The disappearance of Todd Gurley is one of the great mysteries of the superb warm performance of the Los Angeles Rams in their loss to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
The attacking midfielder, who scored 1831 yards and 21 touchdowns in the regular season, was limited to 10 runs for 35 yards and a one-yard loss in the 13-3 win over Nova Scotia. England.
This is a trend that has continued since the playoffs in which the new player, C.J. Anderson, led the Rams in assists and rushing yards in the wins over the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints.
From the change of pace to the mystery of the playoffs
When Anderson rushed to collect 123 yards and Gurley had 115 yards in the division's win against the Dallas Cowboys, the change of pace was a heady shot of head coach Sean McVay.
When Gurley only saw four passes for 10 yards in a close win against the Saints in the NFC championship game, the red flags were lifted. Something was clearly not going.
Rams said that Todd Gurley was in good health
But the Rams insisted that everything was fine. Gurley was not on pre-match injury reports, and the team said Gurley's knee injury in the last two weeks of the regular season was no longer a factor.
The Rams kept the line even after the Super Bowl.
"It is [healthy]McVay said, "I never allowed him to take an offensive pace … I think this is due in large part to what they did, but especially to the selection of the game. I was not at all happy with my sense of how the game was going and the adjustments I needed as the game progressed … I certainly did not do well enough for us, but Todd is in good health.
C.J. Anderson says Todd Gurley was injured
For the first time since the Super Bowl, we received conflicting reports that Gurley still had knee problems.
He came on Wednesday from Anderson, who opened the discussion on Gurley's fight against Skip Bayless in "Undisputed".
"He was hurt more than we thought," Anderson said. "The injury was a little more than everyone thought in the building, including himself."
Sprained knee?
So Gurley was not right, according to his back comrade. Anderson said Gurley had not talked about his injury, but had assumed he had a knee sprain at Bayless's request.
"Yeah, he never really told me," says Anderson. "It was hard. I would say sprained knee. Obviously, it's the same knee injury in his career. Obviously, my meniscus has been operated on and once you have a knee, you still have one knee. So it gets worse, and if he had a lot of contacts earlier in the year – obviously, he was one of the best half-offensives, that was probably the case. "
What Anderson said to Bayless confirms what seemed obvious to anyone watching the Rams during the playoffs. There is no rational explanation that the team did not use one of the best weapons in the game when the stakes were the most important, with the exception of the injury.
See Super Bowl photos:
18PICTURES
Super Bowl LIII: Patriots vs Rams
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Tom Brady (12) of the New World Patriots hit a Los Angeles Rams touchdown during the last minute of the Super Bowl on Thursday, February 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Foto / Jeff Roberson)
New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski (87) passes Marcus Peters (22) and Cory Littleton (58) in front of the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game , Sunday, February 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo / David J. Phillip)
Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots on the right intercepts a pass to the Brandin Cooks (12) of the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game on Sunday, February 3 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo / David J. Phillip)
Kyle Van Noy (53) of the New England Patriots fires Jared Goff (16) of the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game on Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta . (AP Photo / Mark Humphrey)
Jason McCourty (30) of the New England Patriots, Josh Reynolds (83) of the Los Angeles Rams (83), in the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game on Sunday, February 3 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo / Frank Franklin II)
Aaron Donald (99) of the Los Angeles Rams hits Tom Brady (12) of the New England Patriots in the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game on Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel)
The actions of Stephen Gostkowski (3) New England Patriots after scoring a goal in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots defeated Rams 13-3. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)
Robert Woods (17) of the Los Angeles Rams breaks the challenge of New England Patriots Jonathan Jones (31) in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game on Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)
New England Patriots Tom Brady (12) throw the ball as Ndamukong Suh (93) of the Los Angeles Rams rushes in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game on Sunday 3 February 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo / Morry Gash)
Jared Goff (16) of the Los Angeles Rams throws a pass in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo / Mark Humphrey)
Greg Zuerlein (4) of the Los Angeles Rams oversees his placement in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football match against the New England Patriots on Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson)
Jason McCourty (30) of the New England Patriots split a pass for the Brandin Cooks (12) of the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game on Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo / David J. Phillip)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 3: New England Patriots # 11 Julian Edelman leads the ball against John Johnson, No. 43 of the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on 03 February 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Bello / Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 3: Sony Michel # 26 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter at the Super Bowl LIII at the Mercedes-Benz stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
Atlantic, Georgia – February 3: Julian Edelman # 11 of the New England Patriots celebrates after defeating the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl LIII at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 3: Tom Brady, No. 12 New England Patriots, is interviewed after his 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams at the Super Bowl LIII at the Mercedes-Benz stadium on February 03, 2019. Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman, No. 11 New England Patriots and No. 12 teammate Tom Brady, celebrate the end of the Super Bowl LIII at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. Georgia. The New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 03: James Develin, No. 46 of the New England Patriots, celebrates with his son William Robert Develin after the Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta , in Georgia. The New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo of Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
Was McVay so reluctant to give Bill Belichick a competitive advantage that he preferred to hide Gurley's injury?
