Sean McVay hints at giving Todd Gurley bigger workload

[Riverumbbq]

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

https://thesportsdaily.com/2019/09/24/sean-mcvay-hints-at-giving-todd-gurley-bigger-workload/
Originally posted on The Sports Daily | By Marcelo Villa | Last updated 9/24/19

Despite having one of the league’s top running backs at their disposal, the Rams have underutilized Todd Gurley through the first three games of the season, but it sounds like that is about to change based off what head coach Sean McVay told reporters this week.
After dismissing the notion that the reason behind Gurley’s diminished workload was due to load management, McVay hinted at possibly getting his running back a bigger workload.
“I have to do better about being able to give him a chance to really get more into a rhythm than what I’ve enabled him to do in these first three games,” McVay said on Monday, per ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry.
The Rams have gone with a more balanced approach at the running back position with backup Malcolm Brown getting about half the carries that Gurley has through three games, and targets in the passing game have been hard to come by as well.

Los Angeles has come out on top in each of those games, but the feeling is the offense could be better, especially if Gurley was more involved.
We’ll see what happens when the Rams host the Buccaneers on Sunday. Tampa Bay has been one of the top defensive units against the run this season, so this might not be the week that we see a rise in Gurley’s production.
This article first appeared on The Sports Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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[Riverumbbq]

Rams look to get Todd Gurley more 'involved'
After he missed time late last season with an injury, it was assumed the running back would ease back into things in Los Angeles in 2019. However, there's concern since Gurley's career-high 89.4 rushing yards per game last year has dipped to 67.7 rushing yards per contest this season.

But coach Sean McVay insisted Gurley is not on a load management program and won't continue to be underutilized in the weeks to come.

"No, we’re not doing anything like it," McVay told reporters. "It’s more along the lines of, each week presents a different approach. It’s kind of the feel of the flow of the game. We want to get Todd involved. I’d like to do better of being able to give him a chance to get more into a rhythm than I’ve enabled him to do these first three games."

NFL news and notes: Cam Newton could be out for a while; Rams look to up Todd Gurley's workload | Sporting News

The Vikings also re-signed former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell after Chad Beebe tore ligaments in his ankle.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[hotanez]

So is the reason to increase his workload because it appears he's moping around? what happened to saving him for the playoffs? very strange.

 

[coconut]

Shoot we'll fix that.

 

[Dxmissile]

People have to remember that the run game is all about rhythm from the line to the RB getting 3 or 4 carries a HALF isn’t going to do it.

I also don’t like the notion of people saying Gurley is moping around.From Gurley time at Georgia to the pros he has always ran and played like that. The guy is a strider while on tv it’s looking like he’s half assing it I can assure you it’s not like that on the field. And you can see that when he actually has a opportunity to do something. He still push the pile still has his balance and speed he just need to get more involved and by that I’m sure McVay is talking run game and Pass game

 

[Riverumbbq]

Seems like we've heard this all before, but McVay seems to have a hard time disassociating himself as a pass happy coach. When you have guys like Gurley, Brown & Henderson on your roster, they should be utilized far better imo.

 

[XXXIVwin]

Weird. Weird, weird, weird.

At first glance, it sure *seems* like Gurley went into McVay’s office and said, “I need more carries, Coach.”

Or... maybe not.

Maybe the FO is inclined to use a more cautious approach to the workload, but Gurley isn’t on board? Who knows.

And McVay’s coachspeak of “getting Gurley more into a rhythm” MIGHT mean more touches... but then again it might not.

Finally, at the end of Thiry’s article was this:

“McVay said at the start of the regular season that Gurley would maintain an every-other-day practice schedule, but Gurley told reporters that his routine would remain the same to what it has been in the past, which would equate to no rest days.
Gurley has appeared once on the Rams' official injury/participation report as a "Did not practice/not injury related."


Weird, weird, weird...

