A closer look at Todd Gurley

[DaCityKats]

 

With the recent news of Todd Gurley knee checking out at the post combine medical recheck, I decided to take a closer look at the big polarizing back. Gurley is from Tarboro, North Carolina, a small town in the eastern part of the state. He went on to attend the University of Georgia.

 

First thing you notice about Gurley is his size. At the combine, he weighed in at 222 pounds on a 6’1 frame. He plays up to this size. In games, he consistently runs through defenders. His weight is proportioned out well through out his body. He has a thick and muscular lower body, as well as a chiseled up upper body.  He runs with great power, and balance. The gif below shows some of this power and balance. 

 

 

His 10-inch hands help him with ball security and catching the ball out the backfield. In 6 games I watched (2013 and 2014), Gurley did not drop one ball thrown to him from out the backfield. Gurley caught balls on screens, in the flat, on drags across the middle, curls in the middle as check downs. He also only fumbled one time in those games.

 

Guys Gurley size, should not move like he does. Gurley has a great amount of burst and acceleration once he hits a hole or sees any green in front of him. He gets up to full speed really fast, and will leave defenders behind him. I did not see him get caught from behind, and once he is up to full speed, nobody is taking him down. He has also taken several kick off returns back for touchdowns. Here vs. Clemson in 2013, he got a crease following his fullback on an off tackle run. He explodes through the hole for a huge touchdown run. The backside defensive back did have the pursuit angle to make the play, but could not because of the speed and power Gurley runs with.

 

Another important aspects of Gurley’s game are patience, and vision. These traits are something all good running backs possess (ex. Le’Veon Bell). A running back with patience and vision puts a lot of stress on a defense. A defender must be sound to their technique and read the correct keys, or a back will gain a lot of yards on them. Gurley has both and does a good job at portraying these traits. Again vs. Clemson 2013, Gurley shows these traits on this play.

 

Georgia comes out in twins left I formation, pro set, with the tight end lined up on the right side. Clemson lines up in an even man front. A 6- technique defensive end, a 1-technique nose, a 3- technique under tackle, and a 7- technique defensive end over the tight end. The linebackers are directly stacked behind the tackles in the formation, with the weak-side linebacker, bumped out to help with the twin wide receivers.

 

 

The play is a regular ISO run to the weak side, but the line backer bumped out reads run, and starts to attack the LOS, helping blow up the play.

 

Gurley now has to adjust, and cuts to the outside, thinking he can get to the edge for positive yardage. The safety is now coming down hill to meet him. Gurley stumbles some, but keeps his balance.

 

Gurley feels the bodies to the outside, and plants on his outside foot, to help him change directions. Once he plants, he explodes through the hole, vacated by the run defenders, breaks a tackle from a backside defender, and scores a touchdown.

 

Finally the thing Gurley must work on is his pad level when he runs the football. Being a tall back, he must consistently stay low, and run with a low pad level. His up right running style will not work in the NFL (Darren McFadden).  He is 6’1, but he runs like he is 6’3 at times. When his pads are low, he is damn near unstoppable. Pass protection is also something he must work on in order to become a complete back on the next level. He does have an effective cut block when picking up blitzes or free pass rushers. His thick lower body does help him absorb pass rushers, but his hand placement, needs to be more consistent, as well as not ducking his head when taking on contact. Those are all technical issues that will be fixed.

 

Injuries are the only pause I have with Gurley. He has missed extensive time in 2013 and 2014 because of injuries. He had an ankle issue on 2013, and tore an ACL in 2014. Maybe because of his running style (high pad level), he is susceptible to a lot of lower leg injuries. He put up some crazy numbers, and does showcase the talent to be a workhorse type back. Barring he stays healthy. 

[Chief Keek]

Another great breakdown, thanks for the analysis. I think Gurley is going to be pretty outstanding at the next level as long as he can stay healthy.

[unicar15]

Not really worried about the knee. He's young and I'm sure is rehabbing well. Just hard to figure out if it's worth picking a running back in the first round. I've always thought it's more about who is blocking not who is running. I wouldn't be mad about the pick but Gurley is only going to be as good as the blockers in front of him. So...if we think we've solved the OL problem in the offseason and can add in the 2-3 rounds then sure take him...but if not then his effectiveness is gonna be questionable.

[Sean Payton's Vicodin]

lol dolphins are going to draft him.

 

 

@flasportsbuzz: Heard again today that Dolphins doing a LOT of research, interviews on Todd Gurley & people close to him. They are unquestionably intrigued

[DaCityKats]

one thing i forgot to mention, is that penetration kills Gurley. if you stack the box, and can create another LOS in the backfield, he is not going any where. 

[t96]

Another important aspects of Gurley’s game are patience, and vision. These traits are something all good running backs possess (ex. Le’Veon Bell). A running back with patience and vision puts a lot of stress on a defense. A defender must be sound to their technique and read the correct keys, or a back will gain a lot of yards on them. Gurley has both and does a good job at portraying these traits. Again vs. Clemson 2013, Gurley shows these traits on this play.

 

Good breakdown for the most part but disagree with this part. Gurley's vision is decent but he doesn't have the patience that guys like Bell and Peterson do. As soon as he sees anything he goes, even if it's not the best hole to hit. That can be improved obviously but that's the biggest flaw in his game from what I've seen. Injuries are the only concern I have with him. His game film speaks for itself - his talent is worthy of a top 5 pick. Would be happy if we get him at 25.

[Jeremy Igo]

Nice work!

[Bartin]

lol dolphins are going to draft him.

There is definitely a lot of smoke there. I'm thinking the same.

[csx]

one thing i forgot to mention, is that penetration kills Gurley. if you stack the box, and can create another LOS in the backfield, he is not going any where.

That true of most running backs no? Even the greats get stopped that way.

[DaCityKats]

Good breakdown for the most part but disagree with this part. Gurley's vision is decent but he doesn't have the patience that guys like Bell and Peterson do. As soon as he sees anything he goes, even if it's not the best hole to hit. That can be improved obviously but that's the biggest flaw in his game from what I've seen. Injuries are the only concern I have with him. His game film speaks for itself - his talent is worthy of a top 5 pick. Would be happy if we get him at 25.

 

agree to disagree on the patience trait. i seen him use patience on numerous runs, and he allows his blockers to to set up.

[Fox007]

AP was injury prone and ran with high pad level(he still does)...seemed to have worked out for him. I'm not saying Gurley is AP but that's a similar comparison wit his power/speed/size.

[DaCityKats]

That true of most running backs no? Even the greats get stopped that way.

 

yes. but i think even more with bigger backs that attack down hill.  you force them side, to side, you will be successful. 

[Bartin]

yes. but i think even more with bigger backs that attack down hill. you force them side, to side, you will be successful.

Yeah it comes with the territory of his running style. I'm not even sure I would call it a negative. He's never gonna do some Barry Sanders stuff but you're neither asking or expecting him to.

[DaCityKats]

Yeah it comes with the territory of his running style. I'm not even sure I would call it a negative. He's never gonna do some Barry Sanders stuff but you're neither asking or expecting him to.

 

i don't really see it as a negative, just if I'm a defensive coordinator, I'm preaching create a new LOS to stop him. he does have that sneaky, plant and cut within his moves like Marshawn will hit people with. very underrated feet.