Tag: jake funk

Jake Funk really caught Sean McVay’s eye with 56-yard game vs. Raiders

Sean McVay really liked what he saw from Jake Funk against the Raiders as the rookie rushed for 56 yards.

The result was the same, but the Los Angeles Rams looked much better in their second preseason game against the Raiders than they did in the opener against the Chargers. That’s especially true of Jake Funk, who had a lot more running room this time around than he did against L.A.

The rookie running back rushed for 56 yards on only seven carries, ripping off runs of 12, 14 and 19 yards. There’s a lot to like about the way he played in just his second preseason game, and Sean McVay was among the many who were impressed by Funk’s performance.

“I saw a lot from Funk. I thought he did a good job,” McVay said after the game. “I thought Xavier (Jones) made a couple plays. You saw him catch a couple of passes and be able to create a little bit. But I really felt Funk tonight. I thought he did a great job being able to create some explosive runs, one from the dot, one from the offset gun. But, it was good to see those guys make plays.”

Jones had a nice performance himself, rushing for 29 yards on his seven attempts, including a 12-yard run. He also caught a pass for 10 yards on second-and-8 and had runs of 12 and 13 yards called back due to penalties.

But Funk showed great burst, vision and even power, running over a defender on his first long run of the night to pick up 12 yards.

Funk is not only a lock to make the 53-man roster as a seventh-round rookie, but don’t rule out the possibility of him backing up Darrell Henderson Jr. as RB2. As long as he can block in pass protection and break off a few big plays the way he did Saturday night, he’s going to have a future with the Rams.

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Watch: Jake Funk trucks Raiders defender on his best run of preseason

Jake Funk could be the Rams’ backup running back this season if he keeps running like this.

Jake Funk seemed like a luxury pick for the Rams in the seventh round of the draft this year. He was an oft-injured running back at a position where Los Angeles didn’t seem to need help, but Funk is poised to carve out a role as a rookie.

He showed why the Rams liked him so much out of Maryland on Saturday night against the Raiders, breaking off a nice 12-yard run in the first quarter. Funk slipped through the defense at the line of scrimmage, quickly got upfield and lowered his shoulder into a defender, running over him to pick up the first down.

Funk has impressed his coaches this summer and while he still has room to grow, he’s on track to be at worst the No. 3 running back in Los Angeles, carving out a role for himself behind Darrell Henderson Jr.

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Watch: Rams rookie Jake Funk was mic’d up for 1st preseason game

Jake Funk was wearing a mic during the Rams’ first preseason game, showing some personality and fire on the field.

Jake Funk took the field in a Rams uniform for the first time on Saturday night, the team’s preseason opener against the Chargers. He carried it five times for 12 yards and caught one pass for a 5-yard loss, but his lack of production was largely because of poor blocking in front of him.

His best play of the night came on fourth-and-1 from the Rams’ own 24-yard line, as he made a defender miss in the backfield and picked up 2 yards for the first.

Funk has already become a fan favorite in the three-plus months he’s been a member of the team and it’s easy to see why. He has a great personality, is willing to do anything to help the team and has overcome a great deal of adversity after tearing his ACL twice.

Funk is a fiery player, which is exactly what teams like to see from their rookies. He has a bright future ahead of him if he’s able to stay healthy.

4 Rams players to watch vs. Chargers in preseason Week 1

Here are 4 players to pay attention to in the Los Angeles Rams’ Week 1 preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers.

While it’s in the form of preseason football, we finally have the opportunity for NFL games grace to the screens of our televisions again. The offseason can sometimes be a time for you to pick up a new hobby or sport to watch, but it’s time to insert football back into our lives. For the Los Angeles Rams, they will kick off their preseason schedule against their neighbors in the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, August 14.

Anyone that considers themselves a fan of the Rams knows that Sean McVay tends to stray away from having starters play many — if any — snaps in the preseason. McVay has already been quoted as saying that Matthew Stafford won’t ever play in the preseason as long as he’s the head coach in Los Angeles. Even though we won’t get many opportunities to see the starters play, there are a few players to keep an eye on for the Rams in their first preseason matchup versus the Chargers.

Jake Funk not changing approach despite chance to step up with Cam Akers out

Jake Funk’s mindset hasn’t changed despite there being a bigger opportunity for him with Cam Akers out.

Cam Akers was projected to be the Rams’ starting running back this season before he suffered a torn Achilles while training. Now that he’s likely out for the year, everyone on the running back depth chart moves up a spot.

That puts Darrell Henderson Jr. at the top as the starter, with Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, Raymond Calais and Otis Anderson behind him. Funk wasn’t expected to have much of a role as a rookie, but with Akers sidelined, that could change.

What won’t change is his approach to the season. He’s still going into camp with the same mindset of competing as hard as he can each day.

