Los Angeles Rams: Todd Gurley says what everyone thinks, but won’t say

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley doubled-down on his comments regarding the NFL preseason, and it’s something the NFL should pay attention to.

So, Week 3 of the 2018 NFL preseason looked to have first team players finally on the field for the Los Angeles Rams preseason game against the Houston Texans. Now as the week has worn on, head coach Sean McVay looks to be throwing the brakes on that very idea.

Only seemed a matter of time, at least for some on his offense, and who knows about the Rams defense. But as of this Friday morning, Los Angeles will continue to keep 2017 OPOY Todd Gurley safely on the sidelines, and based on his comments to the media, he’s more than happy to be there for the rest of the exhibition season.

"“That is everyone’s dream, to not play in the preseason,” Gurley said. He added, “Some guys just like being out there to get a feel for it and to see. But not this guy.”"

I’ve been a reluctant critic this offseason and also going back to Week 17 of last year, when McVay would sit his starters. I also think for every good argument made to rest/sit/protect key players, an equally valid one can be made to play them. It’s an argument that produces zero winners and zero losers, as it’s all about preference and perspective.

But give Gurley credit for being an advocate and saying what everyone thinks, certainty from the players perspective. The exhibition season has devolved into a money grab for the NFL, plain and simple. Fans pay full ticket prices for what is typically average to mediocre, and often just bad football. He even advanced his argument further by saying he wouldn’t mind seeing it as part of discussions regarding the CBA.

"“Yeah, for sure. Especially the way everything is going now,” he said. “I mean, the majority of the teams are practicing against teams, so it’s like, you have four games and then you’re also practicing against a team for three days, at least. So, most definitely, but when the time comes.”"

Players will certainly like and appreciate such comments. You would hope the NFL would listen to one of its signature players on the issue, but that just wouldn’t be their style.