Todd Gurley workload

[Ramlock]

I’m not under the illusion that nothing is wrong with Gurley.

I’m reluctant to blame McVay...and I can buy that he’s covering for Gurley.

I guess the problem I have is that Gurley is getting so many snaps as a pass protector, 11 of 17 4th quarter snaps against the Steelers, but he’s on the field not carrying the ball.

So, he’s taking collisions and contact.

That seems inconsistent with a pitch count, at least it does to me.

Gurley’s frustrated...McVay is limited.

I am honestly concerned for both.
I’m hopeful Gurley gets a few more carries because he’s still a playmaker, until he’s not.

Brown and Henderson couldn’t do what TG did against the Steelers, so 30 doesn’t deserve benching, IMO.

 

[Flint]

I listened to an interesting Rams podcast last night where Vinnie B and The Athletic crew were discussing this issue. They all made a comment that struck me that we haven't seen on this board much: they're sticking to the gameplan of monitoring Gurley's action in games. They are refusing to budge off of it, and I think it's that plain and simple.

Another interesting perspective they gave on it was the fact that, we all know Gurley is a fiery guy, he wants the rock. Wouldn't he be saying to McVay, give me the damn ball? Perhaps this goes back to the issue of his knee. Regardless, they made the point that McVay may be covering for Gurley considering his lack of anger toward not getting the ball. McVay is therefore put in a difficult position, with "his hands tied behind his back" when calling the offense because so much of it ran through him. Alas, Gurley does not play because they're committed to their usage plan.

The podcast is on Apple Podcasts called 11 Personnel; 16th episode "Making Sense of This Loss."

If the plan is to give TG so many carriers and no more, why not give him a few in the first half so you know he’ll be available in the forth when a score can get you the lead? It doesn’t seem like rocket science, the Gurley of old would start breaking off chunks as the defenders got tired of tackling him. I can’t imagine a good reason for Gurley not having a single touch in the 4th even if he is on a pitch count. It was a 1 score game and the Steelers were rushing like the Rams were down big, Goff had no shot. We all hoped that they were saving him for the 2nd half of the season but that doesn’t seem to be the case, this just gets weirder and weirder.

 

[OregonRamsFan]

It's nice that Gurley will be fresh once the Rams roll to 7-9 or 6-10. He should be ready to go for the 2020 season

Ha ha.

We made some bad/premature contracts. We gambled. We lost. Simple as that. Gurley. Goff. OL. We are in 3rd place in a highly competitive division. I have some hope it gets better, but not too much. I think we are looking at 4th place potentially. At least we have a pretty good defense. But if we continue to turn the ball over it won’t matter. Jared will have to run for his life in Chicago. It won’t be pretty. The honeymoon is over.

 

[Varg6]

We're all traumatized Rams fans from years and years of being terrible. Frankly, this is a prove it league. I'm grateful and thankful for the past two years, but right now there's no reason to believe, based on history, that McVay will change his game plan. He's forcing things that can't work with the depleted OL we have. I hope I'm dead wrong and we go 12-4. I'd love to see Gurley get 20-30 carries this game and destroy the Bears to get back on track.

Time will tell. McVay, it's a prime time game. Let's get this thing back on track. We need to win out...one game at a time.

 

[Ellard80]

We're all traumatized Rams fans from years and years of being terrible. Frankly, this is a prove it league. I'm grateful and thankful for the past two years, but right now there's no reason to believe, based on history, that McVay will change his game plan. He's forcing things that can't work with the depleted OL we have. I hope I'm dead wrong and we go 12-4. I'd love to see Gurley get 20-30 carries this game and destroy the Bears to get back on track.

Time will tell. McVay, it's a prime time game. Let's get this thing back on track. We need to win out...one game at a time.

The only "history" I know about Sean McVay is that he wins and goes to the Super Bowl.

Until I see different for sure, I'll stick with that.

 

[LesBaker]

I refuse to believe Gurleys knee is just deteriorating. He mostly likely consulted a doctor this offseason and discussed his options. If he was told he wouldn’t be able to handle more then 13 carries per game, I just don’t think he would continue playing.

