Speed Kills: Snead continues to build team speed

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oldnotdead

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Sean clearly admits the offense hasn't been the same with the loss of Brandin Cooks. The threat of Cooks speed changed how defenses were forced to play the Rams. In this case, they were truly drafting on traits. Tutu is less than an inch shorter than Cooks, and less than an inch shorter in his arm length. That said Tutu is faster than Cooks as a rookie. More importantly, when Cooks played for the Rams he a bit slower than in his rookie years at 25 years old in 2018. To be sure he would probably have timed sub-4.4 in the 40. Tutu runs a 4.32 with game play analytics showing him playing much faster than that. From McVay's and Snead's comments, they probably had him timed at sub 4.3 probably in the mid to upper 4.2 range. Much is made of his lack of weight, but all rookies gain substantial muscle weight due to improved diet and training once they get into the NFL. I can easily see his NFL playing weight to be around 170. Training to improve his leg and lower body strength will offset that weight gain.

As has been pointed out by the media, Tutu has been productive at all levels and I don't see that changing. Ultimately, I see Tutu as allowing McVay to return to not only his 2018 style of play but expand upon it. I think the role Jackson plays in this year's offense, is as a stop-gap giving Tutu a year to learn and physically develop. I expect Tutu to see his share of snaps this year, but in a carefully orchestrated set of situations.

I think the only real difference in the offense this year will be in the run game as I expect the passing attack to be more in line with what McVay rolled out in 2018 with adjustments for Stafford's style. I feel that whereas the 2018 run attack was primarily played off an outside zone run blocking scheme, I honestly think the Rams will be more varied in their run attack. I think it will be a mix of outside zone with a strong dose of an inside game as well. I think this is where the impact of Carberry will be. I feel Carberry is the type of coach to get the best out of the talent he has on the OL and the execution will improve overall. I think we got a glimpse of Carberry's approach when we saw Corbett at center in OTAs. He obviously wants to make sure he rolls out the best OL he can. I think he has a pretty good feel for what he has in Allen and Shelton, but he's being thorough by looking at the OTA combination. On the OL it's positional quickness and power that you want. That is why I can't see why they continue to tolerate lead foot Havenstein at that crucial RT spot. He was slow as a rookie and hasn't really improved.

I think overall Stafford will have the time to find his receivers. The play of the OL will be crucial in both the run game as well as the passing attack. Tutu's playbook as a rookie will be slimmed down IMO to jet sweeps and plays off that motion. How well the OL blocks in both aspects of the offense will determine how well Tutu will play this year. If a defense must honor an inside run attack as well as the normal Ram outside zone attack it will force them to take that fraction of a second to read the play which will open things up both on the jet sweeps by Harris and Tutu, that kind of speed is going to open up all kinds of opportunities for Woods, Kupp and the RBs (Akers, Henderson & Funk).

The Rams proved in 2018 how dominating their offense can be with good OL play. The wildcard will be Harris with his speed out of the TE spot. I think Harris will probably see more snaps this year than Tutu as he can play both as a TE and slot receiver. Once teams are aware of Harris's speed he can clear out that mid-range middle for Kupp running a 15 yd dig route. or a crossing route with Tutu out of the slot and Harris out of the TE position. The Ram's newfound speed will completely change how the opposing team's secondaries play. With that speed and a strong inside run attack, teams will be forced into mostly zone coverages. IMO Stafford will eat that up. We will probably get glimpses of the future this year but going forward, Tutu and Harris with Stafford at QB are going to change McVay's passing game. The OL doesn't have to be elite just good for this team to outmatch any opposition next year.

The Rams are truly evolving into a very fast team on both sides of the ball. Ramsey is the one garnering all the attention on defense, but with Floyd and possibly Hollins on the edges, they will have two fast players (4.6 and 4.5 respectively) on the edges to compliment the power of AD and Robinson inside. People are pinning their hopes on Lewis who has shown true flashes, but my money is on Hollins as a true difference-maker opposite Floyd. Now add in Rochell with length, and Ramsey like speed potentially emerging in 2023 (if not sooner). Add in Darious Williams timed at 4.44, David Long being times in 4.45 and Burgess with his 4.46 speed that is a very fast secondary.

Speed kills and the Rams have a lot of it.
 

Memento

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Let's not forget about Van Jefferson; he was apparently the fastest receiver at the Senior Bowl in his draft year, and with Jackson and Kupp's previous injury histories, I think he'll get plenty of snaps. That's why I believe that one of Woods or Kupp could be traded after the season: to make room for Jefferson and Chatarius Atwell (I still refuse to use his nickname.) in the starting rotation if they both show out well next year and to gain good and needed draft picks to fix holes and bring in competition.

