One other week, one other big-name operating again throughout the sphere on the opponent’s sideline.
Rams operating again Kyren Williams acknowledged the well-deserved consideration Saquon Barkley obtained final week earlier than the Rams performed the defending Tremendous Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Monetary Area.
Now Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL’s main rusher, is coming to SoFi Stadium.
Williams mentioned a “competitive mindset” drives him when high-profile backs are within the constructing.
“I know how people look at those guys,” Williams mentioned, “and so it’s like, ‘Bro, you better look at me the same way.’ I love it.”
Williams, who signed a $23-million extension earlier than the season, and second-year professional Blake Corum are offering the Rams with the backfield stability coach Sean McVay envisioned because the Rams constructed a staff considered a Tremendous Bowl contender.
Final season, the 5-foot-9, 207-pound Williams carried the ball 316 occasions. Solely Barkley (345 carries) and Derrick Henry (325) of the Baltimore Ravens had extra. The Rams averaged 103.8 yards dashing per sport, which ranked twenty fourth amongst 32 groups.
By means of three video games, the Rams are ranked ninth, averaging 127 yards dashing per sport.
Williams, a fourth-year professional, has rushed for 226 yards and a landing in 55 carries (4.1 yards per carry). He additionally has 5 receptions for 35 yards and a landing.
Rams operating again Kyren Williams celebrates after scoring a landing towards the Houston Texans on Sept. 7.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)
Corum has rushed for 99 yards and a landing in 14 carries (7.1 yards per carry). He has one catch for 14 yards.
“Those two play off each other really well,” McVay mentioned, including, “We feel really good about where both of those guys are at, and continue to lean into it and look for a good balance of being able to keep Kyren feeling good throughout it and take advantage of Blake’s skill set.”
McVay has mentioned that ideally he wish to see Williams get 65% of the carries, Corum 35%. However the move of the sport dictates whether or not that performs out.
After Williams carried the ball 18 occasions, and Corum solely as soon as, within the opener towards the Houston Texans, the duo offered extra balanced manufacturing within the subsequent two video games.
They mixed for 110 yards dashing in a victory over the Tennessee Titans. In final Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, Williams ran for 94 yards in 20 carries. Corum gained 53 yards in eight carries.
“It was a good one-two punch,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur mentioned.
That’s what McVay and common supervisor Les Snead aimed for after Williams carried a mixed 544 occasions within the earlier two seasons.
“We’ve got it kind of dialed into where, like, we’re able to feed off each other,” Williams mentioned of he and Corum. “It’s like friendly competition as well. I go out and make a play, now Blake is going to come in and make a play.
“It allows me to stay fresh throughout the whole game. So it doesn’t feel like I just took 50 carries and it’s only the second quarter. To me it’s a great system.”
Rams operating again Blake Corum carries the ball throughout a preseason win over the Dallas Cowboys in August.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)
Corum, a 2024 third-round draft decide from Michigan, is having fun with the expanded alternative after getting solely 58 carries final season.
“It’s been great getting my feet under me, being able to just go out there and play free and fast,” he mentioned. “Kyren and I are feeding off each other, so it’s been phenomenal.”
In opposition to the Eagles, Williams bested Barkley, who was restricted to 46 yards dashing in 18 carries.
Taylor, the 2021 NFL dashing champion, arrives Sunday averaging 112.7 yards dashing per sport. Final week, he gained 102 yards and scored three touchdowns in 17 carries towards the Tennessee Titans.
After every of the final two video games, Taylor was named AFC offensive participant of the week.
Each Williams and Corum goal to proceed their manufacturing, and to interrupt free for lengthy good points. This season, every of their longest runs has been 15 yards.
“I know I’m capable to create not those 15-yard runs but those 40- and 50-yard runs,” Corum mentioned. “Just need to keep working in practice to hopefully go out and show that on Sundays.”
