Tag: todd gurley news

Todd Gurley, Justin Houston predicted to sign with same NFL team

Two former Georgia football players are projected to sign with the same NFL team.

The Score’s Jack Browne recently predicted where some of the NFL’s top free agents would sign prior to the start of the 2021 season.

He mentioned two former Georgia Bulldogs in his predictions and projects them to sign with the same team.

That team would be the Baltimore Ravens.

And the players would be Todd Gurley and Justin Houston.

On Gurley, Browne said:

The veteran back has reportedly met with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens recently, and the latter is a far more preferable landing spot. Baltimore’s depth at the position would allow Gurley to take on a less taxing role, and while his receiving skills have waned, he would still be the best pass-catcher in the AFC North club’s backfield.

Gurley, the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year with the Los Angeles Rams, was at one time the league’s best running back, but he has rapidly declined since his knee started giving him issues. But there’s no doubt that the former Georgia Bulldog can still provide value to a team and remains very productive in the red zone.

Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley (21) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

If Gurley joins the Ravens, he would pair with superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson and second-year running back and Ohio State great JK Dobbins.

On Houston, Browne wrote:

Once one of the most feared pass-rushers in the NFL, Houston is now in the twilight of his career. But the 32-year-old, who has at least eight sacks in each of the last four seasons, should still be capable of making a significant impact as a secondary option for a contender.

Houston’s other likely options are joining the Ravens or returning to the Chiefs. Both AFC teams have plenty of defensive ends but should be intent on fielding the strongest defense possible to help their star quarterbacks.

Houston appeared in 16 games and recorded 8.0 sacks last season, good enough to rank No. 21 among sack leaders.

Nov 12, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Justin Houston (50) and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) celebrate after a win against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Houston was an absolute problem for SEC offenses while at Georgia. As a junior in 2010, Houston led all linebackers in sacks with 10 and was named First-Team All-American and First Team All-SEC.

Todd Gurley goes off in Falcons third straight loss

Former Georgia football RB Todd Gurley goes off in the Atlanta Falcons third straight devastating loss.

Former Georgia running back Todd Gurley went off for the Falcons in yet another demoralizing loss.

Gurley went for 80 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, putting him at 14th on the 2020 rushing yards list.

The Falcons led by a score of 26-10 going into the fourth quarter but were blanked 20-0 in the fourth, losing 30-26.  This is the second straight week that the Falcons have blown double-digit leads going into the fourth.

It’s definitely nice to see Gurley getting his legs back underneath him with his new team.

Gurley and the 0-3 Falcons travel to Green Bay next Monday to face off in a prime time matchup against Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones and the Packers.

Todd Gurley, UGA form strategic alliance to benefit Athens community

Falcons RB Todd Gurley forms strategic alliance with UGAAA to benefit students, alumni and the Athens community as a whole in various areas.

Atlanta Falcons running back and legendary Georgia Bulldog Todd Gurley has formed a strategic alliance with the University of Georgia Athletic Association.

The alliance is focused on initiatives across athletics, community and social justice.

Gurley will meaningfully connect with students and alumni while serving as a mentor and public speaker about a variety of topics and issues going on around the world.

“Athens is my second home, and playing for the Falcons will allow me to spend more time there,” said Gurley in his statement.  “UGA fans embraced me as a young man, and that support has stayed with me throughout my time in the NFL.  I am looking forward to getting to know the students and alumni, and making a difference in the community that has meant so much to me.”

One of Gurley’s first initiatives is his Make A Difference Every Day (M.A.D.E.) Foundation that will be partnering with the “Dawgs for Pups” campaign.  Gurley will be working to raise funds to provide internet access to 2,500 underprivileged Athens K-8 students, helping to provide online learning resources amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Todd is an outstanding ambassador for our program,” Senior Deputy Director of Athletics Josh Brooks said in the official statement.  “Now that he’s in our backyard, we’re excited to engage Todd in several areas.  This partnership will not only create meaningful programming for out student-athletes, but also impact out local community.”

It’s always great seeing former Bulldogs giving back to UGA and the Athens community.  A DGD for life.

Falcons OC says only question mark for Todd Gurley is durability

Atlanta Falcons OC Dirk Koetter talks about the concerns with former Georgia football star, new Falcons running back Todd Gurley.

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter was pretty straight forward with the media about new running back Todd Gurley and his health concerns.

The 25-year-old sixth year pro is reportedly dealing with arthritis in his surgically repaired left knee.

