ay make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. [

IRVINE, Calif. -- Todd Gurley watched most of his first NFL training camp from the sidelines. He would do a few individual drills on his healing knee while his Rams teammates worked together.Just about everything has changed in the past year for Gurley and the Rams. For starters, their training camp sideline is no longer in the Midwest, and Gurley isnt on it.It just feels good to just be able to be out here, Gurley said after the Rams opening workout of camp at UC Irvine. First day (of last years training camp), I wasnt doing anything. I probably wasnt doing anything until the end of training camp.The second-year running back is in the thick of practice this summer for Los Angeles, with no bigger physical problems than normal fatigue as he works on a worthy sequel to his sensational rookie season.Theres no need for patience with Gurley during this training camp in Orange County, yet the Rams intend to be cautious with the most important piece of their quest to improve the NFLs least productive offense last season.This is Todds first full offseason program, so thats different for him, coach Jeff Fisher said. Hes in great shape right now. (Gurley will get) a few carries here and there during the preseason games. Hes going to get his workload in practice, more so than he will in the games. That just makes sense to us.After Gurleys remarkable success last season, it was easy to forget the risk taken by the Rams when they chose him with the 10th overall pick. The speedy Georgia back tore a ligament in his knee in the previous November, and he wasnt fully recovered from surgery when the draft rolled around.The Rams were patient with Gurley, who couldnt participate much in the Rams 2015 offseason program. He practiced only without pads in the late stages of training camp, and he didnt play until the third game of the regular season.Gurley took off in October with four straight 125-yard games, and he remained a steady contributor until sitting out the season finale. He was named the NFLs offensive rookie of the year with 1,106 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns in 13 games.The guys were able to see what I was able to do last year, Gurley said. So just being able to take (a bigger) role on, and just being able to tell myself `OK, if you do stuff good, the team is going to roll off that. Im just trying to go out there and create as much energy for the whole offense.In camp, Gurley will work on minimizing fumbles -- he only had three on 229 carries -- and improving his pass-catching skills after making just 21 receptions last year.Although Gurley doesnt even turn 22 years old until Wednesday, the Rams already count on him to be a leader, a prolific tailback and a good influence on Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick in the draft. Gurley and the new quarterback have been texting since draft day, building their rapport on and off the field.The Rams clearly intend to run the ball extensively this year. Gurley might also shoulder a larger load of the carries in the absence of Tre Mason, last seasons backup, who has cut off contact with the team after an offseason filled with legal troubles.Los Angeles seems likely to sign another running back to join veteran Benny Cunningham as Gurleys backups, but Gurley is ready to take on most of the work in September if necessary.Obviously, I know were going to run the ball, Gurley said. Im a running back, so if you give me the ball, Ill be happy. Ill just come out here, work hard and whatever they call in the game, Ill be happy with it.Gurley is also settling nicely into his new West Coast home, although his new fans are still getting to know his face and dreadlocks. His national endorsement deal with Carls Jr. is changing that as well.Nobody really knows football players, Gurley said with a grin. I mean, I have gotten a lot of questions like, `Oh, youre that guy from the burger commercial? So thats my name now. Im the guy from the burger commercial.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Greg Beacham at www.twitter.com/gregbeacham Leandro Barbosa Jersey . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Richaun Holmes Jersey . Ronaldo produced a spectacular individual performance on Tuesday, scoring all three goals and guiding Portugal into the next years World Cup in Brazil with a 3-2 victory in Sweden. The Real Madrid forward has scored 66 goals in 2013, but the last three may be the boost he needs to upstage Messi after FIFA unexpectedly extended the voting period for the Ballon dOr to Nov. http://www.officialsunsfanstore.com/steve-nash-suns-jersey/ .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Charles Barkley Jersey . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Leandro Barbosa Suns Jersey . The Olympic champion curler and TSN curling analyst immediately went online to look at the Halls long list of honoured members. Thats when the enormity of the honour sunk in. Wednesday, Ryen Russillo and Danny Kanell welcome ESPN NFL draft Insider Todd McShay (1 p.m. ET), ESPN NFL analyst Herm Edwards (2:00) and ESPN MLB Insider Tim Kurkjian (3:00).Todays main topics:? Blue Jays beat Orioles in AL wild card? NL wild-card game previewText us at 73776 (msg&&data rates may apply) or tweet us at twitter.ddddddddddddcom/RussilloShow -- well be with you from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio and ESPNRadio.com. ' ' '