Tag: Todd Gurley

NFL draft history: Every player selected with the 10th overall pick since 2000

We’re looking at every No. 10 overall pick selected since the 2000 NFL Draft and the Philadelphia Eagles’ chances of landing an impact player

The Eagles need impact players on both sides of the ball, and with two first-round picks in this month’s draft, Howie Roseman will have another opportunity to add depth to a Super Bowl-caliber roster.

Top ten picks are expected to be dynamic players, and the list of No. 10 overall selections has a handful of misses, along with several hits and a few Hall of Fame-worthy performers.

With the NFL draft fast approaching, we’re looking at every player selected with the tenth pick since 2000.

Todd Gurley done playing football, but not officially retiring

Former Georgia Bulldogs star running back Todd Gurley is done playing football, per an interview with NFL Network.

Former Georgia Bulldogs star running back Todd Gurley is unlikely to play again in the NFL. Gurley has been reflective and thankful recently.

Gurley, who played five seasons for the Rams and one season for the Atlanta Falcons, is not officially retiring, but he says that he is done playing football.

Gurley made that clear in an interview with the NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano:

If this in the end for Todd Gurley, then he finishes his NFL career with 1,460 rushes for 6,082 rushing yards. Gurley found the end zone frequently during his NFL career. Gurley scored 79 total touchdowns during his six season NFL career and played in a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams.

Todd Gurley made three Pro Bowls during his NFL career. Unfortunately, he suffered from knee issues that limited him during his last years with the Rams and during the 2020 season with the Atlanta Falcons.

The former Georgia standout thanked numerous former NFL running backs via Twitter including former Georgia star Knowshon Moreno.

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Todd Gurley says he’s done playing despite not officially retiring yet

Todd Gurley hasn’t officially retired yet, but he says he’s done playing football

Todd Gurley hasn’t taken an NFL snap since the 2020 season when he was with the Atlanta Falcons, but he never officially retired from football. Although that left the door open for him to return if a team were to sign him, he isn’t interested in making a comeback.

During an appearance on NFL Network Thursday, Gurley told Andrew Siciliano that he’s done playing despite not officially retiring.

“I don’t think there’s any question about that one,” Gurley said when Siciliano suggested his Twitter activity hinted that Gurley is “calling it quits.”

Siciliano later asked for clarification about Gurley being done, to which the RB said, “Yeah, most definitely.” So although he hasn’t submitted his retirement papers, Gurley isn’t going to suit up in the NFL again.

From 2015-2018, Gurley was one of the best running backs in the NFL. He led the NFL in touchdowns twice, nearly won Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 when he had the most scrimmage yards (2,093) and was a two-time first-team All-Pro.

His game fell off in 2019 and the Rams eventually cut him before the 2020 campaign, with there being no doubt his knee issues had a major impact in his final seasons. After averaging 4.4 yards per carry from 2015-2018, he averaged just 3.7 in the last two years of his career.

In just six NFL seasons, Gurley totaled 6,082 yards rushing, scored 67 touchdowns on the ground and ranks sixth in franchise history with 5,404 yards rushing.

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Former Georgia RB Todd Gurley not dying to return to football, but does not rule it out

Todd Gurley goes into detail about his life post-football, does not completely rule out a return to the game.

Just a few short years ago, it looked like Todd Gurley could go down as one of the greatest running backs in the history of the NFL.

After a jaw-dropping career at Georgia in which he was one of the most dominant collegiate ball carriers we’ve ever seen, Gurley was drafted by the Rams in the first round of the 2015 draft.

He has not played football since the 2020 season with the Falcons after a sudden decline in his health. Gurley spoke to NBCLX’s Mike Gavin earlier this week and opened up about his post-NFL life, making it clear he’s in no rush to get back on the field. But he also did not rule it out completely.

“Football wise, just taking it day-by-day,” Gurley told Gavin. “Being part of ownership groups of different companies, that’s what I’m focusing on. Spending a lot more time with my family. I ain’t worried about no football. I keep it real with you. I’m chilling and enjoying myself.

Gurley would go on to win 2015’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after posting 1,106 rushing yards with St. Louis. The Rams moved to Los Angeles the next year, and Gurley fit right in, stepping into the spotlight and embracing his superstar status.

He was the 2017 Offensive Player of the Year, twice was named a first team all-pro, made three Pro Bowls and led the league in rushing touchdowns on two occasions.

