LA Rams Brown sees RB Akers running “between the tackles”

The coach

So who will be working it out? LA Rams new RB coach Brown, that’s who. And what is known for? Well, for starters, he helped develop and coach up future NFL top-drafted running backs Melvin Gordan, Sony Michel, and Nick Chubb.  In fact, Brown’s running game upticked statistically at virtually every college he coached at. He guided the Miami Hurricanes to a 5.2 average yards-per-rushing-attempt in 2018. When he arrived at South Carolina, he helped their running game generate three more touchdowns on 50 fewer rushing attempts.

His work is cut out for him with the Rams. While the Rams have added some great rookie talent, 2020 has prevented Brown from working with either Akers or Jones directly. So far, it’s been virtual team meetings, scripted workout regiments, and long-distance playbooks. Of course, that is all changing this week.

It’s not how you start, but how you finish

With the limits to direct coaching contact with either rookie, I would not be surprised to find the Rams using a heavy mix of Henderson and Akers in the season opener, with the appearance of Brown in short-yardage and red-zone situations.  The key to any success for the running game is getting a push between the tackles. That is up to the offensive line.

From Coach Brown’s interview with therams.com Stu Jackson, he likes the diversity of his running backs.  He cited veteran Malcolm Brown as possessing the “Alpha-male mentality”. For Henderson, he seemed to emphasize Henderson as a receiver, in a  “beating guys one-on-one and catching the football” role.