Per ESPN‘s Vaughn McClure:

“He can still do it. It’s just a matter of how often can he do it,” Koetter said.

After being released by the L.A. Rams, Gurley returned to Georgia to sign a one-year $5.5 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. The former Georgia football star was drafted by the Rams in 2015 NFL Draft and in his five seasons Gurley made three Pro Bowls while being named to the All-Pro team twice, in addition to winning NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2017.

However, in 2019, Gurley’s knee issues surfaced and the Rams questioned his durability – ultimately leading to his release just two years after signing a four-year extension worth $45 million guaranteed.

“This guy, when he’s at his best, he’s got speed, he’s got power, he can break tackles, he’s elusive, he can catch the ball out of the backfield,” Koetter continued. “We’ve all seen what he can do. His accolades speak for themselves. We just have to see how healthy he is and how consistently he can do it.”

Gurley’s deal with the Falcons is still awaiting a physical and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Falcons staff hasn’t been able to evaluate him just yet.

“I know from talking to Todd that he’s fired up to be coming back to Georgia. He can do everything. He’s an excellent runner. He’s good in the pass game. He can protect. The main question that no one seems to know is, ‘What’s his health status? What’s his workload?’ He averaged about 17 touches a game last year, which is a little bit lower than he had been when he was All-Pro. We’re just going to have to find that out once we get here and get him working, get him up and running.”

Former Georgia RB Todd Gurley reacts to LA Rams new uniforms

Georgia football great Todd Gurley, now on the Atlanta Falcons, responded to a tweet discussing the new LA Rams uniforms.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Rams revealed their rebranded uniforms that  the franchise will wear this season.

From ESPN, describing the new look:

The new look includes a blue jersey featuring yellow gradient numbering, with interchangeable blue or yellow pants. There is also an off-white jersey and pant combination. The Rams’ new helmet is a metallic chrome blue, with a gradient yellow horn and blue face mask.

Former Georgia running back Todd Gurley, a first round pick by the Rams in the 2015 draft, will not get a chance to wear LA’s new unis.

The Rams released Gurley back in March and he has since signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

And though Gurley did not express his thoughts on the new uniforms, which have received some mixed reviews, he did reply to a tweet that said he “dodged a bullet” by being cut.

His response was not much, just a few laughing emojis. But either way, Gurley looks best in red and black, which he’ll don again this year in Atlanta.

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Los Angeles Rams release RB Todd Gurley

The Los Angeles Rams are releasing former Georgia Bulldog running back Todd Gurley. L.A. sought trades for Gurley, but couldn’t find one.

Todd Gurley is one the best running backs in the National Football League when healthy. Unfortunately for the Georgia Bulldog great, that pesky knee of Gurley’s has caused him issues, hindering his production and limiting his workload. In 2019, Gurley had career-lows in rushing yards (857) and attempts (223).

Now, the Los Angeles Rams are releasing Todd Gurley, their former first round pick. The official Rams Twitter account and ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced the news:

L.A. will save $10.5 million against the cap. The Rams failed to find a trade destination and now Gurley will be a free agent for the first time in his NFL career.

Gurley was two years into a contract with the Los Angeles Rams that included a $21 million signing bonus and $45 million in guarantees. With reduced production and a substantial contract, it is not shocking that the Rams looked to trade RB Todd Gurley according to Michael Silver:

A year after making the Super Bowl, Los Angeles foundered to a 9-7 record. Head coach Sean McVay and the Rams are looking to improve, but they had to get creative since they have limited draft capital and cap room.

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Gurley, since he’s been cut, will count for $20.15 million in dead money. The Rams are hampered for the future and were banking on Gurley. Hopefully, Gurley can return to form in time for the 2020 season.

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Report: Rams discussing trading RB Todd Gurley

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley may be on the trade block this off-season. Will the former Georgia Bulldog be traded?

Todd Gurley is one the best running backs in the National Football League when he’s 100% healthy. Unfortunately for the Georgia Bulldog great, that pesky knee of Gurley’s has caused him issues, hindering his production and limiting his workload. In 2019, Gurley had career-lows in rushing yards (857) and attempts (223).

Gurley is two years into a contract with the Los Angeles Rams that included a $21 million signing bonus and $45 million in guarantees. With reduced production and a substantial contract, it is not shocking that Todd Gurley is frequently brought up in NFL trade talks according to Michael Silver:

A year after making the Super Bowl, Los Angeles floundered to a 9-7 record. Head coach Sean McVay and the Rams are looking to improve, but they must get creative since they have limited draft capital and around $20 million dollars in cap room.

