Gurley participates in first full practice with Rams/Wags

[RamBill]

Todd Gurley participates in first full practice with Rams
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...participates-in-first-full-practice-with-rams

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Perhaps it was fitting that St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley's first two reps in team drills consisted of a fake handoff to him to set up a play-action pass and a toss sweep to the left that got him into open space.

Both figure to be staples of the Rams' offense in 2015 and beyond. For now, they were just the next step on Gurley's road to recovery from the torn left ACL he suffered in November of last year.

“I haven’t done nothing like this in like, nine months, 10 months," Gurley said. "So it’s been a while. I’m definitely excited about it.”

Rams coach Jeff Fisher and his staff informed Gurley that he'd been cleared to return to practice in seven-on-seven and team drills a couple days ago. Since, he'd been champing at the bit to get back on the field and do more than just the individual work and side sessions with athletic trainers that had been his staple in this training camp.

After doing some light work in seven-on-seven, the Rams installed Gurley with the first-team offense at about 5:18 p.m. CT. Quarterback Nick Foles faked a handoff to Gurley and threw downfield. On the next play, Gurley got the ball on a pitch, darting to the left.

To Fisher's eye, all was well for Gurley on his first day involved in all aspects of practice.

"Todd was excited to get in there and get a few offensive reps and get challenged with protections and formations and all that stuff," Fisher said. "He was good and we'll just continue to probably do this for the next few days and then we'll just add reps for him as we move forward."

As expected, Gurley wore the yellow "no contact" beanie on his helmet after receiver Brian Quick removed it permanently Tuesday morning. Quick handed it off to Gurley in a short but quick ceremony.

"It makes sense that defensive guys recognize that Todd's not quite ready yet but he's getting close," Fisher said. "It's good to have him back on the field. We got him a few reps with team."

While Quick, who Fisher said is cleared from his shoulder injury and will play Saturday night against Indianapolis, hated the yellow beanie, Gurley actually likes it better than some of the alternatives.

“The good thing about that is you can’t see it," Gurley said. "In college we’d wear red jerseys. It was definitely better than wearing a red jersey or anything like that.”

Soon enough, Gurley will be able to wear a helmet without any unnecessary accessories and a normal jersey like the rest of his teammates. It remains to be seen when that will happen. But for now, progress is progress and Tuesday was a sweep left in the right direction.

 

[RamBill]

Watch reporter Dani Klupenger talk with running back Todd Gurley about his first day of full participation at practice.

Watch Gurley Interview

 

[RamzFanz]

Dude is going to add turbo charge to our season week 5-6.

 

[12intheBox]

He is playing week 1.

 

[hotanez]

I think he will be playing in the 2nd game, not starting but playing

 

[RamBill]

Ram notes: Gurley feels good about practice debut
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_d2bae86b-6ba4-5267-91bc-f7d732eeafcf.html

It may have only been a handful of plays, but Rams rookie Todd Gurley came away from his first full NFL practice feeling positive.

“It felt good,” he said following Tuesday’s workout at Rams Park. “I was hyped all day, telling everybody that I was going to be out there and nobody believed me. Definitely excited just to get out there and get some reps.

“But it’s football, something I’ve been doing my whole life.”

Gurley, selected with the No. 10 overall pick in May’s draft, is being brought along slowly by the Rams after undergoing ACL surgery to his left knee in November. The former University of Georgia star doesn’t necessarily consider himself a patient man.

“But I’ve learned to be,” he said. “It’s definitely been a long couple of months, but hopefully I’ll be back soon. Just being out there with the guys and in the huddle for the first time in forever, it felt great. Being out there on the other field with the trainers, that was no joke. Sometimes you feel like you’d rather be out here than off the field rehabbing.”

Gurley, who rushed for nearly 3,300 yards and scored 44 touchdowns in three seasons at Georgia, is sporting a yellow cover on his helmet that reminds teammates that he is not to be hit.

“The good thing is, I can’t see it,” the 21-year-old Gurley said. “In college, we wore red jerseys, so this is definitely better. I’m not getting hit, but whatever I do on the field, I’m going 100 percent.”

Rams coach Jeff Fisher has said that Gurley will not play in the preseason.

“Todd was excited to get in there, get a few offensive reps and be challenge with protections and formations and that stuff,” the coach said. “We’ll just continue to probably do this for the next few days and then just add reps for him as we move forward.”

Quarterback Nick Foles said he was surprised and excited to see the 6-foot-1, 222-pound Gurley in the backfield.

“He’s going to be an impactful player in this league,” Foles said. “I know what he was capable of doing in college, so I’m excited to see what he does on this level for us.”

