OXNARD, Calif. -- As a rookie, Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley wasted no time making it clear how important he was to the team's offense. In fact, upon making his first start against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4, Gurley quickly became the focal point of the offense.
Now, as Gurley heads into his second season and the Rams develop rookie quarterback Jared Goff, Gurley's importance to the offense and the Rams as a whole can't be overstated. Over at NFL.com, Adam Schein recently ranked the most indispensable players in the NFL.
Checking in at No. 7 on Schein's list of the most indispensable offensive players was, you guessed it, Gurley. Schein writes that Gurley is "primed to lead the league in rushing" and with so many question marks on the rest of the offense, Gurley must perform in order for the offense to have success.
It's hard to argue with Gurley's place on the list, especially considering that Tre Mason's status is uncertain and the Rams' depth behind hims is unproven aside from Benny Cunningham. Gurley remains the most important piece of an offense that's looking for improvement from the bottom of the league a year ago.
I.C.Y.M.I.
A roundup of Thursday's Rams stories on ESPN.com. ... Cornerback E.J. Gaines is feeling like himself again and hoping to reclaim his starting job. ... The Ram-blings began with Bucky Brooks' expectations for quarterback Jared Goff. ... The Rams signed their six-man draft class, including Goff, on Thursday afternoon.
Elsewhere:
NFL Nation columnist Kevin Seifert has an interesting story on former Rams quarterback Shaun Hill, who has a plan to help football.
Hill wrote a letter asking for Kansas youth football programs to switch from tackle to flag football.
Nathan Jahnke ranks the NFL's most underpaid veterans.
Dave Tuley offers season win total betting advice for all 32 teams.
At CBSLA.com, the Rams and CBS 2 struck a deal to make the television station the home of the Rams' preseason games.
At LATimes.com, Gary Klein writes that Goff is impressing with his ability to bounce back during OTAs.