 

[bubbaramfan]

Running the ball more will benefit the OL emensely. Its much easier to run block beacuse you don't have to think. It gives them a chance to work together and understand each others strengths and weaknesses. McVay hasn't run the ball near as much as he should have so far. Gurley needs to be featured, run, pass, screen. Rams have a weapon, use it.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Weird. Weird, weird, weird.

At first glance, it sure *seems* like Gurley went into McVay’s office and said, “I need more carries, Coach.”

Or... maybe not.

Maybe the FO is inclined to use a more cautious approach to the workload, but Gurley isn’t on board? Who knows.

And McVay’s coachspeak of “getting Gurley more into a rhythm” MIGHT mean more touches... but then again it might not.

Finally, at the end of Thiry’s article was this:

“McVay said at the start of the regular season that Gurley would maintain an every-other-day practice schedule, but Gurley told reporters that his routine would remain the same to what it has been in the past, which would equate to no rest days.
Gurley has appeared once on the Rams' official injury/participation report as a "Did not practice/not injury related."


Weird, weird, weird...

I see where you're coming from, and while I don't really see it as necessarily weird, ... I do see it as the typical double-talk which appears to be how many teams address fans and the media.
As a practice, I don't believe anything a coach or player ever says as the benefit is only for themselves. jmo.

 

[Ram65]

I'll take getting Gurley involved in the passing game too.

 

[IBruce80]

There were games last season that left some of us scratching our heads as to why McVay didn't use Gurley so often and went with the passing game.
Seems like nothing new.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Running the ball more will benefit the OL emensely. Its much easier to run block beacuse you don't have to think. It gives them a chance to work together and understand each others strengths and weaknesses. McVay hasn't run the ball near as much as he should have so far. Gurley needs to be featured, run, pass, screen. Rams have a weapon, use it.

Not only that, but play action is a huge reason for our success the last couple years.

Gurley also needs to be more active in the passing game. He hasn't been at this point.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

We need a hallelujah smilie! It's about time. Watching Gurley not run makes me sad.

(Not to mention that I have Gurley in two leagues and I'm 0-3 in both)

 

[I like Rams]

Im starting to wonder if the tension bw Goff and McVay this last week was bc McVay saw (as did we) Gurley open on quite a few play action passes and yet Goff kept forcing it down field? This week we need to focus on Gurley getting his touches and get him more involved. A happy Gurley is a happy team.

 

[Bootleg]

Gurley's not involved because opponents keep running a "6-1" front, thus daring McVay to pass. So far McVay has taken (to varying degrees of success) what's been given.

It will be interesting to see if and how McVay can involve Gurley given the way defenses keep playing us. I'm sure McVay's put more thought into this than any of us. Hopefully something new with the Bucs this weekend.

 

[DrRage46]

So is the reason to increase his workload because it appears he's moping around? what happened to saving him for the playoffs? very strange.

He does look like he is not happy to be on the team.He has looked that way since the start of the season which is a shame.Hope shawn does something to get him to playing hard like he used too.

 

[Petrowsky]

There were games last season that left some of us scratching our heads as to why McVay didn't use Gurley so often and went with the passing game.
Seems like nothing new.

This is the biggest complaint I have against McVay. I don’t know if it’s stubbornness or what, but he seems reluctant to change some things. I remember around week 7 of the 2017 season McVay said he had to get better with his timeout usage. Here we are 2 years later and I feel like the improvement there is negligible. I agree that he gets pass happy. He’s said that he needs to get better with that. I still feel like he falls into far too often still. I think he’s an amazing coach. I still would like him to follow through on some improvements that he has pointed out himself.

 

[Loyal]

Shoot we'll fix that.

Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it..

 

[rams1fan]

McVay will do what he thinks to win games. If that means more Gurley carries that is what will happen. If that means more Brown carries that will be what happens. From watching 2 years of McVay I am confident there is no office politics.

 

[kmramsfan]

Yanno .... Todd just doesn't have that burst or the recklessness he once did.
I just haven't seen it since the Dallas playoff victory.
And the line is currently under further review.