Gado, Pittman Shine In Battle To Back Up Jackson

**r8rh8rmike** · -08-15-2009

St. Louis Rams' Gado, Pittman shine in battle to back up Jackson
BY Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/15/2009

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Advantage Gado and Pittman. In the battle for the Rams' No. 2 running back job behind Steven Jackson, Samkon Gado and Antonio Pittman were the clear winners Friday over Kenneth Darby.

Darby entered the preseason as the clear No. 2 back behind Jackson, but he didn't get much done against the New York Jets. Darby carried six times for 16 yards, dropped a short pass over the middle and struggled on blitz pickup.

Pittman carried four times for 36 yards and caught a pass for nine yards — all coming on a 63-yard field goal drive to close out the first half. But it was Gado who provided the play of the day for the Rams.

Gado burst into the open on a run up the middle, made a defender miss about 10 yards downfield, and then outraced the New York defense the rest of the way for a 77-yard touchdown. The score came on the second play from scrimmage in the second half and gave the Rams a 16-10 lead.
In four regular seasons with Green Bay, Houston, Miami and the Rams, Gado has never had a run longer than 64 yards.

As for Jackson, he had a light workload, with two carries for 15 yards.

ROOKIE STARTER

After getting most of the practice work with the first unit during the week, rookie James Laurinaitis started Friday at middle linebacker. The second-round draft pick from Ohio State was flanked by Will Witherspoon at weakside linebacker and Chris Draft on the strong side.

Meanwhile, first-round draft pick Jason Smith didn't come in until the fourth offensive series of the game, late in the second quarter. Adam Goldberg started at right tackle, and the first offensive unit played the first three series of the game.

INJURY UPDATE

So much for offensive line continuity. Left guard Jacob Bell was done for the evening after just two plays after absorbing a blow to the head. Roy Schuening replaced Bell in the lineup. The injury didn't appear serious.

No. 3 quarterback Brock Berlin left the game 5 minutes into the fourth quarter after absorbing a hard hit by Jets defensive end Zach Potter. Berlin tweaked his knee on the play and will be checked out back in St. Louis.

Cornerbacks Ron Bartell (hamstring) and Tye Hill (knee), and rookie defensive tackle Darell Scott (knee) missed practice time during the week with minor injuries, but all three played Friday. Fullback Mike Karney (ankle) dressed but did not play.

GIBSON, BURTON START

Offseason pickup Gary Gibson was rewarded for his good start in training camp with a start against the Jets. Gibson replaced Adam Carriker in the lineup at defensive tackle. Carriker was a pregame scratch because of an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Keenan Burton replaced the injured Donnie Avery (fractured foot) in the starting lineup at wide receiver.

WORTH NOTING

"Team first" is one of coach Steve Spagnuolo's mantras. It was fitting then, that the entire team came out together during pregame introductions. There were no individual intros.

RAM-BLINGS

The Jets' roster includes two Mizzou products — wide receiver Brad Smith and fullback Brock Christopher. Christopher has been switched from linebacker, his college position with the Tigers. ... The Rams had not played the Jets in preseason until Friday.

btimsah · -08-15-2009

Originally Posted by r8rh8rmike

St. Louis Rams' Gado, Pittman shine in battle to back up Jackson
BY Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/15/2009

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Advantage Gado and Pittman. In the battle for the Rams' No. 2 running back job behind Steven Jackson, Samkon Gado and Antonio Pittman were the clear winners Friday over Kenneth Darby.

Darby entered the preseason as the clear No. 2 back behind Jackson, but he didn't get much done against the New York Jets. Darby carried six times for 16 yards, dropped a short pass over the middle and struggled on blitz pickup.

Pittman carried four times for 36 yards and caught a pass for nine yards — all coming on a 63-yard field goal drive to close out the first half. But it was Gado who provided the play of the day for the Rams.

Gado burst into the open on a run up the middle, made a defender miss about 10 yards downfield, and then outraced the New York defense the rest of the way for a 77-yard touchdown. The score came on the second play from scrimmage in the second half and gave the Rams a 16-10 lead.
In four regular seasons with Green Bay, Houston, Miami and the Rams, Gado has never had a run longer than 64 yards.

As for Jackson, he had a light workload, with two carries for 15 yards.

ROOKIE STARTER

After getting most of the practice work with the first unit during the week, rookie James Laurinaitis started Friday at middle linebacker. The second-round draft pick from Ohio State was flanked by Will Witherspoon at weakside linebacker and Chris Draft on the strong side.

Meanwhile, first-round draft pick Jason Smith didn't come in until the fourth offensive series of the game, late in the second quarter. Adam Goldberg started at right tackle, and the first offensive unit played the first three series of the game.

INJURY UPDATE

So much for offensive line continuity. Left guard Jacob Bell was done for the evening after just two plays after absorbing a blow to the head. Roy Schuening replaced Bell in the lineup. The injury didn't appear serious.

No. 3 quarterback Brock Berlin left the game 5 minutes into the fourth quarter after absorbing a hard hit by Jets defensive end Zach Potter. Berlin tweaked his knee on the play and will be checked out back in St. Louis.

Cornerbacks Ron Bartell (hamstring) and Tye Hill (knee), and rookie defensive tackle Darell Scott (knee) missed practice time during the week with minor injuries, but all three played Friday. Fullback Mike Karney (ankle) dressed but did not play.

GIBSON, BURTON START

Offseason pickup Gary Gibson was rewarded for his good start in training camp with a start against the Jets. Gibson replaced Adam Carriker in the lineup at defensive tackle. Carriker was a pregame scratch because of an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Keenan Burton replaced the injured Donnie Avery (fractured foot) in the starting lineup at wide receiver.

WORTH NOTING

"Team first" is one of coach Steve Spagnuolo's mantras. It was fitting then, that the entire team came out together during pregame introductions. There were no individual intros.

RAM-BLINGS

The Jets' roster includes two Mizzou products — wide receiver Brad Smith and fullback Brock Christopher. Christopher has been switched from linebacker, his college position with the Tigers. ... The Rams had not played the Jets in preseason until Friday.

That kid (Oh My!) Gado is something special. Like a bowling ball with knives and great ability to change direction. Reminds me a bit of Michael Turner.

**r8rh8rmike** · -08-15-2009

I really like Gado too. He has heart, can do a lot of things and is deceptively quick. Some doubted he would make the team, but he's making a great case for himself.

***RamsInfiniti*** · -08-15-2009

Gado clocked a 4.43 40 at the combine years ago. I'm kind of a secondary Packers fan, because my fiance roots for them. I remember when they had him a few years ago. Tough kid, can do it all, he bounced around for awhile ...

I still think Darby is the most complete back of the bunch, but cannot doubt what Gado brings to the table after last year. Pittman looked explosive too. It's going to be quite a battle....