He looked very good vs Pittsburgh. He made a jump cut earlier in the game that really impressed me. If his knee was hurting, it didn’t show.

Here’s the confusing part. When does McVay decide when TGs has enough touches? Is there a point where he talks to him and Gurley tells him he can’t handle anymore? And if so, why keep him in there to block? That’s a lot of stress on that knee. Also, why did he get 18 carries vs Atlanta? I mean, he wasn’t really having to break a ton of tackles on Sunday and was just running free for the most part. That can’t be that painful, right?? But yet, he’s allowed to run into a brick wall 18 times!?!? SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE!!!

I don't know if you know anyone that has arthritis or not. Some days are better than others, the spectrum of pain and flexibility can be pretty broad. This is why we see a few games where he isn't getting may touches, and why we are seeing games where he isn't on the field as much.

My guess is that Gurley goes to McVay, not the other way around as you are saying. When it gets to the point where he feels like he can only pass block he probably speaks up.

You keep saying 25 touches this week. If he does over a few games, then yes, it would be self-evident.

If there was a wager in the sportsbook I would take the under on that 25 touch bet for every game this year.

Nice post. It is obvious that Todd Gurley is on a ~15 touch count. We know this and I think it's safe to assume that it is because of his arthritic knee and them wanting to prolong his career.

I don't know how people are missing the obvious thing here but to each their own I suppose.

And now you've got McVay admitting he wished he would have used Gurley more in the 4th quarter.

McVay is lying and he has been lying about this since the start.

Remember this IS NOT an injury so they do not have to report it. It's a condition so they don't have to say a word according to league rules.

that tells me they can’t keep this up much longer and will have to cut ties with Gurley sooner than later.

IMO next year will be his last year and they my even cut him after this year and take the ugly cap hit.

Waiting until next year is over will drop the hit by quite a bit if I recall correctly.

The only "history" I know about Sean McVay is that he wins and goes to the Super Bowl.

Until I see different for sure, I'll stick with that.

So you haven't seen him go pass happy as if the team was down by three scores? You haven't seen him abandon the running game?

He has that history as well.

 

[thirteen28]

I don't know if you know anyone that has arthritis or not. Some days are better than others, the spectrum of pain and flexibility can be pretty broad. This is why we see a few games where he isn't getting may touches, and why we are seeing games where he isn't on the field as much.

If Gurley is taking himself out due to the arthritic knee, then maybe the Rams should consider just shutting him down for the rest of the year. Go re-sign CJ, who we know can pass protect and who knows the offense, and start getting Henderson up to speed. Gurley gets the rest of this season and all off season to rest his knee and get ready for next year.

Something's got to give. The current MO isn't working anymore. Furthermore, trotting him out there just for pass blocking duties can put strain on his knee too, so why take the risk if that's the issue?

 

[LesBaker]

If Gurley is taking himself out due to the arthritic knee, then maybe the Rams should consider just shutting him down for the rest of the year. Go re-sign CJ, who we know can pass protect and who knows the offense, and start getting Henderson up to speed. Gurley gets the rest of this season and all off season to rest his knee and get ready for next year.

Something's got to give. The current MO isn't working anymore. Furthermore, trotting him out there just for pass blocking duties can put strain on his knee too, so why take the risk if that's the issue?

It's unfortunate but resting won't change arthritis in the knee for a RB.

If this was a normal injury he would already have recovered from the rest last year and the offseason. Or he would have had a surgical procedure to cure the problem.

There are going to be games he just can't go like we saw last year and games where he starts off feeling fine but after just a few runs can't go and even games where he feels fine and can play the full game. And everything else too.

But the contract has to go as soon as possible in any way, shape or form.

 

[Riverumbbq]

It's unfortunate but resting won't change arthritis in the knee for a RB.

If this was a normal injury he would already have recovered from the rest last year and the offseason. Or he would have had a surgical procedure to cure the problem.

There are going to be games he just can't go like we saw last year and games where he starts off feeling fine but after just a few runs can't go and even games where he feels fine and can play the full game. And everything else too.

But the contract has to go as soon as possible in any way, shape or form.

