Rams sign Mundt to 1 year deal

[ReekofRams]

Can he play center?

That’s what Darius Williams was tendered for.

 

[dieterbrock]

The Rams have utilized a "redshirt" year for multiple guys who have ended up contributing over the years...and I'd put Hopkins in that category

Well that's great, but does it matter that it isnt true? Hopkins was drafted in the 4th round and they openly desired to play him right away.
This redshirt talk is utter nonsense. SJD was a 6th round flyer, at a stacked position and was drafted for his athleticism/potential. If he doesnt run a good 40 at the combine, he isnt drafted at all. Kiser was drafted for his ST potential and that's where he played, as a rookie. In all 16 games & the playoffs. Hopkins only dressed 5 games, didnt even run a single route. Littleton? He was an UDFA, (Fisher was coach btw) and team voted him rookie of the year. He played in all 16 games. How is that a red-shirt??
Here's the real sitch,
2017
offensive skill position players drafted: Everett, Kupp, Reynolds & Rogers- All contributed right away with exception of Rogers who was cut
Defensive rookies played right away as well and contributed Johnson, Ebukam and Smart
6 of 8 rookies played right away and contributed all season, the 2 who didnt were out of league
2018
Boom played 16 games, Allen 13 games, Franklin Myers 16 games, Kiser 16 games, Okoronkwo injured all season, Kelly buried deep on depth chart, still played significant time in 3 games, Demby, Young and Howard practice squad fodder, SJD, Lawler played 16.
5 of 11 played majority of season, 4 were not NFL caliber, 1 hurt all year, and SJD
2019
Rapp played 15 games, Henderson battled injuries still played 13 games, Long played 8 games, Evans played 9 games, Gaines 10 games, Edwards 16 games, Scott 16 games, Allen PS fodder played 5 or 6 games
2020
Akers, Jefferson, Sloman all played when not hurt or cut
Lewis, often injured, Burgess played until IR, Fuller played when not on IR, Johnston cut, Anchrum dressed for 12 and a playoff game
And Hopkins, only dressed 5 games, saw only 2 snaps on offense
9 drafted, only Hopkins and Johnston non contributors without injury
So the only rookies who didnt make impact
Hopkins, Johnston, Dakota Allen, SJD, Demby, Young, Howard, Rogers & Ejuan Price
Red shirt? Nope
Red Flag? Dont know how it can be argued. 4 year starter in college, son of a former NFL player and cant even catch a single pass as a rookie, for a coach who clearly plays his rookies ASAP

 

[SteezyEndo]

Good deal. I like Mundt, his familiarity with this system can be a positive for future TE’s on this team.

 

[RamsSince1969]

I like how his name rhymes with Punt. Whatever that means

 

[Florida_Ram]

Johnny Mundt is C+ NFL tight end.

Mundt is a serviceable NFL TE.

He's probably worthy to be a #3 on many of the NFL rosters but that is not saying much.

He's been in the league (4 years) and that's long enough to get a feel for his pedigree.

This is only a good signing because the Rams have one of the weakest NFL TE depth charts in the league as of today.

Signing him back to be on the 2021 roster was not that great of a personnel move.

It was required because of his low price tag (familiarity with the system) and the Rams had no other options (priorities) at the TE position with their salary cap.

I'm not saying this was a bad roster move but getting Mundt back has little impact on how much he will help the team in 2021.

Johnny Mundt
2017 - 2 games no catches no stats as an offensive player.
2018 - 10 games 1 reception for 5 yards.
2019 - 13 games 4 receptions for 26 yards.
2020 - 16 games 4 receptions for 53 yards.

Doubtful he's going to turn up the heat and be a significant contributor in 2021.
Mundt is was he is. A good special teams player and 3rd TE on a most teams depth charts.

 

[dieterbrock]

I like how his name rhymes with Punt. Whatever that means

Got to be careful playing the rhyming game, its gets a little dicey after bunt....

 

[Merlin]

Got to be careful playing the rhyming game, its gets a little dicey after bunt....

You mean "runt?"
~ @Loyal

 

[Loyal]

You mean "runt?"
~ @Loyal

 

[Mojo Ram]

Isn't Jordan Reed still out there?

 

[Ellard80]

exciting news

 

[dieterbrock]

Isn't Jordan Reed still out there?

Yeah, I dont think he's be signed to any teams injured reserve yet...

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Well that's great, but does it matter that it isnt true? Hopkins was drafted in the 4th round and they openly desired to play him right away.

