The RAMS Forum

Akers had a brief streak in which he flashed numerous positives. Sony Michel has proved his worth, so I hope McVay doesn't forget to use Sony. McVay has usually used one back and has had difficulty using more than 1 effectively in the same game. Who do you think is better and why?

I'm on the Wolfie team; let's start him on Sunday and rest Michel and Akers.

My new mantra: Grind em up!

Akers has better hands so I could see him on 1st & 3rd downs. He has game-breaking ability when he touches the ball. Michel is a great "low center of gravity" kind of cutback runner who gets yds after contact. Doesn't seem to get nicked up.
I have loved watching how Michel has grabbed the RB job- he is arguably the best runner in the NFL the last month. How lucky we Rams fans are to have a braintrust with the foresight to make this late deal few noticed. Team would be cooked without Sony.

So no one is "better" to me, each brings strengths that are coming just in time.

Akers is better....he also gets that extra yard or two after contact....has more explosive play potential....and has better hands.

Sony is a good back....but I thought CJ was better and McV didn't want him back

McV covets explosive plays....McV is big on analytics and explosive plays are one he watches.

If healthy Akers is clearly better then Sony in pretty well everything, running, receiving and blocking.

If healthy Akers is clearly better then Sony in pretty well everything, running, receiving and blocking.

I prefer Michel for this playoff run. Sometimes a back is in the zone and Michel is in the zone. I wouldn't give him less than 20 carries in any game even with Akers available.

A 100% healthy Akers is better than Michel but what a great 1-2 punch this would be if they both were rolling in the playoffs. Akers has more juice and could really make some big plays in the passing game where Sony seems to struggle but what I like is rotating them every few series so they're both fresh and motivated. Can you picture how tough we would be to beat if the linebackers and safeties had to move up to stop the run. We were unstoppable with Goff at QB when Gurley was in his prime-I'm excited to see what Stafford could do in that scenario.....

Who’s better is just blah blah blah, we haven’t seen Cam perform post-mend yet.

We’ll need them both. The playoffs is a whole ‘nother level of play.

If Akers is healthy, McVay needs to use both.

If for some reason he only uses one, he’s nuts.

sanbagger wrote: ↑January 6th, 2022, 12:56 pm Akers is better....he also gets that extra yard or two after contact....has more explosive play potential....and has better hands.

Sony is a good back....but I thought CJ was better and McV didn't want him back

McV covets explosive plays....McV is big on analytics and explosive plays are one he watches.

I think CJ had a bit of a mouth that the Rams and as it turned out, no one else wanted. I think the Lions signed him and discarded him the next season.

CierraRam wrote: ↑January 7th, 2022, 6:52 am

sanbagger wrote: ↑January 6th, 2022, 12:56 pm Akers is better....he also gets that extra yard or two after contact....has more explosive play potential....and has better hands.

Sony is a good back....but I thought CJ was better and McV didn't want him back

McV covets explosive plays....McV is big on analytics and explosive plays are one he watches.

I think CJ had a bit of a mouth that the Rams and as it turned out, no one else wanted. I think the Lions signed him and discarded him the next season.

Hmm...makes sense

Thanks for the heads up

akers is more of a big play threat, he is a 4.47 40 guy, thats fast for a running back, Michel is average at 4.54, both are good after contact

How could McVay use both effectively? Alternate series? Equal number of touches? Situationally, down to down?

How would you use them both?

Safety Blitz wrote: ↑January 7th, 2022, 1:18 pm How could McVay use both effectively? Alternate series? Equal number of touches? Situationally, down to down?

How would you use them both?

Not McVay's style, but personally I would add two back sets and utilize Cams receiving abilities as a sure fire outlet for Stafford to check down to rather than these scary stick plays that are showing to go the other way as much as gaining anything these days. I cant recall a check down to a RB getting picked off all that often. Not with a QB the quality of Stafford anyway. You can create a lot of mis-direction in the run game with two back sets as well.. More effective actually running the ball. Better play action too and potential max protect if needed to spring Kupp and company on deeper routes.

Use Akers on 3rd and 5 or more.
Use Sony on 1st down and any drive that ends up 3rd and short.

If Akers were in mid season form--which obviously he isn't--I would feel more confident having him alternate touches with Sony--

Claremontram wrote: ↑January 6th, 2022, 12:34 pm I'm on the Wolfie team; let's start him on Sunday and rest Michel and Akers.

My new mantra: Grind em up!

Wolfie at RB??? love it.....long live SB

Coming into this season I was drafting Cam among the top RB's for my FF teams. If he fully recovers I believe he will have a very successful NFL career and the Rams will have one heck of a good RB corps. With that said who the heck knows what to expect from him this week and the next few-it would truly be miraculous if he was full go and in top form. Last season he showed power and burst and good pass catching skills-a true four down back!