FEATURE Atwell Extended

[fanotodd]

Agree, I think fans got lulled into a very static convo about offense given that Kupp was a guy who did everything so we didn't run/change formations and personnel that often. I suspect we'll still have one of the more static formation/personnel usages in the league next year due to McVay wanting everything to present similarly to the defense but I also expect a significant bump in formation and personnel change from last few years.

Agree and I think you can do both. That is to say it’s possible to increase formations and personnel groups without always giving away the potential plays.

 

[RamFan503]

A few people are saying he’s getting paid like a star and will sudddnly ascend to stardom. Thats how this all started and that’s what I initially replied to. But then others opposed my views. Then it snowballed.

You are saying what I’m saying. Tutu’s role doesn’t change. He moves up to the third receiver spot, but he plays the same position. Maybe gets a few more catches but he will be used the same. His strengths and limitations didn’t vanish with a 10 million dollar contract. He didn’t become Kupp.

I just added that, if Ferguson plays as well as McVay hopes, then that reduces Tutu’s usage. It won’t reduce Adams or Puka’s. So the new one year deal didn’t actually change anything, like some people suggested.

I don’t recall anyone saying a $10 million contract meant he was going to be a star. If anything, I recall people saying he was overpaid because that kind of contract is what you give to stars. What “stars” on their second contract are making $10 million a year as a receiver?

My contention is that his contract is pretty much exactly in line with what we can expect this season. He’s being paid like a mid tier receiver with some upside. If you take out receivers playing on rookie contracts, receivers that produced less, or receivers that signed before the cap went up, it’s really a non-issue. It’s all relative and TuTu signed a contract relative to a receiver in his likely position. If he has 750 yards and can open up the field even a little, he’s more than worth that contract IMO. I happen to think he may very well surpass that. But if not, I won’t bat an eye at the contract.

 

[Pupped]

I don’t recall anyone saying a $10 million contract meant he was going to be a star. If anything, I recall people saying he was overpaid because that kind of contract is what you give to stars. What “stars” on their second contract are making $10 million a year as a receiver?

My contention is that his contract is pretty much exactly in line with what we can expect this season. He’s being paid like a mid tier receiver with some upside. If you take out receivers playing on rookie contracts, receivers that produced less, or receivers that signed before the cap went up, it’s really a non-issue. It’s all relative and TuTu signed a contract relative to a receiver in his likely position. If he has 750 yards and can open up the field even a little, he’s worth that contract. I happen to think he may very well surpass that. But if not, I won’t bat an eye at the contract.

A lot of people have a hard time accounting for cap inflation.

Tutu's deal is exactly as you present it.

 

[dieterbrock]

Off-season plans are always evolving. Just like when they didn’t sign Mike Evans, they pivoted to Parkinson and later tried to add Sutton. The Atwell decision isn’t likely to have been set in stone the day after the Rams season ended

Yup, totally agree. Nothing set in stone. As it pertains to Atwell, he may not have been in their forefront the day after the season ended, but I think he was definitely part of the equation they were formulating when they decided to move on from Kupp.

 

[PARAM]

I don’t recall anyone saying a $10 million contract meant he was going to be a star. If anything, I recall people saying he was overpaid because that kind of contract is what you give to stars. What “stars” on their second contract are making $10 million a year as a receiver?

My contention is that his contract is pretty much exactly in line with what we can expect this season. He’s being paid like a mid tier receiver with some upside. If you take out receivers playing on rookie contracts, receivers that produced less, or receivers that signed before the cap went up, it’s really a non-issue. It’s all relative and TuTu signed a contract relative to a receiver in his likely position. If he has 750 yards and can open up the field even a little, he’s more than worth that contract IMO. I happen to think he may very well surpass that. But if not, I won’t bat an eye at the contract.

The kid has done everything asked of him since he's been a Ram. When Kupp was MIA to start 2023, he had 22 receptions for 270 yards in the first 4 games. Extrapolate that over a season and it's 93 receptions for 1147 yards. Last year, as the #4 WR, he had 42 receptions for 562 yards.....again, as the #4 WR. I don't see why some fans are still down on him.....well, I think I know but.....

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

My contention is that his contract is pretty much exactly in line with what we can expect this season. He’s being paid like a mid tier receiver with some upside. If you take out receivers playing on rookie contracts, receivers that produced less, or receivers that signed before the cap went up, it’s really a non-issue. It’s all relative and TuTu signed a contract relative to a receiver in his likely position.

Exactly. It’s a one year deal. It’s just $10 million. Tutu is what he is. Nothinghais changed. He didn’t suddenly become 6’ 214 lbs. But some here act like a lot has changed and others act like he’s getting paid a lot of money. I won’t bring up names to avoid the argument.

He’s being paid like a third or fourth option and if he was a long term piece in McVay’s eyes then he’d have gotten a multi year deal.

Hes not Robinson’s replacement and he’s not Kupp’s replacement. He's the same guy who may or may not be used more than he was, depending on how other people play and the offense evolves.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

The kid has done everything asked of him since he's been a Ram. When Kupp was MIA to start 2023, he had 22 receptions for 270 yards in the first 4 games. Extrapolate that over a season and it's 93 receptions for 1147 yards. Last year, as the #4 WR, he had 42 receptions for 562 yards.....again, as the #4 WR. I don't see why some fans are still down on him.....well, I think I know but.....

It’s like there are three or four different discussions going on here. I’m saying he’s the third or fourth receiver. Done think he’s been elevated as a bigger part of the offense.

But since you like stats so much extrapolate his touchdowns.