"openly desired to play him" ?? So to me, the only way to show an open desire to play someone is to actually play them. Being that it didn't happen...I'd say they didn't have an open desire to play him. The fact that he was at best the 4th TE on the depth chart when he was drafted, and the Rams kept the 3 TEs ahead of him, it's not surprising he didn't play. Not surprising at all. It was obvious to me that Hopkins was drafted as player we could develop into a TE...or as a big slot WR.... who was great insurance in case guys got hurt last season..AND if we lost Everett this offseason.

this reminds me of people who claimed that Henderson was a bust in his rookie season because he barely saw action....ignoring the fact that he was our 3rd RB when he was drafted, and there was no reason to put him ahead of Todd Gurley or Malcolm Brown.

You're looking at where Hopkins was drafted, and making assumptions, based on that, and not his place on the depth chart when he was drafted.

I'd add that if there were preseason games last year, Hopkins may have earned some time over Mundt...but again, with no preseason games, there was no reason to play him.

This redshirt talk is utter nonsense. SJD was a 6th round flyer, at a stacked position and was drafted for his athleticism/potential.

and Hopkins was a 4th round pick at a stacked position.

If he doesnt run a good 40 at the combine, he isnt drafted at all.

regardless.... he used his "redshirt season" to develop into a player that the Rams felt confident in putting on a track for a starting spot before he had lined up for 1 snap in a real game.

Kiser was drafted for his ST potential and that's where he played, as a rookie. In all 16 games & the playoffs.

No...Kiser wasn't just drafted for his special teams potential. The fact that the he played in every game on special teams is because he had littleton and Barron, Ramik Wilson, and Hager ahead of him on the depth chart, and he had a skill set that to play on Special Teams. But Micah was a big time player at Virginia...and projected to have a skillset that NONE of the guys ahead of him had...and AGAIN... the team projected him as a starter after his "redshirt year" before he had lined up for 1 real game at ILB.

Hopkins only dressed 5 games, didnt even run a single route.

He was our 4th TE.... only 3 of TEs played. Had 2 of them been hurt at the same time, he would have played...and I've always said we should use more 2 TE sets.

IF you could put a drafted player down on your practice squad without leaving him open to be picked up by another team, the likely would have done that with Hopkins....obviously they believed in him enough for the future to hold his spot....and again, we let Everett go for 1 year 6 mil....so obviously we have a similar belief in Hopkins as we did for Kiser, and SJD after their "redshirt" year.

Littleton? He was an UDFA, (Fisher was coach btw) and team voted him rookie of the year. He played in all 16 games. How is that a red-shirt??

It's a redshirt year because he wasn't named "rookie of the year" because of his play at ILB. But again...as with the same pattern....we had no problem handing Corey the starting ILB job after we moved on from Ogletree...even though Corey had very little experience at the position overall. What I'm calling a "redshirt year" could be called a "Developmental year" ..obviously it's not meant to be literally like a redshirt year because some of the guys mentioned actually get on the field...while others don't...but WHATEVER is happening during that year...the guy that the Rams scout, acquire and develop end up giving them enough confidence for the Rams to give them a starting or important role the next season. I call it the Rams Redshirt year...people have referred to it like that before....but it comes from the success the Rams have in guys taking that route to a starting and/or contributing role.

Here's the real sitch,
2017
offensive skill position players drafted: Everett, Kupp, Reynolds & Rogers- All contributed right away with exception of Rogers who was cut

Ok. guys drafted at positions of immediate need play. Guys drafted at positions with better players in front of them are developed that first year, and ready to step in the 2nd year. It all depends on the situation. It's a huge benefit to us that we have the opportunity to develop players and don't have to throw guys out there who aren't ready.

Defensive rookies played right away as well and contributed Johnson, Ebukam and Smart
6 of 8 rookies played right away and contributed all season, the 2 who didnt were out of league
2018

again, same scenario....guys who were drafted at positions where there was an opportunity to play sooner...played. Also those "2 guys who didn't and are out of the league" those were guys drafted under the previous coach. McVay and Snead have been implementing a system that may have started before McVay, but it got more perfected as we're drafting guys who we can develop.

Red Flag? Dont know how it can be argued. 4 year starter in college, son of a former NFL player and cant even catch a single pass as a rookie, for a coach who clearly plays his rookies ASAP

You're making assumptions without considering a context. So he should be jumped over Everett on the depth chart because his dad played in the NFL??