Gurley, who had been limited to one-on-one drills before Tuesday, was asked about being ready for the Rams’ regular-season opener Sept. 13 against the visiting Seattle Seahawks.

“My goal — I really don’t think about that, that’s what, two or three weeks from now,” Gurley said. “I just want to progress every day and we’ll see how far that gets me.”

SASSER REJOINS RAMS

Bud Sasser was drafted by the Rams in the sixth round of the NFL draft, but the former University of Missouri standout receiver was unable to pass a physical to play due to a pre-existing heart condition. Before waiving Sasser, the Rams signed him to a rookie contract that included a $113,737 bonus and offered him a job within the organization.Tuesday, Sasser was hired as the new external football affairs coordinator. As part of the community outreach program, Sasser will work primarily with alumni relations and youth football efforts.“The first time (the Rams approached me about the job) was not too long after they told me that I was going to be released. At that point, it wasn’t the exact thing I wanted to hear,” said Sasser, who caught 77 passes for 1,003 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior at Mizzou. “But once I came to my senses, I realized what a great opportunity it was.”

Sasser said that seeing his dream of playing in the NFL derailed by his medical condition, “was a little hard at first, but I’m a blessed individual to be here today. Prayer got me through it, for sure. My family and everybody who’s just really close to me. ... All I can do is take it day by day and enjoy the fact that I’m still here and able to be around the game I love.”

Fisher said the Rams are excited to have Sasser in the organization.

“It was difficult situation that we were dealing with,” he said. “He’s an outstanding young man that obviously had something that was clearly out of his control, and I think he realizes this is the best thing for him from a future standpoint so we’re glad to have him on board.”

Sasser is one of seven new hires announced by the Rams Tuesday. The others: Preston Black (business intelligence coordinator), Vitto Gonella (scouting assistant), Rebecca Lally (football information analyst), Michael Pierce (scouting assistant), Matt Segal (website coordinator) and Erica Sherman (player involvement and community outreach coordinator).

RAM-BLINGS

Fisher had the team run “gassers” at the end of Tuesday’s practice. It’s something he has done in the past when he was unhappy with a performance. When asked about the extra running, the coach said it was, “To get ready for Seattle.”• Not practicing on Tuesday: cornerbacks Brandon McGee and E.J. Gaines, linebackers Daren Bates, Marshall McFadden and Korey Toomer, defensive tackles Michael Brockers and Doug Worthington, tight end Brad Smelley, guard Rodger Saffold, tackle Andrew Donnal and tackle Steven Baker.McGee and McFadden worked on the side with trainers while Saffold did some running on the side.

With Saffold out, center Demetrius Rhaney got some work with the starters at left guard Tuesday. Tim Barnes was at center on Tuesday.

• Tuesday’s practice was closed to the public, but some corporate sponsors, PSL holders and a small group of military personnel were on hand.

 

[Mojo Ram]

 

[FRO]

He is playing week 1.

I wouldn't play him week one, but there is no doubt in my mind he will be out there week one.

 

[brokeu91]

Here comes the beast.

 

[Hey Man]

The situation reminds me of the Friday Night Lights movie. Just don't put him out there to early.

 

[Fatbot]

and a toss sweep to the left

Did someone say toss sweep?

Starting to get really excited about seeing this kind of thing again! I'm still predicting game 3 will be his debut.

 

[JUMAVA68]

Gurley has the ability to make the oline look better than it is.So when the oline does gel and comes together he's going to rack up some serious numbers.

 

[RamBill]

Join Rams Insider Myles Simmons to learn about Todd Gurley’s first full practice at Rams Park. Includes Gurley practice footage. Also, Brian Quick is cleared to play vs Indy this weekend.

Watch Simmons Practice Report

 

[RamBill]

Practice Report 8/25: Gurley 'Hype' for Full Practice
By Myles Simmons

View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-825-Gurley-Hype-for-Full-Practice/847df4a8-fa05-42ea-a70c-759b7e153fb2


It’s been a long time since running back Todd Gurley stepped on the practice field, got into a huddle, and ran a play. And the long-awaited day finally came Tuesday afternoon, a day after head coach Jeff Fisher said the No. 10 overall pick had been cleared for both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.

“I was really excited,” Gurley said after the day’s session. “I got the news a couple days ago, so I was definitely excited just to get out here and get some reps.”

“I was hype all day, telling everybody I was going to be out there and nobody believed me,” Gurley added with a laugh.

Even though Gurley didn’t play too many snaps in the team periods, the day represented another check point in his rehab process. And that significance was not lost on the rookie.

