Is The Answer To Running Back Already On The Rams’ Roster?

It is quite obvious that the Rams have a hole at running back after Steven Jackson parted ways with the Rams. Many think the answer to replace Jackson is in the draft and believe the Rams should take Alabama running back Eddie Lacy or injury plagued South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore. Some are even upset that the Rams didn’t go after former Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw in free agency. Where people didn’t look was on the Rams’ roster. Is it possible that the answer to the Rams’ running back problems already on the roster and not in the draft or free agency?

One running back that the Rams have on their roster that almost nobody knows anything about is Terrance Ganaway. It doesn’t look like Ganaway is the answer to the Rams running back problems, as that role will probably go to Richardson or Pead. However, Ganaway could be the physical, hard hitting back the Rams are looking for. At 6’0ft 240lbs Ganaway would definitely fit the role. Ganaway may not have any experience in an NFL game, but he will get as much of an opportunity as Richardson and Pead to get the starting job. We haven’t seen much from Ganaway, but this season he will for sure get more chances and touches.

Don’t forget the Rams have last year’s second round pick Isaiah Pead who ran the ball 10 times last year for 54 yards. The math is pretty easy on that one, that comes out to an average of 5.4 yards per carry. More importantly Pead ran for two first downs. Pead also caught three passes for 16 yards, however Pead did fumble one of those, but thankfully did not lose the fumble. Pead shows promise, and the Rams did use a second round pick on Pead, therefore Snead and Fisher did have plans to start Pead. Let’s just hope Pead doesn’t end up like former Cincinnati draft pick hopeful, Mardy Gilyard.

One rookie that showed much promise last year that could possibly take the reigns and carry the load was seventh round pick Daryl Richardson. Richardson carried the ball 98 times for 475 yards, that’s 4.8 yards per carry. Richardson also had 24 rec for 163 yards. Daryl Richardson did not score any touchdown, but there were multiple times last season where Richardson was so close to breaking a big run for score. Richardson may not have scored any touchdowns, but he did rush for 19 first downs. Richardson may in fact be the answer for the Rams at running back. Reason being in week two against the Redskins when Jackson went out early in the game Richardson had 15 carries for 83 yards. Richardson also had a successful game against Miami when he had 11 carries for 76 yards. With more reps and another year in the system, Richardson definitely looks like he has what it takes to carry the load.

It still wouldn’t hurt for the Rams to take a running back in the draft, but they may not need to take one as early as many people think. The answer to the Rams’ hole at the running back could very well be on the roster, they just needed an opportunity to shine.