Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
znModeratorRams add some beef, then grab Oregon State QB
By Jim Thomas
It finally happened. The Rams added some beef. Thanks in part to a second-round trade with Carolina that gave them an extra third-round pick, the Rams added Wisconsin offensive tackle Rob Havenstein in the second round, and then added Louisville offensive guard Jamon Brown in the third on Day 2 of the NFL draft Friday.
The Rams then used that extra third-round pick from Carolina to get a quarterback, Sean Mannion of Oregon State. Mannion had a great 2013 season for the Beavers and received a third-round grade from the NFL advisory board.
But without star wide receiver Brandin Cooks in 2014, his production fell off this past season. He threw only 15 TDs in ’14 after tossing 37 the year before. Mannion has a bit of a long delivery but played in a pro-style offense at Oregon State, which should help him make a quick adjustment to the NFL.
“Obviously, quickening my release is something that I had been wanting to do,” Mannion said. “Focusing on my footwork and always throwing from the same base in the pocket can really speed up my delivery and get the ball out very fast.”
Mannion has been working with former NFL quarterback Jordan Palmer, now a QB trainer for the EXOS athletes performance firm during the offseason on just that.
He was taken No. 89 overall. Rams starter Nick Foles was taken No. 88 overall when drafted by Philadelphia in 2012.
But back to the offensive line. Havenstein and Brown definitely do their clothes shopping at the Big & Tall store. Havenstein is massive at nearly 6-7 1/2 and weighing 321 pounds. And that’s a trimmed-down Havenstein. When he arrived at Madison as a college freshman, he tipped the scales at 380 pounds.
On his conference call with reporters in St. Louis, Havenstein said he gave up junk food, particularly soda, to lose the weight. (There goes that Pepsi endorsement.)
Almost giddy to get the call from the Rams late in the second round, Havenstein gave this reply when asked how his name was pronounced: “It’s Frankenstein, with a ‘Haven.’ ” He was projected by some as a middle-round pick, at best, so getting called in the second round definitely fell into the category of unexpected for Havenstein.
“It was definitely a surprise,” said Havenstein, who was at home in Mount Airy, Md., when the Rams called Friday. “I’m still kind of speechless right now. It’s an unbelievable opportunity and I’m so excited right now.”
Havenstein projects as a right tackle in the NFL, but Fisher said the team still remains interested in re-signing free-agent Joe Barksdale, the team’s starting right tackle in 2013 and ’14.
From 2012 through 2014, Havenstein started 41 consecutive games at right tackle for Wisconsin, a program known for its run-blocking. Known as a scrappy mauler-type, Havenstein isn’t the most gifted athletically but didn’t have a holding call in 2014.
Havenstein didn’t make a pre-draft visit to St. Louis. There was a report shortly before the draft that he had a private workout with the Rams, but Havenstein said that wasn’t the case.
“Just the pro day,” he said, when asked about getting worked out by the Rams. “I’ve had a decent amount of contact (with the Rams). Coach (Paul) Boudreau was at the pro day — he was the one who ran it.”
Boudreau is the Rams’ offensive line coach. Havenstein said he met with Boudreau during the pro day and went over some classroom stuff with him.
He was taken at No. 57 overall, after the Rams traded down from their original second-round spot at No. 41. In exchange for moving up 16 spots in the round (to take Michigan wide receiver Devin Funchess), Carolina sent the Rams a third-round pick (No. 89) and a sixth-round pick (No. 201).
“When you’re picking early in the second round, there’s still good players left on the board and teams kinda identify one player,” general manager Les Snead said. “They kind of simmer on it all day, and say, ‘That’s the guy we want.’ ”
So the Rams had a lot of calls from teams wanting to move up. And in those 16 picks between 41 and 57, only two offensive linemen were chosen, leaving the Rams with some options.
The Rams used their original third-round pick, No. 72 overall, to take Brown, another wide-body at just under 6-4 and 323 pounds.
Brown began his college career at defensive tackle but switched to offense as a freshman in 2011. He started two games at left guard in ’11, started 13 games at right tackle in 2012, and then had a combined 26 starts at left tackle in 2013 and ’14. His projected NFL position is right guard.
Brown did make a pre-draft visit to Rams Park on April 1, a day in which the Rams also entertained Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper, Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat, and Duke offensive guard Laken Tomlinson. All three went in the first round Thursday.
“I got to spend a little time with those guys,” he said, speaking from Louisville on a conference call. “Those are good guys and great football players. The visit up there I had fun.”
Brown was more than happy to get the phone call from the Rams in Round 3. Some pre-draft projections had him going in the fourth- to fifth-round area.
“I’m just appreciative that I have the opportunity,” Brown said. “I was just waiting for the phone to ring, and I’m grateful that it rang when it did.”
znModeratorI am not exaggerating whan I say I have just one key, bottomline way to rate a qb, but it’s something you can’t do until you see him play.
It’s whether he’s clutch.
Key third downs, redzone, 4th quarter comebacks in winnable situations, game winning drives. They don’t even have to win when it comes to that, because a qb can come through and be clutch when it counts but then the defense can still lose the game for you (see Kurt’s 2nd and 3rd superbowls).
Bulger had that, till he got Bulgerized. Bradford turns out had that. Foles, it’s a mixed bag, but he has shown signs that he has that. Mannion? I won’t be able to say for a couple of years.
So, in this discussion, I am pretty much…useless.
—
znModeratorRams identity comes with no ambiguity
Nick Wagoner, ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/18077/rams-identity-comes-with-no-ambiguity
EARTH CITY, Mo. — In case the St. Louis Rams’ decision to draft running back Todd Gurley with the 10th overall pick Thursday night left any questions about what the team is trying to become offensively, they put those queries to rest quickly and emphatically Friday night.
After weeks of listening to public pleas to fix an offensive line with as many as three available starting jobs, and repeated assurances that they were aware of the concerns, Rams coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead offered a slight delay in round two before pushing their chips into the center and doubling down to solve their biggest need.
In a span of 15 picks, the Rams found two massive bodies to fill equally massive holes.
After trading the 41st overall selection to the Carolina Panthers for the 57th pick plus a third- and sixth-round choice, the Rams picked mammoth Wisconsin tackle Robert Havenstein. With the 72nd overall choice, they followed by grabbing Louisville offensive lineman Jamon Brown. Even when the Rams didn’t pick a lineman, they opted for the biggest quarterback option on the board with Oregon State’s Sean Mannion, who stands at 6-foot-6, 229 pounds.
Essentially, the Rams dropped a 13-foot, 644-pound wrecking ball in the gaps where the vacancies on their offensive line once stood. The goal was quite simple.
“It really helped with both the offensive linemen and Todd yesterday,” Fisher said. “We are building this team for the future and I think we are establishing an identity right now.”
That identity comes with a complete lack of ambiguity. After years of saying they want to be a power rushing team and infrequently attempting to invest in those words, the Rams spent their first three picks in this year’s draft trying to turn those words into actual results. It started by trading quarterback Sam Bradford, who while talented and oft-injured, was never going to be worth the $16 million plus investment, especially if his primary job was going to be handing off.
No, with Havenstein and Brown now looking to clear holes for the likes of Gurley and Tre Mason, the Rams are doing everything they can to grind teams down on both sides of the ball. If that means 3-0 victories on a weekly basis, so be it.
Whether Havenstein and Brown become starters remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a real possibility for both. Even after drafting the duo, Fisher said the Rams remain interested in keeping Joe Barksdale and also acknowledged that they are considering a veteran lineman to add to the young group (Justin Blalock, anyone?).
