Cam Akers: A Knives Out Mystery

[AvengerRam]

We like to think that we, as fans, can generally explain things that happen on the field. Even in the case of apparent anomalies, we can generally glean enough information to postulate why players succeed or fail.

In the case of Cam Akers’ 2022 campaign, however, I have to admit… I’m somewhat stumped.

Let’s review…

Cam, though almost certainly less than 100%, was sufficiently recovered from his torn Achilles to play in the 2021-22 playoffs. And, while he was not overly effective, he had his moments, particularly against Arizona, when he had 95 yards from scrimmage, including a big 40 yard reception on a throw from OBJ.

With several additional months to complete his recovery, we had high hopes for Cam in 2022. Instead, his first half of the season could only be described as a nightmare. His numbers were poor: 60 carries (8.6 per game) for 186 yards (26.6 per game), a 3.1 ypc, 1 TD and 2 receptions for 3 yards. To make matters worse, he was supplanted by Darrell Henderson as the primary ball carrier, benched, and nearly traded (apparently, nobody wanted him).

Was it a lingering issue with his Achilles? Pouting about playing time? A side-effect of the OL disaster? Some other off-field issue? All of the above?

I would have just filed it in the “oh well” file and assumed he’d be gone this offseason.

Then, unexpectedly and inexplicably… everything changed.

In the final eight games, Cam had 126 carries (15.8 per game) for 610 yards (76.3 per game), a 4.8 ypc, 6 TDs and 11 receptions for 99 yards. He finished particularly strong, with three consecutive 100+ yard games.

To put that in perspective, if you project his rushing totals to a full season, that’s 1,296 yards, which would have ranked 5th in the NFL this year.

So… will the real Cam Akers please stand up?

The mystery continues. Can the Rams count on Akers to continue his late season production and focus on bolstering other parts of the roster, or is RB still a need position?

My gut is… we can’t trust him entirely, and we need another RB to compete. I say that, however, with no real understanding of, or explanation for, Cam’s 2022 season.

It remains a mystery.

 

[Merlin]

We'll never know. But I think at its roots it was about a poor RB coach who mismanaged his roster and created the problem.

Not gonna rehash what I've said a million times here, and save everyone the pain of scrolling past it. But I will say the priority going into this offseason should be a backup bell cow. We need a backup who can carry the load in the event Akers can't go or can't do the job for whatever reason. We cannot enter this season fully dependent on Cam Akers. Love the guy but that is the simple truth here.

The kid we just drafted last year looks like a nice change of pace. He improved the quality of the room. To my eye we are two deep now in quality in that group, so draft another one mid to late rounds and bring in a couple UDFAs to ensure you have options and we should be good to go.

 

[Lunchbox]

The only thing I can point to that makes any sense is that his resurrection coincided with Thomas Brown being moved back to coaching the RB room and the departure of coach Samples.

 

[GoodBadUgly]

The only thing I can point to that makes any sense is that his resurrection coincided with Thomas Brown being moved back to coaching the RB room and the departure of coach Samples.

(Putting on best southern drawl): Well, don't forget, it also coincided with the waiving of Henderson. Could it be there was tension there, and the Rams backed the wrong horse when they tried to trade Akers? Then when they couldn't move him and waived Henderson instead, they lucked into a rejuvenated Akers?

 

[Merlin]

(Putting on best southern drawl): Well, don't forget, it also coincided with the waiving of Henderson. Could it be there was tension there, and the Rams backed the wrong horse when they tried to trade Akers? Then when they couldn't move him and waived Henderson instead, they lucked into a rejuvenated Akers?

That's probably what Samples was telling them to do. For whatever reason he didn't seem to have a belief in Akers.

Also I would guess that they received calls for Akers but not Henderson. That type of thing can be a reality check that you're mis-evaluating your roster.

McVay is the man. But in spite of how good he is the guy has been a bit dysfunctional in handling his RB and TE rooms. Both positions badly require more investment. I'm real hopeful with TE this year. It's exciting to see a draft like this with so many options and I think we might finally hit on one.

 

[jrry32]

I think it was a combination of Cam still working his way back to 100%, the HB Coach and him not getting along, and Cam having a shit attitude (likely connected to him and the HB Coach not getting along). I can't remember which poster it was, but early in the season, one argued that the analytics showed we should bench Cam for Henderson because Hendo was the better back.

My argument against that was while Cam was struggling, it was worth giving him more opportunities because he has a lot more talent than Hendo and I thought he'd eventually bounce back to form. I'm happy that happened. Let's go get a gifted HB to pair with him and roll into next year with a strong HB room.

 

[PARAM]

Yes, please. Another RB, a bit larger than Akers. There are plenty to choose from.

Rochon Johnson, Zach Charbonet or Kendre Miller please

But......if we draft a RB, will that cause problems with Akers? If so, draft 2.

 

[blackbart]

If Brown sticks around to coach with the Rams I think Akers is recovering to be close to what was expected coming out of college. I think he proved himself over the last few games with a WAY below average Oline and QB play. And, I see no reason to bring in someone else to screw that up.

Draft another RB late who can be a short yardage guy, sure. Maybe look in FA this class is loaded but I wouldn’t over spend on any of them.

Really liked Pollard but I’m sure a lot of teams did and his price tag even with the late season ankle injury will be huge.

