4 takeaways from Rams' preseason win over Texans

[Ram65]

I'm a fan of Hodge since he came on last year. I was thinking he could get cut because the Rams have other options at gunner with Thomas and Scott. As the 6th WR, he isn't going to get much playing time. I like Webster too. Very smooth WR.

looking up JoJo's numbers show that he is well above average on punt returns. He returned 26 while only fair catching 10 for a 72% return rate. One of the highest rates in the league.

He is so darn quick if he gets a little space he can get yards in a hurry. I think it sparks the team when he get a nice return. Those yards plus having Greg Zuerlein give the Rams great chances to score without needing many first down. JoJo had two fumbles one here on a windy day where both teams lost punt returns.
https://www.dallascowboys.com/video/c-j-goodwin-recovers-muffed-rams-punt

At this time no one has stood out as an alternative to JoJo as a punt returner. If the Rams keep JoJo it isn't all bad. He gives them a spark and valuable yards. The Rams can still get Webster on the Practice Squad as insurance.

 

[I like Rams]

??
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

People also forget that Thomas has punt returned for us before. He's nothing special at it, but its not like any of the other guys so far have outplayed him. Moot point but hes not terrible at it.

 

[Merlin]

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.

We kept 3 QBs last year but I think that was partially a function of our other positions not being as strong. By the time you get down to QB3 your season is over. It's a luxury to keep one, IMO, where the other positions have to warrant it.

But this year as good as Wolfy has looked in winning QB3 those other positions have better quality at the bottom of the roster. Roster spots are competitive between positions at the bottom. So it's an easy way to gain a roster spot by trimming your QB room down to 2 which is why I think they'll do that. Only reason you'd keep a QB3 over depth guys who have high snap upside at other positions is if you think he has the upside to be a plus backup or maybe a starter.

It's also possible to gain a roster spot with the OL, but their depth guys put up a lot of film this preseason and might get snapped up. Hrynk for example, if they cut him, might not clear waivers. Same with Brewer IMO. So I wont be surprised if they keep 8, but expect them to keep 9.

But anyway. Hodge is a good player. So is Web. Better at their positions, with futures, than Wolfy or Allen who are doomed to be depth QBs due to their limitations. Hodge has really good size, excellent hands, and has improved a great deal in his routes in his one season with us. IMO he has potential to be a receiver who gets snaps that count and he's done a decent job on teams where he flashed on a play or two.

Web is so smooth and has that look where you can trust him on returns. He has improved every game as a wideout and brings good hands too, not to mention looks like he is always playing fast and confident.

Whatever happens this will be the first cutdown day where I feel this bad about a few of these guys being cut loose. Which is a good prob, but it sure doesn't feel like it lol.

 

[Merlin]

People also forget that Thomas has punt returned for us before. He's nothing special at it, but its not like any of the other guys so far have outplayed him. Moot point but hes not terrible at it.

Thomas on returns would be a nightmare. His hands and focus drops would not play well as a primary returner IMO. Where he brings value is a gunner who can also play outside the hashes for you as a wideout.

I don't trust him, but I understand why he's won a spot and congrats to him. It isn't easy for a developmental type to be drafted by a different type of coach (Fish wanted size/speed over route technicians) and stick around with a new regime that carries a different focus. He has obviously worked his @$$ off to do what he's done.

 

[Loyal]

It's a nightmare for me if Hodge or Webster are cut, so that JoJo can an excite the cr@p out of us as to whether he'll catch the dang ball and not fumble it. Like others said, I just want a guy who catch the ball safely...anything after that is gravy. Hodge and Webster are much better than Natson at WR, imo.

 

[I like Rams]

Thomas on returns would be a nightmare. His hands and focus drops would not play well as a primary returner IMO. Where he brings value is a gunner who can also play outside the hashes for you as a wideout.

I don't trust him, but I understand why he's won a spot and congrats to him. It isn't easy for a developmental type to be drafted by a different type of coach (Fish wanted size/speed over route technicians) and stick around with a new regime that carries a different focus. He has obviously worked his @$$ off to do what he's done.

Merlin, he HAS punt returned for us in the regular season. Didnt drop a single ball if i recall correctly.

 

[Merlin]

Merlin, he HAS punt returned for us in the regular season. Didnt drop a single ball if i recall correctly.

I know. And I might be unfair in saying I don't trust him. But I don't. I think if he were a primary returner bad things would happen.

 

[I like Rams]

I know. And I might be unfair in saying I don't trust him. But I don't. I think if he were a primary returner bad things would happen.

Def not vouching for him to be our primary, hes not THAT good. Lol. I think we're all a little spoiled after having Cooper. I thought Scott would be our primary returner but i dont even think he had a single return this preseason. So this position is a big question mark.

 

[RamWoodie]

If The Rams keep 3 QBs, I'm down with Allen over Woolford. They probably won't though.

 

[Mojo Ram]

One more thought on returners. Much like relief pitchers in baseball, goalies in hockey, and NFL kickers, i feel like many of these returners can be a bit fragile mentally sometimes. Once they start dropping and muffing the ball...it can snowball into more mistakes for awhile.
It gets into their head and sometimes it goes away....sometimes it doesn't go away.

It's not worth it to me to have a dynamic returner anymore. I already mentioned the flagfest you get whenever a returner makes a play these days, but i'd rather have a solid hands guy back there who can go on O or D. I'm not interested in another Hakim, Tavon, Cooper or Natson. Frightening to watch in a close ballgame or a playoff game.
Turnovers are always bad but turnovers when your offense is on the sideline are stupid and brutal.

 

[Akrasian]

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.

He likely (well, virtually certainly) knows more than us. However, it wouldn't be the first time that a great coach is blinded by a small irrational valuing of a player that doesn't fit in with the rest of his genius.

Of course, it also wouldn't be the first time that fans overvalue certain players, that the coaches see problems with against full-speed competition.

 

[Antonius]

My favorite takeaway from Thursday’s game was Austin Proehl tossing me his glove