In the meantime, Fisher said the 6-foot-7, 321-pound Havenstein projects at right tackle while the 6-4, 323-pound Brown offers more versatility, which likely means he will kick inside to guard.
With Havenstein leading the way, the Badgers rushed for a school-record 320.1 yards per game in 2014. In his career, Havenstein played in 54 games, starting 42. Brown comes with similar experience, starting 39 consecutive games for the Cardinals over the past three seasons.
“We’ve got two big, strong, physical players that extend plays, that finish plays, that go downfield, mauler types,” Fisher said. “They’re very, very aggressive and they’re going to fit our style.”
In the past 24 hours, what that style is has become abundantly clear.
znModeratorIn long career as head coach, this is 1st time Jeff Fisher takes offesive players w/1st four picks.
That IS interesting.
znModeratorDidn’t Runyon go to the Eagles. Is that same Runyon?
Yeah, same guy, and when he left, the Titans replaced him with Fred Miller.
znModeratori was thinking jon runyan when i was reading about havenstein.
His entire time in Houston/Tennessee Fisher drafted 11 tackles. That includes Roos, their excellent LOT, drafted in round 2 in 2005.
And… 2 of them were among the best ROTs in the game when they played: your guy Jon Runyon, and David Stewart. (In the middle of that he also signed Fred Miller.)
—
znModeratorHoward Balzer @HBalzer721
Acknowledged that Jamon Brown projects to guard. Havenstein ready to play. Both are “mauler-types.” Still interest in Joe Barksdale.
May 1, 2015 at 10:52 pm in reply to: reactions to Havenstein Pick … + conference call transcript #23627znModeratorfrom off the net
==
headslapper
Many are reporting that Tennessee was very interested in havenstein and would have picked him with the first pick of the third round. Instead they had to settle with a different tackle.
znModeratorBrown started his college career as a defensive tackle. Had 26 starts at LT, 13 in RT, and 2 at left guard.
Wow interesting. That suggests he could be far better in the long run than a 3rd rounder. He’s raw. Robinson raw.
May 1, 2015 at 10:47 pm in reply to: reactions to Havenstein Pick … + conference call transcript #23625znModeratorSt. Louis Rams Second Round Draft Pick OL Robert Havenstein Conference Call – May 1, 2015
St. Louis Rams Second Round Draft Pick OL Robert Havenstein Conference Call – May 1, 2015
(On if he expected to be selected this early in the draft)
“It was definitely a surprise. I’m still kind of speechless right now. It’s an unbelievable opportunity and I’m so excited right now.”(On who called him from the Rams)
“I talked to Coach ‘Fish,’ (Jeff Fisher) I talked to (offensive line) Coach ‘Bou’ (Paul Boudreau) for a bit. It was awesome. I got the phone call and had to go inside and get better (cell) service.”(On if he had a bad connection first)
“It’s just my house.”(On where home is)
“Mt. Airy, Maryland.”(On how much contact he had with the Rams prior to the draft)
“I’ve had a decent amount of contact. Coach Boudreau had a pro day, he was the one who ran it. I met with him for a little bit on the pro day to go over some classroom stuff, some football stuff. He was the one who worked us out.”(On if he had a private workout with the Rams)
“Just the pro day.”(On if the Rams’ offensive system suits his style of play)
“I think so. Like I said before, I’m so unbelievably flattered. It would be my pleasure to help in anyway possible.”(On if he told the Rams they had the wrong number)
“No, I definitely took it pretty seriously.”(On if he weighed 380 pounds when he joined the University of Wisconsin)
“Yes, I did.”(On how he dropped the extra weight)
“I stopped eating terribly. Just making better choices and putting your mind to it.”(On what his favorite food item was that he cut out)
“One of the bigger things was just soda. There’s a lot of calories in there. It was just a choice I had to make if I was going to be the football player I wanted to be.”(On if the Rams mentioned where he will play on the offensive line)
“No, not yet. Anywhere I can get on the field just to help out the organization in any way. Just try to be the best player that I can be regardless of the spot.”(On how he describes his game and what he brings to the table)
“I’d like to think I’m a hard working O-lineman, a tough offensive lineman. Definitely, the guys before me coming through Wisconsin carved that path. I did my best to follow in their footsteps and put my own print on it. Just coming out and being a hardworking guy and being a smart player and an overall good offensive lineman.”(On if he had both shoulder injuries while at Wisconsin)
“One was the summer coming into college. One was during.”(On if the injuries limit his weight training)
“No, it does not.”(On what it was like working as a unit to produce offensive success with RB Melvin Gordon in the backfield)
“It was awesome. Anytime you can get in there and have Melvin as your tailback, it’s going to be pretty special. He’s an exceptional player and he’s an even better person. Just special to have a chance to block for the guy.”(On if he blocked for Broncos RB Montee Ball in 2012)
“Yes, blocked for Montee for a little bit, yes.”(On his experience blocking for Ball)
“It was awesome. They’re both great backs kind of in their respective right. They both do things really well. Montee was a heck of a player. Once again, I was definitely just luck to have a chance to go ahead and block for him.”(On if he’s having a get together at his home in Maryland)
“Yes, most of my family came down to my house. They’re all kind of staying here and we’re just hanging out, just enjoying each other.”(On his family’s reaction)
“It was unbelievable. They were just as excited as I was. I’ve had great family support all throughout my five years at Wisconsin. I’ve got an unbelievable family that loves me unconditionally. They’re just so proud of me and so excited for the opportunities that I have.”(On if there was a lot of yelling and screaming)
“Oh yeah.”– May 1, 2015
St. Louis Rams Second Round Draft Pick OL Robert Havenstein Conference Call – May 1, 2015
(On if he expected to be selected this early in the draft)
“It was definitely a surprise. I’m still kind of speechless right now. It’s an unbelievable opportunity and I’m so excited right now.”(On who called him from the Rams)
“I talked to Coach ‘Fish,’ (Jeff Fisher) I talked to (offensive line) Coach ‘Bou’ (Paul Boudreau) for a bit. It was awesome. I got the phone call and had to go inside and get better (cell) service.”(On if he had a bad connection first)
“It’s just my house.”(On where home is)
“Mt. Airy, Maryland.”(On how much contact he had with the Rams prior to the draft)
“I’ve had a decent amount of contact. Coach Boudreau had a pro day, he was the one who ran it. I met with him for a little bit on the pro day to go over some classroom stuff, some football stuff. He was the one who worked us out.”(On if he had a private workout with the Rams)
“Just the pro day.”(On if the Rams’ offensive system suits his style of play)
“I think so. Like I said before, I’m so unbelievably flattered. It would be my pleasure to help in anyway possible.”(On if he told the Rams they had the wrong number)
“No, I definitely took it pretty seriously.”(On if he weighed 380 pounds when he joined the University of Wisconsin)
“Yes, I did.”(On how he dropped the extra weight)
“I stopped eating terribly. Just making better choices and putting your mind to it.”(On what his favorite food item was that he cut out)
“One of the bigger things was just soda. There’s a lot of calories in there. It was just a choice I had to make if I was going to be the football player I wanted to be.”(On if the Rams mentioned where he will play on the offensive line)
“No, not yet. Anywhere I can get on the field just to help out the organization in any way. Just try to be the best player that I can be regardless of the spot.”(On how he describes his game and what he brings to the table)
“I’d like to think I’m a hard working O-lineman, a tough offensive lineman. Definitely, the guys before me coming through Wisconsin carved that path. I did my best to follow in their footsteps and put my own print on it. Just coming out and being a hardworking guy and being a smart player and an overall good offensive lineman.”(On if he had both shoulder injuries while at Wisconsin)
“One was the summer coming into college. One was during.”(On if the injuries limit his weight training)
“No, it does not.”(On what it was like working as a unit to produce offensive success with RB Melvin Gordon in the backfield)
“It was awesome. Anytime you can get in there and have Melvin as your tailback, it’s going to be pretty special. He’s an exceptional player and he’s an even better person. Just special to have a chance to block for the guy.”(On if he blocked for Broncos RB Montee Ball in 2012)
“Yes, blocked for Montee for a little bit, yes.”(On his experience blocking for Ball)
“It was awesome. They’re both great backs kind of in their respective right. They both do things really well. Montee was a heck of a player. Once again, I was definitely just luck to have a chance to go ahead and block for him.”(On if he’s having a get together at his home in Maryland)
“Yes, most of my family came down to my house. They’re all kind of staying here and we’re just hanging out, just enjoying each other.”(On his family’s reaction)
“It was unbelievable. They were just as excited as I was. I’ve had great family support all throughout my five years at Wisconsin. I’ve got an unbelievable family that loves me unconditionally. They’re just so proud of me and so excited for the opportunities that I have.”(On if there was a lot of yelling and screaming)
“Oh yeah.”May 1, 2015 at 10:31 pm in reply to: reactions to Havenstein Pick … + conference call transcript #23622znModeratorTotal breakdown: Rams draft OT Rob Havenstein in second round
By Nick Wagoner
The pick: Rob Havenstein, offensive tackle, Wisconsin
My take: The Rams had no choice but to start bolstering the offensive line and give running back Todd Gurley some powerful blockers to open up running lanes. They did it in a big way with Havenstein, who is listed at 6-foot-8, 321 pounds, and comes from the ultimate in power rushing attacks at Wisconsin. Havenstein probably needs some work in pass protection but should be competent enough to step in at right tackle right away. The Rams continue to show their commitment to maximizing their run game so it’s hard to find fault in continuing to invest in that endeavor.
