Dickerson, Bell, Elliott, I could go on...played behind lousy lines? No...they had good lines...but they made ordinary plays into extraordinary plays. Todd Gurley made a good offensive line look even better.
There are few backs in the history of the NFL than go above and beyond...overcome a lousy OL. I can think of two...Peyton and Sanders. Gurley's issue in year 2 was simple...the line was SOOOOO bad, he couldn't get back to the LOS. Getting hit three yards deep in the backfield will tend to limit productivity. He didn't have time to do anything and he had an inept coordinator.
What Gurley does after the first wave of blocks is what makes them special...as I mentioned...3 yards becomes 8 yards...10 yard receptions become 20. That was Todd Gurley.
No one denies that it takes a team. But there are true difference makers. Todd Gurley will be the #1 or #2 pick in FFB this year because he brings yards, TDs, big plays, receptions. On top of that, he can block. You don't find yourself at the top of FFB unless you are a very special player.
Saquon Barkley was drafted #2 overall...and I'm putting a lot of stock that guys like Todd Gurley and LeVeon Bell, with a push to multi dimensional backs and the impact they show on an offense, had something do with it.
Todd Gurley will be 25 years old at the end of his first contract. He would finish his second contract no later than 30...the critical age. Unless he shows signs of slowing down, I'm down for keeping as much of this team together as possible. that young core to me is...
Goff
Gurley
Cooks
Donald
Peters
Then you need another tier of quality players.
All young...all ready for prime time the next 4 years barring injuries.
