Gonzalez: Rams RB Todd Gurley struggles again, sees fewer carries

[den-the-coach]

Todd Gurley ran for just 48 yards Sunday against the Panthers, the 15th time in 16 games he's been held under 100 rushing yards. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports



Rams RB Todd Gurley struggles again, sees fewer carries

Alden Gonzalez
ESPN Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES -- Another week, another struggle for Todd Gurley.

The Los Angeles Rams' running back was held to 48 rushing yards in Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers, marking the 15th time in the last 16 games he has been held below 100 yards.

Once again, he also didn't get the workload.

Gurley received only 12 carries in what was a close game throughout, two weeks after getting only 15 carries in a loss to the New York Giants and three weeks after getting only 14 carries in a loss to the Detroit Lions. Facing a Panthers defense that had allowed the NFL's fewest rushing yards per carry, Gurley got the ball on back-to-back snaps only once -- on the Rams' first drive of the game.

Down the stretch, as the Rams put together their only touchdown in the final seconds, Gurley remained on the sideline because, as Rams coach Jeff Fisher said, "Benny [Cunningham] is our two-minute back."

"I don’t control the play-calling," said Gurley, who also was targeted five times as a receiver, hauling in four catches for 26 yards. "Obviously everybody wants the ball in their hands, but it’s a team game. I trust in my guys, just like they trust in me.”

Gurley, drafted 10th overall out of Georgia, burst onto the scene as a rookie, averaging a record 142 rushing yards per game in his first four starts. Since then, he's averaging 61 yards per game. This year, he's on pace for a total of 902, well below the 1,106 yards he gained in only 13 games in 2015. It's an even bigger issue than the Rams' quarterback situation, though it's probably also tied in.

"We need to find a way to get that together, or else it's going to be a long season," Rams left guard Rodger Saffold said of the running game.

"They're taking the run away with respect to the fronts and the stunting, so we pick it up and throw it," Fisher added. "It's not a Todd thing; it's not a personal thing from Todd. You can see how explosive he is when he gets the ball in his hands."

He may need it more often.

[www.espn.com]

 

[RAMpage28]

12 carries, 14 carries, 15 carries... All while Case throws 35, 40, 50+ times a game.

The identity of this team, or any Fisher team for that matter, is supposed to be a power running, ball control team. Fisher can't even figure out his identity or properly build his team to match it. He wishes he was what the Dolphins are right now with Ajyai going off for over 500 in the last 3 games and their line opening it up. Or even the running game of the Raiders last night where they just hit it on the left side over and over and couldn't be stopped. The Raiders have that running game and an outstanding passing game and we have neither of those.

Yet the Rams go out and sling it 40 times a game, even if it's close, with their game manager who isn't protecting the ball as well as this offense requires, which pretty much means he can't ever turn it over because this offense can't overcome any adversity. Problem comes in when Case has 11 interceptions and lost 1 of his 5 fumbles.

Fisher can't figure out what he wants to do and even if he did, it wouldn't matter because he hasn't been able to build an offense that can carry out that plan. If you are STILL thinking Fisher should be kept on after this year, please reconsider.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Todd Gurley - 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft: Career attempts/yards = 375/1557 (4.2 YPA)
Ezekiel Elliott - 4th overall pick in the 2016 draft: Career attempts/yards = 177/891* (5.0 YPA)
* projects to ~ 1,800 yards for the season

Quick question:
What do you think is the difference between these two players?

 

[MTRamsFan]

Until we can run the ball with any consistency, Gurley will see about the same number of carries each game. Once, and it will eventually happen, the run game starts providing more to the overall offensive game plan, we will see fewer throws by Keenum, but until then Keenum will continue throwing 30+ balls a game.

 

[MTRamsFan]

Todd Gurley - 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft: Career attempts/yards = 375/1557 (4.2 YPA)
Ezekiel Elliott - 4th overall pick in the 2016 draft: Career attempts/yards = 177/891* (5.0 YPA)
* projects to ~ 1,800 yards for the season

Quick question:
What do you think is the difference between these two players?

No question, it's the offensive line they run behind. Dallas' O-Line is so much superior to ours it isn't even worth a debate.

 

[HeiseNBerg]

What a short memory this offensive coaching staff has: last year, Gurley did the bulk of his damage in the 4th quarter of the game -- they kept feeding him the ball, despite modest numbers through the first 3 quarters.

Can't understand why they're quick to abandon the run game this season; particularly in these last 4 games where the Rams were in striking distance of tying or taking a lead.

