FEATURE Atwell Extended

[fanotodd]

I think some people here have a misconception of signing Tutu. He’s not going to be featured in the offense.

Tutu does not replace Kupp or Robinson. Tutu remains in his same role.

Davante Adams - replaces DeMarcus Robinson
Puka is Puka
Terence Ferguson - replaceds Kupp
Tutu remains the deep threat. But next year Mumpfield replaces Tutu.


That is how the coaches want this to play out. That is the long term plan and it explains why Tutu only got a 1 year deal.

It also explains why they didn’t resign Demarcus Robinson @Memphis Ram

“That is how the coaches want this to play out.”

That’s a bold statement.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Who knows what other options, because they signed Tutu before free agency even began. They chose him over keeping Kupp, re-signing Demarcus etc. Its not like they tested the market and settled on him. He was clearly their #1 target.
Bizarre but we will see

I mean... "free agency" had totally begun... they pretty much knew what the market was after March 2nd.

 

[dieterbrock]

I mean... "free agency" had totally begun... they pretty much knew what the market was after March 2nd.

Legal tampering didnt begin until March 10, Rams signed Tutu on March 6.
Free agency started March 12

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Who knows what other options, because they signed Tutu before free agency even began. They chose him over keeping Kupp, re-signing Demarcus etc. Its not like they tested the market and settled on him. He was clearly their #1 target.
Bizarre but we will see

Adams was their number 1 target at receiver.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Legal tampering didnt begin until March 10, Rams signed Tutu on March 6.
Free agency started March 12

There's a lot of reporting out there on teams generally meeting with agent's "illegally" at or around the combine to gage market interest, set contract parameters, etc... And if Rams weren't doing that, they should be punished.

Rams most likely knew WR market after combine and Tutu's value league-wide -- if not exactly -- fairly close.

If I was gonna make up a story: Rams knew Tutu would get an "okay" contract with another team in a year with a weak FA class and what teams were directionally interested in him.

Rams probably agreed to pay a premium to get JUST a one year contract with Tutu knowing his market value after the combine. In a weak FA year, Rams get a known commodity at WR with a needed asset (speed) but don't have to keep him on a multi-year deal. Tutu gets more money per year (just the one) than he would have gotten on a multi-year with an opportunity to show out (not sitting behind Kupp, more snaps in slot - his best spot) and get an even better multi-year deal next year.

Sorta win-sorta win situation here.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

How do you know that this (your idea) is the way the Rams coaches want it to play out?

I’m just connecting the dots. He cannot replace what Kupp was doing. He’s not that type of receiver. Adams is playing in DeMarcus’s spot. What role does Tutu play? The only role left is the one he was already playing.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

“That is how the coaches want this to play out.”

That’s a bold statement.

It’s common sense. Unless Ferguson flops and nobody else can fill the void left by Kupp then they will have to change to something different. But that’s not ideal since it’s been reported that McVay wants to play more 12 personnel, just like he did in Washington. Where does Tutu fit into that plan at his size as a starter?

 

[WestCoastRam]

“That is how the coaches want this to play out.”

That’s a bold statement.

View: https://youtu.be/9HVejEB5uVk?si=UkzkxQbo9cpPHjtS&t=7

 

[RamFan503]

I’m just connecting the dots. He cannot replace what Kupp was doing. He’s not that type of receiver. Adams is playing in DeMarcus’s spot. What role does Tutu play? The only role left is the one he was already playing.

Problem is that we know McVay has said he wants to make the offense more explosive. We also know he tends to stay ahead of the curve. So while you may be correct in that his role will likely stay the same, his usage may very well change toward that goal of being more explosive - in other words - more targets.

Time is going to tell, but I predict TuTu will be targeted more and his production will increase.

The kid has skills and we may just see them actually utilized more this season with a different game plan than we’ve seen before.

Adams is not Kupp but Nacua is similar. This offense may actually look more like Kupp/OBJ with Atwell doing what I think he wanted from Van.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Problem is that we know McVay has said he wants to make the offense more explosive. We also know he tends to stay ahead of the curve. So while you may be correct in that his role will likely stay the same, his usage may very well change toward that goal of being more explosive - in other words - more targets.

Time is going to tell, but I predict TuTu will be targeted more and his production will increase.

The kid has skills and we may just see them actually utilized more this season with a different game plan than we’ve seen before.

Adams is not Kupp but Nacua is similar. This offense may actually look more like Kupp/OBJ with Atwell doing what I think he wanted from Van.

Isn’t the Van Jefferson role basically what Tutu has been playing? Field stretcher, deep threat?

