The St. Louis Rams plan to do some running in 2012. Jeff Fisher's teams leaned heavily on the run in Tennessee, and Brian Schottenheimer, the new offensive coordinator, has already stated his preference for having a pair of running backs. With that priority so clearly spelled out, the next step for the Rams will be finding a back or two to pair with Steven Jackson. One name to keep an eye on is San Diego Chargers free agent Mike Tolbert.
Rotoworld's Evan Silva has an excellent, thorough look at the free agent running back picture, and notes a connection between Tolbert and the Rams' new offensive coordinator.
Schottenheimer has roots in Norv Turner's system, which is an antecedent of the Air Coryell system. Tolbert is a good third down option as a decent pass blocker and a good pass catcher. He caught 54 passes last year for 433 yards and two touchdowns.
As a running back, the 243 lbs Tolbert is a solid option in short yardage and goal line situations. He does not have the kind of explosiveness needed for a feature back.
0 recs | 30 comments
we already got a big power back in sj39
Why would we need this guy
Ramzman18 - February 17, 2012 via mobile
I may be mistaken...
But I think the article said that this guy wasn’t a big power back… It sounded more like he’s a 3rd down option running back… One that you can either hand the ball off to, keep in the backfield to pass protect, or have him run a dump route to pick up a few yards out of the backfield… I don’t think they’d bring him in to be a 1st and 10 power house rb…
RamsIchor - February 17, 2012
there are better options
for a pass-catching running back. Tolbert is a power runner that can catch. SJ 39 is a much better power runner that can catch. What we need is a change of pace type guy like Pead.
DR225 - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Good guy! Isiah pead is my ideal back with a dose of lamichael james or rainey!
Boy Yottic - February 17, 2012 via mobile
No
Ill take a scar back that isn’t injured every play.
RAMSALLTHEWAY - February 17, 2012 via mobile
scat
RAMSALLTHEWAY - February 17, 2012 via mobile
This dude is a bowling bowl who can catch....
I would take him for sure
Rcoon1307 - February 17, 2012 via mobile
No we have a better version of him in SJax
we need a RB with explosiveness and speed. Chris Rainey is my guy.
Brick Top - February 17, 2012
But Chris Rainey can't run the ball in the NFL...
I do love his explosiveness and his straight line speed though. With our line Rainey will get killed
Rcoon1307 - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Sure he can run the ball in the league
same thing was said about dexter mccluster and chirs johnson
Brick Top - February 17, 2012
mccluster hasnt exactly been a good rb
itsvon - February 17, 2012
Anyone think.....
We could get James from Oregon in the 3rd round? I’d rather have a change of pace back also. We don’t need another power runner behind SJax
Paparro8 - February 17, 2012
Probably could
but I would prefer Rainey, my new draft crush.
Brick Top - February 17, 2012
He wouldn't be bad either
rainey is pure speed! I also like Chris Polk from Washington…
Paparro8 - February 17, 2012
i would love if polk fell all the way to the rams third round maybe even fourth.
STLOUISRAMS - February 17, 2012
Polk seems like he could be a sleeper. He’s got great size and pretty good speed. I think he would be worth a shot if he fell to the third…
Paparro8 - February 17, 2012
Gimme gimme gimme
Im sick of “oh, we need a scat back!” screw it. Give me Tolbert. We beat people up with SJax, then steam roll them with Tolbert
King Sam Rules! - February 17, 2012 via mobile
That would make sense
But we sure would need some help on the o-line. We havent been known for a smash mouth team
Paparro8 - February 17, 2012
Im with ya....look at Norwood
He was a cat back and now has lost speed with the injury. Rainey is alot like Norwood. One injury to the knee and he is useless. I would take Tolbert especially since for ehatever reason Jackson struggles putting into into the endzone from inside the 5 yard line
Rcoon1307 - February 17, 2012
*scat*
Rcoon1307 - February 17, 2012
Smash Mouth Backs
OK I’m outdated and have yet to research on which RB are available for this draft. Myself I like smash mouth football so if you all can enlighten me on whom is available etc that would be great.
BurnoutJoeB. - February 17, 2012
I would love this pickup! the rams need to add some toughness to the team and tolbert would fit great right behind jackson, if they made this pickup the rams would have a great backfield and would maybe finally be a feared running game in my opinion.
STLOUISRAMS - February 17, 2012
If we didnt have SJax sure
But we need a scar back, Lamicheal James in the early 4th would be great..
RG31 - February 17, 2012 via mobile
We really don't need a scat back...
Rcoon1307 - February 17, 2012
Everyone is obsessed with the term "scat back" bc of Darren Sproles....
for every Sproles there are 200 Norwoods.
Rcoon1307 - February 17, 2012
Norwood pre Rams and pre injuries
was a great scat back for the Falcolns.
Brick Top - February 17, 2012
id take him
i dont think you can have too much power right? when the opposing team has 2-240 lbs backs to tackle all game it would have to wear on them.
jackson doesnt need a change of pace, he is a stud. give him the ball as much as possible. tolbert is just a nice backup and occasional 3rd down back so spell jackson.
anyway, you could still pick up the proven nfl talent and draft your sub-200 lbs running back.
itsvon - February 17, 2012
Last season we got a caddy ....
… how did that turn out? His problem was in his lack of focus – - he gave the ball up at the wrong time! He caused us to lose points instead of TDs. It all depends on the system they run.
VETT - February 17, 2012
As a California Rams Fan I gotta say
I’ve seen a lot of San Diego games and Tolbert is a stud. He’s not a feature back so he wouldn’t be taking the job of any starting running back….but dude has good hands, can block and is a total bowling ball. When he gets going he’s hard to bring down. Imagine pounding away with SJax and then tossing in a wrecking ball to loosen up some mortar and then hitting it again with some SJax. Two hard hitting studs for the entire game….that called some wear and tear on the defense.
moy - February 17, 2012
Tolbert
A young RB with the versatility to power through holes on short yardage and catch the ball.
SJAX, Tolbert, and Doug Martin; an imposing backfield.
ValdezY - February 20, 2012
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