4 takeaways from Rams' preseason win over Texans

[Riverumbbq]

I wonder if Darious Williams had ever also been a K/P Returner in college ?

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Boogie Roberts finished strong... I'm biased because I know the young man, but I thought he showed himself well in this preseason, and would be worth a practice squad spot with us or somewhere...

 

[Merlin]

But that's not relevant. No punt returner averages 10-15 yards more on average than a bad punt returner. The average is a couple of yards difference a couple of times a game. And a greater risk of either a fumble or a holding penalty. The true net is tiny. I'd rather have a guy who doesn't fumble and has value at another position, just in case or for future development.

For me safety of the ball is the key. Guys who are good at it you feel comfortable watching them. The others... That is the difference for me.

I do like Jojo on returns. But he's not elite at it and sometimes is risky with the ball. Honestly I think Web is better than him on returns too, just needs a sample size.

 

[Rambitious1]

I only saw highlights

 

[Rams43]

Looks like Thomas is safe, so there’s only one opening left at WR and JoJo, Hodge, and Webster are competing for it.

If it’s my call then JoJo is a goner. He won’t be claimed off of waivers, trust me.

But either of Hodge or Webster will be. McVay should pick one of them and then pray that the other clears waivers.

 

[Merlin]

Personally I don't think it is a given we only keep 6 WR. I think it will be 7.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Personally I don't think it is a given we only keep 6 WR. I think it will be 7.

I don't know what to think, but I do know what I want. And I want Wolford & Hodge protected from waivers because if we don't, we'll lose them.

 

[ProGen]

Hodge is a baller, and he will go on to play well for someone else.

As for JoJo Natson...

...I just have this feeling he could always cost us a game with a fumble.

 

[TexasRam]

Hodge has that oh so under rated skill of catching the ball in traffic. Possession WR's are so important.

Case in point -- Last years Super Bowl. Woods, Reynolds and Cooks all dropped catchable balls in traffic that a possession WR could bring down.

Every team needs some Possession WR's to complement the speed guys.

Especially when the other team already knows your plays, if you know what I mean.

 

[oldnotdead]

Nick Scott is probably going to be the primary return specialist and that's why Nsimba needed to show as a WR which he did. Scott has excellent acceleration and 4.43 speed so he's plenty quick and fast. So with both Webster and Scott, Jojo is out of a job, thank god.

The only question is whether they are going to make room for Mike Thomas. He isn't as versatile as Hodge or Webster. Both Hodge and Webster have shown they can run possession routes, something that Thomas is inconsistent at due to his running stride. Webster can return kicks and punts something that Thomas hasn't shown he can do.

Hodge has played well in two preseasons and in limited snaps last year. Thomas disappeared when facing starting DB's as a rookie then got hurt and missed last year on IR. Mike is basically a deep WR, but that role is taken by Woods, Cooks, and Reynolds. At this point, Thomas looks like a one-trick pony.

I think they will keep 6 WR's, Woods, Cooks, Kupp, Reynolds, Hodge and Webster. I doubt Thomas clears waivers, and I expect SF or AZ to sign him. If they do I'd rather it be Thomas than Hodge or Webster.

 

[dieterbrock]

The only question is whether they are going to make room for Mike Thomas. He isn't as versatile as Hodge or Webster

??
He isn’t as versatile? Have you seen him play special teams? Thomas caught several balls on crossing routes, no idea where the “1 trick pony” stuff comes from. Thomas is on the team no doubt. I sure hope Hodge makes it but it doesn’t look good.
Not sure I understand the fascination with Webster. For all the talk of Thomas drops, (he did have 1, and it was ugly) Webster had a ball hit him right in the chest last night, would have been a TD.
Hope Hodge makes it but the reality is that if he doesn’t, oh well. He’d be the #6 WR on the team

 

[Big Game]

Maybe they've seen enough of JoJo and wanted to get a better feeling for Webster and Hodge. This stuff is coming from a reporter - not the coaches. So JoJo didn't play. Is there something in his game the coaches don't know about?

Yeah me personally i think Hodge and Webster make it and JoJo is cut. Not saying JoJo didn't play well but the other two had a better preseason showing. McVay said in his conference that they saw enough of the others and wanted to get Hodge and Webster more snaps.

 

[Zaphod]

I’m just hoping they manage to keep Darius Williams. He can play man and zone coverage, and always seems to to be in position to make plays on the ball without pass interference penalties.

 

[Noregar]

Not dressing for the last game does imply that Natson may be safe but we cannot be sure until we see the final roster. I do no hate Natson but as others have expressed JoJo really scares me when it comes to ball security in a live game, plus IMO he is really limited as a WR. He did have a better preseason last year than he has had this year and lot of people wanted him kept around on the PS last season.

Our observations of him are lot more limited than the staffs. JoJo must may have shown well in camp and he probably also has Bones' confidence, which is huge. Whatever the coaches decide I am good with that because they get paid to do this, while I just pay to watch.

I do not think Webster gets picked up from waivers but Hodge may. If both clear waivers they will likely be on the Rams practice squad.

 

[nighttrain]

if we cut Davis and keep Kelly it will haunt us
train

 

[rams1fan]

Getting an extra 10-15 yrds on a punt return actually make a difference. Starting with the ball at the 35 yrd line feels a lot better than the 20.

Sure but have the time a flag is thrown and you now start on the 10.

 

[Legatron4]

I would be really surprised to see Hodge cut. He is a legitimate NFL receiver. Unless McVay is that great of a guy and knows he could start for another team and wants to give him a shot instead of being the 6th receiver here. But I really don’t like the idea of Natson. Webster is better at everything.

If the Rams are smart, they’ll keep 7 WRs. Too many injuries at that position to trust the top 3 guys to play all 16 games. Kupp, Woods, Cooks, Reynolds, Thomas, Hodge and Webster is who I would keep.

In fact, Hodge and Thomas have very similar games. They are both possession receivers who can play special teams. I prefer Hodge though. I have yet to see him drop a pass.

 

[Malibu]

I doubt anyone be would claim Jo Jo, but I guarantee Hodges gets claimed and possibly Webster

Totally agree. JoJo hasn't shown much as a wr and based on that his value to other teams is marginal. Hodge on the other hand is a reliable #4 we on any team.

 

[CGI_Ram]

It's insane.

Well, it hasn’t happened yet.

Its also hard to believe McVay doesn’t know the right players to keep... I mean, he’s “the next big thing in offense”... sorta knows what he’s doing.

Cooks, Woods, Kupp, Reynolds, Thomas, Hodge. Walker looks like he can play but we've got bigger fish to fry on this roster and we're loaded at WR.

I guess i'm just not that concerned over who's returning punts and kicks these days as long as they can catch and secure the ball. Every return seems to be plagued with flags anymore anyway.

It’s definitely an interesting thought. Kick returns have been neutered by the NFL.

And lastly...

One thing is for sure; Natson will be the whipping boy if he makes the team over those other guys. Every year, someone gets dogged around here.

For the record; I think I would keep others over Natson too. He just doesn’t feel long for the NFL. Very fringe of the roster type.

 

[Ram65]

2018 NFL Punt Return Statistics | The Football Database

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