I hate to say this but I don't think our weapons are all that great. It's the Nacua show in the pass game, and the Williams show in the run game. So it's a good offense but not elite in terms of the pieces. But an offense that lacks speed and explosive playmaking ability.
Kupp hasn't been his usual self. He's not the guy who can get open in a phone box this year. Hoping that's an injury thing where he just needs time to heal up and work back but there is no real threat there with him in terms of the defense being worried. He is rather easily removed of late.
Higs is a balance type TE not a guy who is a big pass game threat. He isn't tough to cover if you are focused on him. Guys like him get open because he blocks and you can lose him. I mean compare him to LaPorta who is a receiving game weapon and it's night and day.
Robinson's a third threat type and not a bad one but he's not a real big threat. Pedestrian speed and risk for a defense in coverage. Tutu does make the occasional play but then disappears.
The moment Williams went out our offense was less potent. You can see it. This year's group had to use balance to elevate their scoring potential. It's not a group that is going to light up a good defense with explosive matchups.
So for next year if we can get Kupp back to at least close to the guy he used to be, and then on top of that add another pass game threat in that X role, without our OL going backwards again due to FA... We should be pretty good. Definitely top ten, maybe top 5. Add a good RB pick to back up Williams then top 5 looks more likely. Allen with a second camp under his belt emerging as an upgrade over Higs which is possible would make that better.
But a lot of the potency of this unit is Stafford and McVay effect IMO. Which would be fine if we had top defense quality on the other side but we don't.
Rams were 11th in big time plays this year. Stafford was #1 or #2 in big time throws...Your assessment of explosive plays doesn't stack up if you're actually comparing it to other NFL teams. Being top 10 is good enough, sure there's always room for improvement but this team is stacked and it's only going to get better in 24'.
Robinson has been great since Tutu's injury and he never gave the spot back. He's a 3rd or 4th WR and it really doesn't get better when comparing numbers since week 8 or 9 since he started. I'd like to see a #3 WR who put up better numbers than Robinson since week 8. I'll wait...
Higs is a good all around talent. I'll agree with you on this one. However, Davis Allen looks like the real deal. Everything I've seen thrown his way this season, he catches, and he runs great routes. Look for that kid to have a year next year.
Show me a team that isn't less potent when their Star #1 RB goes out of the game? Even the Lions with their two headed RB monster is less potent when they have their #2 in. Because Gibbs is mostly an outside runner, so you can game plan for that. There's a reason teams have #1's and 2's.
Agree with you about the Oline and not going backwards due to FA. It would be a bummer to lose Dobson to FA, that kid is a monster. If anything we need to upgrade @ C or LT, I'd be fine with either one but upgrading both in one offseason is a tall task. I'll say this tho, for as much shit as I talk about boom I'm glad we have him as a backup, he's definitely a very valuable piece to have.
The real litmus test for this team will be Defense next year. The probability of losing Morris might be a bigger hit on this team than many are realizing, not to mention you know some of his assistants are going to follow him to wherever he goes. On the flip side of that if McVay thinks we have our heir apparent already waiting on the coaching staff then I trust his judgement. What I don't want is a guy to come in with a completely different philosophy and having to rebuild from square one. Again, I doubt McVay goes that route but you never know.
What I don't want to see is DT's/DE's covering Great TE's or WR's which we all saw the result of that this season. Even the Lions exploited that yesterday, and every time I see it my hair gets a little more grey.
