LIII.Rams need Gurley to be old, productive self in Super Bow

Gurley 100% for Super Bowl Los Angeles Rams Hats , says Sean McVay | ESPNLos Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said running back Todd Gurley II is feeling “100 percent” and is expected to play a big role against the New England Patriots in Super Bowll | Washington PostIf the Los Angeles Rams are going to be at their best in Sunday’s Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, if they’re going to be the team that looked so balanced and so complete and near unstoppable on offense at times this season, they sure could use some help from Todd Gurley.Why C.J. Anderson is a better fit for the offense than Gurley right now | Sports IllustratedWalking into the tunnel at halftime in Week 16 at Arizona, Rams veteran center John Sullivan pulled aside C.J. Anderson, who had signed just days earlier, and asked the one question that has followed the soon-to-be 28-year-old running back since: “How on Earth were you available!?”50 years of play-action evolution have led to Sean McVay’s Rams | The RingerThe notion of faking runs to help the passing game is as old as football itself. So how has McVay used that concept to make these Super Bowl–bound Rams unlike any offense that’s come before them?Preview: Rams, Patriots square off for glory of Super Bowl LIII | Rams’ official siteThe Los Angeles Rams (15-3) and New England Patriots (13-5) are set for 60 minutes of Super Bowl LIII football in the heart of the south.In honor of Super Bowl LIII, 53 facts about the Los Angeles Rams | LA TimesIn honor of the Los Angeles Rams’ return to the Super Bowl, here are 53 facts about the team’s ovine counterparts.McVay and Goff formed winning bond from first meeting | OC RegisterIn a romantic relationship, a meeting with the parents is a big moment. When the Rams thought they might choose to commit to Coach Sean McVay, they knew they had to talk to Jared Goff.Rams, Patriots ready for Super Bowl generation game | Yahoo! SportsTom Brady will chase a record-breaking sixth Super Bowl crown on Sunday as the New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams in a clash of the generations set to rewrite NFL history.Patriots-Rams matchups: Who has the edge? | Boston HeraldThe date was Feb. 3, 2002. That’s when the Patriots launched their historic run in Super Bowl XXXVI against the Rams. That’s when they beat the Greatest Show on Turf. Seventeen years later, on the very same date, will play the same Rams team – another offensive juggernaut – in Super Bowl LIII. How will this game shake out? Let’s take a look at the matchups.Ex-Patriot Talib gives life to Rams’ secondary | Patriots’ official siteThere were no hard feelings on the part of Aqib Talib when the Denver Broncos traded him to Los Angeles during the offseason, even after his fifth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl and only two seasons removed from his first and only All-Pro selection.John Johnson III gains Eagles fans after mocking Saints | Philly Inquirer Rams safety John Johnson III has become a folk hero of sorts among some Eagles fans after he mocked the Saints’ “Choppa Style” celebration in the NFC championship game.Brady gives AD99 the ultimate praise: “One of the best to ever play the game” | CBS ChicagoIf there’s one way to really stifle Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense, it’s to generate pressure up the middle. As a pocket quarterback, Brady’s most deadly when he has the time to stand tall while scanning the field before stepping up and delivering strikes from sideline to sideline. Take that comfort level away from him, and the entire Patriots’ offense sputters.Donald gets a taste of the J.J. Watt experience | Houston ChronicleRams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is going to win his second consecutive NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award when it’s announced Saturday night at the NFL Honors Show.Patriots O-line gearing up to face Rams’ star Aaron Donald | NFL NetworkThe interior of the New England Patriots’ offensive line fully understands it has a problem on its hands heading into Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams.Rams miss Kupp heading into Super Bowl | Spokesman ReviewCooper Kupp Los Angeles Rams Hoodie , a second-year receiver with the Los Angeles Rams, won’t get to suit up for the biggest football game on Earth, either, the product of a season-ending knee injury he sustained in November. Rams up for Offensive Line of the Year | 247 SportsFrom the high-powered offensive attack to the formidable defense, the Los Angeles Rams seem like they have it all. One of the most underrated facets of the team however is the offensive line.Rams’ Super Bowl Surge Gives New Life To Warren Beatty’s ‘Heaven Can Wait’ | DeadlineHeaven only knows whether Jared Goff will lead the Los Angeles Rams to a historic victory in Super Bowl LIII this Sunday, but kickoff can’t get here quick enough for Hollywood