Todd Gurley Admits There Were Times During the 2016 Season He Wanted “To Snap”

To say that Los Angeles Rams’ running back Todd Gurley had a disappointing sophomore season would be an understatement.

In 2015 - when Gurley earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors - he regularly found himself on the second level, making 20+ yard gains seem a regularity on Sundays. He finished his rookie campaign with eleven rushes for 20+ yards (good for 2nd in the NFL), and lead the entirety of the league with five carries of 40+.

His longest run in 2016 was for 24 yards.

Some of his frustration(s) from a disappointing season boiled over when, following a 42-14 drubbing at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14, he stated the Rams looked like a “middle school offense.”

Aside from that, however, Gurley did a fine job last season of maintaining his composure during post-game press conferences and interviews, despite the frustrating on-field performances each Sunday.

On Tuesday, Gurley joined Jim Miller and Brady Quinn on Sirius XM Radio. When asked about his success as a rookie compared to the struggles of his second year, he had this to say:

It was definitely hard, for sure. You kind of find yourself sometimes just wanting to just...just snap.

Gurley also made an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show on Tuesday. Maintaining his honest approach to the day, he offered up this description for the 2016 season:

Like a nightmare. I still can't believe the season. 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.

To be fair, Gurley is only saying the things that fans have known he’s wanted to say all season. His frustration was shared. The Rams, despite Jeff Fisher’s best efforts, were never able to get their offense going, and opposing teams - who showed no respect for their passing attack - frequently loaded up the box with eight or nine defenders.

But Gurley, as he did throughout the year, also responded to these comments in a professional manner. After making the aforementioned “wanting to snap” comment on Sirius XM, he talked about keeping his cool on game days...

You don’t want to be that guy. You don’t want to be that guy on the team. I’m just trying to keep everyone together as much as possible, especially being the captain on offense. (I’m) Just trying to keep everybody together and be positive every game, and just come to work every week.

None of what Gurley had to say on Tuesday should come as a surprise. The results, both personally and as a team, were extremely disappointing for the Rams and their fans last season. Luckily, the Rams have moved on from Fisher and now look to Sean McVay to make the fixes Fisher promised, but never delivered on.

The question is whether or not McVay and company (we’re looking at you Aaron Kromer) are able to quickly right the ship on offense. If not, no worries, because Todd Gurley has something else to help him keep his cool on Sundays...

I’m here with Gillette Clinical Clear Gel. Goes on clear, leaves no white marks. All day protection, dry and cool. Off the field, Gillette Clinical Clear Gel is great because it goes on clear and never leaves. On the field it helps me out with my adrenaline and keeps me calm and cool.

Buy Gillette. It appears as though it’s still the best a man can get.

It also helps you keep your sanity on Sundays.