Gurley continued:

Now that he’s not playing football, Gurley recently joined the ownership group for the Beasts of the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) League. The Beasts ownership group includes former NFL star Marshawn Lynch, Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters, former WNBA star Renee Montgomery, and WWE wrestler Miro.

Regarding having total control of his life, Gurley noted what’s truly important to him.

“That’s the best thing about being in the position I’m in. If I want to try to play again, I can try to pursue that. Or if I don’t, I can just relax and chill at the house and spend a lot more time with my family because that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day.

“Then at the end of the day, still becoming a businessman and still venturing off in that next phase of my life.”

Toward the end of the 2018 NFL season, Gurley was limited. The Rams made the Super Bowl, but the superstar back was fighting inflammation in his surgically repaired knee from his playing days at Georgia. From that point on, things were never the same for the Tarboro, North Carolina native.

Midway through the next season, Gurley was tied for 29th in the league in rushing yards. He was No. 1 at the midway point a year prior. The next season in 2020, Gurley signed with the Atlanta Falcons and rushed for 678 yards. He has not since played another game of football.

Gurley is now part owner of the Beasts, and he did not rule out a return to football. Could we see TG3 suit up for his team in the FCF or possibly a return to the NFL?

“Anything is possible. The energy that I’m getting right now, I might have to go back there in the locker room and go put something on, man. It is possible. It’s possible.”

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Todd Gurley was happy to see the Rams win a ring, doesn’t seem to miss the NFL

Todd Gurley was happy to see the Rams win the Super Bowl, and he doesn’t seem to miss the NFL much at all

Todd Gurley hasn’t officially retired from the NFL, but he doesn’t seem to have any interest in playing another snap in his career. After not playing in 2021, Gurley enjoyed his time away from the field, even venturing into the business side of football by becoming a part-owner of the Beasts in the Fan Controlled Football league.

He still followed the NFL and watched his former team, the Los Angeles Rams, win Super Bowl LVI, but he doesn’t have any interest in playing again.

“There was never not one time where I watched a game and was like, ‘I wish I was out there,’” Gurley told Keith Kocinski of NBC LX. “I appreciated my time in the league and I’ve done things I could have never even dreamed about.”

Gurley said he “ain’t worried about no football,” and that he’s enjoying himself away from the gridiron. There’s no jealousy or ill will toward the Rams for the way his tenure in Los Angeles ended, either.

He told NBC that he felt nothing but happiness after seeing the Rams win a championship without him last season, and he’s especially thrilled for former teammates such as Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.

“Happy for guys like AD that really work hard,” Gurley said. “Guys like Jalen Ramsey that put in work. Obviously gotta go with all my running back guys, seeing guys like Cam Akers come back from an Achilles in four months. Sony Michel getting traded from the Patriots, not only did he beat the Rams in the Super Bowl a couple of years ago, he’s also won one with them, as well. Guys like Darrell Henderson. So, you always get excited for the guys. It’s never just about you. Yeah, everyone would love a ring. But at the end of the day, it’s about being able to congratulate and then see other guys succeed and being happy for them.”

The Rams surprisingly cut Gurley before the 2020 season after he struggled with a knee injury at the end of 2018 and throughout the 2019 season. He reminded the Rams of the money they owed him multiple times, expressing some frustration that it took as long as it did for him to get his check.

But it doesn’t seem like Gurley holds a grudge against his former team. He appears content and happy in his post-football career, which is great to see.

Todd Gurley joins ownership group in start-up football league

Former Georgia Bulldogs and Los Angeles Rams star running back Todd Gurley has joined the ownership group for a Fan Controlled Football team

Former Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Falcons, and Los Angeles Rams star running back Todd Gurley has joined the ownership group for the Beasts, a Fan Controlled Football (FCF) team. The Beasts ownership group includes former NFL star Marshawn Lynch, Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters, former WNBA star Renee Montgomery, and WWE wrestler Miro.

The Beasts are 2-4 this season in FCF. All games of FCF are played in Atlanta, Georgia, at Pullman Yards. Fans have a large influence on the league and can impact play calls, instant replays, and more.

The FCF played its inaugural season in 2021. Games are streamed on Twitch and a variety of other platforms, which gives the league a much different target audience than the USFL, which is a top competitor for the FCF.

Former Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley reacts after defeating the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Gurley remains unsigned as an NFL free agent. Gurley is still investing in football and in the Atlanta area with his decision to join the Beasts’ ownership group.

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Close your eyes, Giants fans: Here’s a Saquon Barkley stat you don’t want to see

New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley has the fewest yards per rush (min. 150 attempts) in the NFL since the start of 2020.

