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Neither the Bears nor a stomach bug could slow the Rams’ Cooper Kupp and Austin Blythe
By Rich Hammond | Nov 18, 2019
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The grim details are best left behind bathroom doors. Suffice to say, Thursday night was not pleasant for Austin Blythe and Cooper Kupp.
Both Rams players came down with stomach flu symptoms less than 72 hours before a big game against the Chicago Bears and neither practiced Friday. Given the circumstances, with other offensive linemen and receivers out of commission, the Rams could not afford to lose either Blythe or Kupp.
So they — pardon the expression — gutted it out and turned into two of the most valuable players in the Rams’ season-saving victory over the Bears on Sunday night at the Coliseum. Teammates raved about Blythe’s calmness and leadership in his first NFL start at center. Kupp, the Rams’ only available starting receiver, pulled in a 50-yard reception that set up the Rams’ first touchdown in a 17-7 victory.
“There was a little bug going around,” Kupp said after the game. “I wouldn’t say it wasn’t a fun 24 hours, but I was able to get back and get some fluids. I was fine.”
Relatively speaking, sure. But Kupp looked exhausted an hour after the game. Every movement looked a bit labored as he slowly dressed and worked his way toward the locker-room door. Even a 24-hour virus leaves lingering symptoms and doesn’t particularly lend itself to three hours of intense physical activity a couple of days later.
Kupp, though, played 54 of the Rams’ 55 offensive snaps. He chastised himself for a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes — a fumble and a false-start penalty — but given that the Rams were without receivers Brandin Cooks (concussion) and Robert Woods (personal issue), Kupp’s mere presence on the field was consoling, and his big catch essentially clinched the game before it was half over.
And who knew Kupp could be a fullback? Multiple times, Kupp essentially “pulled” as a receiver in motion and set a block on the edge for running back Todd Gurley. The Rams, with a new-look offensive line, ran plays almost exclusively out of 12 personnel, with tight ends Tyler Higbee and Johnny Mundt on the field together, and Kupp provided an extra layer of attention with some physical play when he didn’t touch the ball.
What a day. Kupp started it conspicuously early, a couple of hours before the game, as he went through a brief workout before teammates were on the field. Right around that time, the Rams learned Woods would not be available. Fortunately for them, Kupp could play.
“Any time you miss some time during the week,” Kupp said, “you just want to make sure you get back and feel good about your preparation stepping on the field. You want to come in prepared and know that you’re going to be comfortable. It just took me a little bit more time. I watched a little more film since I wasn’t able to be on the field for (practice). But the training staff did a great job of making sure I was good and hydrated and ready to go. Huge credit to them.”
Blythe expressed similar sentiments and his effort arguably was even more important.
The Rams knew, at the start of the week, that Blythe would take over at center for Brian Allen, who suffered a season-ending knee injury. Blythe played center in college but had never started an NFL game there, and he did so Sunday between left guard Austin Corbett, a second-year player who joined the Rams last month via trade, and right guard David Edwards, a 22-year-old rookie.
Blythe also fell ill Thursday night and immediately thought about the Rams’ already-shorthanded line.
“That was the first thing that ran through my mind. Why this week, of all weeks?” Blythe said. “Luckily I woke up after the last time of getting sick and I felt pretty good. Went and got some IVs and tried to refuel through Saturday and (Sunday) and I felt pretty good.”
Blythe did not miss a snap Sunday, even though he said he had expected to feel “really winded and low-energy.” Blythe instead had his strongest game of the season. Teammates credited Blythe’s steady play and communication and the Rams ran the ball with confidence.
“Austin Blythe has been a pro’s pro,” left tackle Andrew Whitworth said. “He’s calm. He’s as good as anybody. Day 1, walkthrough (last week), I went, ‘Wow.’ Blythe is so smooth, direct and calm. That’s one of those things. If your center can be like that, it calms guys down.”
An in-depth look at the Rams’ defense is coming this week, and here are two other major offense-based takeaways from the Rams’ victory:
The Gurley game
One part of the Todd Gurley mystery has been solved. Yes, he is capable of 25 carries per game.
Nobody outside of Rams headquarters seemed certain. It’s been almost a full year since something happened to Gurley’s left knee and reduced his once-dominant role within the Rams’ dynamic offense. What would happen if the Rams featured Gurley in a game and gave him the ball more than 15 times? Would his knee blow like a bad tire and scatter shrapnel all over the field?
Fortunately, no.
The next question involves how Gurley’s body responds to the 25 carries (for 97 yards and one touchdown) and three catches (for 36 yards) he totaled against the Bears. Is he capable of bouncing back next Monday against Baltimore and shouldering another major load? Have the Rams really just been saving Gurley for these late-season games, or did they just go all-out in a game they had to win?
Coach Sean McVay said Monday, “Every indication I have is that he’s feeling good,” and added that if Gurley is feeling good and in a rhythm, “You don’t want to miss the opportunity” to feature him in the offense.
