It would have been a ballsy move by McVey, but should he have started CJ Anderson for Gurley in the Super Bowl?
Gurley has not been himself since the knee injury. And Anderson has had success against the Pats in the recent past:
In his career against the Patriots, Anderson has had a great deal of success. He’s faced them four times in the regular season, totaling 201 yards on just 31 carries – an average of 6.48 yards per attempt. He also had two touchdowns and caught eight passes for 74 yards. In the 2016 AFC championship game, Anderson carried it 16 times for 72 yards, helping lift the Broncos to a 20-18 win.
...With the way the Rams spread defenses out, it opens up the middle of the field for inside zone runs. You could make the case that Anderson is better in that area than Gurley, especially when looking at their rushing charts. |
Todd Gurley or C.J. Anderson: Which RB should Rams lean on in Super Bowl?
If you remember the 1990 season, Rodney Hampton was the #1 back until his injury late in the season, with Ottis Anderson taking over and helping the Giants win SB XXV. Now, Hampton's injury was worst than Gurley's, but I think the Rams would have been better suited to fully committing to CJ and really pounding the ball. I think Goff would have had a much better game as a result.
If the knee was not deemed solid as to recovery or healing or something he just needed to live with, then an emphatic no!
This.
The real question is... should they have changed QBs?....
Huh???
I will never understand these coaches and believing that a star player at 80% is still better then most players. Bull $hit. It is the Super Bowl. Gurley has either been hurt or lost his mojo
GeorgeAdams33 : 11:50 am : link : reply
Goff lost them the game.
The Rams Offensive Line...
BamaBlue : 11:56 am : link : reply
lost the game. They couldn't protect Goff and they couldn't run block.
Steve in Greenwich : 11:01 am : link : reply
Dr Steve O'Brien from Hospital of Special Surgery on Francesa's show yesterday flat out saying Gurley has an arthritic knee. He had deep concerns over whether Gurley will be able to play long term in the league based on the condition and that each season we likely will see him peter out the deeper the season gets and each year the effects will start showing earlier and earlier in the season.[quote]
When was this discovered? Didn't they just give Gurley a huge contract renewal?
Bubba : 1:32 pm : link : reply
Steve in Greenwich : 11:01 am : link : reply
Dr Steve O'Brien from Hospital of Special Surgery on Francesa's show yesterday flat out saying Gurley has an arthritic knee. He had deep concerns over whether Gurley will be able to play long term in the league based on the condition and that each season we likely will see him peter out the deeper the season gets and each year the effects will start showing earlier and earlier in the season.
When was this discovered? Didn't they just give Gurley a huge contract renewal?
This seems very likely to me, from what I've observed.
I have had two knee surgeries, one to remove torn cartilage and one to repair a torn ACL. I was told each time by my doctors that I'd have arthritis in the knee, but less if I have the surgery than if I don't. And I do in fact have pretty nasty arthritis in my "involved" knee. It doesn't bother me most of the time, but I don't play running back in the NFL. In fact, my knee pain improves with exercise because the joint swells slightly and the extra fluid reduces pain.
Knee trauma triggers osteoarthritis -- this isn't an obscure fact. It's something every team has to consider when re-signing a guy who's had a major knee injury. However, it would be news to learn he is severely limited by arthritis at such a young age, even with the knee trauma he's had.
The real question is... should they have changed QBs?....
Gurley had 11 touches. Anderson had 9 touches. (including catching passes - Gurley 1, Anderson 2).
Gurley averaged 3.5 yards per rush. Anderson averaged 3.1 yards per rush.
Neither was particularly effective.