“I look at it the same way I did, whether Cam was active or not,” he told reporters Sunday. “You got to come in and prove yourself every single day. Regardless of who is in the room, it’s a business. So, at the end of the day, you just got to come in and prove yourself. Yeah, there’s an opportunity when another running back goes down, but I don’t look at it that way. I come into the building with the same mindset every single day and just focus on me and try to be the best version of myself.”

Funk says he learned a lot during OTAs and minicamp this spring, and over the last month and a half, he worked hard studying the playbook and offense, which should only help him as camp gets underway.

He also trained with some notable running backs in Florida ahead of his rookie season, working out at the same gym as Le’Veon Bell, Carlos Hyde and Michael Carter.

“I went down to Bommarito Performance Systems down in Aventura, Florida. I was there for three weeks. I was there with a lot of NFL guys, working out with guys like Le’Veon Bell, Carlos Hyde, Mike Carter – rookie running back for the Jets. We all were down there together working out, along with guys at other positions. It was a great opportunity for me. I was there during combine training, so I decided to go back down there because I really enjoyed it.”

Obviously, being around two veteran running backs, Funk picked their brain a bit. And the common piece of advice he received was to work hard every day and put in time in the film room.

“Being in the film room is what separates guys a lot,” he said. “You being able to study film (and) break it down ultimately translates into faster play, you’re thinking less and you’re just playing more within the game.”

Funk is an explosive running back with return ability, too. His biggest question mark coming into the NFL is durability, having suffered several significant injuries in college – including two ACL tears.

Don’t be surprised if Funk carves out a role as the second or third running back behind Henderson now that Akers is out.

Sean McVay likes what he’s seen from ‘mature rookie’ Jake Funk

Sean McVay has been impressed with Jake Funk, who he called a mature rookie and someone who’s “as advertised.”

The Los Angeles Rams practiced in front of fans for the first time Thursday, giving people a glimpse of what the team could look like come September. While holding a press conference with the media, where he discussed his thoughts thus far, Sean McVay shared that he’s fond of what he’s seen from rookie running back Jake Funk in the offseason program.

“He’s a mature rookie. I think he’s really taken to (RBs coach) Thomas Brown. What a great job Thomas does as a coach really helping these guys grow,” McVay said. “And because you get a little bit of extra time with rookies with some of the meetings and some of the things we added over the months these guys have been with us, you’ve really seen his growth, his comfort level (rise).”

When Los Angeles took Funk with the 233rd overall pick in the seventh round, some fans wondered what his role on the roster would be. Cam Akers is forecasted to be the workhorse back for the Rams, while Darrell Henderson spells him in the backfield, which leaves minimal touches for the other running backs on the roster.

Early in offseason activities, it appears that Funk will begin his career in the NFL as a contributor on special teams. Even with Funk expected to have a role on special teams rather than on offense, McVay is impressed with how the Maryland product has adjusted to the NFL so far.

While there is plenty of time between now and the season, that’s good news for Funk’s chances of making the roster when training camps conclude.

Jake Funk’s rare instincts and athleticism caught the eye of Rams scouts

Jake Funk is an elite athlete, which caught the attention of the Rams’ scouts and analytics team.

The initial reaction to the Los Angeles Rams selecting running back Jake Funk in the seventh round wasn’t overly positive. Fans questioned why a team with Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson would draft another running back before adding offensive line help, and understandably so.

But Funk would’ve been drafted earlier if not for injuries that limited him to only five games played in 2018 and 2019 combined. He’s a special athlete with great explosiveness, vision and speed, and someone who loves playing special teams.

On the latest episode of the Rams’ “Inside the Draft” series, scouts and talent evaluators in L.A. shared their thoughts on Funk, highlighting his instincts and athleticism as reasons to be excited about him.

“When we got our hands on some data from a GPS standpoint, another guy that stood out right away with just the unexpected, ‘Hey, this guy’s got 10-plus plays at 20-plus miles an hour,” Jake Temme, manager of data and analytics said.

Taylor Morton, the Rams’ senior personnel advisor, gave Funk an instincts grade that was as high as any other running back in the entire 2021 draft class, and “maybe of the past couple of years.

Funk averaged 7.2 yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns on only 135 attempts in college. He also returned 13 kickoffs for 237 yards and played every phase of special teams.

As a seventh-round pick, Funk still has to earn a roster spot, but he’ll have a chance to contribute on offense and special teams with his skill set. He has 4.43 speed, benched 225 pounds 22 times and has a 38-inch vertical. Athleticism isn’t a question with Funk. It’s whether he can stay on the field, which the Rams certainly hope he can do.

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Peter Schrager: Jake Funk was a top pick on Day 3, could be Rams’ 3rd-down RB

Peter Schrager is high on Jake Funk, who the Rams drafted in the seventh round. He says Funk could be the team’s 3rd-down back.

