Todd Gurley finally starts strong for Rams, but in the end it doesn’t matter

[BonifayRam]

Todd Gurley finally starts strong for Rams, but in the end it doesn’t matter
By Gary Klein Staff Writer /Oct. 4, 2019

Todd Gurley finally starts strong for Rams, but in the end it doesn't matter

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay finally got running back Todd Gurley into something resembling an early rhythm, against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

www.latimes.com

Rams coach Sean McVay finally got running back Todd Gurley into something resembling an early rhythm. Gurley rushed for 51 yards and two touchdowns in 15 carries, and he caught three passes for six yards at CenturyLink Field.“We wanted to get him going,” McVay said. “I thought he did a good job. He had some tough, hard-earned yards against a good defensive front.”

In the days leading up to the game, McVay and Gurley appeared to have grown tired of constant questions about the running back’s physical condition and how McVay was seemingly limiting his carries while alternating him with backup Malcolm Brown.

McVay had said multiple times during the first four weeks of the season that he needed to do a better job of getting Gurley, the 2017 NFL offensive player of the year, involved in the offense.
Gurley carried the ball for nine yards on the Rams’ first play. By the the midpoint of the first quarter, he had five carries — as many as he had in the Rams’ 55-40 defeat by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gurley scored touchdowns on runs of eight yards and one yard.

“Just being able to get some runs off enables you to stay in those normal downs and distances,” McVay said. “It opened up some other things.”Said quarterback Jared Goff: “I thought it was great.”

But any happiness about a good start was tempered for Gurley by the defeat.
“We lost the game,” he said, “so it doesn’t really matter.”

 

[Merlin]

Well what McVay did there was run him heavily early on, but still keep him on his 15ish touch count and it seemed to work as the offense moved the ball throughout. Outside of TG, though, there were very few opportunities in the ground game. My interpretation is that indicates a trust issue with the depth. Henderson was up and available but didn't sniff the field that I saw. Brown was out there but got zero action that I recall.

Not going to get all stupid crying about number of run game carries here btw, I mean McVay knows what he's doing and there's enough of that BS out there. But I do think there is an issue where he's not fully trusting the depth guys. Where that goes from here who knows I just hope it gets figured out. McVay is simply not gonna call your number if he's unsure about you.

 

[Dxmissile]

Well what McVay did there was run him heavily early on, but still keep him on his 15ish touch count and it seemed to work as the offense moved the ball throughout. Outside of TG, though, there were very few opportunities in the ground game. My interpretation is that indicates a trust issue with the depth. Henderson was up and available but didn't sniff the field that I saw. Brown was out there but got zero action that I recall.

Not going to get all stupid crying about number of run game carries here btw, I mean McVay knows what he's doing and there's enough of that BS out there. But I do think there is an issue where he's not fully trusting the depth guys. Where that goes from here who knows I just hope it gets figured out. McVay is simply not gonna call your number if he's unsure about you.

I think it really comes down to the blitz pick up Gurley has saved Goff numerous times already this year picking up blitzers and McVay knowing the way defenses are playing us and knowing our o line need help he’s gonna keep Gurley out there

 

[Legatron4]

I think it really comes down to the blitz pick up Gurley has saved Goff numerous times already this year picking up blitzers and McVay knowing the way defenses are playing us and knowing our o line need help he’s gonna keep Gurley out there

Gurley should go to the pro bowl based on his blocking alone. He’s Marshall Faulk tier level. We’ve had some damn good RBs.

 

[FaulkSF]

Not sure what game Klein was watching. Seattle ran a 6 man front then backed off of it when Gurley and the 12 formation made them pay. If Allen maintains Ford on several of those runs we're talking 15-20 yard gains.

The Rams were then able to use their regular 11 grouping to move the ball down the field.

 

[Merlin]

I think it really comes down to the blitz pick up Gurley has saved Goff numerous times already this year picking up blitzers and McVay knowing the way defenses are playing us and knowing our o line need help he’s gonna keep Gurley out there

McVay definitely values protections. But doing what you suggest is going to limit the offense in that teams know more often than not he's not going to get the carry (teams are very aware of his 15ish touch count). Which in turn will affect things for certain down/distance like play action. Not saying you're wrong, as we don't know McVay's rationale for the touches, but it's all connected.

Brown for example should not struggle in protections. He's been here long enough. Henderson they just need to start prepping, giving him more looks in practice which I assume is happening the way Gurley accumulates rest days. At some point I do expect Henderson to get meaningful snaps and touches.

 

[Ramlock]

I think it really comes down to the blitz pick up Gurley has saved Goff numerous times already this year picking up blitzers and McVay knowing the way defenses are playing us and knowing our o line need help he’s gonna keep Gurley out there

I’ve been talking about his pass pro since week 1...good to see others notice it, too.

His Oline is one block away from the running game that we all want to see make the Ram offense go.

 

[Dxmissile]

I’ve been talking about his pass pro since week 1...good to see others notice it, too.

His Oline is one block away from the running game that we all want to see make the Ram offense go.

Yeah he gotta be the best blocking rb I’ve seen in a long time. And even with the lost I’m more encouraged then I’ve been in a long time about this team. I’m actually starting to feel good about the rest of the season