WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – When asked Monday on his weekly show about players he was excited to get an extended look at this Sunday against the Seahawks in wake of potentially resting some starters, Rams head coach Sean McVay brought up Blake Corum.
The rookie running back and 2024 third-round pick hasn't seen much action on offense this season, though Los Angeles over the last several weeks has made a concerted effort to get him some carries on one of their early drives. Based on McVay's comment's, that's likely to change this week.
"I'm excited about watching Blake Corum get a heavy workload," McVay said on the 2024 season finale of the Coach McVay Show with J.B. Long. "... I think Blake has flashed in some of the opportunities that he's gotten."
McVay in early December confirmed the Rams had been intentional about getting Corum work to help spell starter Kyren Williams early in each of their last five games.
"I think it's good to be able to get both of those guys some work," McVay said on Dec. 9. "You can really maximize... obviously, Kyren is our starter, but continue to take advantage of Blake. I think he's done a nice job each of the last two weeks getting a few more opportunities. I think it keeps Kyren fresher throughout the course of the game. Obviously, as games go on, there are some different scenarios, especially when you're in a tight game like what yesterday was that elicits a little bit different response. Blake being out there is something that I think's been earned and I think it's best for the group overall while keeping Kyren as fresh as possible while still allowing him to impact the game."
This week, the approach will have the dual benefit of achieving that and also allowing Corum to build more confidence.
In the two games Corum that got extended playing time, he had promising performances – eight carries for 42 yards (highlighted by 10 and nine-yard gains on his first two rushing attempts) against the Saints, and eight carries for 44 yards (highlighted by an 11-yard run on his second rushing attempt) against the Bills. He's also shown flashes of producing explosive runs – he had a 32-yarder against the Jets that was negated because of an illegal motion penalty.
Corum said those early-series carries are all "learning opportunities" that have helped him feel opposing defenses out. He's also gained a lot from working alongside Williams, position coach Ron Gould and the rest of Los Angeles' 2024 running back room. He said his football IQ has taken "a huge leap" and that group has helped his development with his pre-snap reads and the way he looks at defenses.
"I've grown a lot. I'm thankful to have running backs like Kyren in the room, and the rest of the running backs too," Corum said. "Ronnie (Rivers), he's been in the league the same amount of time as Kyren. And then Coach G, phenomenal coach. He does a tremendous job. Ever since I got here, he's done a great job."
Corum said he's "super excited" for the opportunity, "whether I got a lot of reps or a little bit."
"But planning on getting more than I have been, so getting in a rhythm actually, showing everyone what I can really do with some more opportunity, I'm gonna take my opportunities," Corum told theRams.com. "I'm thankful, I'm ready to go out there and win, but I'm preparing the same as I've been all season – watching a lot of film, treating each game as his own. But I'm ready."