Asked after the game if Gurley’s performance would lead him to be featured more often in upcoming games, McVay said, “I think so. That’s an ideal situation, but we’ll continue to look at this film and we’ll see how we want to put together our next game plan. Any time you get Todd involved like that, it’s usually always a good thing for our offense.”
Todd Gurley had 25 carries, his most since Oct. 14, 2018, against Denver (28). (Robert Hanashiro / USA Today)
Gurley hasn’t had consecutive games with 20-plus carries since early October 2018. His production fell off Sunday, as he had 64 yards (and one touchdown) in 12 first-half carries, compared to 33 yards on 13 second-half carries, but that didn’t seem to be Gurley’s fault. The Bears, likely anticipating a run-heavy Rams attack in the second half, adjusted their front. Malcolm Brown, Gurley’s primary backup, gained only six yards on three second-half carries.
Next week’s game presents an interesting test. Baltimore’s defense has faced only 21.3 rushing attempts per game this season, the NFL’s third-lowest average, but teams have run for a decent average of 4.4 yards per carry against the Ravens. Will the Rams try to beat Baltimore on the ground, even though the Ravens are known for their physical play and have allowed fewer than 20 points per game this season?
“Them boys don’t play,” Gurley said. They’ve got a great defense right now, and they’re looking like one of the best teams in the league. We’ve just got to grind it out next week for sure.”
Thin at wide receiver
The Rams won Sunday even without two of their three top receivers, but the absences of Cooks and Woods were felt. Quarterback Jared Goff attempted only 18 passes, and while Kupp was limited to three targets, he pulled in all three for 53 yards.
Josh Reynolds and Mike Thomas, who essentially filled in for Cooks and Woods, combined for nine targets but only four catches and 64 yards.
The Rams could be in for some good news. McVay said Monday that Cooks, who missed the two previous games because of the concussion issues, is on track to play against the Ravens. Cooks was on the field hours before Sunday’s game, wearing warmup gear and a helmet and running routes.
McVay did not say when Woods, who is tending to a personal issue, might rejoin the team. The reason for Woods’ absence has not been disclosed but McVay said Woods personally is fine and not in any peril. The Rams are next scheduled to practice Wednesday.
“He’s a stud for us and we want him out there,” Goff said of Woods. “We are thinking about him right now, but I thought Josh and Cooper (performed well). We learned before the game what was going on and needed those guys to step up and they didn’t flinch. I can’t stress enough how proud I am of my teammates — specifically the guys that had to step up.”
(Top photo of Cooper Kupp: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images)
By Rich Hammond | Nov 18, 2019
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The grim details are best left behind bathroom doors. Suffice to say, Thursday night was not pleasant for Austin Blythe and Cooper Kupp.
Both Rams players came down with stomach flu symptoms less than 72 hours before a big game against the Chicago Bears and neither practiced Friday. Given the circumstances, with other offensive linemen and receivers out of commission, the Rams could not afford to lose either Blythe or Kupp.
So they — pardon the expression — gutted it out and turned into two of the most valuable players in the Rams’ season-saving victory over the Bears on Sunday night at the Coliseum. Teammates raved about Blythe’s calmness and leadership in his first NFL start at center. Kupp, the Rams’ only available starting receiver, pulled in a 50-yard reception that set up the Rams’ first touchdown in a 17-7 victory.
“There was a little bug going around,” Kupp said after the game. “I wouldn’t say it wasn’t a fun 24 hours, but I was able to get back and get some fluids. I was fine.”
Relatively speaking, sure. But Kupp looked exhausted an hour after the game. Every movement looked a bit labored as he slowly dressed and worked his way toward the locker-room door. Even a 24-hour virus leaves lingering symptoms and doesn’t particularly lend itself to three hours of intense physical activity a couple of days later.
Kupp, though, played 54 of the Rams’ 55 offensive snaps. He chastised himself for a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes — a fumble and a false-start penalty — but given that the Rams were without receivers Brandin Cooks (concussion) and Robert Woods (personal issue), Kupp’s mere presence on the field was consoling, and his big catch essentially clinched the game before it was half over.
And who knew Kupp could be a fullback? Multiple times, Kupp essentially “pulled” as a receiver in motion and set a block on the edge for running back Todd Gurley. The Rams, with a new-look offensive line, ran plays almost exclusively out of 12 personnel, with tight ends Tyler Higbee and Johnny Mundt on the field together, and Kupp provided an extra layer of attention with some physical play when he didn’t touch the ball.
What a day. Kupp started it conspicuously early, a couple of hours before the game, as he went through a brief workout before teammates were on the field. Right around that time, the Rams learned Woods would not be available. Fortunately for them, Kupp could play.
“Any time you miss some time during the week,” Kupp said, “you just want to make sure you get back and feel good about your preparation stepping on the field. You want to come in prepared and know that you’re going to be comfortable. It just took me a little bit more time. I watched a little more film since I wasn’t able to be on the field for (practice). But the training staff did a great job of making sure I was good and hydrated and ready to go. Huge credit to them.”
