Jeff Fisher comfortable with Rams' RB depth
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Nick Wagoner, ESPN St. Louis Rams reporter
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- For most of the 2014 NFL offseason,
St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher insisted he was pleased with his team's depth at running back.
Rookie
Zac Stacy nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in less than a full season of work,
Benjamin Cunningham flashed potential, and there was still hope for second-round pick
Isaiah Pead to develop. That confidence lasted all of 74 picks into the 2014 NFL draft.
That's when the Rams used their third-round pick, No. 75 overall, on Auburn running back
Tre Mason. At the time, Fisher and general manager Les Snead pointed to Mason clearly being the highest-rated player remaining on their board. It was a value too good to pass up, the story went.
At last week's NFL owners meetings, Fisher was asked if this time he truly is pleased with what he has in place at running back. The answer took on a familiar tone.
“Yes, obviously Isaiah is coming back as well," Fisher said. "You should see him on the field. So, with him included, yes we do. Tre and Benny and Zac and Isaiah coming back, it’s a good group.”
On paper at least, the Rams did seem to at least settle into a rotation that could be effective in the right situations. After about a quarter of the season spent on the bench, Mason emerged as a legitimate home-run threat and became the de facto starter. Cunningham embraced the third-down back role and proved the team's most adept pass blocking back. Stacy got lost in the shuffle but got the occasional carry behind Mason down the stretch. All of this happened with Pead spending the season on injured reserve.
At it stands, Mason figures to be the starter moving forward, with Cunningham the third-down back and Stacy around for depth. Where Pead fits remains to be seen since he has yet to deliver any real production since being drafted in 2012. Fisher sounds high on Pead coming off injury but there might not be room for him.
"I think that you assume...going into it now, as we finished up last year, the second half of the season, Benny became the third-down back," Fisher said. "He’s just really good out of the backfield. He’s probably the better protector of the three. That’s some work that Tre and Zac need and we’ll get that done whenever we can during the offseason. So with Benny being the third-down back, then we’ve got a one-two punch with Tre and Zac.”
Fisher has also made no secret of his desire to have an offense centered on a power-running game. That has been a consistent theme in his three years as coach in St. Louis save for the failed four-game experiment with a wide-open approach in 2013. But the Rams also haven't really delivered on that, either.
Since Fisher arrived in 2012, the Rams have averaged 106.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks 19th, and an average of 4.1 yards per carry, which ranks 17th. There have been glimpses of a potent rushing attack but it's been far too inconsistent, especially against 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.
That doesn't necessarily mean the running backs are the problem as the Rams offensive line struggled consistently, but the team hasn't exactly bolstered that group yet this offseason, either.
One thing that should help if the Rams do stick with their current group is the fact that there wouldn't be a need to spend a chunk of the season breaking in a starting back.
“No we don’t," Fisher said. "I say this quite often, it takes time to learn how to play without the football. That’s not only pass blocking, but knowing who to block in every single situation when there’s a change in protection in addition to knowing where to get to in the passing game because you’re an outlet. There’s more to that position than just carrying the football. It’s not an easy position to learn at this level.
"Playing without the ball is not an easy thing to learn. That’s why it takes time. We feel now in certain ways, simplifying the offense, there’s really no philosophical changes or scheme changes. We’re simplifying it. So between that and the familiarity of the offense and the experience, they should all be ready to go.”
Like with anything at this time of the year, nothing is set in stone, especially given what looks like a deep and talented running back class entering the draft.
There's little doubt the Rams would be better suited improving the line as a way to upgrade the running game, but there's also recent evidence to suggest it would be no surprise if they went back to the running back well if they felt the value was too good to pass up.
:notsure:
