Gurley missed most of offseason program to take part in off-field activities

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  • January 27, 2017 at 4:49 pm #64443
    Avatar photozn
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    Report: Former Rams coaches blame Gurley for his 2016 struggles

    ByAlex Kolodziej

    link: http://www.fanragsports.com/news/report-former-rams-coaches-blame-gurley-2016-struggles/

    Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley took a massive step back from his outstanding rookie campaign this past season, and the former coaching staff says it stems from Gurley himself.

    According to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, the coaching staff said, “It’s the same [offense] he was in as a rookie. You tell me the difference.”

    There’re a lot of factors to point at from the common fan’s view. One can blame the Rams’ poor offensive line and its inability to pave holes for Gurley to run through (cc: Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys and the complete opposite). There was also a blip in the passing game and quarterback swaps that hindered any offensive chemistry, and more so the inefficiency of being able to run without a complementary passing game only hampered Gurley’s production.

    Apparently there’s little room for excuses here.

    Cole noted that Gurley “missed most of the team’s offseason program to take part in off-field activities, such as hanging out with rapper Jay-Z, whose agency represents Gurley.”

    The second-year back out of Georgia played in only 13 games in 2015 and managed to surpass the 1,000-yard mark thanks to 4.8 yards per carry, and 10 touchdowns to go along with it. This past season, he appeared in all 16 and fell shy of 1,000 as he compiled 885 yards on 278 attempts (3.2 yards per rush) with four fewer touchdowns.

    2016 was a truly dismal season for the Rams, who won only four games. With change aplenty amid the coaching staff, the new faces can only hope there’s change in their’s running back’s game come 2017

    January 27, 2017 at 7:25 pm #64445
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
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    i’m hoping we just chalk this up to immaturity, and he comes back strong.

    January 27, 2017 at 7:42 pm #64446
    Avatar photonittany ram
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    InvaderRam wrote:

    i’m hoping we just chalk this up to immaturity, and he comes back strong.

    Gurley needs to learn there’s no offseason in professional football anymore.

    January 28, 2017 at 12:05 am #64450
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator
    nittany ram wrote:
    InvaderRam wrote:

    i’m hoping we just chalk this up to immaturity, and he comes back strong.

    Gurley needs to learn there’s no offseason in professional football anymore.

    yeah.

    i think he can learn that. it was just a whirlwind. moving to a new city. all sorts of distractions pulling you every which way. i was a little concerned last offseason, but recently he seems pretty humbled. who knows? but the fisher firing has to be a wakeup call. no one is safe. things can change quick in professional sports if you’re not on top of it.

    January 28, 2017 at 12:17 am #64451
    PA Ram
    Participant

    Mr. Gurley has to decide between being a great football player or just being “Hollywood”.

    "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. " Philip K. Dick

    January 28, 2017 at 12:30 am #64452
    Avatar photoZooey
    Moderator
    PA Ram wrote:

    Mr. Gurley has to decide between being a great football player or just being “Hollywood”.

    Ironically, if he chooses “Hollywood,” he won’t be “Hollywood” nearly as long as if he chooses football.

    January 28, 2017 at 12:35 am #64453
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
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    Todd Gurley played a word association game on ESPN's SportsNation show

    should we be concerned that gurley hasn’t even met mcvay yet?

    i mean we know that donald, quinn, ogletree, and goff have already met their new coach. does this guy get it?

    • This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by Avatar photoInvaderRam.
    January 28, 2017 at 9:14 am #64457
    Avatar photonittany ram
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    InvaderRam wrote:

    Todd Gurley played a word association game on ESPN’s SportsNation show

    should we be concerned that gurley hasn’t even met mcvay yet?

    i mean we know that donald, quinn, ogletree, and goff have already met their new coach. does this guy get it?

    Yeah, that struck me as odd. Not sure what to make of it but on the surface it doesn’t sound good. On the other hand he’s saying the right things about taking responsibility for last season and working on fixing it so…I dunno.

    January 28, 2017 at 9:19 am #64458
    Avatar photozn
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    One of the biggest difference between TG’s 100 yard games in 2015 and the later not-100 yard games is long runs. Most of those came in the 2nd half as the team adjusted to how defenses were defending against the run. I think Cigs had a knack for that in ways Boras didn’t. This also shows up in points per quarter—the 2016 Rams were fine that way in the 1st quarter and from the 2nd quarter on plummeted to the bottom of the league in ranking.

    I think it is also entirely clear that TG contributed to this. This is not the first time we heard that he was not as dedicated in the off-season as he was in 2015. He visibly lost some weight, strength, and explosion.

    To me all this is a perfect cluster storm of combined causes. IMO the people trying to narrow it to one cause are generally missing the whole picture. BTW that’s not aimed at other posters in this thread. I don’t see you guys as doing that.

    .

    January 28, 2017 at 9:29 am #64460
    Avatar photonittany ram
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    zn wrote:

    One of the biggest difference between TG’s 100 yard games in 2015 and the later not-100 yard games is long runs. Most of those came in the 2nd half as the team adjusted to how defenses were defending against the run. I think Cigs had a knack for that in ways Boras didn’t. This also shows up in points per quarter—the 2016 Rams were fine that way in the 1st quarter and from the 2nd quarter on plummeted to the bottom of the league in ranking.

    I think it is also entirely clear that TG contributed to this. This is not the first time we heard that he was not as dedicated in the off-season as he was in 2015. He visibly lost some weight, strength, and explosion.

    To me all this is a perfect cluster storm of combined causes. IMO the people trying to narrow it to one cause are generally missing the whole picture. BTW that’s not aimed at other posters in this thread. I don’t see you guys as doing that.

    .

    So maybe some of the flaws in Gurley’s game that people have been talking about this season (poor vision – not seeing the holes, impatience, etc) have always been there but last year they were mitigated by the occasional long runs and second half blocking adjustments by Cigs.

    • This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by Avatar photonittany ram.
    • This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by Avatar photonittany ram.
    January 28, 2017 at 9:33 am #64463
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    zn wrote:

    So maybe some of the flaws in Gurley’s game that people have been talking about this season (poor vision – not seeing the holes, impatience, etc) have always been there but last year they were mitigated by the occasional long runs and second half blocking adjustments by Cigs.

    That’s possible.

    I just remember that we used to worry about SJ in roughly similar ways early in his career until he seemed to hit his groove plus they gameplanned for what he was.

    .

    January 28, 2017 at 1:39 pm #64468
    Avatar photoEternal Ramnation
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    While I can believe Gurley contributed they did start to stop him in 2015 and that same offense was shit. If you go back and watch the early games in 2016 it’s striking how bad the OL was Gurley’s first contact averaged 3rds deep behind the LOS . Also CK would often option out of runs right when it seemed like Gurley was getting going. Imo when you have defenders penetrating often unblocked 3yds. deep in the backfield the back is irrelevant . What good is vision if all you see are unblocked defenders in your backfield ? Also lining up 10yds. deep like ED. isn’t going to work if your not sending 3 OL to the probowl.

    January 28, 2017 at 1:43 pm #64469
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    Eternal Ramnation wrote:

    While I can believe Gurley contributed they did start to stop him in 2015 and that same offense was shit.

    If he was not in the same shape or condition in 2016 (and all reports are he wasn’t) then that is a significant part of it.

    There’s another thing. Subtract his big runs in 2015 and his YPC is pedestrian. Well, 2016 subtracted his big runs.

    I think it was a combination of things. Gurley is part of it.

    January 28, 2017 at 5:58 pm #64471
    Avatar photoEternal Ramnation
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    I agree ZN a combination of many things . Gurley doesn’t get a pass but if coaching knew about it and did nothing they share responsibility. In 2015 the big games he had came in the second half from what I remember so that indicates to me conditioning was a factor unless we were losing by 20 points and running the ball wasn’t an option.

    January 28, 2017 at 10:17 pm #64474
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    Eternal Ramnation wrote:

    I agree ZN a combination of many things . Gurley doesn’t get a pass but if coaching knew about it and did nothing they share responsibility. In 2015 the big games he had came in the second half from what I remember so that indicates to me conditioning was a factor unless we were losing by 20 points and running the ball wasn’t an option.

    I dunno, what could they do about it? Except tell him to get in better shape.

    January 28, 2017 at 11:28 pm #64475
    JackPMiller
    Participant

    I for one don’t see it as a problem. The workouts to me, as it looks like in the wording, as volunteer workouts. Plus, his agent is, Jay-Z, or least his agency. If Jay-Z says you go somewhere, you go there. If, he says your in a Beyonce video where she has to grind on you, you better be there for it. Just saying. That happens when you have a superstar like Jay-Z as your agent. The only thing you can do is hope he changes agents.

    January 28, 2017 at 11:52 pm #64476
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    JackPMiller wrote:

    If Jay-Z says you go somewhere, you go there.

    If so I agree, then Gurley should not have him as a player agent.

    Your agent is not supposed to order you around in ways that cost you in terms of your football career.

    You may not see a problem in that but I see several.

    .

    January 29, 2017 at 1:13 am #64478
    JackPMiller
    Participant
    zn wrote:
    JackPMiller wrote:

    If Jay-Z says you go somewhere, you go there.

    If so I agree, then Gurley should not have him as a player agent.

    Your agent is not supposed to order you around in ways that cost you in terms of your football career.

    You may not see a problem in that but I see several.

    .

    Gurley is not only looking at the now, but also the big picture. Life after football. You know one big injury, and there goes your career. Gurley had a major injury in college. Jay-Z is a very good business man, and really helps his clients on top. Jay-Z is not stupid. He married Beyonce. I’m probably better looking than Jay-Z. Jeesh.

    January 29, 2017 at 2:34 am #64481
    Avatar photoEternal Ramnation
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    zn wrote:

    I dunno, what could they do about it? Except tell him to get in better shape.

    Bench him and start Bennie for one if was as blatant as this un-named source claims it it. I guess that’s the problem with having the youngest team year after year. Too many players needing development an so few actually receiving it.

    January 29, 2017 at 9:18 am #64484
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    Eternal Ramnation wrote:
    zn wrote:

    I dunno, what could they do about it? Except tell him to get in better shape.

    Bench him and start Bennie for one if was as blatant as this un-named source claims it it. I guess that’s the problem with having the youngest team year after year. Too many players needing development an so few actually receiving it.

    I happen to thing that last year included unique things that no coach could overcome. (Which doesn’t let the coaches off the hook.) That makes it very hard to assess the talent level. I think the players lacked the real off-season development they need to put in to compete at a high level. The move–and Goff himself said this—cut back on their routines and preparation. In the meanwhile they actually installed a new offense. That;s no excuse for Gurley btw who didn’t just have the ordinary issues I said everyone else did, he apparently bailed on what he could do on top of that. Add installing a new offense to those circumstances, with a coach who had never done that before, and the problems multiply.

    Though some players did put in a lot of work and it showed. Britt talked about how he and Keenum would go out several times every week and work on their pass/catch chemistry. That paid off with Britt’s best season.

    ..

    January 29, 2017 at 11:13 am #64494
    Avatar photoEternal Ramnation
    Participant

    Wasn’t that one of the unnamed source’s points, that the offense was the same ?

    zn wrote:

    According to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, the coaching staff said, “It’s the same [offense] he was in as a rookie. You tell me the difference.”

    January 29, 2017 at 11:24 am #64496
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
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    nittany ram wrote:

    So maybe some of the flaws in Gurley’s game that people have been talking about this season (poor vision – not seeing the holes, impatience, etc) have always been there but last year they were mitigated by the occasional long runs and second half blocking adjustments by Cigs.

    yeah. and i think vision is something he can develop as he plays more.

    but he’s gotta get that explosion and balance back as well. not just from the long gains but to be able to hit the holes and the creases faster.

    January 29, 2017 at 11:32 am #64497
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    Eternal Ramnation wrote:

    Wasn’t that one of the unnamed source’s points, that the offense was the same ?

    zn wrote:

    According to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, the coaching staff said, “It’s the same [offense] he was in as a rookie. You tell me the difference.”

    That’s incorrect. Boras changed the terminology so they had to go through a learning process.

    In terms of just the general approach to offense, overall yeah it was similar.

    The hard part about learning a new offense though isn’t the plays it’s the terminology.

    For example imagine this–how long would it take for you to drive without overthinking it if suddenly overnight they they changed all the symbols, colors, and words for traffic signals and signs. You would get back to normal after a bit but at first it would be more hesitant.

    Well they changed terminology during a move. The move just means less focus. How much less? Who knows, but it had an effect, I think.

    ..

    ..