The Los Angeles Rams have been implementing a system...a pattern where they feel comfortable stashing and developing talented players ...and letting the guys who were ahead of them walk, and giving that developed player a chance at a starting spot the next year. It's happened multiple times...multiple players...and it's been very successful. I call it a Redshirt year, obviously it's not literally a redshirt year, but it's worked with multiple guys. The Rams believe in the players they developed and dont' just throw them out on the field based on where they were drafted.

Darious Williams played 1 game for the Rams in 2018 after we picked him up on waivers....we developed him...and he's a solid starter now.

our player development is top notch..... and until they start failing with this pattern, I'm going to have the same confidence they have in Hopkins until they show themselves to be wrong

 

[dieterbrock]

"openly desired to play him" ?? So to me, the only way to show an open desire to play someone is to actually play them. Being that it didn't happen...I'd say they didn't have an open desire to play him. The fact that he was at best the 4th TE on the depth chart when he was drafted, and the Rams kept the 3 TEs ahead of him, it's not surprising he didn't play. Not surprising at all. It was obvious to me that Hopkins was drafted as player we could develop into a TE...or as a big slot WR.... who was great insurance in case guys got hurt last season..AND if we lost Everett this offseason.

this reminds me of people who claimed that Henderson was a bust in his rookie season because he barely saw action....ignoring the fact that he was our 3rd RB when he was drafted, and there was no reason to put him ahead of Todd Gurley or Malcolm Brown.

You're looking at where Hopkins was drafted, and making assumptions, based on that, and not his place on the depth chart when he was drafted.

I'd add that if there were preseason games last year, Hopkins may have earned some time over Mundt...but again, with no preseason games, there was no reason to play him.

You can put lipstick on a pig, but its still a pig.
They havent drafted an offensive player who they played less than Hopkins. Henderson was injured and still played in 6 games in offensive set, another 3 ST.
They drafted the kid with a 4th round pick, talked about how they wanted to get him involved, how they liked his big play ability. And he couldnt even beat out Johnny Mundt? How anyone can try to spin that is beyond me. Jefferson was down on the depth chart, also had limited pre-season and yet there he was making a huge catch in the very first game
9 rookies, all got to play a decent amount except 2, 1 guy who got cut, and Hopkins

 

[Merlin]

I think the concern with Hopkins is valid. You guys saw Everett down the stretch the guy was terrible. If Hopkins had anything to him he would have been in the game. Remember this is a guy who was drafted due to his advanced passing game ability and polish.

But also I will say it's possible they said "Learn how to block this year first" and he never got there. Not likely but possible. Either way though there's good reason to think TE is a need.

 

[Mackeyser]

I heard Jack Shit could really catch the ball... They said he had sticky fingers.

Problem is that he couldn't take a hit like his brother Tough Shit. Granted, his dad, Big Shit, is a super proud papa.

The good news is that he's got a really high football IQ, unlike his brothers Dumb Shit and Dip Shit.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

You can put lipstick on a pig, but its still a pig.
They havent drafted an offensive player who they played less than Hopkins. Henderson was injured and still played in 6 games in offensive set, another 3 ST.
They drafted the kid with a 4th round pick, talked about how they wanted to get him involved, how they liked his big play ability. And he couldnt even beat out Johnny Mundt? How anyone can try to spin that is beyond me. Jefferson was down on the depth chart, also had limited pre-season and yet there he was making a huge catch in the very first game
9 rookies, all got to play a decent amount except 2, 1 guy who got cut, and Hopkins

So he's supposed to beat out Mundt with zero preseason games? Ok... guess it's possible but, I mean I'm not going to throw the kid away because he didn't take someone position in practice...someone whose been in the system and played in NFl games. That's an unrealistic expectation.

The Rams have confidence in Hopkins..that's why they drafted him 4th, and why they let Everett go. They also have confidence in Kendell Blanton who they've kept every chance they've had to put a practice squad together, or designate for future contract...Blanton has stuck around, and he's going to push Hopkins and Mundt if we have a real preseason with games.

 

[dieterbrock]

So he's supposed to beat out Mundt with zero preseason games?

Yes. In fact, Mundt would have had to beat him out. I dont know why this is so hard to understand. They talked about drafting play makers, guys who could make the big play. They said they would design exotic packages for him. And what was missing from the team all year? Big plays? And the guy who was drafted for that exact purpose, doesnt even run 1 route? Only active for 5 games? And again, this is the only guy in McVay era who couldnt get any PT. Surely had the experience, surely had the pedigree. My only guess is that you just feel like arguing because there's just no plausible explanation for this cat to have not gotten 1 pass thrown his way

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Yes. In fact, Mundt would have had to beat him out. I dont know why this is so hard to understand.