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Gurley, if cut right now, would count $20.15 million in dead money. So that’s no an option for L.A..

Los Angeles may have trouble finding a destination for Gurley. Stranger things have happened. Just ask Texans fans. Anything can happen in the NFL off-season (evidence below):

Running backs are still worth something to Houston coach/general manager Bill O’Brien.

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Two former Georgia football players/coaches leave South Carolina for NFL

Two former Georgia football players and coaches have left South Carolina to coach in the NFL.

Two coaches are leaving the South Carolina program to take NFL coaching jobs.

Both of those coaches happen to be guys who played and coached at the University of Georgia.

Thomas Brown, who played running back at Georgia from 2004-07, has joined the Los Angeles Rams staff as the running backs coach, where he will coach former Dawg Todd Gurley.

Related: Thomas Brown hired to Rams

And Bryan McClendon, who caught passes in Athens from 2002-05, will be joining the Steelers staff as receivers coach.

Related: Report: Former Georgia WR Bryan McClendon hired to Steelers

After their collegiate playing careers, both players returned to Georgia to coach shortly after testing out the NFL.

McClendon coached the running backs and receivers in Athens from 2009-2015, after spending two seasons as a grad assistant at Georgia.

Brown coached at Georgia in 2011 as a strength coach and then came back in 2015 to coach the running backs, which at the time was Nick Chubb and Sony Michel.

Both ended up on the same staff at South Carolina under none other than former Georgia defensive back Will Muschamp, who is head coach of the Gamecocks.

Georgia ties run deep.

Two former Georgia football running backs team up on LA Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have hired another former Georgia football running back to help improve the teams’ ball carrier position.

The Los Angeles Rams have added another former Georgia running back, but this time as a member of the coaching staff.

Thomas Brown, who played running back at Georgia from 2004-07, has been hired by the Rams to coach the running backs in Los Angeles.

That includes Todd Gurley, Georgia’s superstar back from 2012-14.

Brown last worked as South Carolina’s running backs coach in 2019 and was also Miami’s offensive coordinator from 2016-2018.

In 2015, he was Georgia’s running backs coach as well, one year after Gurley left for the NFL.

Though Brown never coached Gurley in Athens, the two of them are close friends, said Bruce Feldman, who first reported the news.

Both coached by Mark Richt, Brown (4 seasons) and Gurley (3 seasons) are two of the best backs to wear the red and black this century. During Brown’s career, he rushed for 2,646 yards and 23 touchdowns on 529 touches. Gurley’s career saw him rush for 3,285 yards on 510 carries. He also added 36 touchdowns.

Report: Rams to meet with former Georgia football RB Todd Gurley to discuss future

The LA Rams are reportedly set to meet with Georgia football great Todd Gurley to discuss the UGA product’s future.

Todd Gurley, when healthy, may be the best running back in the National Football League. Unfortunately, that knee of Gurley’s have caused him problems over the last year, hindering his production and touches greatly. Last season, Gurley had career-lows in rushing yards (857) and attempts (223).

Currently, Gurley is two years into a contract that that included a $21 million signing bonus and $45 million in guarantees.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, before the next set of contract guarantees lock in for Gurley, the Rams want to meet with the former Georgia running back to discuss the future.

“From what I am told, what the Rams want to do—and what coach Sean McVay specifically wants to do—is sit down with Gurley before any decision was made,” Rapoport said Thursday on “NFL NOW.” “So that’s probably going to happen before they decide how are they going to proceed with someone who at times has been the best running back in the NFL.

Obviously this is not a simple decision. Cutting him just to save cash would be something that, while theoretically possible, cap-wise would be extremely difficult, more than $10M in a salary-cap hit just for releasing him and if they did it before June 1 it would be astronomical.”

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Gurley, if cut outright right now, would count $20.15 million in dead money.

Then there’s the idea of a trade, which NFL.com outlined here:

Perhaps they could find a trade partner with excess cap space willing to take a flier on a great player who has dealt with injury issues (and the Rams would probably have to pay a pick to unload the deal). But, as Pelissero pointed out, any trade would likely need to be made before the March roster bonus kicks in.

What will likely happen is the Rams will hold onto their superstar running back. It’s on them to figure out how to use him better.