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Coming into the 2014 season, Zac Stacy was slated to have another big year for the St. Louis Rams. He had a solid rookie season, rushing for 973 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games. He also had 141 yards receiving and a touchdown. So far this year, Stacy has 240 yards rushing, 115 yards receiving a touchdown and two fumbles. Those aren’t terrible stats for the second-year back, but it’s clear that it’s now another rookie running back’s turn to shine in St. Louis.
Tre Mason didn’t see the field in the first five weeks, but he sure burst onto the scene in Week 6. His first NFL carry went for 12 yards. He finished with 40 yards on five carries, one of which would have been a touchdown if receiver Brian Quick didn’t get in his way. In Week 7, the Auburn University product got the bulk of the carries in the Rams’ 28-26 upset of the Seattle Seahawks.
He delivered 85 yards on 18 carries, a 4.7 yard per carry effort, and his first NFL touchdown. He also sealed the win with a big run for a first down late in the fourth quarter. Lucky for him, the Rams recovered his fumble on the game-sealing run.
During his junior season at Auburn, Mason rushed for more than 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns. At 5-foot-8, 210 pounds, he uses a mix of speed (4.5 in the 40 at NFL combine) and power. He also can catch the ball out of the backfield and return kicks (395 return yards for Auburn in 2013). Mason gives the Rams a dynamic running back who can run away from tackles and break through them too.
Right now, Stacy and Benny Cunningham are plodding, straight-forward runners who don’t offer a lot of splash. Mason has the chance to take it to the house every time he touches the ball.
There is a changing of the guard in St. Louis, and despite a splendid 2013 season for Stacy, Rams fans can expect to see more and more of Mason. The NFL is a cruel league with little job security. The Rams are just 2-4, but have played competitive football in all but one game. They could surprise a lot of teams this season and in the future thanks to the three-headed offensive monster of Mason, rookie quarterback Austin Davis and second-year wide receiver Brian Quick.
The Rams haven’t had a non-losing season since 2006, when they went 8-8. This team, with Mason in the backfield, has the makeup to end seven years of losing football.
Nate Vandergrift is a Pirates writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @natevandergrift, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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