[Elvis]

http://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/11/wa ... dd-gurley/

Was Rams coach Sean McVay out of touch with use of Todd Gurley?


Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley strikes a Heisman pose while running for a first down against the Philadelphia Eagles in a game at the Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

By RICH HAMMOND | [email protected] | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: December 11, 2017 at 7:08 pm | UPDATED: December 11, 2017 at 7:37 pm

THOUSAND OAKS — For all the good that Coach Sean McVay has brought to the Rams this year — an enormous amount — a persistent question remains. What’s going on with Todd Gurley’s usage?

The Rams are 7-0 when Gurley touches the ball at least 20 times in a game, either on handoffs or receptions, and they’re 2-4 when he doesn’t reach that mark. Gurley had 16 touches for 135 yards on Sunday in the Rams’ loss to Philadelphia, which tied his lowest touch total of the season.

That requires some context. The Rams ran only 45 offensive plays against the Eagles, so Gurley’s touches accounted for 35.6 percent of their offense, which is on par with his usage all season.

Still, McVay’s usage of Gurley didn’t pass the eye test. Philadelphia entered the game with a superb run defense that had averaged only 3.5 yards allowed per attempt, but Gurley ran for 30 yards on the Rams’ second play and scored a touchdown on the next play. Gurley averaged 7.4 yards per rush attempt.

Gurley and the Rams’ offensive line clearly could move the ball against the Eagles, but Gurley had only 13 carries (for 96 yards), while quarterback Jared Goff attempted 26 passes (and completed 16).

“Any time we’re running the football like that, I’ve got to do a better job of making sure that he gets enough touches to get into the flow, especially when we’re getting some good movement,” McVay said during his Monday news conference at Cal Lutheran.

“It is a delicate balance. At the end of the day, however you want to cut it, I’ve got to get him going and give him more opportunities, with the way he was running, and have a better feel for the flow of the game. That was something I didn’t think I did very well.”

McVay also pointed out, correctly, quite fairly, that the low number of plays took the Rams out of sync, and credited the Eagles defense for doing a good job against the Rams’ first-down plays, particularly some of the play-action stuff that had been successful all season.

McVay also talked about the need for run-pass balance, and at times, McVay seemed to stray too far.

The Rams held a 35-34 lead with less than 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter when, on a first-and-10 play, McVay called a play-action pass. Eagles defensive end Chris Long sprinted around Rams tackle Darrell Williams, who had entered the game two plays earlier, and forced a Goff strip-sack fumble.

Philadelphia went on to kick a go-ahead field goal, and after the game, McVay was forthright in saying that he should have called a better play. Perhaps the Rams should have kept the ball on the ground?

It’s not as though the Rams have been ignoring Gurley. They’ve run the ball on 44.7 percent of their plays, the ninth-highest average in the NFL. Gurley’s 236 carries rank third in the league, and he is tied for second in total touches (with receptions included). Gurley has totaled 1,637 yards from scrimmage this season, second only to Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell (1,684), and Gurley now is a 1,000-yard rusher.

And, of course, it’s difficult to argue with McVay as a play-caller, given that the Rams have averaged 30.5 points per game this season, second only to the Eagles (31.1).

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Yet something still seems off, perhaps because it’s tough to ignore the 20-touch stat. The Rams are 2-4 when he doesn’t reach that mark, and the two wins were blowouts in which Gurley was rested late.

In the Rams’ nine victories, Gurley’s touches accounted for 37.5 percent of the Rams’ plays. In the Rams’ four losses, Gurley’s touches accounted for 31.2 percent of their plays. That’s not a dramatic difference, but it also isn’t a coincidence. The Rams are better when Gurley is the focal point of their offense.

That also seems to be diminishing. In the Rams’ first six games, Gurley runs were 33.4 percent of the Rams’ offense. In their last seven games, Gurley runs have been only 26.0 percent of the offense.

“Going back to the New Orleans game and the last couple weeks, you can definitely look at that,” McVay said. “I look at myself and say, you’ve got to make sure you’re cognizant of giving the runs a chance and trying to stay balanced. That’s something I haven’t done. You can’t keep standing up here and saying the same things. You’ve just got to get it fixed.

“That’s something I’ve got to be mindful of, especially when you look at it and, they were the top rushing defense in the league, but our guys were doing a good job of getting some movement and Todd was running really well.”

Perhaps, McVay is mindful of keeping Gurley fresh for late-season (and perhaps playoff) games, which wouldn’t be a ridiculous thought, but the Rams (9-4) can’t use Gurley in the playoffs if they don’t get there, and this week’s game against Seattle (8-5) might decide which team wins the NFC West.