 

[dang]

The kid has done everything asked of him since he's been a Ram. When Kupp was MIA to start 2023, he had 22 receptions for 270 yards in the first 4 games. Extrapolate that over a season and it's 93 receptions for 1147 yards. Last year, as the #4 WR, he had 42 receptions for 562 yards.....again, as the #4 WR. I don't see why some fans are still down on him.....

same fans that will put a load of buckshot in your ass if you let your dog shit on their lawn.

 

[dieterbrock]

 

[FrantikRam]

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.

More so lately, but just an aside Gurley was strategic. Players probably respected the hell out of us paying Gurley, so that would help us attain talent in the future.

Some FAs have been bad for sure - Parkinson didn't really pay dividends last year....but that was more of a necessity with Higbee's injury.

Atwell has the numbers that tell us he can be productive. 800 yards would be well worth $10 million for todays NFL. Just the threat of his speed alone adds an element to the offense. He had 500 yards plus a few long PIs last year that changed games - that already seen production in the offense makes his case a bit easier to project.

 

[PARAM]

It’s like there are three or four different discussions going on here. I’m saying he’s the third or fourth receiver. Done think he’s been elevated as a bigger part of the offense.

But since you like stats so much extrapolate his touchdowns.

He is...at best....the #3 receiver. He's got great hands. And he should be a bigger contributor than he was last year. We'll see.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I will laugh my ass off if Ferguson comes storming out of the gates and ends up taking the F role for the majority of the snaps next season. People are gonna lose their shit about Tutu then.

But it will be a good problem to have.

Mind you I don't think it's likely but it's also not out of the realm of possibility.

And I'm absolutely salivating if there's a package where Ferguson is on the boundary with Adams in the slot and Nacua at Z.

 

[DzRams]

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

It's great to have high hopes for Ferguson but this is pretty optimistic.

After factoring in injury, Kupp played 84% of the offensive snaps last year. There's no way that Ferguson even approaches that number as a rookie.

We've heard that McVay wants to use more 12, but he hasn't said that he predominantly wants to go to 12. And I doubt he does use it that often since he's never made such drastic changes.

Further, When he drafted Everette he said that he wanted to use more 12 and pair Everette with Higbee. We know how that turned out.

You're penciling in a rookie a little too prominently. It would be a good year if Ferguson got 40-50% of the snaps. 80% is out of the question.

I anticipate that slot snaps will go to Puka (possibly his best position), Tutu, Ferguson, and some to Whitt.

 

[CGI_Ram]

It's great to have high hopes for Ferguson but this is pretty optimistic.

After factoring in injury, Kupp played 84% of the offensive snaps last year. There's no way that Ferguson even approaches that number as a rookie.

We've heard that McVay wants to use more 12, but he hasn't said that he predominantly wants to go to 12. And I doubt he does use it that often since he's never made such drastic changes.

Further, When he drafted Everette he said that he wanted to use more 12 and pair Everette with Higbee. We know how that turned out.

You're penciling in a rookie a little too prominently. It would be a good year if Ferguson got 40-50% of the snaps. 80% is out of the question.

I anticipate that slot snaps will go to Puka (possibly his best position), Tutu, Ferguson, and some to Whitt.

 

[Memento]

Honestly think Whittington's earned a shot at the slot role. He really played well in his limited targets.

Atwell will be our deep threat until we don't re-sign him - knowing that he's only a one-trick pony that he's not even elite at - and draft a dominant receiver next year in a stronger class or even look at guys like Mumpfield or Edwards to pick up the slack.

 

[Ground Chuck]

Well I for one think it is terrible what they've done to Tutu. Extending him like that.

 

[PARAM]

Honestly think Whittington's earned a shot at the slot role. He really played well in his limited targets.

Atwell will be our deep threat until we don't re-sign him - knowing that he's only a one-trick pony that he's not even elite at - and draft a dominant receiver next year in a stronger class or even look at guys like Mumpfield or Edwards to pick up the slack.

69% of his receptions were for first downs. That was the high for our top 4 wide receivers.

And on 3rd down the top 4 WRs were:
Kupp 29 T (16 rec; 7 FD) 44%
Puka 24 (17 rec; 12 FD) 70%
DRob 15 (5 rec; 5 FD) 100%
Tutu 14 (7 rec; 5 FD) 71%

 

[dang]

Honestly think Whittington's earned a shot at the slot role. He really played well in his limited targets.

Atwell will be our deep threat until we don't re-sign him - knowing that he's only a one-trick pony that he's not even elite at - and draft a dominant receiver next year in a stronger class or even look at guys like Mumpfield or Edwards to pick up the slack.

Atwell has some shortcomings but he isn’t a one trick pony. Hes both a deep threat (but cannot high point or battle dbs for catches) and a midfield move the chains weapon (good hands and ability to find soft spots across the middle).

 

[WestCoastRam]

Atwell has some shortcomings

hasn't he suffered enough here

 

[DzRams]

Honestly think Whittington's earned a shot at the slot role. He really played well in his limited targets.

Atwell will be our deep threat until we don't re-sign him - knowing that he's only a one-trick pony that he's not even elite at - and draft a dominant receiver next year in a stronger class or even look at guys like Mumpfield or Edwards to pick up the slack.

If Whits in the slot this year it will be because he's just great and grabbed the job by the balls or Tutu and Ferguson are underwhelming.

All off-season when McVay has mentioned the WR room, he's mentioned Puka/Adams/Tutu. Every single time. Atwell is a clear #3 right now in his mind judging by his language.

But I agree with you in that I don't expect them to resign him next year. If he's highly productive he'll warrant a big salary increase. Likely some ither team. If he's not highly productive we won't want him back. Either way, I'm expecting this to be the last year. But of course surprises happen.