Manti Te'o explains why Kyren Williams puts defenses in a 'very uncomfortable situation'

Yahoo

3 days ago

Kyren Williams is entering his third season as the Los Angeles Rams' starting running back after rushing for a total of 2,443 yards in the last two years alone. He's also added 66 catches for 388 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver, contributing in multiple ways for the Rams.
Though the Rams do have talent behind him with Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter, it's Williams' job to lose. The coaching staff loves him, as do his teammates, which is why the team is considering an extension for the young running back.
His ability to rack up yards on the ground and also help out as a receiver is what makes him so dangerous, says former NFL linebacker Manti Te'o. He explained to Rich Eisen this week why Williams puts defenses in 'a very uncomfortable situation' when he's on the field no matter the down and distance.
'The thing about the one-back approach is this: It keeps everything at your disposal,' Te'o said. 'When you send in a scat back, defensively, I know 80% of the time you're going to throw the ball. So there's a tendency marker that defensively, I can get into your huddle a little bit. 'OK, if I see Alvin Kamara back there, yeah, he can run the ball. But you're mainly throwing him the ball.' So defensively, when you have Kyren in the game first and second and third down, I don't know what you're going to do. It just puts the defense in a very uncomfortable situation and position to be in.'
The Rams have long preferred to have a workhorse back, going back to the days of Todd Gurley – one of the best dual-threat players of the last decade. He played a ton of snaps for the Rams, often staying on the field on third down because he was such a dangerous receiver.
Williams isn't quite the pass catcher that Gurley is, but he's a terrific blocker in the backfield and is particularly good as a receiver in the red zone. Corum and Hunter are capable receivers, as well, but if the Rams bring them in exclusively on third downs, it'll be a tell for the defense.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' Kyren Williams puts defenses in 'uncomfortable situation'