So if you look at the patterns with the Rams that I described previously, that is simply not how they operate in most cases. It's not a realistic expectation that the Rams would have drafted a rookie in the 4th round of a preseason with no OTAs, nor any preseason games and plug them in on the depth chart ahead of a guy who has NFL experience, and has contributed within our system. That just doesn't make any sense when you look at what the Rams are actually doing. I'll reiterate that, yes, there were times when the depth chart at the time of the draft...and the existence of a real preseason..that guys stepped in ....again mostly because of a need and opportunity on the depth chart. That didn't exist in Hopkins case. Particularly if we're talking about the 3rd TE whose needed as a blocker than a receiver...... drafting a guy who is more a receiver than a blocker would mean to me that he's going to stay the 4th TE for this "redshirt" season, be ready in case of injuries, and be ready if Everett left...which he has. I would also say this...if Mundt had been injured, and we needed a 3rd TE to play...it wouldn't have surprised me if Blanton had gotten the nod over Hopkins because he'd be a better blocker right now. Blanton played a lot of H-back in college, where Hopkins was used more in the slot when he wasn't lined up at TE.

They talked about drafting play makers, guys who could make the big play. They said they would design exotic packages for him.

Yeah...I don't personally recall the Rams saying that about Hopkins....but I'd suggest that they do have those intentions for him...but as as been shown in the past... that may manifest itself after a "redshirt" developmental year.

I'd also remind you that you should take claims or suggestions that McVay is going to utilizing "exotic" packages with a dose of reality. This is the coach that utilized the 11 formation much more than ANY other team 2 years ago, and although the 12 formation fortunately got used more frequently since then....McVay doesn't use a lot of exotic packages.

Use what the Rams are actually doing to explain their moves..not what "they" are saying. Like Bobby Byrd said...saying it and doing it are 2 different things.

And what was missing from the team all year? Big plays? And the guy who was drafted for that exact purpose, doesnt even run 1 route?

Obviously we were missing the explosive plays this year. I'm of the opinion that the reason for the lack of explosive plays was just traded to Detroit.

I'd also suggest that it's again unrealistic to say that McVay would have been like, "We need explosive plays....let's put 3 TEs in the game!!" or if you want to use Hopkins as a slot WR.... he's your 5th WR last year.

Good teams don't just throw guys in ahead of established players .. again after ZERO preseason snaps..... just because a guy was drafted in a particular round. We've often taken the route of developing our players for a year in hopes they're ready to be plugged in the following season, and now Hopkins has his opportunity.

Only active for 5 games? And again, this is the only guy in McVay era who couldnt get any PT. Surely had the experience, surely had the pedigree. My only guess is that you just feel like arguing because there's just no plausible explanation for this cat to have not gotten 1 pass thrown his way

I'm just pointing out the facts. I analyze what people do...not what they say they're going to do, or make assumptions about what they should do. We have multiple guys who the Rams have given starting jobs to going into a season when they've NEVER had a regular season snap at the position. Those guys may have had special teams snaps....and some preseason game time....but never a real game lined up at the position that they were given the starting nod. Kiser....Littleton....SJD.... Darious Williams played 1 game for the Rams and we felt good enough about him to move on from some established NFL CBs... A couple of guys got on the field early by beating out 1 person ahead of them.....Fuller.....JJ....Everett (who I don't think had anyone ahead of him).... Reynolds was drafted after we moved on from multiple WRs.... Hopkins was drafted with 3 established TEs ahead of him, and it would have been foolish to put him ahead of anyone with no real preseason.....just because he was drafted in the 4th round.

He's got his chance now, and last year is going to have him more ready..... Blanton will get a chance after having 2 years to develop. The team believes in those guys because they could have brought back Everett..but they didn't.

now we have 2 TEs we've been developing coming in to replace Everett.... I'd prefer that situation over having to draft someone and HOPE they can come right in and contribute.

The process has been working well for us.