Been around the block: Havenstein comes to St. Louis with no shortage of playing experience, which figures to be important if the Rams expect him to step in as a starter at right tackle right away. Havenstein played in 54 games with 42 starts for the Badgers, including 41 consecutive starts at right tackle over the last three years. He was one of the key pieces to a line that paved the way for the Badgers to rush for a school-record 320.1 yards per game in 2014.
Whither Barksdale?: If Havenstein is to take over the right tackle job, that could spell the end of Joe Barksdale’s time in St. Louis. Barksdale remains on the free-agent market but the Rams have kept in touch with him throughout the offseason with the idea that he could eventually return at a rate lower than he initially sought. Given the investment in Havenstein and the presence of Garrett Reynolds as the swing tackle, it’s possible that a reunion with Barksdale might no longer be in the cards
May 1, 2015 at 9:51 pm in reply to: reactions to Havenstein Pick … + conference call transcript #23621znModeratorfrom off the net
==
DR RAM
I had him as more of a 3rd to 4th, but he can play. He anchors well, and uses his length well. Smart kid. Not athletic, can get stronger. High football IQ. He’s one of those guys that just got the job done.
======
from off the net
==
jrry32
Havenstein is a solid player. Has some athletic limitations and stiffness but he’ll run block for you and has enough length and bounce in his feet to stay on the outside. But also could play OG for you. IMO, he’s very comparable to Alex Boone. Kid is solid. Natural and instinctive.
————-from off the net
==
merlin
Coach Bou will have his hands full with the guy getting his pass pro where it needs to be but you know what? This guy is a power run blocker RT through and through. Him and Saffold on the right is gonna be bringin the pain in the running game.
Havenstein would struggle in an offense that passes a lot, but in a balanced, running offense he’s gonna be fine especially at RT. Another thing I like about him is he’s naturally strong and able to play but with a pro workout regimen he might fill out with a lot more muscle.
===========
from off the net
==
Deadpool
I had Havenstein as a 4th round pick. But it was obvious to anyone that Havenstein was going to go early in the 3rd. Rams had very little choice at that point. I have mentioned numerous times I like a mauler more then a technician, well he is a mauler.
Positives:
tough mentality
Strong and can absorb the rush
A mauler
great reach
decent quickness for a guy his sizeNegatives:
Lacks lateral mobility – IE issues with double moves and inside speed rush
bends at the waist at times – can be corrected
lunges (due to being a waist bender) again correctable——–
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/rob-havenstein?id=2552363
OT/ROB HAVENSTEIN
6′ 7″ 321 lbs.
OVERVIEW
Started in 42 of his 54 games played. Considered the unquestioned leader of the Wisconsin offense. Came into Wisconsin at almost 390 pounds and has steadily worked his weight down during his time there. Weighed in at 332 pounds at Senior Bowl and dropped to 321 by the combine. Named first-team All-American by AFCA and named first-team All-Big Ten in 2014, starting all 14 games at right tackle and opening gaping holes for teammate Melvin Gordon.
In 2013, named second-team All-Big Ten while starting every game at right tackle. Started every game in 2012 at right tackle as a sophomore. Played in 13 games in 2011 and redshirted in 2010. In high school in Maryland, named first-team all-state as a senior team captain and lettered in both football and basketball.
PRO DAY RESULTS
Bench press: 20 reps of 225 pounds
STRENGTHS
Massive tackle with very functional length. Looks oafish, but feet are much better than the eye expects. Takes quick steps and good angles for proper positioning to wall off defenders on gap plays. Above-average power in run game and runs legs to create movement. Drive blocker by nature. Block winner at point of attack. Uses well-timed punch and has adequate foot quickness to set out to edge speed. Aggressive, play-finishing demeanor on the field. Plus body control and balance on second-level blocks with ability to sustain. Can brace against power and has feet to counter inside moves in pass pro. Shows ability to mirror and has a wide “success zone.”
WEAKNESSES
Stiffness in knees causes him to come out of stance way too tall. Is almost never under the pads of opponent. Too often has to sumo wrestle at impact to get defender centered. Initial lateral quickness not good enough to count on him with back-side cut-offs. Keeps hands too low pre-punch. Unathletic build with zero bubble. Some scouts worry about stiffness becoming an even greater problem after first few years in the league.
znModeratorComing Back
It has been three years since a running back was selected in the first round of the NFL draft; the man most likely to break that drought tore his ACL five months ago. Where Georgia’s Todd Gurley is on the road to recovery, and why his draft stock is bouncing back fast
April 29, 2015 by Jenny Vrentashttp://mmqb.si.com/2015/04/29/nfl-draft-todd-gurley-recovery-acl/
Todd Gurley’s road back began with that all-too-familiar sight on football fields: player lying on the turf, clutching his knee in pain, home crowd hushed.
This was last November in the final minutes of Georgia’s victory over Auburn, Gurley’s return from a four-game suspension for accepting $3,000 in exchange for autographing memorabilia. He had advanced the ball six yards on his last carry (1.4 below his per-carry average), and 138 yards for the game (14 below his per-game average). On his second-to-last step, though, he had planted his left leg awkwardly. With the ball still cradled in his left arm, he reached his right hand toward his knee, in pain before he even hit the ground.
On the Georgia sideline, receiver Malcolm Mitchell cringed. He had torn his ACL one year earlier—while celebrating a 75-yard touchdown run by Gurley, of all things. He knew right away what had happened to his teammate.
“When I saw it happen, I was terrified for him,” Mitchell says. “I knew how much coming back and playing with the team meant to him. Because of the mistake he made, a lot of opportunities got taken away from him. This was his time to shine. And he was shining.”
