Having gained 316 yards from scrimmage as his career-high, Lance Dunbar is looking for more production.
He thinks he will be able to find that increase in Los Angeles.
“He will be the Rams’ change-of-pace running back, a complement for the power game of Todd Gurley, and he will also be an option in the passing game,” ESPN.com reported. “The name ‘Chris Thompson’ came up during Dunbar’s meeting with (head coach Sean) McVay, which makes sense.”
Thompson had a career year with the Washington Redskins last season under the tutelage of McVay, who was then the Redskins’ offensive coordinator. The 26-year-old Thompson had 356 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 68 carries for Washington. He also had 49 catches for 349 yards and two additional scores.
Dunbar, who turned 27 in January, had his best year with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 in which he 99 rushing yards and 217 receiving yards. But he was unable to find the end zone.
“We were in the same division, so I’ve seen those guys [the Redskins] play, and I’ve seen Chris play,” Dunbar told ESPN.com. “We are very similar. I catch the ball in the backfield. I can run routes. I can run the ball. To see him do those things gave me a little bit more confidence and more belief in [McVay], that he will allow me to do those things.”
Dunbar added that he rushed his way back to the field in 2016 after tearing the ACL, MCL and patellar tendon on a kickoff return in 2015, nullifying what had been a promising year.
Now, he feels he can give Rams starter Todd Gurley more of a rest with his play.
“My style is different than his,” Dunbar said to ESPN.com. “I’m more of a slasher, making guys miss, catching the ball out of the backfield. We have two different styles. If you mix my style with his style, it brings a lot to the table. It’s hard for people to keep switching up, switching up, because it’s very different. In-game, when I come in, you’re going to have to adjust. And it’s kind of hard to adjust in-game.”
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