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Yesterday, Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay was asked what has happened the last few weeks with the uptick in his usage of RB Todd Gurley.
His response?
Me not being an idiot.
That’s Sean McVay yet again offering himself up as the scapegoat to take responsibility for that which he isn’t solely and entirely responsible for.
That’s Sean McVay trying to bury the impact of the load management plan/veteran plan/whatever plan that has Gurley on track for the lowest rushing attempts in a single season in his career despite having only missed one game and perhaps the lowest receptions in a year outside of his rookie campaign. The idea that the Rams aren’t limiting his outputs is, to borrow a term from Vinny Bonsignore, the former beat writer for the Rams at the Athletic, “hogwash.”
Gurley has been prevented from excessive usage this year whether it’s because of the condition of his knee or concerns over the what that condition could allow or a general approach to preservation for JTG later into the season as well as later into his career now that he’s headed beyond his rookie contract after this season to be the highest-paid running back in the NFL in 2020.
But now, the Rams are facing the crux of the argument inherent in the load management plan. Sure, it’s fine to save Todd Gurley.
But to save him for what?
The answer is probably something close to a game against a 10-2 opponent in Week 14 with your back against the wall in the playoff picture.
It’s worth noting Gurley’s two highest carry totals have come amid the last three games with 25 carries in Week 11 against the Chicago Bears and 19 carries this last weekend against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. Coincidence or not, the Rams won those two games.
Now, they’re inviting the Seattle Seahawks to LA in what will be a massive meetup. The plan was, seemingly, to “take the load off so Todd Gurley can be better later in the season.” Well. now it’s later in the season.
It’s time to take off any brakes. Will McVay let him go? Or will he...be “an idiot?”