Blythe expressed similar sentiments and his effort arguably was even more important.
The Rams knew, at the start of the week, that Blythe would take over at center for Brian Allen, who suffered a season-ending knee injury. Blythe played center in college but had never started an NFL game there, and he did so Sunday between left guard Austin Corbett, a second-year player who joined the Rams last month via trade, and right guard David Edwards, a 22-year-old rookie.
Blythe also fell ill Thursday night and immediately thought about the Rams’ already-shorthanded line.
“That was the first thing that ran through my mind. Why this week, of all weeks?” Blythe said. “Luckily I woke up after the last time of getting sick and I felt pretty good. Went and got some IVs and tried to refuel through Saturday and (Sunday) and I felt pretty good.”
Blythe did not miss a snap Sunday, even though he said he had expected to feel “really winded and low-energy.” Blythe instead had his strongest game of the season. Teammates credited Blythe’s steady play and communication and the Rams ran the ball with confidence.
“Austin Blythe has been a pro’s pro,” left tackle Andrew Whitworth said. “He’s calm. He’s as good as anybody. Day 1, walkthrough (last week), I went, ‘Wow.’ Blythe is so smooth, direct and calm. That’s one of those things. If your center can be like that, it calms guys down.”
An in-depth look at the Rams’ defense is coming this week, and here are two other major offense-based takeaways from the Rams’ victory:
The Gurley game
One part of the Todd Gurley mystery has been solved. Yes, he is capable of 25 carries per game.
Nobody outside of Rams headquarters seemed certain. It’s been almost a full year since something happened to Gurley’s left knee and reduced his once-dominant role within the Rams’ dynamic offense. What would happen if the Rams featured Gurley in a game and gave him the ball more than 15 times? Would his knee blow like a bad tire and scatter shrapnel all over the field?
Fortunately, no.
The next question involves how Gurley’s body responds to the 25 carries (for 97 yards and one touchdown) and three catches (for 36 yards) he totaled against the Bears. Is he capable of bouncing back next Monday against Baltimore and shouldering another major load? Have the Rams really just been saving Gurley for these late-season games, or did they just go all-out in a game they had to win?
Coach Sean McVay said Monday, “Every indication I have is that he’s feeling good,” and added that if Gurley is feeling good and in a rhythm, “You don’t want to miss the opportunity” to feature him in the offense.
Asked after the game if Gurley’s performance would lead him to be featured more often in upcoming games, McVay said, “I think so. That’s an ideal situation, but we’ll continue to look at this film and we’ll see how we want to put together our next game plan. Any time you get Todd involved like that, it’s usually always a good thing for our offense.”
Todd Gurley had 25 carries, his most since Oct. 14, 2018, against Denver (28). (Robert Hanashiro / USA Today)
Gurley hasn’t had consecutive games with 20-plus carries since early October 2018. His production fell off Sunday, as he had 64 yards (and one touchdown) in 12 first-half carries, compared to 33 yards on 13 second-half carries, but that didn’t seem to be Gurley’s fault. The Bears, likely anticipating a run-heavy Rams attack in the second half, adjusted their front. Malcolm Brown, Gurley’s primary backup, gained only six yards on three second-half carries.
Next week’s game presents an interesting test. Baltimore’s defense has faced only 21.3 rushing attempts per game this season, the NFL’s third-lowest average, but teams have run for a decent average of 4.4 yards per carry against the Ravens. Will the Rams try to beat Baltimore on the ground, even though the Ravens are known for their physical play and have allowed fewer than 20 points per game this season?
“Them boys don’t play,” Gurley said. They’ve got a great defense right now, and they’re looking like one of the best teams in the league. We’ve just got to grind it out next week for sure.”
Thin at wide receiver
The Rams won Sunday even without two of their three top receivers, but the absences of Cooks and Woods were felt. Quarterback Jared Goff attempted only 18 passes, and while Kupp was limited to three targets, he pulled in all three for 53 yards.
Josh Reynolds and Mike Thomas, who essentially filled in for Cooks and Woods, combined for nine targets but only four catches and 64 yards.
The Rams could be in for some good news. McVay said Monday that Cooks, who missed the two previous games because of the concussion issues, is on track to play against the Ravens. Cooks was on the field hours before Sunday’s game, wearing warmup gear and a helmet and running routes.
McVay did not say when Woods, who is tending to a personal issue, might rejoin the team. The reason for Woods’ absence has not been disclosed but McVay said Woods personally is fine and not in any peril. The Rams are next scheduled to practice Wednesday.
“He’s a stud for us and we want him out there,” Goff said of Woods. “We are thinking about him right now, but I thought Josh and Cooper (performed well). We learned before the game what was going on and needed those guys to step up and they didn’t flinch. I can’t stress enough how proud I am of my teammates — specifically the guys that had to step up.”
(Top photo of Cooper Kupp: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images)
