Todd Gurley, Welcome to the NFL

Sunday was a great day for St. Louis Rams fans and rookie running back Todd Gurley. Gurley was ushered into the league with a forgetful six carry/nine yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3, but he would not be denied against Arizona. Maybe it was the desert heat, maybe it the division opponent or maybe he’s just that good, but Gurley shouted from the mountaintops that he is in fact back with a 19 carry, 146 yard performance.

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Gurley was the starting running back against the Cardinals, and the only back to produce anything on the ground. It was only 10 months ago that Gurley saw his prolific college career come to a screeching halt when he tore his left ACL against Auburn University. This week, Gurley removed his supportive knee brace for the first time since the injury. According to Nick Wagoner from ESPN, Gurley said he feels faster without it, which only raises the question, how fast is he?

According to reports, Gurley has posted a sub 4.3 40-yard dash. So the answer to the previous question is very fast. Pair that speed with his size, 6’1” 221 lbs., and you have a dangerous combination. Gurley prided himself on breaking tackles and getting to the second level in college and we saw that against the Cardinals.

Sep 3, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Gurley posted runs of 52, 30, 23 and 20 throughout the game. His 106 rushing yards in the fourth quarter were the most in franchise history since Eric Dickerson went off for 124 in a quarter back in 1984. It’s also the highest total for a first-round rookie running back since Adrian Peterson in 2007. Oh, and he did it all on just nine carries.

Maybe the most impressive tool Gurley brings to the table is his football IQ and his understanding of the game. Commentators and analysts talk about it all the time, but rarely is it displayed so prominently than it was last Sunday. Gurley, ball in hand, busted down the sideline late in the fourth quarter for a 30-yard gain. An amazing play in it’s own right, but what Gurley did capped it off and sealed the game for the Rams. Instead of taking the angle and contesting for a score, Gurley went down inbounds and put the icing on the cake. Having that type of awareness is extremely valuable.

The team was so excited for Gurley, and the victory, that the offense took a delay of game penalty after Gurley went down because they were to busy celebrating. Quarteback Nick Foles spoke about the play afterward.

"“That was a veteran move right there, especially being it possibly his first touchdown on a run like that. It shows you that he is a team guy first and that is what you want. You want a guy that who is a team guy first. He shows that each and every day.” (Wagoner, ESPN)"

One has to recognize the effort the Rams defense has put in, not just on Sunday, but all season long. Limiting the high flying Cardinals offense to just one touchdown in five redzone appearances played a large part in the victory and Gurley recognized that.

"“We just knew we (the offense) had to pick up the slack.” Gurley said. “The defense, they’re doing a heck of a job just stopping guys. We just can’t keep putting the pressure on them. We have to step up. We have to run the ball, we have to make plays, get first downs, stop going three-and-out, so we just got fed up.” (Myles Simmons, stlouisrams.com)"

St. Louis will travel to Green Bay on Sunday to play the Packers. Another high- powered offense and stingy defense to deal with will pose an even bigger challenge that the Cardinals. Foles and Gurley will need to play another big role in the game plan if the Rams hope to come out on top.