24PICTURES
Todd Gurley through his career
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 24: Todd Gurley # 30 of the Los Angeles Rams ahead of the San Francisco 49ers game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury / Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 1: Todd Gurley, No. 3 of the Georgia Bulldogs, carries the ball against the Buffalo Bulls at Sanford Stadium on September 1, 2012 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham / Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Todd Gurley # 3 and No. 29 Jarvis Jones of the Georgia Bulldogs rejoice after the Vanderbilt Commodores game at Sanford Stadium on September 22, 2012 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham / Getty Images)
University Football: Georgia Todd Gurley (3) in action, rushing against Tennessee at Sanford Stadium.
Athens, GA, the 29/09/2012
CREDIT: Al Tielemans (Photo Al Tielemans / Sports Illustrated / Getty Images)
(Set number: X155553 TK1 R4 F177)
ATHENS, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Todd Gurley No. 3 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium on September 29, 2012 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham / Getty Images)
Atlanta, Georgia – Dec. 1: Georgia Bulldogs No. 3 seed Todd Gurley takes the ball to Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the Georgia Dome SEC championship game on December 1, 2012 in Atlanta. in Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – AUGUST 31: Todd Gurley, No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs, reacts after scoring a touchdown during the Clemson Tigers game at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2013 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith / Getty Images)
University Football: Georgia Todd Gurley (3) during the game against South Carolina at Sanford Stadium.
Athens, GA 09/07/2013
CREDIT: Bill Frakes (Photo by Bill Frakes / Sports Illustrated / Getty Images)
(Set number: X156906 TK1 R9 F114)
ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 23: Back-to-back Todd Gurley, No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs fans near the hurdles after the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 23, 2013 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli / Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – SEPTEMBER 13: Todd Gurley, No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs, in the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Columbia, South Carolina. South Carolina won 38-35. (Photo by Joe Robbins / Getty Images)
September 27, 2014: Georgia Bulldogs midfielder Todd Gurley (3) is struck by Tennessee Volunteers midfielder Malik Foreman (22) in the Georgia Bulldogs' 35-32 win over the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland / SMI Icon / Corbis via Getty Images)
April 30, 2015: Todd Gurley is selected by the St. Louis Rams for the tenth pick of the first round and poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during the first round of the 2015 NFL draft at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, IL . (Photo of Rich Graessle / Sportswire / Corbis Icon via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 14: Todd Gurley, No. 30 Rams of St. Louis, stays away during his match against the Oakland Raiders at the O.C. Colosseum on August 14, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MON – OCTOBER 25: Todd Gurley celebrates St. Louis Rams No. 30 after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter in the third quarter at the Edward Jones Dome on October 25, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas / Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 04: Todd Gurley, No. 30 rookie of the St. Louis Rams, passes to safety, Rashad Johnson No. 26 of the Arizona Cardinals in the second half of the match. NFL at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 04: Todd Gurley UFC midfielder, No. 30 Rams of St. Louis, leaves the field after the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University Stadium. Phoenix October 4, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 24-22. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MON – NOVEMBER 1: Todd Gurley, No. 30 Rams of St. Louis, settles on the field during introductions before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Edward Jones Dome on November 1, 2015 in St. Louis , Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images)
Football: Close-up of St Louis Rams, Todd Gurley (30) and Stedman Bailey (12) praying before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium.
Minneapolis, MN 11/08/2015
CREDIT: Brad Rempel (Photo by Brad Rempel / Sports Illustrated / Getty Images)
(Set number: X160120 TK1)
November 22, 2015: St. Louis Rams midfielder Todd Gurley (30) prepares for M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photograph by Mark Goldman / Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Mark Goldman / Icon Sportswire / Corbis via Getty Images)
ST. Louis, Missouri – December 13: Todd Gurley # 30 of the St. Louis Rams jumps against the Detroit Lions at the Edward Jones Dome on December 13, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas / Getty Images)
Santa Monica, Calif. – April 18: Los Angeles-based midfielder Todd Gurley faces off against New York Jets Matt Forte with Chris Puckett (C) in Call Of Duty: Black Ops3 to celebrate the launch of the game. Eclipse DLC on April 18, 2016 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire / Getty Images for Activision)
Los Angeles, California – September 18: Todd Gurley's No. 30 Los Angeles Ram celebrates after the Rams defeated the Seahawks 9-3 in the opening game at the NFL at the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 18, 2016 at Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 09: Todd Gurley, No. 30 of the Los Angeles Rams, prepares to enter the field to play the Buffalo Bills game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 9, 2016 in Los Angeles, California . (Photo of Harry How / Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 11: (LR) Kenny Britt # 18, Brian Quick # 83, Bradley Marquez # 15 and Todd Gurley # 30 of the Los Angeles Rams walk through the tunnel to warm up before the start of the match the Atlanta Falcons at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 11, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. The Falcons defeated the Rams 42-14. (Photo by Jeff Gross / Getty Images)
HIDE CAPTION
SHOW CAPTION
It seems unlikely, unless something more important than the persistent struggles of a knee strain surfacing, that we ever get a direct response from the Rams about Gurley's health.
And the Rams might think that Anderson's candidacy is contrary to the reality of society.
But between watching the Rams and hearing Anderson's comments on Wednesday, it's not hard to do the math.
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