I think Harris gets more snaps than Atwell myself; I have very high hopes for this kid. If Hopkins ever shows out (I doubt it, but I've been wrong before.) and if Skowronek impresses (I think he will, but again, I've been wrong before.), that will make Mundt/Blanton expendable.

You have a definite point, @oldnotdead .
 

Ram Ts

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Carberry might be the single most important person for the Rams. More than any player.
 

PhillyRam

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Yeah, everyone trying to tell us that Van Jefferson was a legitimate deep threat look a bit silly right now.

There is a reason they reached a bit for Atwell and Harris and overpaid a little for Jackson for that matter. They needed speed badly and no one on the roster scared anyone.
 

oldnotdead

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Absolutely, Jefferson has 4.4 speed and looked slow as like most rookies he thought his way through each play. But he really started to come on towards the end of the season. Jefferson absolutely is a difference-maker as he can play all 3 WR positions and can provide rotational breathers for Woods and Kupp without dropoff.

When it starts coming together this will be a truly scary offense. I think the defense might slip slightly due to change in scheme but not so much that it affects the Ram's chances. I think they will finish in the top 5 of defenses and that will be just fine. Remember Tampa's D finished ranked 6th overall.
 

dang

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Let's not forget about Van Jefferson; he was apparently the fastest receiver at the Senior Bowl in his draft year, and with Jackson and Kupp's previous injury histories, I think he'll get plenty of snaps. That's why I believe that one of Woods or Kupp could be traded after the season: to make room for Jefferson and Chatarius Atwell (I still refuse to use his nickname.) in the starting rotation if they both show out well next year and to gain good and needed draft picks to fix holes and bring in competition.

I think Harris gets more snaps than Atwell myself; I have very high hopes for this kid. If Hopkins ever shows out (I doubt it, but I've been wrong before.) and if Skowronek impresses (I think he will, but again, I've been wrong before.), that will make Mundt/Blanton expendable.

You have a definite point, @oldnotdead .
Sounds like we have to take advantage of having both Kupp and Woods this year because apparently we will be trading one of them next year. Maybe but I sure hope not. I like te sound of Woods/Kupp/Jefferson/Atwell next year. GSOT had 4!!
 

Florida_Ram

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There was some speed added to the roster after Free agency and the NFL draft.

It's not like it was a plethora of speed (proven players) added or a major overhaul on both sides of the ball though.

Where and how these so called added speed players translate their production to the 2021 season is purely projection with plenty of speculation as you indicated @oldnotdead .

As for the added speed on the offensive side of the ball...

WR - DeSean Jackson - An injury prone WR past his prime that hopefully stays off of the injured reserved.

WR - Tutu Atwell - A rookie WR that is 161 lbs soaking wet. Will he get enough snaps and be healthy for the duration of the season?

WR/TE - Jacob Harris - A rookie minicamp highlight reel that so far has the most hype prior to the start of training camp.

RB/FB/SP/Teams returner - Jacob Funk - Will his knee hold? Is he as good as advertised based on his pro-day numbers and will he be as good as advertised?

You could even add our new veteran QB - Matthew Stafford's processing speed to read defenses and get the ball out quicker.

On the defensive side of the ball...

Robert Rochell - A rookie CB from a division II college. Will his skill set and ability earn earn quality snaps in his first year?

The list of 5 players that have added speed is based on one over the hill injury prone veteran WR and 4 rookies that have never taken a snap in the NFL.

You could probably add rookie CB - Chris Garrett as an added speed boost if he catches on quickly and comes along quicker than expected.

I do like when our team adds speed. The group of speed players listed to the Rams 2021 roster is noted but most of us fans were not enlightened by this post. The Rams added speed and it's been posted and examined.

I'm not trying to be negative just saying the whole added speed thing seems a bit hopeful to speculate or guess by the listed players in this post heading into the 2021 season.



th
 

Ram65

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As has been pointed out by the media, Tutu has been productive at all levels and I don't see that changing. Ultimately, I see Tutu as allowing McVay to return to not only his 2018 style of play but expand upon it. I think the role Jackson plays in this year's offense, is as a stop-gap giving Tutu a year to learn and physically develop. I expect Tutu to see his share of snaps this year, but in a carefully orchestrated set of situations.

Jackson could play a couple of years. I have stated this is his last chance of the spotlight and it's in his hometown. I see him working hard to stay healthy. His cost is minimal for what he can do. Tutu will get some snaps. Should Woods or Kupp get traded keeping Jackson would be wise. Have to love all the new speed!