Gurley was Georgia’s star running back, but his value to his teammates extended beyond the field: rounding up guys for dinner, to see a movie, to go bowling. On this night, Mitchell returned the favor. He hopped on the cart that drove Gurley off the Sanford Stadium field for the last time because he didn’t want his friend to ride alone.
Gurley was quiet during the ride, processing the fact that one false step ended his collegiate career and left his NFL future clouded. “Before he tore his ACL, Todd Gurley was a top-5 pick, no brainer,” says one veteran NFL offensive coach.
But despite what happened Nov. 15, and despite the fact that a running back hasn’t been taken in the first round since 2012, NFL teams don’t expect Gurley’s unusual talent and skill set to last beyond the first round Thursday night. One team that is strongly considering Gurley believes he is the best running back to come into the NFL since 2007, when Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson went seventh overall to the Vikings.
Mitchell stayed with Gurley while Georgia’s medical staff examined him in the locker room, doing the simple physical tests that affirmed the ACL tear. Gurley reacted calmly. He turned to his teammate and told him it was time to start rehabbing: “I gotta do what I gotta do to get back.”
* * *
James Andrews repaired Gurley’s knee 10 days later, Nov. 25, five months before the draft. At the time, Georgia coach Mark Richt indicated that Gurley had a clean ACL tear, meaning minimal damage to other structures in the knee such as the meniscus, which cushions the knee and protects the articular cartilage. That was good news for his recovery, and different from another elite SEC runner who suffered a major knee injury in 2012. South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore was never able to play a game in the NFL after dislocating his knee and injuring multiple ligaments in his final college game.
Every player’s rehab is different, but the way Gurley has progressed so far has been encouraging. About a month ago, he began doing certain kinds of field work with Anthony Hobgood, a former Ole Miss fullback and the performance coach at the EXOS training facility in Gulf Breeze, Fla. EXOS is on the campus of the Andrews Institute, where Gurley had his surgery and was doing clinical physical therapy, until he got the green light a month ago to begin full-body performance training with Hobgood.
Their daily two-hour sessions, ongoing for the past month, have two parts: A movement session outdoors on the turf, and then a strength session in the weight room. The movement sessions rebuild the skills he’ll need to use on the football field, with a progression Hobgood explains through a baseball analogy: first you practice swinging off a tee, then you try hitting soft tosses, then you face live pitching.
So far, Gurley has done the first two stages of movement drills. He started with technical drills like marching, skipping or practicing his running form while leaning against a wall, and doing resistance work with sleds. He has also been doing pre-programmed change of direction drills within the last month, in which he runs and shuffles between cones according to instructions given ahead of time.
The final stage, which Gurley has not yet started, will be random movement, where he would have to change direction or accelerate in response to a stimulus, such as a command from his trainer, a flashing light or a hand clap.
The random movement drills train players for what they’ll experience on a football field; it’s the milestone that precedes returning to practice. As of last week, Hobgood hadn’t let Gurley react to random stimuli yet, “not because he can’t,” he says, “but we don’t want to rush.” Gurley will soon be in the custody of a team that will chart the rest of his return, but based on their work, Hobgood says, Gurley would probably be moved to randomized drills in a matter of weeks.
The first question Hobgood asks Gurley every morning is: How does your knee feel? The most important rule of thumb with ACL rehab is not to rush, and for the past month Gurley has not had any swelling or soreness in his knee as a result of their work, Hobgood says, which is a positive sign and has allowed them to move forward with the movement training. In the weight room, Gurley has been squatting, lunging and doing lower body work with heavy loads and at high speeds. When they do single-leg exercises, like a single-leg squat or a single-leg deadlift, Hobgood says Gurley is able to do the same number of reps using the same weight on his injured leg as his healthy leg.
During his physical therapy and now performance training, Gurley ate a diet specially designed for a player rehabbing from surgery. Meals were built around lean protein and priority fats (found in avocado and olive oil) that aid the healing process, and aimed to include vegetables of three different colors—dark leafy greens for muscles and bones, red or orange for the heart and circulatory system and white to boost the immune system. He also took daily fish oil supplements and mixed in papaya or pineapple, all of which aid in managing inflammation.
“Where he’s at in his recovery, he’s doing absolutely incredible. You could easily say he’s ahead of schedule, but at the same time, we are going to let time do its thing,” Hobgood says. “I don’t want to put a timeline on Todd. It’s very possible he could be ready by the end of the summer, but it’s one of those things where it’s going to have to be a decision that he and the team that decides to pick him up will make.
“He’s definitely on track to make a full recovery, and I have full confidence that when the time is right for him to play again, he’s going to play as if he’d never been injured.”
The stage of ACL rehab that Gurley is at is akin to getting over the hump. If players struggle when they start running, cutting and doing field work, experiencing swelling or soreness, they have to regress to basic exercises and can be set back three to four months. The progress Hobgood described Gurley making in field work is a very important, very positive indicator.
Andrews declined to speak specifically about Gurley’s progress, citing patient privacy. Ever since another of Andrews’ patients, Adrian Peterson, set a new bar for ACL recovery in 2012, when he began his 2,000-yard rushing campaign less than nine months after surgery, Andrews has tried to guard against players setting unrealistic expectations.
“Running backs, if they lose a step, they wont be productive in the NFL,” Andrews says. “They’ve got to get all their speed back, they’ve got to cut and change directions and they’ve got to get all their power back in their leg, which takes at least nine months to adequately get their leg reconditioned. It’s a lot of milestones they have to go through.”
A player like Gurley is facing those milestones in the pressure cooker of the pre-draft process, while also preparing to leap to a whole other level of play. “It’s tough,” Andrews says. “But a good high-level guy can do it, believe me. Sometimes it’s a little unbelievable how well they can do when they are very elite athletes with obviously great genetics.”
* * *
The question, as it is with any player in the NFL draft, is when a team would get good value by selecting him. How do you balance Gurley’s talent and the fact that he is five months removed from major knee surgery?
“It’s hard to predict the injury, and how someone is going to rehab, especially at that position,” Rams GM Les Snead said at the NFL combine. “But you saw the body of work, that it was really good. I don’t think he’ll fall too far in this draft.”
The medical recheck, held 11 days ago in Indianapolis, gives each team’s medical staff a chance for one final check of injured players’ progress before the draft. There were three months between Gurley’s surgery and the combine, about the length of time it takes for the new ACL graft to fuse to the femur and tibia bones. At five months, the picture of how well a player is progressing toward athletic function is much clearer.
At the medical recheck, doctors run through a checklist for players coming off ACL surgery, says Matthew Matava, orthopedic surgeon and the Rams’ head team physician. They inspect the quadriceps—specifically, the vastus medialis obliquus, a muscle involved in knee extension that needs to be strong for proper knee function—to see how much atrophy of the muscle there is compared to the healthy leg. They check if the range of motion matches the healthy knee, and if there is any swelling. Then, the same manual tests used to help diagnose an ACL injury (the Lachman test, the pivot shift and the anterior drawer test) are done to check stability of the knee with the new ACL graft.
Gurley also took a series of private visits with teams, including the Lions and the Panthers. Gurley’s agent suggested he take a video of himself sprinting on the treadmill, which he recently posted to Instagram (his injured leg is indiscernible from his healthy one).
On his way to Chicago for the draft, he stopped in Athens, Ga., on Monday and worked out with Mitchell at the football building. They biked and did squats and ab work. Says Mitchell, who just finished spring practice: “I think he’s in better shape than I am.”
