Rams' Sean McVay 'Pleased With Progress' In Run Game

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay believes the team has made significant strides in improving its ground game this offseason

Over the last couple of years the ground game has not been a strength for the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams have averaged less than 100 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons, ranking near the bottom of the league on both occasions. The offense may have a larger focus on the air game than the ground, but the Rams' struggles rushing the ball have cost them on multiple occasions.

This offseason, L.A. has been working to improve its lackluster running game. As the Rams prepare for their first preseason fame on Saturday, coach Sean McVay is happy with how the ground game has progressed.

"Like I said, there's so many different ways to be able to run the football, but I've been pleased with the progress that I've seen," McVay told reporters. "I think we're doing a better job on both sides of the line of scrimmage kind of with the intent... I think (RB Coach) Ron Gould has done an excellent job with that group as a whole.”

In reality, the Rams' improvements on the ground may have begun late last season. L.A. had three of its best rushing performances to close the season, averaging over 150 yards per game. Starting running back Cam Akers played a large role in the sudden turnaround, putting together one of the best stretches of his NFL career so far. 

Akers returns as the top back this season, but with second-year back Karen Williams right behind him, he'll have another quality option to spell him. Williams had his rookie season derailed by injuries, but is seemingly back to full strength and impressing at training camp. If the Rams can have a strong 1-2-punch in the backfield, it would go a long way towards improving the ground game.

Ahead of the preseason kickoff, McVay is more concerned with seeing the run game execute at its best than tracking exact stats.

"But I think overall what you're looking to see is good execution," McVay said. "It'll be a mix and match of different guys and we'll continue to work through exactly how we feel that's best suited for our players, for our team, and really everything is geared towards these are very important opportunities, but it's also about being healthy and ready to go and being at our best when we play Seattle (Seahawks) in the opener.”

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