When the Los Angeles Rams went on the clock at No. 233 overall in the seventh round of the draft, fans everywhere thought that was going to be the pick used to address the offensive line. So when they announced Maryland running back Jake Funk as their selection, there was a lot of head-shaking and surprised Rams fans.

But Funk is going to be a player they grow to love this year. He went much later in the draft than he could have due to two torn ACL injuries suffered in college, but those didn’t impact his pro day testing – which was off the charts, if you haven’t already heard.

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager has close ties to the Rams and is friends with coach Sean McVay. He was on “Good Morning Football” this week breaking down his five favorite picks from Day 3 and Funk was No. 5.

He sounds confident McVay will find a way to use Funk, whether it’s on offense or as a return specialist. And he wouldn’t even rule out Funk being the team’s third-down back behind Cam Akers.

“I assure you this: The Rams are not taking offensive players in the seventh round if they don’t plan on using him in some way,” Schrager said. “You could be looking at your third-down back in that Rams offense. With Cam Akers playing running back, you always have to have that yin and the yang. That could be Jake Funk. Furthermore, special teams. This guy made his pitch on ‘Good Morning Football’ and said ‘I can do it on coverage teams, I can return kicks, I can return punts.’ Guess what? He’ll do just that for the Los Angeles Rams. I don’t know what number he’s going to wear – maybe 34 – I think we’re going to be wearing that jersey.”

That’s some seriously high praise from an analyst who’s in frequent contact with McVay. Funk will still have to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, likely as a special teams contributor, but his athleticism could also allow him to impact the game on offense.

He’s a determined player, too, and has shown impressive resiliency to come back from two serious knee injuries and still get drafted. Funk is a name to watch this summer.

Whether on offense or special teams, Jake Funk just wants to make plays for the Rams

Jake Funk is willing to do whatever the Rams ask to help the team, whether it’s on offense or special teams.

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It’s rare for a seventh-round pick to make a big impact on offense or defense as a rookie. But for running back Jake Funk, he isn’t just focused on helping the offense. He prides himself on making game-changing plays on special teams.

The Rams’ seventh-round pick is determined to help his new team however he can, whether it’s in the return game, on the coverage team or any other phase of special teams. After being drafted by Los Angeles, Funk explained what his mindset is when it comes to playing special teams.

In the end, it comes down to making plays to help the team.

“You just have to be excited to make a play. Like, football is about making game-changing plays no matter when you’re on the field,” he said. “If you can run down on a kickoff, pin somebody inside the 20, create a big hit that gets the defense fired up and ready to go, it helps the team win. It’s all about the team. So for me, that’s just been my core, where it’s like I’m going to do whatever it takes to help our team win. And if that’s being a cover guy on special teams and going down there and getting a tackle or a big hit inside the 20, I’m going to do it. If that’s a contributing role on offense, I’m going to do that. Whether that’s first, second-down back, third-down back, doesn’t matter. Whatever opportunities you get on the field, you have to be able to take advantage and be that ballplayer that goes out and just makes a play when the team needs it.”

Funk showed remarkable resilience at Maryland. He tore his ACL twice and played just 10 total games in his last three seasons, carrying the ball only 77 times since 2018. He was highly productive in those limited opportunities, averaging 7.2 yards per carry in his college career, but injuries held him back with the Terrapins.

The two knee injuries certainly caused his draft stock to drop because athleticism isn’t a question whatsoever with Funk. He ran a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash with an elite-level 10-yard split of 1.5 seconds. He also jumped 38 inches in the vertical and posted a 6.71-second time in the three-cone drill, all of which were near the top of this running back class.

Bouncing back from two season-ending injuries like Funk did is difficult, but he blocked out his doubters and remained focused on his goal of playing in the NFL.

“Just to not give up. I mean, a lot of people counted me out, especially through the injuries,” he said of how he responded to the injuries. “I would just go back and tell myself that it was all worth it in the end. All the tears, all the worry, all the doubt, it was all worth it in the end. I mean, you just continue to persevere through hardship and it’s something that I’ve learned just about life in general, through the ACLs. But would just tell myself to just never give up.”

With Funk’s determination and willingness to do whatever necessary to make the team, he should become a fan favorite this summer as he battles for a roster spot.

Twitter reacts to Rams drafting RB Jake Funk in Round 7

Rams fans were stunned by Les Snead drafting a running back before an offensive lineman.

If you had “Rams select a running back before an offensive lineman” on your bingo board, congratulations. It’s a decision few people could have seen coming, as evidenced by the reactions to the Rams selecting Jake Funk in the seventh round at No. 233 overall.

Funk is an athletic and explosive running back who suffered two ACL tears in college, but he certainly doesn’t fill a position of need. This, like Tutu Atwell, is mostly a luxury pick and one that Sean McVay will have fun with.

Here’s a look at some of the reactions from fans and analysts to the selection of Funk in Round 7, which came before the Rams addressed their offensive line.