But no matter how good Gurley looks and feels at this point, exactly when and how he will return to the field is still a projection. Orthopedists agree that in most cases, players perform much better, physically and mentally, their second year back from knee surgery. In 2003, the Bills drafted Miami running back Willis McGahee 23rd overall less than four months after he tore multiple ligaments in his knee in the Fiesta Bowl. He sat out his rookie season, then posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
“It depends if you are looking to draft a young running back that can go this year, or if you have a stable backfield and have that luxury of waiting a year or two,” the NFL offensive coach says. “A team that was looking for that guy this year, that needs him, won’t necessarily go for Gurley, because if they need him, they need him now.”
* * *
The SEC rivals met in Jacksonville, a neutral-site game at the home of the Jaguars, with their seasons on the line. Dante Fowler, Jr., then a freshman defensive end for Florida, remembers that October 2012 afternoon for two reasons: 1) because his team’s unbeaten season was ended, and 2) because of how Georgia’s freshman tailback sliced through the Gators’ vaunted defense.
“Todd Gurley, he is a monster,” Fowler says. “What gets me about him is how fast he is. He’s a big guy so you would think that he’s slow, but he’s even faster in person than what he looks like on TV. We had a mean defense. We had Sharrif Floyd, Dominique Easley, Matt Elam—three first-round draft picks—and we had a top-five defense in the country. To see what he was doing to us, as a freshman, I was like, man, this guy is going to be something else.”
Three minutes into that game, Gurley took a handoff, cut back to his left, knifed through that stocked Florida defense and burst into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown run. That was one of his 44 career touchdowns—second only to Herschel Walker in the Georgia record book—and one of the 18 100-yard games Gurley would have over three seasons at Georgia.
Fowler and Gurley will meet again this week at the NFL draft in Chicago. If circumstances were different, both men’s names would surely be among the first 10 called on Thursday night. They still might be.
“[Gurley] doesn’t lose a lot of one-on-ones,” says the offensive coach. “That’s something I look for in backs. To me, that’s a difference-maker. The eighth defender in the box, can he consistently beat him or does he get tackled all the time? When you get in the secondary, can he escape or does he get tackled? That’s the difference between average backs and great backs.”
One team official said Gurley’s combine interview was one of the most impressive in recent memory. He’s bigger in person than expected (6-foot-1, 222 pounds), a good thing for a running back who will need to pick up blitzing NFL linebackers. But beyond that, in just 15 minutes, he filled the room with the kind of presence teams like to have in their locker room.
That was on display during the combine workouts, too. Gurley was only able to compete in the bench press, but he turned heads by cheering on the fellow running backs during the 40-yard dashes and position drills, and offering them water, towels and high fives in between events. “Here’s a kid who could possibly be a top-5 or top-10 pick, and he was the biggest cheerleader,” says retired NFL fullback Tony Richardson, who worked with the running backs during the combine as an NFL Legends ambassador. “I was blown away by that.”
Last fall, Gurley seemed to take his NCAA suspension harder emotionally than the torn ACL, because he felt like he let down his teammates. “I never heard him so sad,” Mitchell says of a phone conversation with Gurley. “He apologized, and you could hear the crack in his voice. Then he just held the phone in silence.” Amateurism infractions barely register a blip in NFL minds, let alone raise a red flag. The biggest questions surrounding Gurley, who also missed time as a sophomore with ankle and hip injuries, are the physical ones—namely, when he’ll be ready to play football again.
The last two years, teams have shied away from investing a first-round pick—and the corresponding guaranteed money, which would be upwards of $12 million for a top-10 pick—in a running back. But last year’s Super Bowl alone was a reminder of what a strong ground game can do for an offense. Seattle nearly rode Marshawn Lynch to a second straight title. New England’s revived rushing attack helped them overcome some early season struggles (and their 46 rushing attempts in the AFC title game was the most they’ve ever had in a playoff game during the Belichick era).
An elite back, especially one who can stay on the field for three downs, can still be a difference maker. Gurley could be this draft’s ultimate risk-reward pick—and the latest prognosis on his knee has him trending toward reward.
“He’s one of the most complete backs to come out in a long time,” the offensive coach says. “You’re not going to make it deep in the playoffs without a run game. If you perceive a guy to be a difference-maker like that, you better get him early.”
znModeratorUnless they’re right that they do have an OC already on the roster.
Yeah, well, if they already have one, they’ve done a damn good job hiding him for 3 years!
Color me skeptical.
Anyway, I notice that your usual OL optimism is trembling a bit …
Well every single center was hurt last year. All 4. If you count Barnes’s 2 injuries and Wells’s infection then injury, it’s 6 injuries among all 4 centers. I just figured that last year, after Long went out and Wells got hurt again (both in the same game), that since no matter who they played at center he was going to be banged up, as long as they were playing a rookie LOT too, better just to stick with the veteran.
znModeratorSo we passed on Cam Erving? A potential long term answer at OC?
My lord, this is dumb.
Unless they’re right that they do have an OC already on the roster.
znModeratorOffensive line still needs addressing as Rams head to day two
By Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — As St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead discussed the decision to spend the No. 10 overall pick on Georgia running back Todd Gurley on Thursday night, the question hovered over them like the constant cloud that surrounded Pigpen in the old “Peanuts” comic strip.
Fisher and Snead dutifully ticked off the many reasons they loved Gurley and pointed to him as a “special” talent capable of turning a woeful offense on its ear. But before the Rams’ power duo could retreat back to their upstairs draft room at Rams Park, the question came.
“So, who is going to block for him?”
It’s a question that could have been asked in relation to any Rams running back or quarterback over the past couple of months. The Rams’ need for help on the offensive line has been well-documented, but for those who might have missed it, they have glaring needs at center, guard and right tackle.
Snead was quick to respond to the query.
“We’ve drafted some people in the past and they did make this thing a three-day event. I didn’t decide that, so we have got to live through Friday and Saturday,” Snead said. “So we’ll see if we can help improve that position there. We’ll still let the board guide us but we’re well aware (of the need).”
Of the players returning, only guard Rodger Saffold started on opening day last season and left tackle Greg Robinson is the only other projected starter with any sort of extensive experience. The Rams released tackle Jake Long and center Scott Wells on the eve of free agency in March.
Snead and Fisher have said multiple times that they could get by with one of the trio of Barrett Jones, Tim Barnes and Demetrius Rhaney handling the center job in 2015. A reunion with Wells later on also can’t be ruled out.
But even if that’s the case, the Rams still need to find a minimum of two starters on the offensive line. There remain a couple of obvious possibilities in free agency, including the possible re-signing of tackle Joe Barksdale and/or the addition of guard Justin Blalock.
The Rams have remained in contact with both players, but with a little less than $10 million in cap space and a rookie class to sign, they might not be able to afford both. Which means Friday night’s second and third rounds could prove pivotal in how the Rams construct the offensive line moving forward.
During the pre-draft process the Rams are known to have brought in 12 offensive line prospects. Seven offensive linemen went in Thursday’s first round, five of whom paid pre-draft visits to Rams Park.
That still leaves seven linemen who visited St. Louis — South Carolina’s A.J. Cann, Pittsburgh’s T.J. Clemmings, Louisville’s Jamon Brown, LSU’s La’el Collins, Arizona State’s Jamil Douglas, Florida State’s Tre Jackson and Hobart’s Ali Marpet — available heading into Friday’s proceedings. And that doesn’t include Wisconsin’s Rob Havenstein and Missouri’s Mitch Morse, both of whom are known to have received interest from the Rams.
