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The St. Louis Rams continue looking for answers for a stagnant ground game. This week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Rams are turning to rookie Zac Stacy as the starting running back in the hopes of doing that.
The Rams have started Daryl Richardson through most of the season so far. Richardson revealed via Twitter earlier in the week that he would not be starting in Week 5. The coaching staff pushed back on that, saying it was undecided, but it turns out that Richardson was right all along.
St. Louis is dead last in the NFL with an average of 47.2 rushing yards per game. The running backs are averaging a dismal 2.6 yards per attempt. An average of 18.2 rushing attempts per game reflects both the Rams playing from behind most of the season so far and a lack of commitment to the running game in the offensive game plan.
Richardson was a fifth-round pick in this year's draft. A Vanderbilt product, he led the SEC in rushing last season. Measuring 5'8 216 pounds, Stacy brings a much-needed power element to the running game. And the Rams may need it. The offensive line ranks among the league's worst when it comes to run blocking this season. According to Football Outsiders, the front five is getting just 3.05 adjusted line yards per carry, the third-lowest mark in the NFL.