LOS ANGELES — As he prepared for his rookie season, Rams running back Blake Corum decided to experiment with playing at a higher weight. A little extra muscle, the thinking went, to withstand the punishment of playing in the NFL.
But after a year of playing around 210-212 pounds, Corum said he felt like he had sacrificed some of his explosiveness in the name of size. So as he prepared for offseason activities and training camp, Corum targeted 206 pounds as his playing weight, the same as it was during his junior year at Michigan when he rushed for 1,463 yards while averaging 5.9 per carry.
The results have been apparent on the field. Corum looks shiftier, able to cut and make defenders miss. As the Rams held their first day of practice in full pads on Monday, Corum was bursting through the hole during 11-on-11 periods.
“I feel way faster. I hit 22 miles per hour a bunch of times in OTAs. So I’m back to how I was feeling not playing so heavy,” Corum said. “You do trial and error. Now 205, 206, that’s where I feel my best at, my fastest at, cutting ability and I’m still pound-for-pound as strong as I’ve ever been.”
Last season was a new experience for Corum, one of the most productive rushers in the nation during his Michigan career. Playing behind lead back Kyren Williams as a rookie, Corum had just 58 carries for 207 yards, with several of his most successful runs called back by penalty.
He didn’t even get to enjoy Week 18 with Williams resting, rushing just twice before he broke his forearm, ending his season before he could participate in the playoffs.
“For me, I just go back on my faith. God’s time is the right time,” Corum said. “And I know I don’t rush into anything and our coaches are going to put us in the best position to win. That’s what it’s all about is winning games and making the most of your opportunities, learn from it.”
As he healed from the broken bone, Corum spent the first part of the offseason in Los Angeles. He frequented the team’s training facility in Woodland Hills, watching tape of his carries, of Williams’ carries. He spent some extra time on the playbook, reevaluating what he had just experienced as a rookie.
That study has led to a greater degree of confidence for Corum as he navigates his second NFL training camp.
“I think that definitely helped as far as just understanding this offense and then now I feel like I know it inside out where I can now just be myself,” Corum said. “Sometimes last year I felt like I was just a little too hesitant, I didn’t know if this was the right move, kind of a robot a little bit. Where now I’m just out there playing fast and if a mistake happens, it happens but I’m gonna do it full speed and live with it.”
The emphasis on speed in all things is a key for Corum during training camp.
A year ago, he was transitioning from the old-school, power offense that he played in at Michigan to the Rams’ modern scheme under Sean McVay. That slowed down some of the processing. Now with a little more comfort, and less of the rookie nerves, Corum feels unleashed.
“Last year I was maybe a little bit more timid to make a mistake, being a rookie you want to make sure everything’s perfect,” Corum explained. “But now it’s like if it happens, I’m going to do it full-speed and if a mistake does happen, I might make something out of that mistake just knowing my capabilities, my cutting abilities, making people miss. But playing fast is key. I don’t feel like I necessarily played to my speed last year and that’s what I’m trying to show.”
The work, on and off the field, has been noticed in the Rams’ building.
“He’s a very good football player, but the best part about Blake is his mindset is right,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “He’s just attacking it. He’s worried about himself.”
Notes
Wide receiver Davante Adams and tight end Tyler Higbee were off with veteran rest days on Monday.
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (calf) was dressed and participated fully in practice after being limited last week.