Other linemen that also rate highly and are still available include Oregon tackle Jake Fisher and Penn State tackle Donovan Smith, among others.
No matter which names the Rams turn in Friday, it’s probably a safe bet that they’ll be calling at least one offensive lineman’s. Given the need, it wouldn’t surprise if they doubled down upfront.
znModeratorfrom off the net
==
Deadpool
My best available for round 2
14. La’el Collins – Murder investigation
16. Landon Collins – in the box safety
22. Randy Gregory – 3-4 OLB with failed drug test
23. Jaelen Strong – Big target WR
26. DGB – WR with multitude of off field red flags
27. TJ Clemmings – RT that needs some time due to switch from defense
28. Preston Smith – 4-3 DE
29. Eli Harold – OLB
32. Jake Fisher – OT
33. Eddie Goldman – DT
34. Jaelen Collins – CB with multiple failed drug tests
35. Jordan Phillips – DT
36.Denzel Perryman – MLB and my favorite player in the draft
38. Eric Kendricks – MLB tad on the smaller side, has bigger game then his size
39. AJ Cann – OG/C and my top target in round 2
40. Owamagbe Odighizuwa – DE
41. Bernardrick McKinney – MLB rumored Rams interest
42. Devin Funchess – TE/WR
44. Sammie Coates – WR from Auburn
45. Max Williams – TE
47. Duke Johnson – RB
48. Nate Orchard – DE/OLB
50. Paul Dawson – LB
51. PJ Williams – CB with DUI
54. Brett Hundley – QB
55. Tevin Coleman – RB
56. Eric Rowe – CB/FS
I have to think the Rams are looking hard at Clemmings, Fisher, Perryman, McKinney, Dawson, Stromg, DGB, Cann, Harold , Kendricks and Rowe.
I personally would love 1 of Cann, Fisher, Clemmings, Rowe, Perryman, Strong or DGB
May 1, 2015 at 11:48 am in reply to: join us in the chat room during the draft tonight at 7 PM ET #23576znModeratorThere was a nice crowd in there yesterday and lots of good banter.
Someone called the Gurley pick. Forget who that was. Invader?
May 1, 2015 at 11:14 am in reply to: Fisher/Snead press conference (vid & TRANSCRIPT) + PD, Wagoner on Gurley #23574znModeratorDidnt the 49ers draft a highly touted RB who
had an ACL injury last year? How
did that work out?Lattimore tore a ligament in his left knee as a sophomore at South Carolina in 2011, and then suffered a horrible injury in his opposite knee one year later that included a dislocation and significant damage to multiple ligaments. . . . He . . . had recurring issues with his surgically repaired knee during practices and felt that it was time to move on to a new chapter in his life after football.
It doesn;t look like it was the same kind of thing.
.
znModeratorfrom off the net
==
max
Mayock’s top 10 remaining OL…
33. T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
39. Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
40. Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State
56. A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina
La’el Collins, OT, LSU
73. Mitch Morse, C, Missouri
82. Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma
85. Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
87. Ali Marpet, OT, Hobart
90. Tre’ Jackson, G, Florida StateznModeratorfrom off the net
==
max
Here is Gil Brandt’s list of remaining OL. There is some good starting talent on this list.
15. La’el Collins, OT, LSU: 6-4 1/2, 305 pounds, 5.10 40
33. Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon: 6-6 1/8, 306 pounds, 4.97 40
34. Donovan Smith, OL, Penn State: 6-5 5/8, 338 pounds, 5.18 40
42. T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh: 6-4 3/4, 309 pounds, 5.12 40
67. Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State: 6-5 7/8, 311 pounds, 5.31 40
72. Daryl Williams, G, Oklahoma: 6-5 1/4, 327 pounds, 5.34 40
76. Tyrus Thompson, OT, Oklahoma: 6-4 7/8, 324 pounds, 5.3 40
77. Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon: 6-3, 297 pounds, 5.02 40
78. Jeremiah Poutasi, G, Utah: 6-5 1/8, 335 pounds, 5.32 40
82. A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina: 6-2 3/4, 313 pounds, 5.51 40
85. Tre Jackson, G, Florida State: 6-3 3/4, 330 pounds, 5.49 40
May 1, 2015 at 7:38 am in reply to: Fisher/Snead press conference (vid & TRANSCRIPT) + PD, Wagoner on Gurley #23539znModerator
ST. LOUIS RAMS ROUND ONE PRESS CONFERENCE – HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER AND GENERAL MANAGER LES SNEAD – APRIL 30, 2015(On first round pick RB Todd Gurley)
Snead: “Coach Fisher would tell you, we’ve been discussing it a while. Obviously we felt he was a unique talent. That’s subjective, but definitely thought he was a unique talent that only comes around once in a while. So, we thought he might have fallen…could have gone earlier if it hadn’t been for the injury, so it was kind of a bonus to maybe be sitting there at 10. We’ve got a lot of things we’ve got to do, but I think it was a consensus that that player helps everybody: our defense, it helps our offense, our offensive line, our wide receivers, our QB. So, that’s the pick in a nutshell.”(On why they think Gurley is a unique talent)
Fisher: “His body of work speaks for itself. What he was able to do at the University of Georgia was very impressive. Clearly, he was set back because of the injury, but the athletic ability, the strength, the explosion, the acceleration, the instincts that he has as a runner, and he’s also got great hands out of the backfield. He’s that complete back. We have a good group. We really like our group in the room, but this is an opportunity that as Les said, that we could not pass up. There were good players. The board was right. We had a sense for where it was going to go. We’ve been talking about Todd for well over a week now. We were there at the re-check. The rehab’s coming along fine. We don’t know when he’s going to be on the field competitively. We do know that he’s not having any issues right now and as the doc’s typically say, he’s ahead of schedule. So, this is kind of one of those players at the position that really only comes around once in a great while. So, we’re very excited about him.”(On when they became comfortable with Gurley’s knee and how comfortable they are being patient with him)
Fisher: “Well we’re comfortable with the process, the evaluation process. We’re comfortable with what happens at the Combine. Now, he did not allow anybody to manipulate him at the Combine just because the doctor didn’t want 32 teams jerking on the knee. So, he went through his rehab, went back to the re-check. We were there. Our doctors were there and there’s really no concern with where he is right now.”(On if Gurley will be ready for the regular season)
Fisher: “There’s always that possibility, but we’re not going to be specific as to when. I will tell you this: we’re not going to rush it. We may be a little on the conservative side. This is the running back of our future, and it makes no sense to subject him to…put him in a bad situation sooner than we have to. Like I said, we’ve got outstanding backs on our roster. He’s going to add to that group. When that happens, we don’t know. But, he’s going to be the running back of the future for a number of years.”(On the depth at the running back position)
Fisher: “We’ve got a good group, yes.”(On if Gurley’s injury history factored into the decision to select him)
Fisher: “Well, obviously it’s been a concern of ours, but every situation is different. We don’t have any reservations whatsoever about him getting back to full-speed and 100 percent. That’s not going to be an issue with him. He’s endured a lot too. His road’s pretty impressive. He’s had some hard times, went and endured the suspension, but everyone you talk to absolutely loves the kid. Just loves the kid.”(On selecting a running back in the first round this year despite one not being picked in the first round the last two years)
Snead: “I think you take Gurley, obviously we thought he was a unique talent and I think the next guy to go was a pretty damn-good player in the Wisconsin kid. He can hit some home runs and I think that’s why San Diego made a move to go get him. It’s really like I’ve said many times before, the position – that’s just letters in the alphabet. But you take players – they’re humans, you take the ability. I think that’s why you’re seeing the running backs go maybe two, maybe three go off the board this year because they’re skilled people.”(On Gurley’s suspension in college)
Snead: “I think, obviously the Georgia people, he’s a hero to their people. I don’t know if I want to use the word hero, but well-respected throughout their fans. I’ve spent a lot of time in Atlanta so my texts are probably blowing up with UGA fans. We’ve got one on the staff who knows (University of Georgia Head Coach) Mark Richt well and he sent him a text right after the pick saying, ‘Hey, great pick. You guys got a stud.’ That’s coming from his head coach and a lot of the fans there. They respect him. He made a mistake. He got punished for it. He’s moving on.”(On if Gurley is similar to former NFL running back Eddie George)
Fisher: “He’s special. Yeah he is. I got a text from Eddie five minutes after the pick was over saying, ‘Congratulations, great pick.’ But they’re different. They’re running styles are different. When his career is all said and done he could be that guy, yes.”(On the coach who got the text from Coach Richt)
Snead: “(Quarterbacks) Coach (Chris) Weinke.”(On who’s going to block for Gurley)
Fisher: “We’ve got a group up front. We’ll be OK.”Snead: “We’ve drafted some people in the past and they did make this thing a three-day event. I didn’t decide that. We’ve got to live through Friday and Saturday. We’ll see if we can help improve that position there, but we’ll still let the board guide us, but we’re well aware.”