Agree. Pretty sure that his dead money hit in 2020 precludes any chance of him being moved prior to the end of next season, same goes with Cooks really, although when discussing 2021 CAP ramifications, either restructure, trade or medical buy-outs appear far more palatable. jmo.

 

[Ram65]

I would have given TG more rushing attempts against the Steelers. He is in there blocking. Use him as he doesn't look tired. Getting 20 to 24 carries should be ok for him. That doesn't mean every game but in big games yes.

 

[LesBaker]

Agree. Pretty sure that his dead money hit in 2020 precludes any chance of him being moved prior to the end of next season, same goes with Cooks really, although when discussing 2021 CAP ramifications, either restructure, trade or medical buy-outs appear far more palatable. jmo.

Yeah maybe buyouts for both is a better option, I don't know how that affects the cap..........maybe someone can answer that for us.

I would have given TG more rushing attempts against the Steelers. He is in there blocking. Use him as he doesn't look tired. Getting 20 to 24 carries should be ok for him. That doesn't mean every game but in big games yes.

Well unfortunately an arthritic knee doesn't know which games are "big" of course.

 

[Dxmissile]

According to Gurley he’s been playing on that same knee since Georgia. I highly doubt that’s he’s pulling himself or going to McVay saying he can’t go if that’s the case he needs to be deactivated not in there for pass protection.

to me it’s that’s simple if he can’t go you know in practice before the game then you list him as out. At least that way it will stop all the speculation because there are valid points on all sides of the spectrum

 

[Riverumbbq]

Yeah maybe buyouts for both is a better option, I don't know how that affects the cap..........maybe someone can answer that for us.

This is where a player and their agents can become a problem, how many 25 & 26 year olds want to leave so much guaranteed money on the table. I remember feeling pretty invincible at that age myself.
A medical buyout is essentially retirement, so any future guaranteed money and bonuses are out the door, just the work done is what you're paid for from my understanding as it relates to the CAP. I'll await and take my queue from @flv for a better, more accurate description of the rules on this though. jmo.

 

[Varg6]

The only "history" I know about Sean McVay is that he wins and goes to the Super Bowl.

Until I see different for sure, I'll stick with that.

Looking back since the Superbowl (but really we could go back to the Detroit game), we've seen a lack of motion plays, jet sweeps, etc. We aren't getting the ball in the hands of playmakers. McVay's playcalling has been headscratching, which is putting it nicely.

Trust me, I love McVay, I love Goff, I love this team, but right now there's a lack of creativity on offense; it's pass happy. I don't care if we don't run the ball...................IF ITS WORKING. It's not. McVay is trying to make his offense work when he needs to be creative in how we can get the ball out of Goff's hands quicker, running the ball more, etc.

I remember McVay saying something to the effect of...wow Belichick, it's so impressive how you change your identity week in and week out. We need some of that. Run 22 personnel. It looked good against Seattle. Run the damn ball.

Unfortunately we're in the NFC, where there's a lot of great teams.

I think this Bears game will be the preview of what we see the rest of the year. Will we right the ship, get creative, and beat a team that's inferior to us? Or will we see more of the same from last week?

This is gonna be interesting.

 

[Legatron4]

I don't know if you know anyone that has arthritis or not. Some days are better than others, the spectrum of pain and flexibility can be pretty broad. This is why we see a few games where he isn't getting may touches, and why we are seeing games where he isn't on the field as much.

My guess is that Gurley goes to McVay, not the other way around as you are saying. When it gets to the point where he feels like he can only pass block he probably speaks up.

I have arthritis in my lower back. It’s a son of a bitch when it flares up. However, there’s things I can do to make it feel better for a extended period of time. PT, lidocaine, pain medicine. I’m also not a world class athlete. I agree it probably hinders him but he’s not an 80 year old man. If he can’t run 50 yards without needing to take a break, the NFL is not for him.

 

[Ellard80]

According to Gurley he’s been playing on that same knee since Georgia. I highly doubt that’s he’s pulling himself or going to McVay saying he can’t go if that’s the case he needs to be deactivated not in there for pass protection.

to me it’s that’s simple if he can’t go you know in practice before the game then you list him as out. At least that way it will stop all the speculation because there are valid points on all sides of the spectrum

When did Gurley say he is playing on the same knee as Georgia? I follow rams media pretty closely and I don't recall that line anywhere.

