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Los Angeles Rams: 5 Key questions prior to training camp

By Greg Archuleta

May 22, 2017; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass as quarterbacks coach Greg Olson watches during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2017; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass as quarterbacks coach Greg Olson watches during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) attempts to evade Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter (51) during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) attempts to evade Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter (51) during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Will the real Todd Gurley please show up?

This question goes beyond the 2015 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Rams offseason included adding left tackle Andrew Whitworth and center John Sullivan to an overwhelmed unit from 2016.

Gurley’s struggles — 885 rushing yards with a 3.2-yard average and just six touchdowns — contributed to the offensive finishing last in total yards and total points per game last season.

To give an indication of the problems on the line, Greg Robinson, who was the team’s starting left tackle for most of 2016 — except when he was benched for two games — could be in a fight with Jamon Brown to start at right tackle in 2017.

Brown took snaps with the first unit during Tuesday’s practice; Robinson practiced with the second team. The Rams have to help Gurley recapture his confidence. Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole reported that members of Fisher’s outgoing staff blamed Gurley for his struggles.

It’s Gurley’s success that going to help Goff ease into his role as the Rams version of Cousins. If L.A. starts out slinging the ball all over the field to get Gurley going, that’s going to put a lot of undue pressure on Goff.

Gurley is the key to the Rams offseason and their success in 2017 because his success will help the Rams control the clock, which teams short on talent have to do to shorten the game and keep themselves competitive with the better teams.

Next: Each team's chances of winning Super Bowl 52

If Gurley turns back the clock to 2015, Goff should have a chance to show improvement over the course of the season that was lacking in 2016. If Gurley struggles, Goff likely also will struggle unless the Rams discover a consistent big-play contributor in the passing game.

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