(On if there were any surprises)
Fisher: “No, the board was perfect so far.”(On if Gurley was ranked second on the draft board)
Snead: “You can’t always believe everything that’s reported. That one’s in-house.”Fisher: “We intentionally hid him on the board. So, he was way down some place.”
znModeratorAdam Schefter @AdamSchefter
Rams RB Zac Stacy, who tweeted “Yikes” after STL drafted Todd Gurley, has requested a trade and team is open to moving him, per NFL source.
May 1, 2015 at 12:47 am in reply to: Fisher/Snead press conference (vid & TRANSCRIPT) + PD, Wagoner on Gurley #23513znModeratorGurley is a big-risk, big-upside talent
By Bernie MiklaszGoing into the draft, I expected Rams GM Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher to take their vitamins and eat their broccoli by doing the sensible if unexciting thing by drafting an offensive tackle.
Instead, the Rams pulled off a surprise by taking the magnificent Georgia running back Todd Gurley with the 10th overall selection.
Of course there are several reasons to rip or at least seriously question the pick.
1. Gurley is coming off late-November surgery to repair a torn ACL and could miss the early part of the 2015 regular season. He’s a real talent, but there’s a red-flag aspect to this choice. What if Gurley is out longer than anticipated? What if he doesn’t hold up? I guess the snarky thing to say — as thousands already have — is that the Rams have drafted a back that Los Angeles fans will love in 2016. But I’m just repeating the joke. I don’t endorse it.
2. This is the fifth RB chosen by the Fisher-Snead regime, following Isaiah Pead (50th overall in 2012), Daryl Richardson (No. 252 in 2012), Zac Stacy (No 160 in 2013), and Tre Mason (No. 75 in 2014.) Mason is a nice player with upside, but there isn’t a home-run pick in there. So should we trust the regime’s ability to judge running backs?
3. Presumably the Rams will line up additional run blockers to give Gurley a chance to break off runs instead of getting beaten up and suffering additional injuries. But until they do … how much punishment can Gurley absorb behind a suspect O-line? Again, I’d have to think the Rams will reinforce their front line.
4. NFL personnel evaluators have shifted their philosophy on taking RBs early in the first round. In the previous five drafts (2010-2014) only two backs came off the board in the first 10 picks. Buffalo chose C.J. Spiller 9th overall in 2010, and Cleveland went for Trent Richardson at No. 3 in 2012. Spiller has been a good player, with speed that can burn defenses. He’s averaged 4.9 yards per carry and made an impact as a receiver. (With one Pro Bowl.) Spiller was a fine pick, but he hasn’t reached the superstars level. As for Richardson, he’s been a bust so far in his days with Cleveland and Indianapolis.
None of this means it’s stupid to draft a back so early. You can go back to 2007 with Adrian Peterson going 7th overall. And though he didn’t go in the top 10, Marshawn Lynch was the 12th overall choice in ’07. Lynch washed out of Buffalo, but has been a hugely important franchise back with Seattle. But the list of early-first backs includes Cedric Benson (4th in 2005), Cadillac Williams (5th in 2005), and Darren McFadden (4th in 2008.) McFadden is a decent back, still going through eight NFL seasons, but he’s only had one 1,000-yard rushing season. And there have been some effective role players taken early, including Reggie Bush (2nd overall in ’06.) And also a solid back in Ronnie Brown (No. 2 in 2005.)
NFL teams have become increasingly reluctant to pull a RB off the board when picking a back among the first 10 selections. So it’s fair to say that Fisher-Snead are going against the trend here. And the risk factor is increased by Gurley’s knee health.
5. Fisher also drafted some RB busts in Tennessee including LenDale White, Chris Henry and Chris Brown. But Fisher also hit it big on a couple of backs, and we’ll get to that in a moment.
But here’s the thing …
I don’t hate this pick. Not at all. I like it, actually. If you watched Gurley work on autumn Saturdays during his career at Georgia you’ll know what I mean. I’ll say it: I loved watching Gurley run the football. He was tenacious and explosive and everything in between.
Gurley is really, really good. He’s big and strong and fast and has an appetite for contact. He can run through tacklers or elude them. Not a bad receiver, either. Gurley is an exciting player with a chance to become the franchise back that Fisher needs to belatedly assemble a power running game in St. Louis. And a power game that also contains a breakaway element.
A healthy Gurley can be a lot of fun to watch during the coming seasons.
I also believe this: if Fisher is the Rams’ head coach, he’ll continue to go with the offensive style that he prefers, and a top-quality RB is a big part of that equation. We can’t pretend that Fisher is something that he’s not. He isn’t going to change, not after 19+ seasons as a head coach. Too late.
As coach of the Oilers-Titans, Fisher found his go-to guy in Eddie George, the 14th overall choice in 1996. George was everything that Fisher wanted to make his offense go, and George rushed for 10,441 yards and 68 touchdowns in a career that included four Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro honor.
George was Fisher’s lead back for eight seasons, with special toughness and endurance that was tested to the max by a preposterous 403-carry season in 2000.
Fisher also struck gold in the 2008 draft by picking Chris Johnson 24th overall. The lightning-bolt Johnson had six 1,000-yard seasons including his memorable 2,006-yard haul in 2009.
We don’t know if Gurley can be Fisher’s new George, or Johnson or a hybrid of the two. But after ranking 19th in the NFL in rushing yards over his first three seasons, the coach has been searching for a RB that can carry his offense. And a healthy and durable version of Gurley has the skill set to be the alpha back.
Again, there’s no way to avoid the health-durability question, but Fisher went with his gut and put his faith in Gurley. For better or for worse, Fisher remained true to his roots.
As Jon Gruden said Thursday night on ESPN: “Jeff Fisher, when he’s been at his best, they’ve had a good defense, and they’ve been able to run the football. Think about the identity of a Jeff Fisher football team. Run the football, play good defense. That will help (new QB) Nick Foles, that will help this offensive line if they can have some success running the football. I love this pick. You can feature (Gurley) every Sunday.”
I also like the pick because it’s got some sizzle. It wasn’t the safest thing to do from a practical standpoint. Fisher could have gone with a lower-risk RB in Wisconson’s Melvin Gordon. But obviously the Rams believe that Gurley can be transcendent, so they went all-in on him.
