on top, somebody has to lose.”
Niners head coach Chip Kelly said this week the key to trying to slow down Gurley is team tackling — if defenders can catch up to him.
“Very rarely are you going to get one person to get him on the ground,” Kelly said. “We have to do a great job in our leverage of the running back and we have to do a great job in guys running to the football, playing with great effort because he made such an impact as a rookie.”
“I think he’s faster than people give him credit for, maybe,” Kelly continued. “But he’s also such a big, physical runner – you’re going to have to get a lot of guys around him and you’re going to have to gang-tackle him.”
And so even though the running back took only four carries during the preseason, he’s feeling ready for the bright lights — and many carries — that will come on Monday night.
“I feel like my practice habits have been pretty good, just as far as finishing my runs and just out here every day, going hard as much as possible,” Gurley said. “So once the game comes, I feel like I’ll be fine.”
EXTRA POINTS
— Los Angeles had some good news on the injury front, as the team was able upgrade two players on the report. Right tackle Rob Havenstein (foot) and linebacker Bryce Hager (concussion) both went from limited participants on Thursday to full participants on Friday.
The remainder of the report went unchanged, as cornerback E.J. Gaines (thigh), wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (shoulder), and wide receiver Nelson Spruce (knee) all did not participate on Friday.
— Los Angeles reached an injury settlement with offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds, terminating his contract. The Rams placed Reynolds on injured reserve following the club’s final preseason game during the roster reduction from 75 to 53 players.
