Rams QB Matthew Stafford Has High Expectations for RB Cam Akers
Go back in time six months to tell Los Angeles Rams fans this past October that running Cam Akers would still be on the team by season's end and they might chuckle at you. But who's laughing now?
Not only is Akers still with the Rams despite all the trade drama and two-game absence of last season, but he's set to be the starting running back for a team that will be seeing tons of familiar faces returning after an injury-riddled campaign. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is certainly one of the more notable names ready to hit the playing field again.
After already dealing with elbow tendinitis in August, Stafford's season was cut short due to a worrisome spinal cord bruise and a concussion. But during his time on the sideline, he got to watch Akers close out the year on a high note with three straight 100-yard rushing games, which included a three-touchdown performance on Christmas Day against the Denver Broncos.
Stafford now has a fresh reminder of what Akers can do. So with that, he's setting expectations high for the fourth-year running back headed into 2023.
“It was an interesting perspective being on the sideline at the end of the year watching him," Stafford said. "I thought he did an unbelievable job setting the tone in the run game for us. ... (I’m) looking for him to continue to build off of that."
Stafford almost sounds like a coach the way he's looking for improvement from the players around him. But as a grizzled vet, he's earned the right to be somewhat of an extension of coach Sean McVay. After all, McVay (37) is only two years older than his starting quarterback (35).
If the Rams want to bounce back from one of the biggest Super Bowl hangovers in NFL history, Akers will need to match or exceed what Stafford expects. Luckily, he's already been heavily active at the facility this offseason.
"You’d love to see that surge at the end of the year continue into this year, and that's going to take hard work," Stafford said. "I've been in here working out on and off for a while now. I see him every time I'm in here so that's a good thing for me to see.”
Akers finished off the season strong, turning a confusing year into the best campaign of his NFL career. He totaled a career-high in games played (15), carries (188), rushing yards (786), and rushing touchdowns (seven) a year removed from tearing his Achilles.
Topping these numbers won't necessarily be easy for a rushing offense that was one of the league's worst last season. But in his corner, Akers has Stafford as one of his biggest believers.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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