 

[PARAM]

If Brown sticks around to coach with the Rams I think Akers is recovering to be close to what was expected coming out of college. I think he proved himself over the last few games with a WAY below average Oline and QB play. And, I see no reason to bring in someone else to screw that up.

Draft another RB late who can be a short yardage guy, sure. Maybe look in FA this class is loaded but I wouldn’t over spend on any of them.

Really liked Pollard but I’m sure a lot of teams did and his price tag even with the late season ankle injury will be huge.

We gotta get one. We're only 2 deep. 3 if you count Rivers. Why not draft one? The consensus approach by NFL teams these days is draft one every couple of years and keep them coming. No need for another Gurley-type contract ever again.

 

[blackbart]

We gotta get one. We're only 2 deep. 3 if you count Rivers. Why not draft one? The consensus approach by NFL teams these days is draft one every couple of years and keep them coming. No need for another Gurley-type contract ever again.

I did say draft a short yardage guy. I think Akers showed who he is down the stretch when he was getting a decent number of attempts.

I don’t think they need to spend the draft capital on a guy to compete with Akers this year. 24 may be time to add someone like that.

 

[Loyal]

I guess I see it differently. To me, Cam took advantage of better QB play and resulting confusion for defenses. Mayfield could actually throw the ball, unlike the two scrubs we kept starting before we acquirEd Him.
His blocking seemed to improve. I remember early in the season he appeared to be an unwilling blocker on one play and Stafford got bulldozed. I wanted to fire his ass right then, but then during the 4 game stretch he had another chance and made a terrific block on a big defender with a little bit of stank on it.
I say we draft an RB who can bulldoze the Dline whenever he wants…

 

[CGI_Ram]

Man this is a good read. Good topic @AvengerRam

We'll never know. But I think at its roots it was about a poor RB coach who mismanaged his roster and created the problem.

Not gonna rehash what I've said a million times here, and save everyone the pain of scrolling past it. But I will say the priority going into this offseason should be a backup bell cow. We need a backup who can carry the load in the event Akers can't go or can't do the job for whatever reason. We cannot enter this season fully dependent on Cam Akers. Love the guy but that is the simple truth here.

The kid we just drafted last year looks like a nice change of pace. He improved the quality of the room. To my eye we are two deep now in quality in that group, so draft another one mid to late rounds and bring in a couple UDFAs to ensure you have options and we should be good to go.

I am here with you @Merlin

The only thing I can point to that makes any sense is that his resurrection coincided with Thomas Brown being moved back to coaching the RB room and the departure of coach Samples.

That seems a big data point to me.

(Putting on best southern drawl): Well, don't forget, it also coincided with the waiving of Henderson. Could it be there was tension there, and the Rams backed the wrong horse when they tried to trade Akers? Then when they couldn't move him and waived Henderson instead, they lucked into a rejuvenated Akers?

Oooh. Hmm. There might be some truth there, but this would definitely qualify as a stumper for me. I wonder if we ever learn more?

 

[ScotsRam]

If Bijan Robinson is there for our 2nd round pick... we gotta at least THINK about that, right?

 

[majrleaged]

Yes, please. Another RB, a bit larger than Akers. There are plenty to choose from.

Rochon Johnson, Zach Charbonet or Kendre Miller please

But......if we draft a RB, will that cause problems with Akers? If so, draft 2.

Yeah, I have had it with this teams propensity to bring in small players. small center, small receiver, small running backs, small cornerbacks. We arent breaking tackles. We arent tackling, we arent able to make short yardage run unless we are trying to run far. LOL, and we struggle to cover big receivers. Time to get big. Everywhere.

 

[PARAM]

I did say draft a short yardage guy. I think Akers showed who he is down the stretch when he was getting a decent number of attempts.

I don’t think they need to spend the draft capital on a guy to compete with Akers this year. 24 may be time to add someone like that.

Sure you do....unless you want an UDFA RB. Besides, with 4 comp picks, 5 if Morris gets a HC job....we'll have 10 or 11 picks. Surely one of them will be a RB. Let's just hope it's a big one.

I guess I see it differently. To me, Cam took advantage of better QB play and resulting confusion for defenses. Mayfield could actually throw the ball, unlike the two scrubs we kept starting before we acquirEd Him.
His blocking seemed to improve. I remember early in the season he appeared to be an unwilling blocker on one play and Stafford got bulldozed. I wanted to fire his ass right then, but then during the 4 game stretch he had another chance and made a terrific block on a big defender with a little bit of stank on it.
I say we draft an RB who can bulldoze the Dline whenever he wants…

Size matters! Roschon Johnson 6'2 223

If Bijan Robinson is there for our 2nd round pick... we gotta at least THINK about that, right?

Whooooo! I don't know. He'd be hard to resist. But the ever present need for Edge is there. Depends on who they have their eye on there and who's left on the board. Personally, I'd like to see Edge - TE - RB with the first 3 (I have a feelng one way or the other we're gonna had another 3rd (Morris) or a 4th (a Snead deal).

Yeah, I have had it with this teams propensity to bring in small players. small center, small receiver, small running backs, small cornerbacks. We arent breaking tackles. We arent tackling, we arent able to make short yardage run unless we are trying to run far. LOL, and we struggle to cover big receivers. Time to get big. Everywhere.

Big and/or mean

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Wasn’t that around the time Nsekhe settled in, and we started having some consistency among the OL?