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At 6’0”, 220 lbs. he has the size to be an effective NFL running back but his 4.55 speed is a concern. However with his receiving skills he may develop into a nice third down option giving Steven Jackson a few more plays off during games keeping him fresh.
His collegiate career rushing stats are 140 / 597 = 4.3 yard avg. and 8 Td’s, while his receiving stats are 75 / 792 = 10.6 yard avg. and 3 Td’s. He is still a work in progress with a limited amount of reps but with his academic history he should be able to digest the playbook, which can sometimes be an area of trouble for rookies.
Fifth String RB (Samkon Gado) – Gado has played in 26 career games with eight starts; the Rams are his fourth NFL team. You may remember the undrafted rookie out of Liberty most for the second half of his rookie year when he was assigned to the Green Bay Packers active roster.
In eight games, five starts he posted 659 total yards with 7 Td’s (six rushing). Since then he hasn’t been able to find anything close to that success.
Starting FB (Mike Karney) – Karney has spent his entire career up until now with the New Orleans Saints after they drafted him in the fifth round out of Arizona State in 2004. He has started 46 of 75 career games, and was named second-team All-Pro in 2006.
Mainly a battering ram at 5’11”, 255 lbs. he also contributes by scoring a touchdown every 9.6 touches. An excellent blocker with solid receiving skills, Karney will have an immediate impact on the ground game.
In conclusion, the Rams running back position is an above average unit. This grade rests solely on the shoulders of the starting battery of Steven Jackson and Mike Karney.
As with the quarterback position health will be the main factor in this unit living up to its grade. Karney will not only help make holes for Jackson but he will take some of the pounding away that has hampered Jackson’s health the past two seasons.
Darby and Pittman should also benefit from Karney’s presence when they spell Jackson. Both are young and lack quality experience but have potential to be solid backups in the league. Gado has the most experience and success of the non-starters but I fear he may be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
By drafting Ogbonnaya they have a back lacking speed and experience, but above average receiving skills will help in the new offense. The bottom line is that any injury to Jackson will spell certain doom for the running game, don't be suprised if the Rams go after a proven veteran like Warrick Dunn to add in the mix. But if not hold your breath because it will be a long season.
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