Rams’ “nightmare” season hopes to be distant memory for Todd Gurley
By mdelaney
The Los Angeles Rams debut season after relocating from St. Louis can be safely labeled as underwhelming. Lead running back Todd Gurley shared his thoughts about the year in an interview with NFL Network’s Rich Eisen earlier today.
All it takes is one look at the Rams’ 4-12 record to know that the team wasn’t satisfied with how 2016 played out for them. Add in the firing of long-time coach Jeff Fisher a week after possible contract extensions were leaked, only then to make the youngest head coach in NFL history his predecessor. It’s clear the organization has struggled to craft a winning identity.
Starting running back Todd Gurley vented his feelings about the lost season with NFLN’s Rich Eisen on The Rich Eisen Show Tuesday morning.
“Like a nightmare. I still can’t believe the season,” Gurley said. “It was definitely a tough year, a learning experience for me. To be 4-12 this year? I don’t want to feel that feeling again.”
Believe it, Todd, because it doesn’t look to improve anytime soon. The Rams had the 27th ranked offensive line according to Pro Football Focus, which severely compounds Gurley’s running lanes and second-year quarterback Jared Goff’s development. Considering that the Rams possess a dearth of offensive talent outside of Gurley and may have to clean house along the O-line, the nightmare could extend into another season (or, *gulp*, two years).
Yes, new coach Sean McVay’s lifelong offensive prowess will ease some expected growing pains. Also, the hiring of Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator will help keep the team’s strength a strength. But neither McVay nor Phillips will be able to scheme their team to the promised land by next year. It’ll take a steady diet of smart drafting, pursuing the right free agents and instilling a unified mission for the team–a balancing act multiple head coaches and front offices fail on a yearly basis. And don’t forget McVay has a major learning curve to tackle as a first-time head coach, too.
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Even with the immediate future appearing bleak, Gurley should see improvements over the Rams’ infamous “middle school offense” of 2016. McVay’s style will open things up for the Rams and give the team enough hope they hired the right guy. Just don’t plan on the team to see huge leaps in bounds from their new head man with mostly the same roster in place.