Rams’ new running tandem in gear
Gurley, Anderson a contrast in style
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Todd Gurley never had a true running partner during his first four regular seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.
When the superstar running back suited up with C.J. Anderson for the first time last weekend in the Rams’ divisional playoff win against Dallas, Gurley truly shared the big carries for one of the first times in his NFL career.
As the New Orleans Saints have already noticed, the tandem was pretty much unstoppable. “I guess it was a good thing I got hurt,” Gurley said with a laugh.
Gurley’s knee injury last month led the Rams to sign Anderson, a six-year veteran. Anderson hit the ground running with 299 yards in the Rams’ final two regular season victories while Gurley sat out.
When Gurley and Anderson teamed up against the Cowboys, their contrasting styles and similar relentlessness made history.
Anderson went for 123 yards and two touchdowns, while Gurley rushed for 115 yards and another score as they propelled the Rams to a franchise playoff-record 273 yards rushing and on to the NFC championship game.
The Saints have watched film of this partnership’s debut, and know what’s coming to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
“Being able to split time with [Anderson] and Gurley, it does good things for them,” Saints linebacker A.J. Klein said. “It gets Gurley some rest and gets him some carries, and vice versa. It keeps them fresh. And obviously you can tell when they’re running the ball, they’re fresh and they’re running hard.”
Gurley is a powerful, majestic runner capable of injuring would-be tacklers as easily as breaking past safeties for a length-of-the-field touchdown sprint.
Anderson is 5 feet 8 and a self-described “fat kid running.” While he hits holes and linebackers ferociously, he isn’t planning to break away from any defensive backs anytime soon.
Gurley is quick to point out the obvious, the Rams run the ball well because of their powerful offensive line.
“When we dominate at the line of scrimmage, nine times out of 10, we’re going to win,” Gurley said.