:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65674274/1181488747.jpg.0.jpg)
This is what it looks like.
This is what it looks like when Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay claims RB Todd Gurley is 100% when he isn’t. When Gurley says if he were injured he’d be on the injury report.
This is what the insincerity looks like.
Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 12-17 loss in Week 10 today down 10-14 at the time, the Rams received a punt with 14:42 left in the fourth quarter. Gurley did not play a down of the possession.
The Rams received the ball after the safety with 12:40 left in the fourth quarter down 12-14 at the time. Gurley did not play a down of the possession.
The Rams received the ball after a Steelers field goal with 2:46 left in the fourth quarter down 12-17 at the time. Gurley did not touch the ball during the possession.
The Rams received the ball after a Steelers punt with 1:01 left in the fourth quarter down 12-17 at the time. Gurley did not touch the ball during the possession.
This is what it looks like.
When we would talk about Gurley’s knee and the Rams’ response to it over the offseason, I often got met with versions of two different responses.
One was a version of why we continued to track this story. “How is this news?” “Slow news day!” “Old story.” “Todd’s fine.” “Gurley’s going to shut all the haters up this year.” Clearly, this is (and was despite the protestations) news. Clearly, it’s relevant to the 2019 Rams.
Second was a version of why we should care or why the Rams should offer any sincerity as to what’s going on. Surely, we didn’t deserve to know medically what’s going on with his knee. We’re merely fans! We don’t deserve honesty from a head coach or forthrightness from a star running back or legitimacy from the media. We should be satisfied with lies and obfuscation and avoidance! Rams football!
But this is what it looks like.
This is what it looks like when Gurley avoids his exit interviews at the end of last season. This is what it looks like when McVay parrots the talking points he’s fed from the communications staff instead of being genuine about the load management plan and why it’s in place in the first place.
This is what it looks like.
But, but, but... that knee. . Look for Sean McVay to get Todd Gurley involved...eventually. Or don’t. It’s not as if things haven’t changed.
They have.
And this is what it looks like.