Can LA Rams RB Darrell Henderson bench Todd Gurley this year?

What is the plan for 2020?

Changes are underway for the Rams this season.  While the main focus of offensive fixes will be upon the offensive line, and rightfully so, that is not where it ends.  The 2019 season opened several areas where the Rams must simply do a better job.  Let’s run down the list:

Offensive line depth – The LA Rams will not suddenly be able to stock the line with the best of the NFL this free agency. That is not their style so far, and they haven’t available salary cap space to amend their ways. But the team can seek undervalued veterans who could absorb starts while younger players develop enough to earn starting roles.

Offensive play book – The Rams seemed to get stuck in the way the team approached games in 2019.  When the offense struggled, the team’s ability to restructure the offense based on the defense they faced may have hurt the team.  With the hire of new offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, the Rams intend to do a better job of modifying their game plan to each week’s opponent.

Stack more blockers on offense – The NFL has caught up to the Rams use of wide receivers to pressure defenses. Now, defenses have faster pass rushers who get to Goff before routes develop downfield. Now it’s the Rams who must catch up to the faster pass rush. the Rams can do so in several ways.  Of course misdirection plays like draws or bootlegs help.  But the Rams can scheme more offense with the “12”, or two tight-end set formations.  Another change of pace would be to land a fullback on the roster, and use that player to compliment the play of the running backs.  Of course, Henderson would benefit significantly in those formations.

It seems the right question for the Rams heading into 2020 is no longer “Will Todd Gurley be back this year?”.  Perhaps the right question to ask is “How can the Rams make up for less production out of Todd Gurley this season?  When the team asks that question, then running back Darrell Henderson becomes  the more logical answer.  After all, it’s no as important who rushes the ball for 100 yards, merely that the Rams offense can do so on a consistent basis.