    January 29, 2017 at 11:53 am #64499
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator
    zn wrote:
    Eternal Ramnation wrote:

    Wasn’t that one of the unnamed source’s points, that the offense was the same ?

    zn wrote:

    According to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, the coaching staff said, “It’s the same [offense] he was in as a rookie. You tell me the difference.”

    That’s incorrect. Boras changed the terminology so they had to go through a learning process.

    In terms of just the general approach to offense, overall yeah it was similar.

    The hard part about learning a new offense though isn’t the plays it’s the terminology.

    For example imagine this–how long would it take for you to drive without overthinking it if suddenly overnight they they changed all the symbols, colors, and words for traffic signals and signs. You would get back to normal after a bit but at first it would be more hesitant.

    Well they changed terminology during a move. The move just means less focus. How much less? Who knows, but it had an effect, I think.

    ..

    ..

    but then you take a guy like britt where it didn’t seem to affect him much.

    i also think a lot of it is not just the playbook but also game planning and playcalling. i’m guessing boras just sucked at that.

    January 29, 2017 at 11:59 am #64501
    Avatar photonittany ram
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    InvaderRam wrote:
    zn wrote:
    Eternal Ramnation wrote:

    Wasn’t that one of the unnamed source’s points, that the offense was the same ?

    zn wrote:

    According to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, the coaching staff said, “It’s the same [offense] he was in as a rookie. You tell me the difference.”

    That’s incorrect. Boras changed the terminology so they had to go through a learning process.

    In terms of just the general approach to offense, overall yeah it was similar.

    The hard part about learning a new offense though isn’t the plays it’s the terminology.

    For example imagine this–how long would it take for you to drive without overthinking it if suddenly overnight they they changed all the symbols, colors, and words for traffic signals and signs. You would get back to normal after a bit but at first it would be more hesitant.

    Well they changed terminology during a move. The move just means less focus. How much less? Who knows, but it had an effect, I think.

    ..

    ..

    but then you take a guy like britt where it didn’t seem to affect him much.

    i also think a lot of it is not just the playbook but also game planning and playcalling. i’m guessing boras just sucked at that.

    Yeah. It seems like Boras could put a decent plan together, but then couldn’t adjust when the defense countered his plan. He had no answer for that.

    January 29, 2017 at 12:07 pm #64503
    Avatar photozn
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    nittany ram wrote:

    Yeah. It seems like Boras could put a decent plan together, but then couldn’t adjust when the defense countered his plan. He had no answer for that.

    That’s how I see it too.

    January 29, 2017 at 12:10 pm #64507
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Hey guys do the mods a favor. Instead of just hitting “quote” every time you want to post, so we end up with piled on multi-quote posts, just use the cursor to blue out the material you DO want to quote THEN hit quote.

    A few times a day I actually have to silent edit posts to get rid of the multiple piled on quotes effect.

    January 29, 2017 at 4:00 pm #64511
    Avatar photoEternal Ramnation
    Participant

    So if the unnamed source coach is wrong about the offense and Bleacher Report has been a
    flimsy source in the past , how much credence should be given to this article at all?

    January 29, 2017 at 4:06 pm #64513
    Avatar photozn
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    Eternal Ramnation wrote:

    So if the unnamed source coach is wrong about the offense and Bleacher Report has been a
    flimsy source in the past , how much credence should be given to this article at all?

    Well articles can contain mistakes and still be valid in other respects.

    Either way this is not the first time Gurley not having a dedicated off-season has come up. It was a thing in LA talk radio during the season. It had a “word is” kind of quality to it.

    And no one has ever denied it. That is, no one has come forth from the team and said “people say stuff and this one’s not true.”

    AND it makes sense based on what we saw. Many things went wrong with the run game in 2016 (including as you suggest, coaching), but one of them was that TG lost weight and didn’t have the same kind of strength and explosion he had in 2015. So that seems to accord with these reports.

    January 29, 2017 at 4:43 pm #64514
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator
    zn wrote:

    one of them was that TG lost weight and didn’t have the same kind of strength and explosion he had in 2015

    i remember first reading that and thinking maybe it would be useful in getting some more quickness.

    but apparently it was because he wasn’t working on his strength and conditioning.

    and it showed. so many times he’d go down with barely a touch. his normal balance just wasn’t there.

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