RB Antonio Pittman (official thread)

[Buckskin86]

Running backs are battling to back up Steven Jackson
BY BILL COATS bcoats@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8189
06/11/2009


Rams running back Antonio Pittman, right, breaks a tackle attempt by Charger Matt Wilhelm in the first quarter of a pre-season exhibition game between the St. Louis Rams and the San Diego Chargers Saturday at the Edward Jones Dome (Christian Gooden/P-D)

Asked about his preference at running back when Steven Jackson isn't in the game, Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur didn't hesitate. "We want Steven in there," he said, barely cracking a smile.

Well, sure. Jackson is one of the league's elite ball-carriers.

But given that nearly all successful NFL teams deploy two effective backs and that because of injuries, Jackson hasn't put together a full 16-game season since 2006, the question arises:

Who backs him up?

The answer might not surface until late in the preseason. The current roster includes five running backs ? one fewer since the trade May 7 of Brian Leonard, a second-round draft pick in 2007, to Cincinnati for defensive tackle Orien Harris.

That left Antonio Pittman, Kenneth Darby, Samkon Gado and rookie Chris Ogbonnaya, a seventh-round draftee, behind Jackson. During the spring, Pittman and Darby have gotten nearly all the reps with the second unit, earning them front-runner status.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo insists he has no favorite in this race.

"I'm not going to pin one against the other," he said. "I think both of the guys are picking up the system pretty well. ? I think both add certain things. I'm real anxious to see the competition when they put the pads on" at training camp.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Pittman was signed off waivers as a rookie in September 2007, after New Orleans let him go. The former All-Big Ten performer, who left Ohio State after his junior season, was the Saints' fourth-round draft choice.

A speedy slasher who does most of his damage between the tackles, Pittman spent most of that season as the No. 3 back behind Jackson and Leonard. He picked up 139 yards on 38 carries in 11 games.

Pittman moved up to the No. 2 role last season as Leonard missed most of the year with a shoulder injury. Pittman played in 12 games, with five starts while Jackson nursed a thigh injury. He wound up with 79 carries for 296 yards and 18 receptions for 132 yards.

The competition for the backup spot this year will be "very fun ? very fun," Pittman said. "This is what you make your team out of. You want guys that are going to come out there and compete every day."

"It's a very big role," Pittman said. "Being that guy that spells Steven, it's huge for the team, just so you know that when he comes out of the game, (the offense) doesn't skip a beat."

Running backs are battling to back up Steven Jackson - STLtoday.com

[Buckskin86]

Top 5 position battles for Rams in training camp
June 11

#2 Backup Running Back

There are a number of questions all over the Rams roster, but I think one that will be the most intriguing in training camp will be who will be the main backup to Steven Jackson. Last season Antonio Pittman took over the backup role when Brian Leonard was not able to perform. Pittman had some flashes last season, especially against the San Francisco 49ers in late November when he ran for 95 yards. Kenneth Darby also showed some flashes last season in backup duty. Bill Coats of the Post-Dispatch even goes as far as saying that Darby has the edge right now. I know most Rams fans are nervous about these two guys as the best options to back up Jackson. I believe those worries are justified and I hope the Rams do pick up someone else to back up Jackson. But if they don't I lean towards Darby because I think he is a harder runner than Pittman. But neither one is seperated by that much in my opinion.

Top 5 position battles for Rams in training camp

[Buckskin86]

It?s very early, but TE Joe Klopfenstein, who started 10 games last season, and RB Antonio Pittman, who started five and was the team?s second-leading rusher, appear to be facing a bumpy road to a roster spot this year.

Anybody have a spare Twitter device for the coach? | Rams Report | STLtoday

[Buckskin86]

Who will back up Steven Jackson? Darby is a decent No. 3 back, thanks to his pass catching skills. Gado looks the part with his heft, but he is a career depth guy. Pittman lacks the burst to be a true No. 2 back. Rookie Chris Ogbonnaya can catch the ball, but that?s Darby?s role. Our guess: GM Billy Devaney will keep shopping, as he did when he added Curry and NT Hollis Thomas on the fly.

Rehabbing the Rams will take time - STLtoday.com

[Buckskin86]

St. Louis Rams' Gado, Pittman shine in battle to back up Jackson
BY Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/15/2009

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ? Advantage Gado and Pittman. In the battle for the Rams' No. 2 running back job behind Steven Jackson, Samkon Gado and Antonio Pittman were the clear winners Friday over Kenneth Darby.

Darby entered the preseason as the clear No. 2 back behind Jackson, but he didn't get much done against the New York Jets. Darby carried six times for 16 yards, dropped a short pass over the middle and struggled on blitz pickup.

Pittman carried four times for 36 yards and caught a pass for nine yards ? all coming on a 63-yard field goal drive to close out the first half. But it was Gado who provided the play of the day for the Rams.

Gado burst into the open on a run up the middle, made a defender miss about 10 yards downfield, and then outraced the New York defense the rest of the way for a 77-yard touchdown. The score came on the second play from scrimmage in the second half and gave the Rams a 16-10 lead.

In four regular seasons with Green Bay, Houston, Miami and the Rams, Gado has never had a run longer than 64 yards.

As for Jackson, he had a light workload, with two carries for 15 yards.

St. Louis Rams' Gado, Pittman shine in battle to back up Jackson - STLtoday.com

[Buckskin86]

Running backs

?Projected keepers (5) -- Steven Jackson, Mike Karney, Samkon Gado, Kenneth Darby, Antonio Pittman

?Projected to miss cut (2) -- Chris Ogbonnaya, Jerome Johnson
?Key issue -- The Rams' depth behind Jackson has been a question mark. Gado and Pittman looked good in the exhibition opener. Ogbonnaya looks like a candidate for the practice squad.

Numbers games: Rams roster in perspective - NFL Nation - ESPN

[Buckskin86]

08.24.2009
Competition for No. 2 running back heats up
By Bill Coats
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The competition for the backup job behind running back Steven Jackson continues at Rams Park, where the first of two practices is under way. The players are in full pads this morning.

Kenneth Darby, Samkon Gado and Antonio Pittman are the primary contenders for the No. 2 spot, and each has had his moments in the preseason. What is St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo looking for in this position?

?Two things are real important, probably in any backup position. And that?s, able to be a quality special-teams player, and have enough knowledge and mental capacity that, even though you?re not getting all the reps in a week of practice, and be able to not skip a beat if you go in there,? he said. ?I think both those things are important in any backup spot.?

Competition for No. 2 running back heats up | Rams Report | STLtoday

[Buckskin86]

09.05.2009
Running backs Pittman, Ogbonnaya cut; Carriker on IR
By Jim Thomas
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Running backs Chris Ogbonnaya and Antonio Pittman were released by the Rams on Saturday. Although the team still has one roster move to make before reaching the 53-man roster limit, it appears that Kenneth Darby is safe _ at least for now _ joining Samkon Gado as backups to Steven Jackson.

Running backs Pittman, Ogbonnaya cut; Carriker on IR | Rams Report | STLtoday

[Buckskin86]

Giants gave Pitt a look...

Scout.com: Former Star RBs Visit

[buchtelgrad04]

Will be getting surgery on his knee in a few days.