2nd Rd / Pick #46 - Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

[brucebruce]

To add to my earlier comment: I'm really curious to see what our offensive splits look like next year. I'd have to go back but with Tutu starting part of the year last year, our splits were wider and we used less bunch formations. Will that be the case this year? Will Ferguson allow us to continue to operate in more bunch sets? No matter what, I think we'll still be an offense that runs from condensed formations more often than not.

Forget 11 vs 12 personnel, the difference will be in WR and TE splits and positioning on the field.

Ferg began as an x-reciever.

 

[Boston Ram]

Neither did Jason Taylor that people here wanted in the 1st round.

Agreed and Colston Loveland only had 1

 

[AZRams]

The TE isn’t a big part of our passing game.

It seems every year, McVay seems to feature the TE more in our passing offense.
Then that game plan disappears next season.

Like I said.
I don’t really care about 12 personnel or even planning our passing game with a TE as long as we are protecting Stanford and can throw it down field.

From the reports that I’ve seen, Ferguson needs work as a blocker.
So if he isn’t going to be part of our passing game, then why draft him.

I like watching Higbee when he’s part of our passing game, but even before his injury, he seemed to be an afterthought in our game plan.

I just don’t want to see Gerald Everett 2.0

I wonder though, is that more a result of the roster or scheme? Has he ever had a guy that could handle a concerted focus in the passing game?

Was Cooper Kupp too good for too long to take targets away from?

I do wonder...

 

[brucebruce]

Ferg began as an x-reciever.

I can see Ferg being a big 3rd down, end-zone threat. Large target that ttacks the ball, high-points with a great veritcal, wide-body to shield the incoming throw with speed and ability break a tackle for a couple of extra yards.

 

[brucebruce]

I can see Ferg being a big 3rd down, end-zone threat. Large target that ttacks the ball, high-points, wide-body to shield the incoming throw with speed and ability break a tackle for a couple of extra yards.

And enthusiastic in the screen game which the rams didn't do enough of because they didn't have the personnel.

 

[brucebruce]

I'm still bummed that Kupp will not be on the team but I'm pumped for the possibilities for this revamped and potentially explosive offense. I'm picturing an offense that would be worse off with a quickly aging Kupp compared to their current roster.

 

[dang]

Neither did Jason Taylor that people here wanted in the 1st round.

Of this I’m positive:
TFerguson + R7.252 + R1.2026 >>> MTaylor + R3.101.

 

[RamBall]

I wonder though, is that more a result of the roster or scheme? Has he ever had a guy that could handle a concerted focus in the passing game?

Was Cooper Kupp too good for too long to take targets away from?

I do wonder...

I think that is the biggest reason the Rams ran 11 personnel so much, it was hard for McVay to pull Kupp for a TE that didnt offer as much or more in the pass and run game than Kupp did.

 

[Merlin]

Of this I’m positive:
TFerguson + R7.252 + R1.2026 >>> MTaylor + R3.101.

Yes and I think the two prospects are quite similar in their upside. Both big size, both good movers. Taylor was more well rounded in blocking, Ferguson looked a little smoother in the pass game. So getting Fergy plus that trade down value is a slam dunk.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

It’s not happening.You need to listen to what Sean Mcvay is saying.Don’t know how long you’ve been doing this,or close you follow The Rams.

I get it that Parkisian was IMO(yours) that he was a HORRIBLE free agent signing.

I can get into what in theory happened from last season to this season & beyond ?

The HATE needs to stop,Colby is a very smart guy & will work hard.There’s going to be a HUGE difference in this TIGHTEND group this year.

Let’s start with Scott Huff & IMO more Zak Kromer helping with schemes. Tyler Higbee is going to change the spirit in the room now add on top of it Ferguson coming in as a rookie.

Davis Allen was a real disappointment last season,but even he will need to find his place on the roster.

Listening to some of Sean Mcvays interviews help understand where The Rams are coming from.

IMO Sean Mcvay ate some HUMBOLT PIE(lol),and learned a little sumpthen something.He wants to WIN from the start & continue to BUILD the Rams CORE

As opposed to listening to what McVay says, you should actually watch what he does during games. He can talk all he wants about a player, or different schemes, but when game time comes, we stay in 11 formation far more than any other team in the NFL. That's been history, and as I mentioned previously, it's possible that 12 formation will be used more now that Kupp is gone, but regardless of what McVay has said in the past, we use 11 more than any other team.

About Parkinson specifically, Higbee missed 9 games last year and still Parkinson only had 45 targets for the season. He's got some great measurables, and I can't point to anything he did glaringly bad last year. But the reality is that he was rarely targeted, and his playing time decreased as the season progressed.

You asked how closely I follow the Rams..... I've followed this team pretty intently for going on 50 years now. Paying attention to what McVay says, then analyzing what he actually does gives one a more accurate summation of what is going on here. McVay's adherence to the 11 formation was understandable, but he went waaaaay too far with it. Beyond the obvious downside of that, the predictability, the other issue is that we've had talented depth on the roster at the position that wasn't being consistently utilized, plus TEs with talent didn't develop into the players they could have been. Guys like Everett, Blanton, even Hopkins all had shining moments...Blanton and Hopkins helped us win a super bowl. But again, rarely used...rarely targeted....then they're gone. Now...in that same tradition, we overpay for a talented TE..... he starts 9 games, plays all 17, and gets 45 targets.

