The departure of Steven Jackson means the Rams' running back situation is wide open, with three inexperienced vets and one rookie competing for jobs. Daryl Richardson is the favorite, mostly because he's the only guy with a resume. As Jackson's understudy last season, he ran for 475 yards, averaged 4.8 yards per carry and demonstrated big-play capability. Isaiah Pead could push him, and the Rams would like that. But he was a huge disappointment as a rookie, with only 10 carries. That's not what the Rams were expecting from their second-round pick, nor is this: Pead must serve a one-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Nevertheless, look for him to compete with rookie Zac Stacy and journeyman Terrance Ganaway for carries in what could be a crowded, running-back-by-committee approach.
This is a take from a national site which basically summarizes what we already know about the Rams' backfield -- it's messy. We're expecting Richardson to be the lead runner, but things could change quickly if Pead or Stacy can separate themselves from the pack.
Falcons news
