FEATURE Cooper Kupp Released

[Allen2McVay]

Rams have other draft selections and free agency to help fill those needs. Intangibles? Not sure. Production? I like their chances. Shoot a 5th rounder in Puka Nacua basically replaced his production.

Again, I applaud your optimism.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Demarcus Robinson did absolutely nothing when both Kupp and puka were out injured. He's the wr3 at best. He can't replace Kupp.

Unless you mean Kupp has deteriorated so much that drob is now better than him against man, then i get what you're saying.

.

Not sure how one starter could replace another starter. Plus he's a free agent.

Yes. The latter is what was stated and what was meant.

 

[WestCoastRam]

If they released him one year from today, they would have $20M of cap relief, with only $7.5M of Dead-$.

If they release him now, the savings is a mere $7.5M, with over $22M of Dead-$.

As for an 'up-grade at his spot', that seems optimistic with just one pick in the top-90, and limited cap space.

What if the Rams believe that Whittington can offer comparable production to what Kupp was giving us at the end of the year and possibly greater production by the end of his Sophomore year?

(Not saying this is exactly it, but I think it's something to think about). I'm not a hundred percent on why Kupp was basically the 3rd receiver at the end of the year but it does seem like he may have declined physically beyond the injuries.)

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

Whittington looked like a young Cooper Kupp out there last season. Obviously nowhere near as good but he looked like he belonged out there. A year 2 jump could be exactly what the Rams need.

.

 

[Merlin]

Whittington went over 600 yards in college in 1 of his 5 seasons.

Kupp on the other hand was Kupp in college before he was Kupp. Difference is night and day.

So no. It is not realistic to convince ourselves that Whittington can be Kupp because he kissed the blarney in working with McVay. And his rookie season he was unable to carry that role when Kupp was out.

Nothing against the dude but he is a depth option in this offense. And the Rams will address the roster appropriately.

 

[WestCoastRam]

.

Whittington looked like a young Cooper Kupp out there last season. Obviously nowhere near as good but he looked like he belonged out there. A year 2 jump could be exactly what the Rams need.

.

Didn't really care for him when we drafted him but I saw what the Rams plan was for him right away starting in preseason. He's like a 1/3 Deebo, 1/3 Kupp and 1/3 Puka (though not as good as any of them).

He'll be asked to do some of what Kupp did and he'll do okay at it.

But sounds like from Jourdan they envision him and Puka doing Puka and Kupp things from 2023 (basically, Whitt doing some of Puka's routes and blocking and Puka doing some more Kupp stuff).

Not sure how that works when it comes to splits at F and Z but will be interesting.

If only he were a hair faster...

 

[kurtfaulk]

And his rookie season he was unable to carry that role when Kupp was out.

I disagree. After showing some spark against the bears he gained a prominent role against the packers. He caught 7 passes for 89 yards. He was a chain mover. The offense looked barely functional with him out there. As soon as left due to injury the offense looked like a steaming pile of shit.

By the time he came back it was the puka-kupp-drob show.

They always say year 2 is the biggest jump for players.

.

 

[Allen2McVay]

What if the Rams believe that Whittington can offer comparable production to what Kupp was giving us at the end of the year and possibly greater production by the end of his Sophomore year?

That would be great.
You and Memphis are positive ... glass-is-half-full guys. That's terrific! ... Little Annoying

 

[Memphis Ram]

That would be great.
You and Memphis are positive ... glass-is-half-full guys. That's terrific! ... Little Annoying

Gee. I'm a glass is half full guy when it comes to the Rams pass receiving options besides Kupp, but the opposite when it comes to Stafford being elite.

I can't win.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Gee. I'm a glass is half full guy when it comes to the Rams pass receiving options besides Kupp, but the opposite when it comes to Stafford being elite.

I can't win.

I only pushed-back on your Stafford take when you described him as 'pretty good'

My initial response was that I thought he was "much better than that".

After some back-and-forth discussion, you posted a personal Adjective Ranking that had Pretty Good ahead of Good, and right behind Great. That's when I let it go.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I only pushed-back on your Stafford take when you described him as 'pretty good'

My initial response was that I thought he was "much better than that".

