Why are we talking about drafting a RB when we have some already?

[rNemesis]

We have Kenneth Darby, Antonio Pittman ( I'm not really sold on Brian Leonard). Why should that be a need for this team entering the draft in nine days?

[RamFan876]

Last year, when Haslett took over it appeared as if he was all we needed to go on a serious winning streak.

He left Jackson in while we were blowing out the Cowboys and he got injured.

I believe we would have beaten the Patriots the following week if he had been healthy or we had a quality backup.

Jackson's injury and lack of a serious backup threat totally changed the Rams direction last year.

I would think Spags would not mind having a backup who could step in and to be more of a threat if Jackson would go down.

[itsguud]

Two reasons
1. Spags and Devaney have already stated that we are going with a double back system that is becoming the norm. None of the guys you mentioned are really starting caliber.
2. Jackson is injury prone and we need someone who is able to fill his boots.

[rNemesis]

So what do you think will happen to those guys? Because if I recall Kenneth Darby had some nice runs here and there ( a costly fumble in a game tho) and Pittman carried the ball 12 times for 85 yards in that loss to the Patriots 23-16.

[jmk321]

Get a dominant O-line and thats like a second RB in itself. Just look at the Giants. Do you think that Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw average 5.6 and 5.3 yard per carry behind any other O-line in the league. Steven Jackson was able to get yards last year because he's one of the top 5 RB's in the NFL but not many other people would've been able to run behind the Ram's O-line last year.

[BarronWade]

Two reasons
1. Spags and Devaney have already stated that we are going with a double back system that is becoming the norm. None of the guys you mentioned are really starting caliber.
2. Jackson is injury prone and we need someone who is able to fill his boots.

I havnt read that the Rams are going to be going for a double back set.

But here is the reason.

Remember Spags has stressed that we will use S-Jax as the centerpiece to the offense. This is true because we signed a big run blocking C in Jason Brown and we also got a run blocking FB in Mike Karney this off-season.

And really think about it we havnt won a single game the last 2 years with out S-Jax. And Jackson is injury prone. Also since he is being used as the centerpiece look for him to run the ball 30-40 times a game. WOW! S-Jax is not superman he will get tired. So we need a capable back-up that can catch the football, be durable, block well, and be able to run well. Pittman is not the guy because he had his share of injuries and Darby has trouble getting hit by refs (lol) and fumbling the ball.

So here is a guy the Rams should look at in the 3rd: Rashad Jennings. If you feel like the round is too high read my thread in the draft&FA section.

[jerseyramsfan]

If we address our needs in the early rounds I wouldn't mind getting Coffee out of Alabama in the 5th....

[general counsel]

Jackson is not injury prone. His durability compares very favorably with any running back in the nfl over the last four years. Has he missed some games? Yes. Why? Because running backs get hurt, its the nature of the position. We need a quality backup, but not at the expense of a high draft pick.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[RamsInfiniti]

Simple answer ...

DRAFT POLITICS!

So when team X is itching for a running back in round 3, and they've found the guy they want, they'll remember, DAMN, the Rams were just talking how they needed a running back. Some team might be willing to give something up to move up just a little bit in these middle rounds ...

[39thebeast]

Devaney has said before that today in this league you need 2 good backs. I really dont see it on the roster now, there are alot of question marks. Can Leonard excell primarily as a tailback, can Pittman be a consistant option, and can Darby build of last year and become a consistant number 2

[RealRam]

Very good questions 39B. By the same token, Could a drafted RB come in and excell above those names already in our Rams roster?

[dgr828]

If we address our needs in the early rounds I wouldn't mind getting Coffee out of Alabama in the 5th....

Coffee would be nice, but he's in the same order JAX, let both have the same power run game.
If the Rams were to get a RB, in the draft, wouldn't they want someone in sharp contrast to Jackson's running style?