 

[WestCoastRam]

Adams is not Kupp but Nacua is similar. This offense may actually look more like Kupp/OBJ with Atwell doing what I think he wanted from Van.

Really fascinating to see what the splits will be like this year. Even though we talk about X/F/Z spots for the receivers, it's usually just where they dominantly play and McVay's offense has them split time elsewhere (though X seems somewhat static*).

Whether Nacua plays dominantly at Z or F this year will be very interesting. He will get snaps at both. And same goes for Atwell. Will he dominantly play at F or Z?

If I had to guess - Nacua Z and Tutu F - but there's very much a scenario where that's flipped.

*Even with X being relatively static in Rams offense, it would be criminal to not give Adams at least a few snaps in the slot.

 

[fearsomefour]

Problem is that we know McVay has said he wants to make the offense more explosive. We also know he tends to stay ahead of the curve. So while you may be correct in that his role will likely stay the same, his usage may very well change toward that goal of being more explosive - in other words - more targets.

Time is going to tell, but I predict TuTu will be targeted more and his production will increase.

The kid has skills and we may just see them actually utilized more this season with a different game plan than we’ve seen before.

Adams is not Kupp but Nacua is similar. This offense may actually look more like Kupp/OBJ with Atwell doing what I think he wanted from Van.

I love McVay and at this point, I am a full on fan boy.
That said, he can be frustrating in terms of what he says he wants to do and what he ends up doing. For years it was him early and often abandoning the run game.
Then focusing on one or two players.
But, he does adapt (some coaches never do....I am interested to see if Pete the Cheat evolves at all in Las Vegas) and grows and learns.
I think he really makes these choices as the season moves along with, obviously, the best plan he sees for success being employed. Its a week to week thing with injuries, opponent etc.
All that said, the Rams offense was so bogged down for much of the last two years, averaging I think 20 points a game last year.
Injuries of course handicapped what he could implement in terms of game plan and playcall for a long stretch of the season.
I would really like to see Tutu used, just not on go routes, but on crossers and post routes. He is damn near unstoppable on the medium/deep comeback route near the sideline. He gets open often on those long developing crossers....but, that takes time, which means a healthy OL.
Tutu doesn't need huge stats (he already does a lot of clear our work) to contribute in a real way.
Taking advantage of all the attention Puka and Adams are going to attract with 3rd, 4th and RB receiving options could only help the offense.
I would keep doing what is working until a team stops it.
With the talent on the O now, all sorts of lineups and player combos are available to him.
Running the ball with 2 TE personal will be fun to watch.
Establishing that run game and then being able to implement play action with Puka, Adams, Tutu, Higbee, Ferguson, Whittington and the backs....run in pass sets, passing in 2 TE sets....he could really get creative.
Its amazing what a thin line it is in the NFL.
An offense can look great and stack points on everyone, then, fall off by 15% and it looks like a disaster.
I am very excited for the this offense this year.

 

[fanotodd]

It’s common sense. Unless Ferguson flops and nobody else can fill the void left by Kupp then they will have to change to something different. But that’s not ideal since it’s been reported that McVay wants to play more 12 personnel, just like he did in Washington. Where does Tutu fit into that plan at his size as a starter?

Not so sure it’s “common sense”. The 12P has been bandied about since McVay has been hired. We also know the Rams have toyed/tried to replace Higbee over the same timeframe.

Let’s look at what is NOT speculative. Higbee has been difficult to unseat and the Rams are running out of time—Higbee is mortal and can’t play forever. Several TEs have been brought in but No one has forced Higbee off of the field. A good blocking WR offers more than a good blocking TE. Between Woods, Kupp, Nacua, and Whittington last season, the idea continues.

What is speculation is that the Rams would rather have two TEs out there instead of three WRs. Maybe McVay would like to be able to run more 12P just to get Ferguson on the field without taking Higbee off, but I doubt Ferguson was drafted so high because McVay sees him as a great blocker. He wants a weapon, and I doubt the Rams will run more 12P than 11P.

Regardless of how Ferguson is actually gonna be used in his first year, the more the better. The Rams need their next tight end to replace who has turned out to be the best TE the Rams have ever had.

What IS common sense is that camp will settle this. Not two armchair GMs like us.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I love this forum but don't post very often. However, discussion threads like this are perplexing and this one is up to 23 pages.

It's not a particularly bold/rash statement to say this organization knows what they are doing. It would be troll-worthy to say otherwise.

McVay has said publicly Tutu was under-utilized in the offense. They consciously gave him a new contract. I trust/expect they have a plan to utilize him effectively and can't wait to see it!

