JoJo Natson

[jrry32]

Since we picked up Kurt Warner, "off the street" I guess that applied to him as well at one point.

Once Natson shows it on the field and if he keeps on showing it on the field he too will be valued around the league.

I guarantee it.

Natson isn't Kurt Warner. We picked Blythe off waivers. I wouldn't let that guy touch FA because he's proven to be a valuable player at multiple key spots. That's not true of Natson.

He's shown nothing as a WR. I haven't noticed him on special teams outside of returns. And we have an All Pro KR/PR who can contribute more on offense and special teams. If somebody values Natdon, good. I wish the kid luck there next year. Pharoh adds more value to the team. And you don't waste a roster spot on a guy who is only a backup returner. That's why we didn't keep Natson to start the year.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Natson = Austin (in terms of production value)

 

[RamFan503]

Cooper is a rest return man but I was worried because after he fumbled in the playoff game, he seemed visibly shaken and I wonder if that feeling in the back of his mind remains? Seems like Jojo hasn't had any problems where the stage is too big for him. The coaches will have a tough decision when the time comes.

I really think that being shaken is what happened to Tavon too. He couldn't get that out of his mind as he was watching the ball come down.

In any case, I love watching JoJo play and his excitement when he gets a good return. He's electric and he just looks like a kid that got turned loose in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. I am very stoked for him because he seems to be in seventh heaven just to be out on the field. I love watching that.

Can you imagine being cut, having no teams go after you (apparently), being signed and kicking ass on a 7-0 team, and sporting those kickass horns on your helmet? Awesome!!! Go JoJo Go!!!

 

[dieterbrock]

Whats also possible is the fact that we have a phenomenal ST Coach in bones who seemingly gets the most out of all his returners.
So whoever we end up with, we will be in good hands!

 

[RamFan503]

Natson isn't Kurt Warner.

And Warner is no Natson. I knew John Kennedy, and you sir are no John Kennedy. Wait.... what was the point?

Oh yeah. I don't think Natson will have a roster spot next season but stranger things - no? I just love so many aspects of this team and watching him out there is one of them. As @Selassie I said, with his size, I do fear for when - not if - he gets blown up on a return. Until then however, I will have fun watching him weave his way where there appears to be no room for weaving.

 

[dang]

I say go with the hot hand. Jojo is the hot hand. Cooper isn’t needed as a WR unless we go through some serious injuries. He can return kicks when/if he returns.

 

[Merlin]

When and if Cooper comes back this season and if the Rams feel they can only keep one it will be Cooper. They cut Jojo and kept Cooper once already.

Couple things here...

First, if Jojo can avoid injury the rest of the way (which seems unlikely) and keep doing what he's been doing, he probably prices himself off the Rams because he's on a one year contract. It's not like those guys get paid big bucks or anything, but it will probably factor in from the business side of things given all the elite contract money the Rams are throwing around.

Second, if he gets dinged up and misses time and thus causes the Rams to juggle things around, they're not going to be interested in bringing him back next year. So no matter how you slice it his chances of being a long term returner for the Rams looks like a longshot.

But the same goes for Pharoh tbh. That short term control means the Rams will probably make an effort to add some cheap returner talent to the roster in their routine skill position picks in the draft. Honestly neither one of these guys are a given for a roster spot next year.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Natson isn't Kurt Warner. We picked Blythe off waivers. I wouldn't let that guy touch FA because he's proven to be a valuable player at multiple key spots. That's not true of Natson.

He's shown nothing as a WR. I haven't noticed him on special teams outside of returns. And we have an All Pro KR/PR who can contribute more on offense and special teams. If somebody values Natdon, good. I wish the kid luck there next year. Pharoh adds more value to the team. And you don't waste a roster spot on a guy who is only a backup returner. That's why we didn't keep Natson to start the year.

I simply don't agree.
Natson is not much smaller than Jet Sweep Tavon.
I could see Natson as a decoy, I can see Natson on reverses and double reverses, even a Jet Sweep here and there might work.
Coaches are hesitant to cut players that other players like and that have been productive.
I'm not saying he won't get cut, I'm saying that I just don't see him getting cut by McVay.
Plus why would you let Natson open to be grabbed by other teams when you don't know how Pharoh Cooper will return or if he could end up injury-prone.
I really like what I see from the kids so far and I'm a Pharoh Cooper fan who has seen him play in college and he's a genuine homeboy.
It'll be interesting to find out.

 

[hotanez]

Couple things here...

First, if Jojo can avoid injury the rest of the way (which seems unlikely) and keep doing what he's been doing, he probably prices himself off the Rams because he's on a one year contract. It's not like those guys get paid big bucks or anything, but it will probably factor in from the business side of things given all the elite contract money the Rams are throwing around.

Second, if he gets dinged up and misses time and thus causes the Rams to juggle things around, they're not going to be interested in bringing him back next year. So no matter how you slice it his chances of being a long term returner for the Rams looks like a longshot.

But the same goes for Pharoh tbh. That short term control means the Rams will probably make an effort to add some cheap returner talent to the roster in their routine skill position picks in the draft. Honestly neither one of these guys are a given for a roster spot next year.

He's under contract and he's cheap. In my opinion he's on this team next season

 

[jrry32]

I simply don't agree.
Natson is not much smaller than Jet Sweep Tavon.
I could see Natson as a decoy, I can see Natson on reverses and double reverses, even a Jet Sweep here and there might work.