In the teams’ first meeting this season, a 16-10 Seahawks victory at the Coliseum on Oct. 8, Gurley’s usage was low. He had only 14 carries (for 43 yards) and two catches, which marked the only time this season that Gurley’s touches accounted for fewer than 25 percent of the Rams’ total plays.

INJURY REPORT

McVay said cornerback Trumaine Johnson left Sunday’s game with a nerve “stinger” in his shoulder and was not in the NFL concussion protocol, as had been announced during and after the game.

McVay also said offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein both are expected to play against Seattle. Both were announced as having ankle injuries during and after the game, but McVay said Monday that they had “mild MCL” issues.

Receiver Robert Woods (shoulder) and linebacker Connor Barwin (arm) are expected to participate when the Rams return to practice Wednesday, and both are on track to play Sunday, McVay said.

[snackdaddy]

Sean, you've done a great job with this offense and whole team. But I've heard you say you have to do a better job getting Gurley his touches several times before this game. And you still didn't get him enough touches. Don't just say it. Do it!

[Gareth]

I see a lot of people saying that Gurley was averaging 7 yards pers carry so they obviously should have given him the ball more. Does anyone consider that his YPC is high BECAUSE he doesn't get have a lot of carries? Defenses are looking for the pass so the runs are more open.

This is nonsense. McVay's play calling is not perfect but his use of Gurley is just fine with me.

[Elvis]

Yeah i really can't stand this kind of analysis myself. It's too simplistic and usually wrong.

The Rams threw the ball 45 times and ran it 13 in the SB against the Titans.

How much shit did pretty much the entire NFL give the Rams for not running enough during the GSOT? Now virtually every team throws as much as we did back then.

It's stupid...

[aeneas1]

- mcvay's offense has scored more than 29 teams through week 14 but he can't figure out how to use gurley effectively.

- mcvay's offense hung 28 points on philadelphia's #2 defense in points allowed, the most any offense has scored on philly this season, but mcvay has a blind spot when it comes to gurley.

- the rams threw the ball 62% of the time against the eagles, the eagles threw the ball 62% of the time against the rams, but mcvay is the young pup still figuring things out when it comes to the running game.

- down by 10 entering the second half, the rams ran the ball 50% of the time in the final 30 minutes... up by 10 entering the second half, the eagles ran the ball 43% of the time in final 30 minutes... but the rams should have run it more?

good friggin' grief.

[ramsman34]

Sean, you've done a great job with this offense and whole team. But I've heard you say you have to do a better job getting Gurley his touches several times before this game. And you still didn't get him enough touches. Don't just say it. Do it!

He said exactly that in his presser, numerous times. He HAS to lean on Gurley in Seattle, simply has to in order to win that game. That D front will not allow Goff to get into a passing rhythm unless we can run very effectively and use play-action. McVay will be tempted to go after their depleted secondary and that could prove to be a mistake with the pressure their front 4 can generate and the crowd noise limiting at the LOS adjustments. McVay needs to go a little old school and pound that D with the run game - both Gurley and Brown. Tavon on the jet sweep has all but vanished from the playbook and that play needs to be utilized as well; as much for the decoy factor vs the ability to attack the perimeter with speed.

[ramsman34]

- mcvay's offense has scored more than 29 teams through week 14 but he can't figure out how to use gurley effectively.

- mcvay's offense hung 28 points on philadelphia's #2 defense in points allowed, the most any offense has scored on philly this season, but mcvay has a blind spot when it comes to gurley.

- the rams threw the ball 62% of the time against the eagles, the eagles threw the ball 62% of the time against the rams, but mcvay is the young pup still figuring things out when it comes to the running game.

- down by 10 entering the second half, the rams ran the ball 50% of the time in the final 30 minutes... up by 10 entering the second half, the eagles ran the ball 43% of the time in final 30 minutes... but the rams should have run it more?

good friggin' grief.

Maybe not more, but when. Situational awareness, play/player efficacy, and flow of the game are things that McVay has been preaching every post game presser.

[dieterbrock]

Funny how this only comes up after losses...

[ramsman34]

Funny how this only comes up after losses...

Goff hits Watkins on that strip fumble play, and you are right, NO ONE is talking about Gurley's usage, or lack of. And Sammy was open, ugh.

[dieterbrock]

Goff hits Watkins on that strip fumble play, and you are right, NO ONE is talking about Gurley's usage, or lack of. And Sammy was open, ugh.

Or if the defense doesnt allow an ice cold Nick Foles to come off the bench and lead a 10 play, 48 yard drive to cut the lead to 1 after the Rams had just answered the Eagles TD...