No one is perfect, so if in future (retrospect) it doesn't pan out, criticism is warranted. In the meantime... let's see what McVay has up his sleeve and enjoy the ride!

Good to hear from you.

Talk to you next year.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Not so sure it’s “common sense”. The 12P has been bandied about since McVay has been hired. We also know the Rams have toyed/tried to replace Higbee over the same timeframe.

Let’s look at what is NOT speculative. Higbee has been difficult to unseat and the Rams are running out of time—Higbee is mortal and can’t play forever. Several TEs have been brought in but No one has forced Higbee off of the field. A good blocking WR offers more than a good blocking TE. Between Woods, Kupp, Nacua, and Whittington last season, the idea continues.

What is speculation is that the Rams would rather have two TEs out there instead of three WRs. Maybe McVay would like to be able to run more 12P just to get Ferguson on the field without taking Higbee off, but I doubt Ferguson was drafted so high because McVay sees him as a great blocker. He wants a weapon, and I doubt the Rams will run more 12P than 11P.

Regardless of how Ferguson is actually gonna be used in his first year, the more the better. The Rams need their next tight end to replace who has turned out to be the best TE the Rams have ever had.

What IS common sense is that camp will settle this. Not two armchair GMs like us.

You just reasoned it out yourself with the same conclusion. They want Ferguson on the field. He’s not displacing Higbee. That’s the plan. If that is the plan, then people are making way too much of a deal over a 1 year 10 million dollar contract.

Tutu is security if it doesn’t happen as fast as they hope. Signing Tutu to a one year deal doesn’t guarantee he’s starting over Ferguson if all goes well

 

[FrantikRam]

I think some people here have a misconception of signing Tutu. He’s not going to be featured in the offense.

Tutu does not replace Kupp or Robinson. Tutu remains in his same role.

Davante Adams - replaces DeMarcus Robinson
Puka is Puka
Terence Ferguson - replaceds Kupp
Tutu remains the deep threat. But next year Mumpfield replaces Tutu.


That is how the coaches want this to play out. That is the long term plan and it explains why Tutu only got a 1 year deal.

It also explains why they didn’t resign Demarcus Robinson @Memphis Ram

I don't think he will be "featured" but I think he will end up with targets/catches/yards somewhere between Van in 2021 and Cooks in 2018.

It is rare for a TE to produce their rookie season - I agree that Ferguson (or Parkinson which will drive fans crazy) will lead to us playing more two TE sets - but this team is intentional with how we spend money. If Atwell wasn't going to see a pretty significant bump in playing time, we wouldn't have paid him $10 million - and he likely doesn't agree to sign here.

I think he ultimately plays roughly 70% of the snaps he's available for (so minus any potential injuries).

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I don't think he will be "featured" but I think he will end up with targets/catches/yards somewhere between Van in 2021 and Cooks in 2018.

It is rare for a TE to produce their rookie season - I agree that Ferguson (or Parkinson which will drive fans crazy) will lead to us playing more two TE sets - but this team is intentional with how we spend money. If Atwell wasn't going to see a pretty significant bump in playing time, we wouldn't have paid him $10 million - and he likely doesn't agree to sign here.

I think he ultimately plays roughly 70% of the snaps he's available for (so minus any potential injuries).

I’m not so certain with the ‘intentional about how they spend money’ part. They have actually been pretty bad with spending money in many cases. You could start with the absurd Gurley contract. that was way way above market value. Then you could look at some of the free agent acquisitions that ended up not being worth it.

 

[dieterbrock]

There's a lot of reporting out there on teams generally meeting with agent's "illegally" at or around the combine to gage market interest, set contract parameters, etc... And if Rams weren't doing that, they should be punished.

What reporting? Players arent negotiating with other teams unless their team gives permission.
That's just not true
Teams have the chance to re-sign their own guys and the Rams used that time to ensure Tutu didnt go anywhere.
This came on the heels of signing Davante Adams

 

[dieterbrock]

Adams was their number 1 target at receiver.

Kind of heresay, they didnt know Adams was going to be released. They clearly had it in mind to ensure Tutu didnt test the market.
Not sure why folks are so invested in conjuring up hidden agenda.
I was as shocked as the next guy that they re-signed Tutu, thought he was good riddance. Obviously the Rams had other plans

 

[dieterbrock]

I must say, I find it comical that some folks believe they have a clue about what McVay's playbook looks like, his plan for usage and what he envisions for this offense.
I would think it's safe to say that Puka and Davante will see the lion's share of targets, but after that it's anyone's guess