Gurley, 7/30 … transcript

Rams RB Todd Gurley

(On acclimating to the training camp atmosphere)

“It’s the first day, definitely just come out here and enjoy it. Obviously, it’s the first day, so everybody’s going to be tired – but that just comes with it. For the most part, just enjoy it.”

(On if the crowd size surprised him)

“No, I didn’t know it was going to be like that. (Head) Coach (Jeff Fisher) warned us that there were going to be a lot of people out here. So it was pretty cool just to have everybody come out.”

(On if this training camp feels better than last year’s considering he doesn’t have to go through all the same questions regarding his injury)

“No. it just feels good to just be able to be out here. First day (last year), I wasn’t doing anything – I probably wasn’t doing anything until the end of training camp. It just feels good to be able to be out here at practice.”

(On if there is any part of his rookie season that he’s looking to improve upon)

“A lot of things. Obviously I’ve been saying this every year, just anything without the ball, play-faking, pass protection, all types of stuff, my eyes, footwork, all that stuff. Just getting better every day, (Running backs coach (Skip Peete) always tells us to focus on one thing to get better at every day, so I just try to focus on that.”

(On if Coach Fisher has indicated that the run game will be a bigger part of the offense this season than it was last year)

“Obviously I know we’re going to run the ball. I’m a running back, so if you give me the ball, I’ll be happy. I’ll just come out here, work hard and whatever they call in the game, I’ll be happy with it.”

(On if he prefers this kind of practice with a lot of fans or a more quiet experience with just the team)

“It really doesn’t even matter. When you’re out there on the field, you know what you have to focus on and get better at. I was so tired today; I couldn’t even hear half the people. I was just focused on trying to get my wind back.”

(On how much more he was able to do this offseason)

“A lot more. I didn’t want to do too much because I didn’t want to be worn out for camp. But just making sure I had my cardio right, my legs right and just be ready to be able to take those carries in practice.”

(On QB Jared Goff’s development since OTAs)

“I didn’t even pay attention today, I was so tired (laughs).”

(On if he feels he needs to monitor his health and keeping his legs fresh through the season to potentially accommodate more carries monitoring his health and keeping his legs going into the season)

“It just comes with it. Like we were saying earlier the day before practice, this is the best our legs will feel all year. So, it all goes downhill from here. We’ve just got to try to maintain and just treat your body right.”

(On what he’s learned last year about maintaining good health throughout the season)

“Just making sure to use good nutrition, eating right. I feel like last year I did a pretty good job just as far as, cold tub, their recovery boots, and all that type of stuff.”

(On if a lot of people have recognized him here in Los Angeles)

“No, not really. Nobody really knows football players. I mean, I have gotten a lot of questions like, ‘Oh you’re that guy from the burger commercial!’ So, that’s my name now. I’m the guy from the burger commercial.”

(On his plans for the preseason in terms of how many reps he will take during the preseason)

“Obviously that’s Coach’s decision, you know. I’m here to play football. So you know, I’m not going to say no. Playing is playing to me. I don’t really care if it’s in the preseason or the regular season. It’s whatever, I don’t really care.”

(On if he can tell at this year’s training camp that his role is a more significant one compared to when he entered his rookie season)

“Yeah for sure, because, the guys were able to see what I was able to do last year. It helped out a lot. So just being able to take that role on and just being able to tell myself ‘Okay, if you do stuff good, the team is going to roll off that.’ If (QB) Case (Keenum) or Goff start throwing touchdowns, they’re going to feed off of that. So, just try to go out there and create as much energy for the whole offense.”

(On the offense’s mindset of trying to improve from last year)

“Just try to eliminate turnovers. Just try to have explosive plays, and you know, just basically that. We have explosive players and as long as we take care of the ball, that’s the number one thing. Go out there, and execute and convert on third down, and just do all the little things, just making sure we do that.”

(On what the key was to having so many explosive runs last year)

“You know, my teammates. My line, the receivers, tight ends, just everybody. Everybody being on the same page and, you know, definitely (WR) Tavon (Austin) helping around going around on those fakes, and speed. Just my teammates and us going out there and preparing every week, and just running hard.”