After some back-and-forth discussion, you posted a personal Adjective Ranking that had Pretty Good ahead of Good, and right behind Great. That's when I let it go.

Yeah. I learned that I'd been using pretty good and good in the wrong order for years via the average person. In my neighborhood growing up we said pretty good when describing girls using them as separate words. Slang way to say pretty and good (good later shifted to fine).

Anyway you went on to say that Stafford was exceptional (not elite as earlier stated). And I disagreed. Still do.

Optimism in replacing Kupp comes from being a draftnik and see the potential incoming options. But, I understand if one doesn't follow the draft as closely they aren't likely to share that optimism.

 

[0311rams]

I just hope the receiving room will have healthy players as we are thin their atm.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Yeah. I learned that I'd been using pretty good and good in the wrong order for years via the average person. In my neighborhood growing up we said pretty good when describing girls using them as separate words. Slang way to say pretty and good (good later shifted to fine).

Anyway you went on to say that Stafford was exceptional (not elite as earlier stated). And I disagreed. Still do.

Optimism in replacing Kupp comes from being a draftnik and see the potential incoming options. But, I understand if one doesn't follow the draft as closely they aren't likely to share that optimism.

I was "pretty" much with you until that border-line passive aggressive comment.

I was even going to give you a Thumbs-Up emoji. Maybe even a rare High-Five, since I am in a good mood.
Now You Don't Get One.

You have No Idea how closely I may or may not follow the Draft.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Optimism in replacing Kupp comes from being a draftnik and see the potential incoming options. But, I understand if one doesn't follow the draft as closely they aren't likely to share that optimism.

I couldn't help myself, so I just took a look at your final 2024 Mock Draft.

Yikes!!!

 

[Memphis Ram]

I was "pretty" much with you until that border-line passive aggressive comment.

I was even going to give you a Thumbs-Up emoji. Maybe even a rare High-Five, since I am in a good mood.
Now You Don't Get One.

You have No Idea how closely I may or may not follow the Draft.

I didn't know I was being passive aggressive. I thought I was just speaking in general, but you are right. While I don't recall you being active in the draft forum, I have no idea how closely you may or may not follow the draft.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I couldn't help myself, so I just took a look at your final 2024 Mock Draft.

Yikes!!!

Did you also notice that I simply threw something together real quick making guesses on what might happen?

Nobody really knows where players are going to be selected. It's just a fun exercise. Something draftniks know. (Now that was passive aggressive).

 

[Tumak61]

I think McVay will go away from the heavy use of 11 personnel so the slot position will still be important but maybe not as much as it was. Lot's of TE's on the roster now that McVay has trust in. If Kupp can agree to take less and come back then maybe more of a 3rd down role would work and allow less wear and tear on him.

 

[snackdaddy]

Whittington went over 600 yards in college in 1 of his 5 seasons.

Kupp on the other hand was Kupp in college before he was Kupp. Difference is night and day.

So no. It is not realistic to convince ourselves that Whittington can be Kupp because he kissed the blarney in working with McVay. And his rookie season he was unable to carry that role when Kupp was out.

Nothing against the dude but he is a depth option in this offense. And the Rams will address the roster appropriately.

I'd tend to agree. Whittington definitely overachieved for his draft position. And will be on the game day roster every week. But he's not a WR2. If he's our WR3 we probably did not find one in free agency or the draft. I'd still like to see Robinson come back.

 

[Merlin]

I'd tend to agree. Whittington definitely overachieved for his draft position. And will be on the game day roster every week. But he's not a WR2. If he's our WR3 we probably did not find one in free agency or the draft. I'd still like to see Robinson come back.

Yes. He may end up being a real find. And that would be great. But building a roster they're not going to count on that. They have to proceed as if he is what he likely is.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Did you also notice that I simply threw something together real quick making guesses on what might happen?

It was a really detailed post, with videos and stats.

You did have the Rams using two of their top picks on an Edge and DL ... but they combined for Zero sacks.

Nobody really knows where players are going to be selected. It's just a fun exercise. Something draftniks know. (Now that was passive aggressive).

I don't really see that comment as passive aggressive but, if you insist ... How Dare You!!!