There's a reason we traded Tavon. We don't need a decoy. Kupp, Woods, and Cooks can run the jet sweeps and are much more than decoys.

 

[Ellard80]

I believe you are confusing statistical significance with practical significance. Then again, you're on an NFL message board!

I'm not trying to be a dick... but the idea that Cooper is a better practical player for offense just isn't backed up by any real data. It's a word of mouth hearsay - also the fact that he can never get past 5 in the depth chart shows how he is not much of an actual value as a position player.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I'm not trying to be a dick... but the idea that Cooper is a better practical player for offense just isn't backed up by any real data. It's a word of mouth hearsay - also the fact that he can never get past 5 in the depth chart shows how he is not much of an actual value as a position player.

Fair, and appreciate the response. Perhaps we can meet in the middle. As far as Cooper's statistical production goes, it hasn't been much nor has he been given a ton of chances to do it at receiver given our depth. I would like to add though that he practiced all off-season as the back-up slot receiver and I'm not so sure Reynolds would have gotten as much playing time (I think Woods moved into slot on some plays and Reynolds was on outside) with Cooper able to step into the slot role. My guess is that there would have been a platoon of them.

 

[VegasRam]

There's a reason we traded Tavon. We don't need a decoy. Kupp, Woods, and Cooks can run the jet sweeps and are much more than decoys.

You're right - we don't need a decoy but, uhh...we're not using him as a decoy.
Tavon, (who I really do/did like), was overhyped, overdrafted and overpaid. and he danced too much.
Natson, more often than not fields punts on the run, and is ALWAYS heading north immediately.

I'm not trying to be a dick... but the idea that Cooper is a better practical player for offense just isn't backed up by any real data. It's a word of mouth hearsay - also the fact that he can never get past 5 in the depth chart shows how he is not much of an actual value as a position player.

I don't think you're being a dick at all, and "word of mouth hearsay" says it all. Nice phrasing. I also think Thomas contributes as much on ST (when he's healthy), and he and Hodge are arguably equally as good at WR.
I don't think Cooper's back this or next year. Seems like a really nice guy though.

 

[RamFan503]

Frankly, I’m kinda doubting either one is on the roster next season. We will probably pick up other options.

As much as I liked the tape on Pharoh in college, he just hasn’t lived up to at least what I expected. It’s hard to say if the coaches see it differently. But if one of them were to stick, at this point, I would take JoJo. As @VegasRam said, he takes the ball and is almost instantly moving forward. Pharaoh (dont know how to spell it and too lazy to look it up) did a fine job at that as well but started this season looking a little shaky. JoJo plays with what seems like a “I’m going to make the most of this opportunity” attitude and I like that.

For now, let’s just hope he keeps it up and doesn’t get that little body throttled.

 

[jrry32]

You're right - we don't need a decoy but, uhh...we're not using him as a decoy.
Tavon, (who I really do/did like), was overhyped, overdrafted and overpaid. and he danced too much.
Natson, more often than not fields punts on the run, and is ALWAYS heading north immediately.

We weren't talking about punts, though. We were talking about what Natson could contribute offensively.

 

[Ellard80]

Fair, and appreciate the response. Perhaps we can meet in the middle. As far as Cooper's statistical production goes, it hasn't been much nor has he been given a ton of chances to do it at receiver given our depth. I would like to add though that he practiced all off-season as the back-up slot receiver and I'm not so sure Reynolds would have gotten as much playing time (I think Woods moved into slot on some plays and Reynolds was on outside) with Cooper able to step into the slot role. My guess is that there would have been a platoon of them.

Yeah and I'm also saying I don't think they cut Cooper. But you just never know....I'm also not saying that Natson can't get cut either.

 

[XXXIVwin]

if Jojo can avoid injury the rest of the way (which seems unlikely) and keep doing what he's been doing, he probably prices himself off the Rams because he's on a one year contract.

Merlin, you were right to see Jojo’s talent even back in preseason. Jojo has won me over— as MCVay himself said at a recent press conference, “You watch Jojo back there and think, he’s a threat to go all the way anytime he touches it.”

Regarding Jojo’s contract status for 2019– I THINK Jojo will be an ERFA (Exculsive Rights Free Agent), meaning the Rams will have exclusive rights to sign him to a very cap-friendly low-cost contract. So, even if Jojo plays lights out in 2018, the Rams could still sign him to a skimpy contract in 2019. I think Jojo would have to wait until 2020 before he can cash in on true free agency.

I think Jojo will be an ERFA in 2019 because he came into the league
as an UDFA in 2017 and will have less than two full accrued seasons by the end of the year.

Capologists (flv?) feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. But I THINK the Rams can employ Jojo on the cheap in 2019, even if he tears the roof off in 2018.

 

[Stump23]

My memories of Cooper as a receiver seem to be of him dropping passes in his hands after taking a hit. Not that there is a large sample size, but last few preseasons seem to indicate this as far as i'm concerned. Nice to be able to debate which punt returner to keep......awesome depth and scouting.

 

[VegasRam]

We weren't talking about punts, though. We were talking about what Natson could contribute offensively.

You sir, are correct. Just scrolled back.
So, who do you prefer - you’re the GM- Cooper or Natson.

Btw Jerry, you get a lifetime like for you steadfast stance on Goff.

 

[PhillyRam]

He can be this SB team's Tony Horne.... Another UDFA who excelled on kickoffs and had some big returns in 99'. This time it's our PR who can make a surprise contribution.

I would like to see him on a jet sweep here and there.