Link?

 

[Riverumbbq]

When did Gurley say he is playing on the same knee as Georgia? I follow rams media pretty closely and I don't recall that line anywhere.

Link?

Todd Gurley: Concern over knee 'is small' problem

• 
• By Jeremy Bergman
• Around The NFL Writer
• Published: June 11, 2019 at 05:50 p.m.
• Updated: June 12, 2019 at 10:48 a.m.

Speculation over Todd Gurley's left knee injury, which hampered him down the stretch of the 2018 season, does not trouble the running back. As Gurley told reporters Tuesday, he's dealt with much worse before.
"I had bigger problems to worry about coming out of college," Gurley said Tuesday at the start of Ramsmandatory minicamp. "This is small."

The Rams running back is referencing his injuries while at the University of Georgia from 2012 through 2014. Gurley missed three games in 2013 with a high ankle sprain and most notably suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, the same one that was bothering him last season, in November 2014.

Gurley chose to forego his senior year and declared for the 2015 draft, but was feared to fall draft boards because of his durability issues. The Rams ended up selecting him with the 10th overall pick as the first RB off the board. Gurley missed the entire preseason and the first three games of the 2015 regular season before making his debut in late September.
The running back didn't miss a single game due to injury after that ... until Week 16 of the 2018 season.

Given all that, dealing with an reportedly arthritic knee -- or more accurately, reports of an arthritic knee -- don't bother Gurley none.

"I've be hearing stuff all my life. Just whatever growing up. Hearing comments or whatever that is. All of the stuff don't really get to me," Gurley said. "I feel like I do a great job, got a great supporting cast. ... It's football. It's the game I've been playing my whole life, so it's nothing new to me. I know what I'm capable of. I know what type of person I am. No big deal to me."

Todd Gurley: Concern over knee 'is small' problem

www.nfl.com

 

[Dxmissile]

When did Gurley say he is playing on the same knee as Georgia? I follow rams media pretty closely and I don't recall that line anywhere.

Link?

I’ll find the link it was when his knee was first leaked to the media. Lol I follow rams media very closely as well

 

[Dxmissile]

Todd Gurley on knee: It's a small problem

Rams running back Todd Gurley's knee injury has been a major topic of conversation since he missed time because of it late in the 2018 season and he's remained off the field during the team's offseason program.

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

 

[Dxmissile]

Todd Gurley: Concern over knee 'is small' problem

• 
• By Jeremy Bergman
• Around The NFL Writer
• Published: June 11, 2019 at 05:50 p.m.
• Updated: June 12, 2019 at 10:48 a.m.

Speculation over Todd Gurley's left knee injury, which hampered him down the stretch of the 2018 season, does not trouble the running back. As Gurley told reporters Tuesday, he's dealt with much worse before.
"I had bigger problems to worry about coming out of college," Gurley said Tuesday at the start of Ramsmandatory minicamp. "This is small."

The Rams running back is referencing his injuries while at the University of Georgia from 2012 through 2014. Gurley missed three games in 2013 with a high ankle sprain and most notably suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, the same one that was bothering him last season, in November 2014.

Gurley chose to forego his senior year and declared for the 2015 draft, but was feared to fall draft boards because of his durability issues. The Rams ended up selecting him with the 10th overall pick as the first RB off the board. Gurley missed the entire preseason and the first three games of the 2015 regular season before making his debut in late September.
The running back didn't miss a single game due to injury after that ... until Week 16 of the 2018 season.

Given all that, dealing with an reportedly arthritic knee -- or more accurately, reports of an arthritic knee -- don't bother Gurley none.

"I've be hearing stuff all my life. Just whatever growing up. Hearing comments or whatever that is. All of the stuff don't really get to me," Gurley said. "I feel like I do a great job, got a great supporting cast. ... It's football. It's the game I've been playing my whole life, so it's nothing new to me. I know what I'm capable of. I know what type of person I am. No big deal to me."

Todd Gurley: Concern over knee 'is small' problem

www.nfl.com

You beat me to it I’m driving and just sent it lol