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Traina Thoughts: Rams Running Back C.J. Anderson Is the Postseason Breath of Fresh Air We All Need

Rams running back C.J. Anderson addresses weight with humor

Jimmy Traina

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1. I often get asked, "Who is your favorite football team?" I always give the same answer. "My favorite team is whoever I bet on and I don't root for any team, I root for players and stories."

This weekend is a perfect example of that because I'll be rooting hard for the Rams thanks to C.J. Anderson. The Los Angeles running back already has a cool story, having signed with the Rams on Dec. 18 after the Raiders signed him on Dec. 5 and waived him on Dec. 11. Prior to that, the Panthers had cut Anderson on Nov. 18 after getting just 24 carries over the first 10 weeks of the season.

Anderson then ran for 167 yards in Week 16, 132 yards in Week 17 and had his coming out party last week with 123 yards in a playoff win against the Cowboys.

That performance against Dallas, though, led to many people commenting on Anderson's girth.

It's been Anderson's attitude this week about his weight that has made him one of the top guys to cheer for on Sunday.

During an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show earlier this week, Anderson responded to questions about his size by saying, "Right now, I’m 5'8", about 235. So I’m about 10 pounds over what I am. I’ve got a baby due in April, got a daughter due in April, so I’m kind of having that man pregnancy weight.”

Well played.

Anderson then took things up a notch in this ESPN feature after he was asked about quarterback Jared Goff calling him "Fat Back" after the victory against the Cowboys.

"All good," Anderson said. "I call myself Fat Back. We'll keep that going as long as this season goes. I think it's comedy. We're entertainers. Look, I'm 12 or 13 pounds overweight. I'm not going to lie about that. But I'm not overweight to the point where I can't play the game. As long as I'm still moving and doing the things I need to do, I'm OK being Fat Back, but people don't know the grind. I'm here breaking down tape at the facility on my off day, and I'll be here at 5:30 tomorrow morning breaking down more tape. It's funny when you hear people say, 'He's just off the couch; I could get off the couch and do that, too.' Well, I applaud you. Come on. Come do it."​

How can you not pull for the guy when he has that attitude and that kind of personality? 

Go, Rams!

2. When you're Charles Barkley, you can pretty much say whatever you want, as proven last night when he used this analogy to describe the Thunder.

3. FOX somehow thinks people across the nation who are not Ohio State fans want to see Urban Meyer on television each week. Prediction: This will do nothing for FOX's college football ratings.

4. “I don’t have Twitter, Instagram. I don’t read the internet. I don’t watch TV. Like, all that stuff. It’s irrelevant to me. To me, it’s pollution of the brain. I really don’t care.” This is a quote from new Jets coach Adam Gase. It seems that many coaches in all sports love to throw out some form of the, "I hate technology" stance as if we're supposed to believe that because they don't use social media or the Internet, they're a better coach. No. It just means you're out of touch and letting the times pass you by. Also, memo to Gase: Guess what? Sports is also pollution of the brain. 

5. Happy 65th birthday to one of the all-time great old-school WWF heels, Ted DiBiase, who was responsible for one of the most icnonic Saturday morning moments of all time.

6. This week's SI Media Podcast features an interview with Bill Walton on life philosophy, going to more than 900 Grateful Dead concerts, his broadcasting career and overcoming back pain that had him contemplating suicide. You can listen to the podcast below or download it on iTunes.

7. RANDOM YOUTUBE VIDEO OF THE DAY: The Office's infamous "Stress Relief" opening scene gets turned into a horror movie thanks to the addition of some scary music.

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Traina Thoughts is the best of the Internet, plus musings by SI.com writer, Jimmy Traina. Get the link to a new Traina's Thoughts each day by following on Twitter and liking on Facebook. Catch up on previous editions of Traina Thoughts right here.And make sure to listen to and subscribe to the SI Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina.

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IN CLOSING: I'm going with over 56.5 in the Rams-Saints game and Chiefs -3 on Sunday.

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Jimmy Traina
JIMMY TRAINA

Jimmy Traina is a staff writer and podcast host for Sports Illustrated. A 20-year veteran in the industry, he’s been covering the sports media landscape for seven years and writes a daily column, Traina Thoughts. Traina has hosted the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast since 2018, a show known for interviews with some of the most important and powerful people in sports media. He also was the creator and writer of SI’s Hot Clicks feature from 2007 to '13.

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