legend Warren Beatty. “The phone keeps ringing,” Beatty said. “What’s been going on, well, it’s kind of ridiculous.”A hot dog is how much at Super Bowl LIII? | Fox 46 Charlotte Super Bowl tickets... $2,600 to $4,600, hotel room... $500 to $5,000 a night... paying $2 for a hot dog at the NFL’s biggest game of the year... priceless. On a sweltering late-summer afternoon, more than 6,000 fans trekked north on Interstate 29 to see the Kansas City Chiefs participate in a training-camp practice at Missouri Western State University.More specifically, to see Patrick Mahomes II participate in practice.The Chiefs' first-round pick in last year's draft, Mahomes is poised to begin his NFL quarterback career in earnest after the offseason trade of Alex Smith to Washington. He's the best hope of Chiefs fans for a homegrown star at the game's most important position since Todd Blackledge failed to live up to similarly massive expectations in the early 1980s.Mahomes carries the weight of an organization that hasn't made the Super Bowl since 1970 on his strong right arm.It's an enormous amount of pressure on a quarterback with one career start."I mean, I definitely have a bigger voice just being in the starting quarterback role," Mahomes said, "but there are so many leaders on this team. There are so many leaders and so many guys that have stepped up. When you have a team of leaders Youth Customized Los Angeles Rams Jerseys , those are the teams that have success."The Chiefs had plenty of success under Smith, at least in the regular season, including back-to-back AFC West titles for the first time in franchise history. But playoff success was maddeningly elusive, and it will be that barometer against which Mahomes is measured.Make the playoffs? That's the bare-bones expectations this season."There are high expectations," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, "but the important thing is that there are high expectations within the building and within the team."They demand that of themselves," Reid continued, "and you felt that in OTAs and I expect that to continue. I expect guys to challenge each other. That's the way you get better, and we have great competition that we're going to play this year, starting with the Chargers. You get yourself ready to go and take that upon yourself as an individual. Let's start there."As the Chiefs begin turning their attention toward their opener Sept. 9 in San Diego, here are some of the keys to keeping that division title streak intact:GETTING DEFENSIVE: The Chiefs were 28th in total defense last season, and must replace playmaking cornerback Marcus Peters and erstwhile stars Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali. New cornerback Kendall Fuller was impressive in camp, but free-agent signings David Amerson and Orlando Scandrick need to provide some depth at the Chiefs' most suspect position.WHAT A RUSH: The defense would be buoyed by an improved pass rush; the Chiefs managed just 31 sacks last season. Justin Houston has struggled to validate his $101 million, six-year deal, and former first-round pick Dee Ford has been hampered by injuries. Both need to live up to expectations."Would you love to have a million sacks? Yeah, I would love that," defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said, "but the biggest thing to use is always affecting the quarterback. That is the key deal."HAPPY HUNT-ING: Kareem Hunt was one of the NFL's breakout stars last season, when the third-round pick out of Toledo had a league-leading 1,327 yards rushing. Hunt comes into the season firmly entrenched as the team's No. 1 running back www.ramsauthorizedshops.com , and his ability to run behind a veteran offensive line will be crucial to taking some of the pressure off Mahomes and the passing game."To me, it's the same thing. I'm going to come out there and play football. Just do my job," Hunt said.ANOTHER NEW OC: The Chiefs are on their third offensive coordinator in five years after losing Doug Pederson to the Eagles, where he won the Super Bowl, and Matt Nagy to the Bears. The new man on the job is Eric Bieniemy, who was promoted from running backs coach and should provide some continuity.SCHEDULE SITUATION: The first six weeks of the season should tell whether the Chiefs are legitimate contenders. Four games are on the road, including trips to the Chargers and Steelers the first two weeks, and trips to Denver and New England. Home games in that stretch are against San Francisco and Jacksonville."I find it interesting that everyone always talks about, 'Oh, we have a really hard beginning.' These are all tough games," general manager Brett Veach said. "It doesn't matter who you open up with, who you end with. You never know who is going to get hurt and how this is going to play out. I know in this league, and coach mentions it every week, you win a game in this league, it doesn't matter who you are playing or when you are playing, it is tough. I think the schedule all looks tough."