Freeman and Williams have Rams on the run

Kyren Williams was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Last season, Williams had a total of 35 carries for 139 yards as he shared the backfield with a plethora of other running backs.

The second-year running back out of Notre Dame is now at the head of the class when it comes to running the football for the Rams.

It’s easy to see why. Williams combines power, speed, and downhill running as tools to run the football. Thus far this season, Williams has been successful in utilizing these assets at his disposal. Unfortunately for the Arizona Cardinals, they have seen this programming one too many times this year.

During the two team’s first encounter on Oct. 15 at SoFi Stadium, Williams ran the football 20 times for 158 yards and a touchdown. In that game, Williams gashed the Arizona defense with an average run of 7.9 yards. After that game, Williams was asked how has he adjusted to being featured as the workhorse in the backfield.

“It’s something that I’ve always wanted,” Williams said. “I ain’t never had to adjust to it because I was always working for it. I’ve always wanted that. I always knew I had it in me. So, now it’s just displaying the work that I’ve put in before and trusting myself, and my ability and my confidence.”

For Royce Freeman, this is not his first rodeo. He’s been there and done that. He’s no longer a novice at this game. This is his sixth year in the league. He began his career with the Denver Broncos after starring at the University of Oregon.

The Rams are the fourth team that Freeman has played for. After rushing for 73 yards on 17 carries in a 17-16 Rams’ win against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11, Freeman said he appreciates the opportunity he got to step in for Williams.

“Grateful for the opportunity I did have and the coaching staff for trusting me to give me the ball and allow me to make plays,” Freeman said.

In the Rams second matchup of the season against the Cardinals in Week 12, Freeman picked up where he left off against the Seahawks, rushing for 77 yards and 13 carries in a 37-14 road win for Los Angeles. As a team, the Rams rushed for 228 yards against Arizona.

On Wednesday, before the Rams played the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke highly about the progress Freeman has made in the backfield in the last several weeks.

“I think a guy that’s taken advantage of his opportunities,” McVay said. “When Kyren (Williams) went down and then when also (running back) Ronnie (Rivers) went down, he immediately is thrust into basically a starting role. He was already doing some really good things for (special teams coordinator) Chase (Blackburn) and (special teams assistant coach Jeremy Springer) ‘Spring’ on special teams.”

McVay continued, “This is a guy that’s played a lot of football in this league. He’s very mature. He’s a grown man if you will, and he plays like a grown man. I think there’s a physical nature to his game. He’s really smart. He picks things up quickly. I think (he’s) really coachable.”

After missing four games due to an ankle sprain, Williams returned for his first game of action. The Rams’ opponent was once again the Cardinals. This time around, Williams rushed for 143 yards on 16 carries to help the Rams defeat the Cardinals for the second time this season.

McVay would like to see more of the same from Williams.

“I think just the consistency. You don’t have to press it all. Play one snap at a time,” McVay said regarding the biggest challenge Williams faces. “Whatever your role is within the framework of the call. Each week is a new week. He did an excellent job last week. We’ve got to prepare to expect to play well again.”

The Rams have always had great downhill runners. Some have had more speed than others. Some could simply bull their way past you. Then there have been running backs like Eric Dickerson who could both run over you and scoot by you with his speed.

Manning the running back position for the Rams means tracking down the pathway laid down by a Dickerson, Lawrence McCutcheon, Wendell Tyler, Todd Gurley, Dick Bass, and Marshall Faulk. Cam Akers was thought to be the next great Rams running back, but the former Florida State star never quite panned out.

So for the last couple of seasons, the Ram and McVay have been using a running back-by-committee approach for their rushing attack. That method proved to be successful during the team’s Super Bowl LVI run when Akers missed a large portion of that season.

In 2022, with quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp having to cut their season to injuries, the Rams used a slew of running backs to help move the chains. This season, Williams has taken over the lead running back mantle. In an October interview, Williams said he approaches each game with the same mindset.

“It’s another opportunity to change my life,” Williams remarked. “That’s all I think it as…It’s another opportunity to go out there and get a win with this team. So this is just another opportunity just to go play the game that I love also. I don’t really focus on who we’re playing or who they got…it all depends on how we play.”

Freeman and Rivers, who is on injured reserve, provide McVay and the Rams with solid depth at the running back position. In August, the Rams signed Freeman to the practice squad. By September, Freeman was on the team’s 53-man roster.

“Every since I’ve been elevated…(just) going out there doing whatever is asked of me and playing my roles as best that I can to contribute, Freeman said at that time.

Being able to do a little bit of everything may have opened the door for Freeman to make the Rams roster.

“Obviously, staying ready for anything that comes my way offensively, but right now, obviously, they have me on special teams, go out and make plays, you know, contribute, try to make impact plays for offense and defense. So never take those lightly.”

Being a veteran, Freeman knows and understands that versatility works well for a running back.

“In today’s running back…you got to pass protect, block, catch,” said Freeman. “You know, you got to be smart mentally, be able to keep up with the protections, and then special teams…you know, you have those guys that can also do that. So I believe that there’s a lot of guys out there that are able to do a lot of things at the running back position.”