I think the only real difference in the offense this year will be in the run game as I expect the passing attack to be more in line with what McVay rolled out in 2018 with adjustments for Stafford's style. I feel that whereas the 2018 run attack was primarily played off an outside zone run blocking scheme, I honestly think the Rams will be more varied in their run attack. I think it will be a mix of outside zone with a strong dose of an inside game as well. I think this is where the impact of Carberry will be. I feel Carberry is the type of coach to get the best out of the talent he has on the OL and the execution will improve overall. I think we got a glimpse of Carberry's approach when we saw Corbett at center in OTAs

I agree and hope they vary the run game. I'm not sure what Carberry brings but, this Rams offensive line is now bigger/stronger and should be able to do more power blocking. I'm hoping McVay can mix in a controlled clock-eating offense with the old explosive plays he strives for.

Great writeup @oldnotdead. Looking forward to speed and power.
 

PhillyRam

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Absolutely, Jefferson has 4.4 speed and looked slow as like most rookies he thought his way through each play. But he really started to come on towards the end of the season. Jefferson absolutely is a difference-maker as he can play all 3 WR positions and can provide rotational breathers for Woods and Kupp without dropoff.

When it starts coming together this will be a truly scary offense. I think the defense might slip slightly due to change in scheme but not so much that it affects the Ram's chances. I think they will finish in the top 5 of defenses and that will be just fine. Remember Tampa's D finished ranked 6th overall.
The Rams offseason moves do not indicate that they expect him to be a field stretcher. Otherwise why would you bother adding DeSean Jackson? Let alone reaching for Atwell?

They acted as if they have no deep threat and I agree. I don't see the explosion that some hope that Jefferson has.

I don't recall DJ Metcalf "thinking too much as rookie" and slowing him down nor DeSean Jackson when he was a rookie. Either you have that explosion or you don't.

As an old timer I remember, ad should you, that Flipper Anderson showed deep speed immediately. Same with Kevin Curtis. Never saw that with Jefferson. He can be a very good WR like Woods, but not a big time deep threat. Again, otherwise adding Jackson makes no sense.
 

kurtfaulk

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The Rams offseason moves do not indicate that they expect him to be a field stretcher. Otherwise why would you bother adding DeSean Jackson? Let alone reaching for Atwell?

They acted as if they have no deep threat and I agree. I don't see the explosion that some hope that Jefferson has.

I don't recall DJ Metcalf "thinking too much as rookie" and slowing him down nor DeSean Jackson when he was a rookie. Either you have that explosion or you don't.

As an old timer I remember, ad should you, that Flipper Anderson showed deep speed immediately. Same with Kevin Curtis. Never saw that with Jefferson. He can be a very good WR like Woods, but not a big time deep threat. Again, otherwise adding Jackson makes no sense.

Never understood the Jefferson is a deep threat talk.

He'll be a fantastic replacement for Kupp or Woods but the Rams extended both of them. A strange pick in the end for the Rams, unless the plan is to trade one of them in the offseason.

.
 

CGI_Ram

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Big year for Jefferson, IMO.

A top pick… left without a clear role at the moment.

Ball is in Jeff’s court. We saw glimpses last year… this year there are a lot of balls to go around. Jefferson needs to show he deserves some thrown his way.
 

Ram65

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This article states that the Rams didn't draft Jefferson for his speed but, he can run fast in a straight line. I think he can set up defenders easily with double moves.


usatsi_11668190.jpg

Cameron DaSilva

May 1, 2020 11:48 am PT


The Los Angeles Rams had a chance to add one of the fastest receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft at No. 57 overall with Denzel Mims sitting on the board. Mims ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the combine this year, the third-fastest time of any receiver.
Instead, the Rams took Van Jefferson, who didn’t run at the combine due to a Jones fracture in his foot. And while we don’t know exactly what Jefferson would’ve run in the 40, he does have plenty of speed.
At the Senior Bowl, Jefferson was clocked as the fastest player on the field. He topped out at 21.05 mph and 20.99 mph during punt return drills, which were the highest speeds of anyone in Mobile.
One of the players who was at the combine? Mims, whose top speed was 20.26 mph. Jefferson was also faster than Devin Duvernay and Antonio Gibson, who both ran a 4.39 in the 40.


This isn’t to say Jefferson plays faster than Mims or Duvernay, because his tape shows that he doesn’t possess that sort of speed. However, when he turns on the jets and is running in a straight line, he has plenty of juice.
The Rams didn’t draft him to be their speed threat like Brandin Cooks, but it seems he does have the wheels to get downfield if need be.

To put Jefferson’s speed into perspective, the 20th-fastest ball carrier in the NFL last season was Sammy Watkins, who was clocked at 21.33 mph on a 68-yard touchdown catch, according to Next Gen Stats. That’s not significantly faster than Jefferson’s time at the Senior Bowl.
The fastest ball carrier in 2019 was Matt Breida at 22.3 mph, which is absolutely cruising.

 

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Lol at all the Jefferson hate. We could have had Usain Bolt on the roster and it wouldn't have mattered last year. Our QB rarely pulled the trigger on the deep ball, and when he did, it rarely went well. I saw VJ and others get plenty of deep separation plenty of times on film last year. Either the ball never came or was off target. I expect that to change this year.
 