Former No. 2 overall pick, Saquon Barkley, had an amazing start to his career. He was named 2018 Rookie of the Year and was named to the Pro Bowl.

The former Nittany Lion totaled 3,469 scrimmage yards and 23 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the New York Giants. However, things have not been so bright for Barkley as of recently.

In fact, since 2020, Barkley has the fewest yards per rush (min. 150 attempts) of any NFL running back.

Saquon had an awful 2020 season (where he only averaged 1.8 yards per carry) before tearing his ACL. Then in 2021, he had a below-average season where he only totaled 593 rushing yards on 3.7 yards per attempt as he was hindered by an ankle sprain.

Despite Barkley’s lack of production, not all of the burden can be placed on him. The Giants have had a bottom-five offensive line in the NFL over the past two seasons and one of the worst passing offenses. This resulted in teams stacking the box and Barkley having minimal running lanes to attack.

Hopefully for New York, these problems can improve as the Giants will likely pursue one or two linemen in the NFL draft to pair with the interior offensive line signings of Max Garcia, Jon Feliciano, and Mark Glowinski.

These veterans paired with an emerging Andrew Thomas and a likely rookie right tackle should allow the Giants to have a solid front this season which should allow Barkley to once again play like a top running back in football.

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5 Georgia Bulldogs in the NFL that remain free agents

Georgia Bulldogs like Sony Michel and A.J. Green remain NFL free agents

The 2022 NFL offseason is well underway. Several Georgia Bulldogs have already found homes in the NFL via free agency.

Quite a few more Dawgs will be added to the league via the NFL draft, but what about the Georgia Bulldogs that remain NFL free agents such as Sony Michel and A.J. Green?

Here’s a look at five notable Georgia Bulldogs who are still NFL free agents after the first few weeks of free agency in 2022:

Todd Gurley texted Sony Michel to congratulate him on landing with Rams

Todd Gurley congratulated his former college teammate Sony Michel on being acquired by the Rams

When Cam Akers went down with a torn Achilles, there was a contingent of Rams fans that pitched the idea of the team signing Todd Gurley. It was never likely to happen, but they did acquire his college teammate, Sony Michel.

The two former Georgia Bulldogs stay in touch to date after playing together at Georgia, and after the Rams traded for Michel, Gurley texted him. Gurley congratulated Michel on the move, which the new Rams running back found cool.

That was in addition to a tweet Gurley shared after the trade was announced.

“That’s my guy. Me and Todd, we talk,” Michel said Thursday. “He sent me a text similar to that tweet. He kept it simple, congratulated me on the move. I’m sure he knows what kind of system I’m coming into, so thought that was pretty cool.”

Michel joins a backfield that also features Darrell Henderson Jr., who the Rams drafted in 2018 while Gurley was still in Los Angeles. The balance of touches between Henderson and Michel hasn’t been worked out yet, but that will become clearer as the season progresses.

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FanDuel names three teams that should sign former Georgia RB Todd Gurley

FanDuel named three teams that should sign former Georgia football RB Todd Gurley.

Todd Gurley, once considered the best running back in the NFL, is on the lookout for a new team and a chance at reviving his once incredible career.

It did not work out in Atlanta, which signed Mike Davis as his replacement. So the question remains: Can Todd Gurley still be a primary NFL running back?

Gurley put together a decent season with the Falcons, but it was clear the one-time superstar has lost a step. He carried the ball 195 times, had 678 yards and found the end zone nine times. He may not put up another 1,000 yard season, but Gurley can still play and be a great mentor to a younger back.

FanDuel recently listed three teams that should make a run for the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

1. New York Jets

If the team uses a rotational strategy, bringing Gurley wouldn’t be a bad idea. The veteran ball carrier owns a 72.3% catch percentage and could be a great dump-off option for quarterback Zach Wilson. Simply put, Gurley’s talent soars over anything Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson or La’Michal Perine bring to the table.

2. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Mixon is the clear starting running back for the Cincinnati Bengals, but there is almost zero depth behind him. Mixon missed 10 games due to injury last season and the Bengals struggled to run the football in his absence. Having Gurley waiting in the wings if something like that were to happen again acts as a cheap insurance option.

3. Los Angeles Chargers

Second-year quarterback Justin Herbert needs reliable players working alongside him and Gurley has a 2,000-yard season under his belt. It’s worth a shot for the Chargers to see what the former All-Pro RB has to offer.