Todd Gurley: Like A Kid On The Playground

Ed “Pi Double i” Henderson

WorldWide Rams 

​The Los Angles Rams running back Todd Gurley, playing in his third season, is having a phenomenal season thus far. In fact, he’s actually looking as if he’s having a lot of fun on the field early in this 2017 football season. His body language, or better yet his swag, as the new generation calls it, display the tone that he’s loving the Rams rookie head coach Sean McVay’s offense.

Gurley numbers have been impressive this season, as he was able to eclipse for the first time after 20 consecutive games, going over 100 yards rushing. This mark dated back to the end of his 2015 rookie season. He didn’t shortchange himself last Thursday night, as his epic performance that night of 28 carries for 113 yards, five receptions for 36 yards, and scoring three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving.

Coming off a disappointing loss to the Washington Redskins in week two, Gurley commented that last season team would have given up being down by 17 points early in the game. However, it seemed as if he owed the Ram fans for a costly fumble he gave away deep of the Rams side of a field allowing the Redskins score.

Gurley has taken charge of this Rams offense by putting it on his shoulders and help to engineer the Rams team on scoring some 41 points, and scoring over 40 points the second time of this season.

Todd Gurley’s TNF Color Rush Highlights

On that night, Gurley clearly looked like a kid playing on the playground. He’s running the ball more aggressively, the bounce is back in his steps, as well as he’s even bounced a couple of runs that were designed inside to outside gaining additional yardage. 

Gurley is trusting his offensive line now, especially the right side that is anchored by Jamon Brown and Rob Havenstein. Between the two, they were able to open up nice size holes as Gurley having consistent five-yard gains with first down carries. 

Which brings me to the left side of the line, other than the one sack that Roger Saffold was beaten on, the left side held it down. Andrew Whitmore added another game and downs to his plateau of not allowing any quarterback sacks of Ram quarterback Jared Goff. 

But lets, not count out the small things that Gurley been able to afford to the Rams offense, his pass blocking capabilities I witnessed numerous of plays where I see a 49er defender that was pursuing free to the quarterback, as Gurley was there saving sacks with from pass blocking skills. Last season, just tally up Goff sacked at least six times in a game. 

After the game, Gurley was on the set for a post-game interview with NFL analysts Rich Eisen, Hall of Famer’s Michael Irvin, Marshall Faulk, and ex-coach Steve Mariucci, whom asked Gurley questions in regards to the  Rams remarkable victory and if he see this team’s early accomplishment,  if they can make it to the postseason playoffs and win a Super Bowl.

Gurley answered with humbleness, but as the questions surrounding next week’s game against Michael Irving’s old team, the Dallas Cowboys, Gurley gave Irving an earful of..... well just watch below.

Todd Gurley Post Game Promise to Michael Irvin

Gurley’s response caught Irving off guard and all parties of the interview, who laughed off the humor of Gurley’s toward Irving. To say the least, a happy Gurley early is the success of the Rams offense, as well as the energy from Coach McVay, this young Rams team has peaked early, and continued to play great together from a great nucleus.

On the other side of the ball, the Rams defense, which once was the forefront of the team,  haven't look that great against the opposing offenses. The Washington Redskins ran the ball down their throat, as the San Francisco 49ers not only scored their first touchdown of the season, but they scored almost at will with a balanced run and passing game. 

The 49ers veteran wide receiver Pierre Garcon made several great catches against the Rams defense and was able to get free on a deep pass reception, beating Trumaine Johnson. However, Johnson kept Garcon from scoring, something he was accustomed to doing, throughout his career against the Rams.

Sitting next to me on my flight is a Dallas Cowboy fan, he asked me how did I feel about the game coming up against the Cowboys on Sunday. I basically told him, if the defense can contain the Cowboy’s run game, and pound Ezekiel Elliot every time he touches the ball, I love our chances of blowing out the Cowboys at the AT&T Stadium. 

The passenger responded back to me by saying that he was in agreement, with no run game, our Rams offense is too high octane for the Cowboys defense. He also stated that he was a huge Wade Phillips (Rams defensive coordinator) fan, and was not happy when Jerry Jones fired him some seven years ago. But, he also mentioned that our offense scares him and that we may score 50 on the Cowboys.

Cowboys wipe out big deficit in road win vs. Rams https://t.co/2r7xUMieZ9

— Edward Henderson (@Pi_Double_i) September 30, 2017

The Rams look to avenge a loss they suffered to the Cowboys a few seasons ago after they controlled the first half. The Rams had an early 21-0 lead over the Cowboys in St. Louis, to only have to watch the Cowboys rally back in the second half to beat the Rams 34-31 at Edward Jones Dome. (Watch video click on the link above)

The Rams had missed opportunities of blowing the game wide open as poor execution and concentration lead to the team’s disappointment. Midway in the third quarter, on fourth down and inches at the Cowboys nine-yard line, instead of kicking a field goal to go up by seven, Jeff Fisher risked going for the first down. However, Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens had better thoughts as he crashes into the backfield and stops Rams running back Zac Stacey for a 2-yard loss.

Next Rams miscue came early in fourth quarter when quarterback Austin Davis, threw a pass to tight end Jared Goff in the end zone as he bobbled the attempted catch three times before it landed on the turf. Moments after the drop, Davis attempted to help pick up Cook's spirit, but not a wise idea, Cook was seen pushing Davis out the way leading to a sideline scuffle with defensive lineman William Hayes.

Cowboys will score on a touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Terrence Williams to take the lead, and the very next possession, Davis throws a pick-six interception to Bruce Carter to increase the Cowboys lead to 10 points. Davis will find an Austin Pettis in the end zone for a touchdown to cut the Cowboy lead to three points.

The difference between those Rams and this season Rams is they have a better running back in Gurley, a better quarterback than Davis, and a better coaching staff.  Gurley is having fun on the playground, it may just recess for the Cowboys defense, especially if middle linebacker Sean Lee is unavailable to play. If Gurley gets loose such as he has the last couple of games, he may ride off into the sunset on the Cowboy horses.

RSS Feed