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The Rams running back battle has been a one man show thus far, but with three preseason games left there are plenty of opportunities still available. Tonight against the Green Bay Packers, the running backs will get a chance to earn a spot on the team.
Daryl Richardson is the clear front runner in the battle to become the Rams starting running back. He began the preseason as the starter and has only distanced himself since. Isaiah Pead, who continues to get tic with the Rams first team in practice, hurt his case last week by coughing the ball up.
"I think Daryl played really, really well last week," Schottenheimer said. "I think Isaiah’s definitely got to play some catch-up. But again, we’re not just looking at one game. He’s got a whole preseason to look at. We were very pleased with the way Daryl played last week. They’ve both done really well in practice. Would I say Daryl has the lead? Sure, but there’s a ways to go, and we expect good things from Isaiah this weekend."
With all of the Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead talk, Zac Stacy feels like the forgotten man. Both Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead fit more in the mold of a change-of-pace back, while Stacy and Bennie Cunningham have the build of a workhorse. According to Jeff Fisher, each running back should get their chance to run behind the starting offensive line in order to sort them out before cuts begin.
"Our hope is to try and get them some carries behind the starting offensive line over the next couple of weeks to fairly evaluate them," Fisher said.
At this point in the battle for a roster spot, Terrance Ganaway looks to be the odd man out, but should get his first work of the preseason tonight.
The next three preseason games will be crucial in not only determining who earn playing time for the Rams at running back, but also for figuring out who will make the team and who will be cut.
The Rams are priming themselves to use a running back by committee approach this season, but who will the committee members be?