Tim Klutsarits posted on August 24, 2009 08:00
The Rams have now played two preseason games and it does not appear we are not any closer to learning the answer to the question who will back up Steven Jackson at the running back position? Samkon Gado had a great first game and then a bad second one. Kenneth Darby was the opposite having a bad first game and then a decent game against the Falcons. Meanwhile Antonio Pittman continues to hang 
around to try and lay claim to the position. This was one of the bigger questions heading into camp and I don't think we are any closer to an answer then we were three weeks ago.
I think Steve Spagnuolo might have tipped his hand a little bit on who will win the battle when he was asked on Sunday about what he is looking for in a back up running back. Spagnuolo said, “Well, two things are real important in really any back-up position. It is to be able to be a quality special teams player and to have enough knowledge and mental capacity to, even though you are not getting all the reps in the week of practice, be able to not to skip a beat when you go in there. I think both of those things are important in any back-up spot.”
What that tells me is the backup running back is going to have to be a kick returner or punt returner. Both Gado and Darby have been very visable on kickoff and punt returns during the preseason while Pittman has not been put in either of those positions. What bothers me about this battle in relation to the special teams has been that neither Gado or Pittman or going to be gamechangers returning the ball. They might be good enough to make sure they secure the ball but neither one is going to be a real threat to return the kick or punt for a touchdown unless the blocking is perfect. Neither one is an elusive back that will be the threat that the Rams need returning kicks.
I think what should be the most important tie-breaker to this position battle is which running back will be able to protect the quarterback in pass defense and which back has the greatest capibility of running the ball 20+ times a game if Steven Jackson goes down. I am certain that Spagnuolo has that in the equation but it seems that there is a lot more weight being put on one of these guys being a returner then it should be. The reason being is it appears that there is no one on this roster who is going to be a real threat returning kicks which means the Rams are going to have another season where they just need someone to not make mistakes on special teams.
Thursday night vs. Cincinnati will prove to be a big night for Darby, Pittman and Gado. Darby may or may not play due to an injury. If Pittman has a big night he can claim this job as his. Gado needs to have a big game to make up for his awful performance against the Falcons. If I was setting the depth chart on Thursday, and Darby can't go, I would put Pittman as the starter and Gado in for the third and fourth quarters. Darby has gotten a shot with the first team as has Gado. Let's see how Pittman does with the first team and then a fair decision can be made, I think that will be the best way to solve this issue.
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