And they also ignored the danger of relying on another surgically repaired knee. Fisher’s rebuild in STL was slowed and made more challenging by QB Sam Bradford’s two knee injuries, and now Fisher used a Top 10 pick on a back that’s coming off ACL surgery.
But in Thursday’s column I wrote that I hoped the Rams would do something to help their offense get into the end zone more frequently. And there are a lot of ways to do that, including a powerhouse RB.
Fisher certainly wasn’t bashful about going for it. All you can do is hope that Gurley will be sound, and stay sound, and be able to withstand a feature-back workload. If Gurley can endure, he’s a true playmaker. And we haven’t seen many difference-makers on the Rams offense.
This was a surprise pick that, upon further review, wasn’t so stunning after all. This was the third SEC running back chosen by Snead-Fisher in their four drafts in St. Louis.
(This just in: Las Vegas has installed the Rams as the favorite to to win the SEC East in 2015. One other lame joke: the Rams evidently traded Brian Schottenheimer to Georgia for Gurley.)
This latest choice will blow up on the Rams if Gurley’s knee blows out again … but at least now there’s a chance to see some entertainment when the Rams have the football.
Big risk … big talent.
Big gamble … big potential payoff.
Boom … or bust.
If you feel like reading more about Gurley and this pick…
Here are a couple of things for you from my favorite football-analysis web site, Pro Football Focus …
• Here was the instant reaction Pro Football Focus:
“A running back is gone in the first 10 picks, thus ensuring PFF founder Neil Hornsby has ample opportunity to get on his soap box and bemoan the lack of value in the pick. Gurley is obviously coming off an ACL injury, but the wonders of modern medicine and his incredible physical gifts were too much for a Rams team to pass up giving who they at the running back spot right now. His 2014 sample size was relatively small but enough to produce these nuggets. Gurley led the nation with 3.98 yards after contact per attempt against Power-5 competition and also had the highest elusive rating in that regard. He’s a unique talent and despite only carrying the ball 123 times he still had the sixth highest rushing grade of all draft eligible backs.”
• And here is Matt Classen’s pre-draft assessment of Gurley:
“Gurley is the top back on many people’s draft boards, and understandably so. He is a powerful and explosive runner who fights to finish runs and can create his own yardage. He forced an astounding 37 missed tackles on 117 rushes against Power 5 teams, and never less than six in any of those games. His 3.9 average yards after contact ranked second in the draft class.
“His quickness and top speed are a rare combination with his size and are what makes him unique from other players in the draft. Gurley is powerful enough to run over and through multiple defenders yet can still break away from early anyone on the defense. He had at least a 40-yard run in each of his first four games last season.
“Gurley still has the highest upside of any of the running backs, but the injuries coupled with his physicality are a concern. The recovery road following ACL injuries has come a long way over the years, but nothing is for sure. Will the knee be an issue going forward? Odds are that it probably won’t be, but it should still be at least a small concern and part of the equation when drafting Gurley.
“Signature Stat: On average, Gurley forced a missed tackle once every 3.3 rush attempts, the best rate in the nation.”
znModeratorfrom off the net
==
Blockandtackle2
Rams should get a good OT/ OG at #41
OT Fisher
OT Cummings
OT Smith
OG Cann
OG Marpet
OG JacksonAnd then there is Collins if he is cleared miraculously overnight.
May 1, 2015 at 12:14 am in reply to: Fisher/Snead press conference (vid & TRANSCRIPT) + PD, Wagoner on Gurley #23507znModeratorWith Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams go all-in on run game
By Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Five minutes after the St. Louis Rams selected Georgia running back Todd Gurley with the 10th overall selection in the NFL draft Thursday night, coach Jeff Fisher’s phone lit up.
Amongst the many texts Fisher received was a simple one that read “Congratulations, great pick.” On the other end of the text was former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George, the same running back who spent eight years carrying the load for Fisher’s Titans.
While their playing styles may be different, the Rams now turn to Gurley to take a running game that’s been more bark than bite, and lead it to the lofty heights that George once spearheaded.
“He’s special,” Fisher said. “Their running styles are different. [But] when their careers are all said and done, he could be that guy, yes.”
Since Fisher and general manager Les Snead arrived in St. Louis, they’ve consistently pointed out that they’d like their offense to center on a power running game. Despite some half-measures taken through the draft — the Rams took four running backs in the first three years of Fisher and Snead’s tenure — they never fully committed to making it happen.
Which is why the results have been mediocre at best. In three seasons under Fisher, the Rams have averaged 106.3 rushing yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry, ranking 19th and 17th in the league, respectively. Although backs Tre Mason, Daryl Richardson, Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham have flashed potential, none have been able to consistently perform against the tougher defenses in the NFC West.
In 2014, the Rams averaged 77.8 yards and 3.36 yards per carry in six division games. In their 10 other contests, the Rams rushed for 116.8 yards and 4.56 yards per rush.
Of course, those numbers can’t be exclusively pinned on the running backs. A porous offensive line that still has glaring holes at center, one guard spot and right tackle is equally responsible. Now that the Rams have invested so heavily in running back, they must do the same with the front five. Re-signing tackle Joe Barksdale, signing guard Justin Blalock and/or spending some of their remaining five picks on the line would be a good start.
Some might argue that Fisher is still stuck in the past and clinging to the days of George as a way to win. There’s merit to that argument but there’s also recent evidence that a generational talent at running back can be a difference maker. It’s why Minnesota doesn’t want to part with Adrian Peterson, the player that many at Rams Park point to as the best back to enter the draft before Gurley.
Undoubtedly, there’s a certain amount of risk that comes with picking Gurley, who is still rehabilitating from a torn left anterior cruciate ligament. But if he’s healthy, there’s no denying his talent.
At Georgia, Gurley averaged 3 yards per rush after contact and gained more than 1,500 of his 3,285 rush yard after contact. He also had 114 carries that gained 10 yards or more since the start of the 2012 season.
Gurley, who didn’t visit with the Rams before the draft, doesn’t know much about St. Louis other than his friendship with linebacker Alec Ogletree, who played with him at Georgia. But he does know one more thing.
“I know they like to run the ball,” Gurley said Thursday night.
And with Gurley in place, finally perhaps the Rams can do it as well as Fisher has long hoped
znModeratorWell I learned tonight that ACL injuries do not register on rose colored glasses.
If they’ve healed they don’t.
If you are drafting into strength then you can reasonably have that attitude. But this isn’t drafting into strength. So many needs and RB wasn’t one.
Well, I disagree, though. The original post by me in this thread is from late March. I was thinking back then that RB was a need. I didn’t think they could do it with just Mason.
The way I see it, now, cause of a deep running squad, whatever they do with the OL, and the WRs, and with Foles, all of them will be better.
…
znModerator@caplannfl: #Rams RB Zac Stacy, after the selection of RB Todd Gurley, plans to ask the team for his release or to be traded, per league source.
To be clear, that’s Adam Caplan tweeting that.
.
znModerator.
from off the net, posted earlier today
==
jjab360
The Gurley hype train is picking up steam. Word is he’s been getting a clean bill of health so if that one red flag is off the table, that is really the only thing holding him back from being a top 10 pick.
Charles Robinson @CharlesRobinson
The draft range for Todd Gurley? Supposedly 6 to 10 now. That’s the word on the street. https://t.co/jE7B5D7CkWI could easily see the Rams taking him at 10, he’s a beast.
It would give Foles an elite running game to lean on and it would be the type of pick that fits Fisher’s M.O.
znModerator -
AuthorPosts
