By: JJ Lanier

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

It happens every single year. I sit back and get completely immersed in the current season of Hard Knocks, so much so that I inevitably draft two or three players for my fantasy team based solely on the show.

You might as well go ahead and pencil in the Rams’ defense and Tavon Austin as soon to be members of that distinguished club. The one L.A. Player I’d really like to have, and who is primed for a breakout season, is Todd Gurley.

Even with being a Top 10 draft pick I think Gurley’s success last season, especially early on, surprised most football fans. It’s a pretty difficult adjustment going from the college game to the NFL, no matter what position you play.

That difficulty was exacerbated even more in Todd’s case when you consider that up until his debut against the Steelers, he hadn’t played in a live game in almost a year.

He slowed down a little bit after those first few weeks- he surpassed the 100 yard mark only once in his last eight games- but that’s understandable.

There’s little doubt that Gurley is going to get the ball early and often. I’m sure Jeff Fisher didn’t threaten the lives of every single defense coach if Gurley was hit during practice because he has delicate skin. Obviously Fisher wants to avoid having his star back get injured, but also he wants him completely healthy and ready to go come week 1.

I truly think Gurley has an opportunity to put up MVP type numbers, but it’s really going to come down to two things: Can he become a viable threat catching the ball out of the backfield, and he’d better pray to the football gods that Jared Goff is better at throwing a football than he is at Geography.

Gurley is as dynamic a runner as there is in the league, but his pass catching skills leave little to be desired. If he’s able to improve in that area he’ll be used more in third down situations, allowing him more opportunities to make the big play. He averaged just a shade over 17 carries a game last season, which isn’t a lot when you consider Case Keenum and Nick Foles throwing the ball was the alternative.

You’d like to see him get anywhere from 20-25 touches per game, with a few of those coming on the receiving end in open space.

Both of those previously mentioned quarterback’s inability to move the ball in the air is why it is so important for Goff to be successful. (I know it looks like Keenum will start, but it won’t be long before Goff takes his place).

Gurley saw a lot of eight man fronts last seasons and if there isn’t at least the threat of the Rams being able to go deep this season, don’t expect that approach to change anytime soon. He doesn’t necessarily need a lot of space to make something special happen, but if Goff can help keep the opposing team’s defense honest, it will save all that wear and tear on Gurley throughout the season.

Everything is lined up for Gurley to avoid the sophomore slump and have a huge season. The Rams and their success this season aren’t the only ones depending on him.

Based on my own history there is a pretty good chance both of my fantasy teams, ‘Jamaal Charles in Charge’ and ‘4th and 40oz. to freedom’ will be depending on him too.