“I haven’t done anything like this in about nine or 10 months, so it’s been a while,” he said.

And Fisher seemed pleased with the early returns from Gurley’s practice, reiterating that the team will be cautious with the running back.

“Todd was excited to get in there, get a few offensive reps, and get challenged with protections and formations and all that stuff,” Fisher said. “He was good. We’ll just continue to probably do this for the next few days and then we’ll just add reps for him as we move forward.”

The Rams were not in pads for what players termed as a day to work on correcting elements of their game. Still, Gurley said he pushed to get the most out of the practice, despite his current physical limitations.

“Whatever I do on the field, I’m going to be 100 percent. I might not be getting hit or anything like that, but I’m still going to go hard,” Gurley said. “When I got out there, I was going to be me.”

While Gurley’s first carry in practice could have been a special moment, the running back said instead it felt fairly ordinary.

“I’ve been preparing myself and training myself for this for the past couple of months,” Gurley said. “It’s football. I’ve been doing my whole life.”

Quarterback Nick Foles quipped that it was a little surprising to hand the ball off to Gurley on Tuesday. But the signal-caller acknowledged that it was great to have the rookie running back on the field.

“He’s going to be an impactful player in this league,” Foles said. “I’m excited to get him out there and see what he’s capable of doing. I know what he was capable of doing in college, so I’m excited to see what he does on this level for us.”

One factor Gurley has working in his favor is that he’s been able to participate in the team’s walk thrus. The running back said those sessions and observing what his fellow running backs do during plays has been helpful to a point. But it’s not the same as actually going through the plays yourself.

“You get the mental reps back there, but it’s not like you have to react off of it or anything like that,” Gurley said. “But I think being able to just be in there and get a feel for it, that will definitely help you get better.”

While Fisher has maintained Gurley will not appear in a preseason game, the running back said he’s not thinking too much about whether or not he’ll play in the opener on Sept. 13.

“That’s two or three weeks from now,” Gurley said. “Right now, it’s just progress every day, and we’ll see how far that gets me.”

PRESENTING THE YELLOW CAP

In his Monday press conference, Fisher joked that there might be a small ceremony with Gurley and Brian Quick for the wideout to hand over the yellow “non-contact” cap to the running back. Well, that’s exactly what Quick did with head trainer Reggie Scott today.

“I kind of just presented the yellow hat to him,” Quick said. “I was a little dramatic to make sure he knew that I was passing the yellow hat to him. It’s a big step for us, especially after being injured. And him getting to practice live out there with the guys -- that’s a big step. So I made it a big deal because it was a big deal for me.”


Quick is now able to get hit when he’s on the field, which is something he’s been looking forward to because it means he’s close to getting in a game. Fisher said Tuesday he expects Quick to play this week.

We’ll have more on Quick and his rehab process in the next few days.

FINDING A RHYTHM

Finally, Foles said that executing better offensively and putting points on the board are the biggest goals for the offense heading into this week’s matchup with the Colts. And to do that, it’s all about getting the offense to flow.

“I think going into this week, we just need to focus on the corrections, execution and really just getting into a rhythm,” Foles said. “Football is a rhythm game, so getting out there, getting into a rhythm early and really just getting the ball into the endzone, putting some points on the board, and just showing improvement. That’s why we come out here every day. Study the game film, come out here, fix the corrections and move forward and progress. Just want to keep progressing and get the ball moving.”

 

[Big Game]

To be honest its sounding more and more like Gurley will be on the field come week one. Not sure how many plays but i'm thinking he gets on the field for at least 5-10 snaps.

 

[LACHAMP46]

the Rams installed Gurley with the first-team offense at about 5:18 p.m. CT. Quarterback Nick Foles faked a handoff to Gurley and threw downfield. On the next play, Gurley got the ball on a pitch, darting to the left.

Mark this down gentlemen....this is the moment we became official playoff contenders in the 2015 season...

 

[Zaphod]

Wo0hoo!

Just as excited about Quick removing the yellow no contact beanie!

 

[fearsomefour]

I like that toss sweep action. Just about finding a seam and letting him rip. With our Gs and Ts on both sides it would seem the O line is athletic enough to do this pretty well.

 

[DawgFather]

View: https://youtu.be/7DhkdDl41WU

 

[JonRam99]

I watched one of the videos, the "Presser" with Gurley. At one point he reached up & rubbed his chin.... I thought a lineman had reached over & done it, his hands are enormous--anyone be able to pull up his college stats on fumbles lost or passes dropped??? What's his hand spread?