St. Louis Rams '09 RB Preview

(Photo by: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Here is a breakdown of his stats over the past three seasons.

08’ – 12 games - Rushing:  253 / 1042 = 4.1 yd avg. – 7 Td’s – 3 lost fumbles

                            Receiving:  40 / 379 = 9.5 yd avg. – 1 td

07’ – 12 games – Rushing:  237 / 1002 = 4.2 yd avg. – 5 Td’s – 2 lost fumbles

                             Receiving:  38 / 271 = 7.1 yd avg. – 1 td

06’ – 16 games – Rushing:  346 / 1528 = 4.4 yd avg. – 13 Td’s – 1 lost fumble

                             Receiving:  90 / 806 = 9.0 yd avg. – 3 Td’s

Projected Backup (Kenneth Darby) – Darby a seventh round selection by Tampa Bay out of Alabama who was an all SEC first team selection in 2005 played in only one game for the Bucs, he spent the rest of his time on the practice squads of Tampa Bay and Atlanta before joining the Rams in '08.

He played in 10 games for the Rams in 2008 giving him a career total of eleven.  Darby’s career rushing totals are 34 / 149 = 4.4 yd avg. with one lost fumble.  His receiving stats are 21 / 199 = 9.5 yd avg., he has even returned nine kickoffs. 

I know you’re probably thinking I’m related to Darby but I assure you I am not.  He is a better receiver and blocker than Pittman and his stats are better as well.

Third String RB (Antonio Pittman) – Pittman was drafted in the fourth round by the Saints out of Ohio State in 2007.  A productive back in college who saw his status slide, then he was drafted by New Orleans who already had a full backfield which is why he didn’t make the final cut in training camp and was picked up by the Rams one week before the season.

Since Pittman signed with the Rams he has played in 23 games over the past two seasons starting in five of those contests.  His career rushing numbers are 117 / 435 = 3.7 yd avg. with one lost fumble.  His receiving stats are 21 / 147 = 7.0 yd avg. 

His best game came against the 49ers during week 11 last year in a 35–16 loss.  He rushed for 95 yards on 14 carries for a 6.8 yard average per carry.  He may be faster than Darby but he doesn’t excel in as many areas.

Fourth String Rookie (Chris Ogbonnaya) – This year’s seventh round draft pick is a converted wide receiver (freshman year) from the University of Texas.  Ogbonnaya holds a school record for most receptions by a running back (46) in 2008, he is also a four-time Academic all Big 12 honoree as well as a seven-time University of Texas Athletic Director’s Honor Roll member.   

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