Tano

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Never understood the Jefferson is a deep threat talk.

He'll be a fantastic replacement for Kupp or Woods but the Rams extended both of them. A strange pick in the end for the Rams, unless the plan is to trade one of them in the offseason.

.
Jefferson isn't a true deep threat but he is one that can get past CBs if the defense concentrates on Jackson or Atwell on the other side.

I am going to classify him as a tricky deep threat.
 

Merlin

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My concern with Van has always been the low production in college. Rams bit on the guy who smoked the Senior Bowl practices but is that gonna be who he is no idea.

He was said to have shown a bit in camp last year but then nothing until late season. Also the guy has the speed to threaten deep but he is still primarily a possession option.

IMO he is Woody's replacement. But the nice thing is he could be an upgrade potentially and the Rams hedged that bet with 2 more speed threats plus a big TE who can run by DBs. So they have way better competition in their depth now and IMO that is what is important.
 

Soul Surfer

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There was some speed added to the roster after Free agency and the NFL draft.

It's not like it was a plethora of speed (proven players) added or a major overhaul on both sides of the ball though.

Where and how these so called added speed players translate their production to the 2021 season is purely projection with plenty of speculation as you indicated @oldnotdead .

As for the added speed on the offensive side of the ball...

WR - DeSean Jackson - An injury prone WR past his prime that hopefully stays off of the injured reserved.

WR - Tutu Atwell - A rookie WR that is 161 lbs soaking wet. Will he get enough snaps and be healthy for the duration of the season?

WR/TE - Jacob Harris - A rookie minicamp highlight reel that so far has the most hype prior to the start of training camp.

RB/FB/SP/Teams returner - Jacob Funk - Will his knee hold? Is he as good as advertised based on his pro-day numbers and will he be as good as advertised?

You could even add our new veteran QB - Matthew Stafford's processing speed to read defenses and get the ball out quicker.

On the defensive side of the ball...

Robert Rochell - A rookie CB from a division II college. Will his skill set and ability earn earn quality snaps in his first year?

The list of 5 players that have added speed is based on one over the hill injury prone veteran WR and 4 rookies that have never taken a snap in the NFL.

You could probably add rookie CB - Chris Garrett as an added speed boost if he catches on quickly and comes along quicker than expected.

I do like when our team adds speed. The group of speed players listed to the Rams 2021 roster is noted but most of us fans were not enlightened by this post. The Rams added speed and it's been posted and examined.

I'm not trying to be negative just saying the whole added speed thing seems a bit hopeful to speculate or guess by the listed players in this post heading into the 2021 season.



B
Bum-ner dude.

Now I'm bummed about our speed.
I hate when that happens.
 

PhillyRam

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Lol at all the Jefferson hate. We could have had Usain Bolt on the roster and it wouldn't have mattered last year. Our QB rarely pulled the trigger on the deep ball, and when he did, it rarely went well. I saw VJ and others get plenty of deep separation plenty of times on film last year. Either the ball never came or was off target. I expect that to change this year.
Amazing how Goff had one of the biggest YPA in 2017 & 2018, when he had field stretchers.
 

PhillyRam

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Lol at all the Jefferson hate. We could have had Usain Bolt on the roster and it wouldn't have mattered last year. Our QB rarely pulled the trigger on the deep ball, and when he did, it rarely went well. I saw VJ and others get plenty of deep separation plenty of times on film last year. Either the ball never came or was off target. I expect that to change this year.
Silly talk... Goff had no issues throwing deep with Cooks & Watkins... Last yr and in 2019, when Cooks missed half the season and with a beat up OL, it changed.

Van Jefferson is like Woods & Kupp. I am sure he will make some big plays, but he will not be a deep threat that DCs lose sleep over or game plan for.

That is all we are saying. No hate, just being realistic.
 

oldnotdead

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I see Jefferson as Woods eventual replacement. This could happen anytime from 2024 on as he will be 32 years old. Jefferson is a hybrid of both Kupp and Woods, with better speed than both and the ability to separate with his route running. He was slowed last year because McVay's offense is pretty complex with multiple route options depending upon the defense. He must read them the same way as the QB. He's got great hands and is very capable of tacking on YAC.

By then Tutu should be their regular starting Y receiver in Sean's 11 personnel. When Higbee will be in a contract year in 2023 and its clear that Harris is being groomed to be his replacement. So it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they draft a very fast WR next year. That would give them the option to completely overhaul their receivers from 2023 onwards.

Because their roster is basically built Snead has the luxury of drafting for the future and I don't see it as a coincidence that Kupp and Wood's contracts give the team that kind of roster overhaul options when both these guys are in their 30's. History has shown that extending high-priced WRs in their 30's is an exercise in diminishing returns.