http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ssrushing-tandems-eagles-wise-to-extend-wentz
The buzz around
Todd Gurley no longer being the
Los Angeles Rams' bell-cow back --
as reported byNFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and
further supported by colleague Maurice Jones-Drew -- will continue to spark debate over the value of running backs in the league. The 2017 Offensive Player of the Year ranks as arguably the NFL's best RB, but there are growing concerns over his durability and injury history (he was slowed by a
knee issue late last season) in a league that's increasingly governed by an "RBBC" (running back by committee) approach.
The
Rams drafted Gurley 10th overall in 2015, and they signed him to a four-year extension worth up to $60 million ($45 million guaranteed) last July. It's hard for me to imagine a team opting for a collection of mid-level runners over a running back like Gurley, who led the NFL with 2,093 scrimmage yards in 2017 and 21 total touchdowns in 2018. But there is a faction of the scouting community that believes in securing modest production at bargain-basement prices over paying big bucks for an ultra-talented playmaker at the position. Sure, we've seen a number of teams, including the 2018
New England Patriots (splitting carries between
Sony Michel,
James White and Rex Burkhead) and 2017
Philadelphia Eagles (doing the same with
LeGarrette Blount,
Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement) hoist the Lombardi Trophy with running back committees. But the elite running backs stand out from the crowd, and their game-changing ability often adds more juice to an offense than a committee can.
"It really comes down to the triggerman (quarterback)," an AFC pro personnel director told me this week. "The better the quarterback, the easier it is to win with a running-back-by-committee rotation. However, it is hard to win with a committee with an average quarterback. ... If you have a special runner, he can elevate a mid-level quarterback, but I don't know how much I would invest in the position in today's climate."
The executive echoes a sentiment that's been shared by other team-builders in the league. Running backs aren't viewed as essential building blocks by some coaches and scouts, particularly those who believe in using running-back-by-committee rotations without a true RB1. (In those situations, running backs are often cast in roles, with one serving as a lead back, another as a change-of-pace back and another as a short-yardage specialist.)
In the case of the
Rams, it's apparent that Gurley is the straw that stirs the drink. Despite the late-season success of
C.J. Anderson (who is now with the Lions) as a fill-in for Gurley, there's no denying No. 30's impact as the team's RB1. Since 2017, the team has gone 17-1 in games in which Gurley posted at least 20 touches. Moreover, No. 30 has averaged 135.3 scrimmage yards, including 88.1 rushing yards, and scored 40 total touchdowns as the focal point of the
Rams' offense during that span.
Given that kind of production, I'm skeptical that we'll see a reduced role for Gurley going forward. Now, if the knee issues that manifested last season return or become even worse, it's a different story, but I'm a firm believer in investing in a talented back and riding him until the wheels fall off.
"All running backs aren't created equal," said a former NFL offensive coordinator/running backs coach. "Gurley is special because he can handle the 'must run' runs [4-minute offense, short-yardage and goal-line situations] and make plays in the passing game. I know the knee injury is a concern, but he can still be an effective workhorse in this league for a long time. The key is focusing on his touches, not his carries. ... He can easily handle 15 or so runs and around 10 passes the next few years. ... I would take care of him in practice, but he would remain the focal point of the offense as a runner-receiver. ... He's special."
Considering Gurley's production over the past few years in
Rams coach Sean McVay's offense, I would expect the offensive wizard to continue to feature No. 30 as the team's RB1, despite the concerns surrounding his knee. The two-time All-Pro is too good to keep on the sidelines for extended stretches. I just don't foresee the addition of third-round pick
Darrell Henderson and the continued presence of fifth-year pro
Malcolm Brown greatly affecting Gurley's impact as an RB1 in 2019.