Forget what McVay is saying....look at what he's doing....the pattern is clear, and until he deviates, that's the reality.

Back to my original point.... if Parkinson stays on the team..that's fine... he's a better blocker than Ferguson and Davis Allen right now....but he's back to being the 3rd TE on the depth chart, just like he was in Seattle.... and if he stays, his contract needs to correspond with his role and usage.

 

[So Ram]

As opposed to listening to what McVay says, you should actually watch what he does during games. He can talk all he wants about a player, or different schemes, but when game time comes, we stay in 11 formation far more than any other team in the NFL. That's been history, and as I mentioned previously, it's possible that 12 formation will be used more now that Kupp is gone, but regardless of what McVay has said in the past, we use 11 more than any other team.

About Parkinson specifically, Higbee missed 9 games last year and still Parkinson only had 45 targets for the season. He's got some great measurables, and I can't point to anything he did glaringly bad last year. But the reality is that he was rarely targeted, and his playing time decreased as the season progressed.

You asked how closely I follow the Rams..... I've followed this team pretty intently for going on 50 years now. Paying attention to what McVay says, then analyzing what he actually does gives one a more accurate summation of what is going on here. McVay's adherence to the 11 formation was understandable, but he went waaaaay too far with it. Beyond the obvious downside of that, the predictability, the other issue is that we've had talented depth on the roster at the position that wasn't being consistently utilized, plus TEs with talent didn't develop into the players they could have been. Guys like Everett, Blanton, even Hopkins all had shining moments...Blanton and Hopkins helped us win a super bowl. But again, rarely used...rarely targeted....then they're gone. Now...in that same tradition, we overpay for a talented TE..... he starts 9 games, plays all 17, and gets 45 targets.

Forget what McVay is saying....look at what he's doing....the pattern is clear, and until he deviates, that's the reality.

Back to my original point.... if Parkinson stays on the team..that's fine... he's a better blocker than Ferguson and Davis Allen right now....but he's back to being the 3rd TE on the depth chart, just like he was in Seattle.... and if he stays, his contract needs to correspond with his role and usage.

All valid points. I still think you got it wrong,and until WE see change your right.
What he is saying & the way The Rams are structuring there roster.I’ll beg to differ .Plus Everet
they used 12 personnel his first 2 years. They only carried 3 TE’s though which I got Demoff pissed for saying SO.

Meaning they needed more depth.Yeah Hopkins was a joke & head case. He did show up in the Superbowl.Hendo had a great 3rd down catch as well in the game besides Kupp’s sweep on 4th down.

I don’t think The Rams want to use Puka like they have with Kupp.Mcvay also said he was going to bring in 2 more TE’s which he just did with UDRFA. SO they shows a little thinking than the past.

Oldschool was talking about The Rams drafting a CB.They didn’t even pick a CB up as a UDRFA. Last year they signed 3 plus .

 

[WestCoastRam]

And enthusiastic in the screen game which the rams didn't do enough of because they didn't have the personnel.

Rams ran TE screens to Higbee at least once a game going back years.

 

[Londoner]

R7.252

He has a name, you know.

 

[Gandalf]

Yep. There really shouldn't be any doubt about it.

Years ago, McVay said something to the sort that the only reason they ran 11 personnel so much was because of the talents of Cooper Kupp in the slot. Kupp is gone. Here comes 12 personnel.

At Oregon, Ferguson ran a lot of the same routes Kupp does. Should fit right in.

 

[So Ram]

I think that is the biggest reason the Rams ran 11 personnel so much, it was hard for McVay to pull Kupp for a TE that didnt offer as much or more in the pass and run game than Kupp did.

Everett ran a lot of 12 personnel early with Higbee.
There was the TE who the Vikings picked up as a FA from The Rams as well.
Mcvay was always trying to improve the WR room.It was when Kupp followed suit with Bobby Trees & showed what an excellent blocker he was when they started to go away from 12’s .

Hopkins was a head head case from what I noticed.His head was never into it.He hit the weight room hard,but just never showed the passion for the game ? Short career if that shows anything.

Brycen Hopkins - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Contrary to some who think he was a fallback option, he’s not. This was a guy they identified and scouts wanted. More importantly, McVay wanted him and is excited to utilize him in new ways within the offense - which is always a great thing to hear. Anything that makes mcvay happy and excited has my sign off.

He also seems like an ascending player with his best ball in front of him. Young guy too having just turned 22.

A head coach going Gaga over a prospect isn’t always a good thing. I recall McVay being the one behind the Atwell pick. I know the coaches have to be a part of the process but I’d rather the scouting staff and GM have most of the say. Jourda. Has referred to Snead having to reign in McVay’s excitement over a prospect.

John Schneider is a good GM but he was constantly being overruled by Pete Carroll and it resulted in a lot of failed draft picks.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

My knock isn’t on Ferguson, though.
I’m just questioning management on this one.

I’m not even unhappy about the pick.
I’m not super excited about it either.
I’m just a bit skeptical.

My current view is, wait and see and hope he’s a stud that pans out and helps our offense.

It’s best to be that way with draft picks imo. Top picks bust all of the time. It’s especially irrational to get overly excited about late round picks. Until we see them on the field producing I consider them long shots to be starters, because that is what they are.