 

[Jacobarch]

Todd Gurley - 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft: Career attempts/yards = 375/1557 (4.2 YPA)
Ezekiel Elliott - 4th overall pick in the 2016 draft: Career attempts/yards = 177/891* (5.0 YPA)
* projects to ~ 1,800 yards for the season

Quick question:
What do you think is the difference between these two players?

Difference is Elliott has much better oline and QB under center. Teams can't load the box like they do the Rams. Teams are daring the Rams to beat them thru the air. Which they obviously cannot for multiple reasons.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Second question:
Who is responsible for picking the players along the Oline and hiring the OIline coach?

 

[Boston Ram]

The Rams as a team are not executing in the run game period and they are better off throwing. Truth is the oline is not blocking well in the run game and Gurley has not been good. Even when there are holes he is missing them. Frankly I would give Cunningham more carries, maybe wake Gurley up a little.

 

[LetsGoRams]

Todd Gurley - 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft: Career attempts/yards = 375/1557 (4.2 YPA)
Ezekiel Elliott - 4th overall pick in the 2016 draft: Career attempts/yards = 177/891* (5.0 YPA)
* projects to ~ 1,800 yards for the season

Quick question:
What do you think is the difference between these two players?

1. Philosophy
2. Offensive line

 

[ram007]

Todd Gurley - 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft: Career attempts/yards = 375/1557 (4.2 YPA)
Ezekiel Elliott - 4th overall pick in the 2016 draft: Career attempts/yards = 177/891* (5.0 YPA)
* projects to ~ 1,800 yards for the season

Quick question:
What do you think is the difference between these two players?

one plays for Cowboys and other for Rams?

 

[LetsGoRams]

Gurley actually showed a lot of burst yesterday. He was hitting holes hard and was close to breaking a few. It boggles the mind wondering why they don't allow the big fella to get into a good flow...

 

[MTRamsFan]

Second question:
Who is responsible for picking the players along the Oline and hiring the OIline coach?

Trick Question.

 

[Big Game]

Todd Gurley - 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft: Career attempts/yards = 375/1557 (4.2 YPA)
Ezekiel Elliott - 4th overall pick in the 2016 draft: Career attempts/yards = 177/891* (5.0 YPA)
* projects to ~ 1,800 yards for the season

Quick question:
What do you think is the difference between these two players?

Dallas Offensive line is 10 times better than the Rams

 

[blackbart]

Second question:
Who is responsible for picking the players along the Oline and hiring the OIline coach?

Better question why isn't the line performing better, players play. They are the ones not getting it done.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Better question why isn't the line performing better, players play. They are the ones not getting it done.

So, it's the players who are at fault?

 

[Ramrasta]

The line has been horrible but we can't pin the blame on them. The difference between the run production from last year to now is not the offensive line. It is Gurley. He has to be better, it's that simple.

 

[LosAngelesRams]

Todd Gurley - 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft: Career attempts/yards = 375/1557 (4.2 YPA)
Ezekiel Elliott - 4th overall pick in the 2016 draft: Career attempts/yards = 177/891* (5.0 YPA)
* projects to ~ 1,800 yards for the season

Quick question:
What do you think is the difference between these two players?

One has a insanely good offensive line, the other, not so much. Any HB inserted behind that offensive line will see a boost in production.

They both have amazing & unique skill sets, overall both are capable of carrying a team like AP has in the past.

 

[NateDawg122]

The line has been horrible but we can't pin the blame on them. The difference between the run production from last year to now is not the offensive line. It is Gurley. He has to be better, it's that simple.

Have you watched any tape from this year? Like, at all?

 

[Debacled]

So, it's the players who are at fault?

I would definitely chalk it up to that.

Snead got a woody for Robinson out of Auburn (alumni, he brings in all kinds of Auburn players for camp ect) and the dude just isn't progressing. Coaching only matters so much, bottom line is those coaches aren't on the field playing. You can coach all the technique in the world it doesn't mean its going to stick.

Before the season started it was obvious there would be offensive struggles. A young line with players who have yet to prove themselves, if they ever will. Keenum or a rookie out of a spread offense at QB. Huge questionmarks at WR with a group of ok guys but no game changers and gadget player in Austin who for whatever reason seems to struggle to get separation on routes.

The offensive scheme isn't the problem. It would work quite well if the players could execute like they are supposed to. They gave up on the run way too early this past week and couldn't beat a secondary that hasn't stopped anybody this year. There is just no offensive threat.