 

[PhillyRam]

So if you look at the patterns with the Rams that I described previously, that is simply not how they operate in most cases. It's not a realistic expectation that the Rams would have drafted a rookie in the 4th round of a preseason with no OTAs, nor any preseason games and plug them in on the depth chart ahead of a guy who has NFL experience, and has contributed within our system. That just doesn't make any sense when you look at what the Rams are actually doing. I'll reiterate that, yes, there were times when the depth chart at the time of the draft...and the existence of a real preseason..that guys stepped in ....again mostly because of a need and opportunity on the depth chart. That didn't exist in Hopkins case. Particularly if we're talking about the 3rd TE whose needed as a blocker than a receiver...... drafting a guy who is more a receiver than a blocker would mean to me that he's going to stay the 4th TE for this "redshirt" season, be ready in case of injuries, and be ready if Everett left...which he has. I would also say this...if Mundt had been injured, and we needed a 3rd TE to play...it wouldn't have surprised me if Blanton had gotten the nod over Hopkins because he'd be a better blocker right now. Blanton played a lot of H-back in college, where Hopkins was used more in the slot when he wasn't lined up at TE.




Yeah...I don't personally recall the Rams saying that about Hopkins....but I'd suggest that they do have those intentions for him...but as as been shown in the past... that may manifest itself after a "redshirt" developmental year.

I'd also remind you that you should take claims or suggestions that McVay is going to utilizing "exotic" packages with a dose of reality. This is the coach that utilized the 11 formation much more than ANY other team 2 years ago, and although the 12 formation fortunately got used more frequently since then....McVay doesn't use a lot of exotic packages.

Use what the Rams are actually doing to explain their moves..not what "they" are saying. Like Bobby Byrd said...saying it and doing it are 2 different things.




Obviously we were missing the explosive plays this year. I'm of the opinion that the reason for the lack of explosive plays was just traded to Detroit.

I'd also suggest that it's again unrealistic to say that McVay would have been like, "We need explosive plays....let's put 3 TEs in the game!!" or if you want to use Hopkins as a slot WR.... he's your 5th WR last year.

Good teams don't just throw guys in ahead of established players .. again after ZERO preseason snaps..... just because a guy was drafted in a particular round. We've often taken the route of developing our players for a year in hopes they're ready to be plugged in the following season, and now Hopkins has his opportunity.





I'm just pointing out the facts. I analyze what people do...not what they say they're going to do, or make assumptions about what they should do. We have multiple guys who the Rams have given starting jobs to going into a season when they've NEVER had a regular season snap at the position. Those guys may have had special teams snaps....and some preseason game time....but never a real game lined up at the position that they were given the starting nod. Kiser....Littleton....SJD.... Darious Williams played 1 game for the Rams and we felt good enough about him to move on from some established NFL CBs... A couple of guys got on the field early by beating out 1 person ahead of them.....Fuller.....JJ....Everett (who I don't think had anyone ahead of him).... Reynolds was drafted after we moved on from multiple WRs.... Hopkins was drafted with 3 established TEs ahead of him, and it would have been foolish to put him ahead of anyone with no real preseason.....just because he was drafted in the 4th round.

He's got his chance now, and last year is going to have him more ready..... Blanton will get a chance after having 2 years to develop. The team believes in those guys because they could have brought back Everett..but they didn't.

now we have 2 TEs we've been developing coming in to replace Everett.... I'd prefer that situation over having to draft someone and HOPE they can come right in and contribute.

The process has been working well for us.

Plus remember the Rams opened up with like 3 road games in the first 4 or 5 wks, 2 of the first 3 on the road. I just think he got buried on the bench as things were going well and no need to to throw him in there over Everett

 

[dieterbrock]

So if you look at the patterns with the Rams that I described previously, that is simply not how they operate in most cases. It's not a realistic expectation that the Rams would have drafted a rookie in the 4th round of a preseason with no OTAs, nor any preseason games and plug them in on the depth chart ahead of a guy who has NFL experience, and has contributed within our system. That just doesn't make any sense when you look at what the Rams are actually doing. I'll reiterate that, yes, there were times when the depth chart at the time of the draft...and the existence of a real preseason..that guys stepped in ....again mostly because of a need and opportunity on the depth chart. That didn't exist in Hopkins case. Particularly if we're talking about the 3rd TE whose needed as a blocker than a receiver...... drafting a guy who is more a receiver than a blocker would mean to me that he's going to stay the 4th TE for this "redshirt" season, be ready in case of injuries, and be ready if Everett left...which he has. I would also say this...if Mundt had been injured, and we needed a 3rd TE to play...it wouldn't have surprised me if Blanton had gotten the nod over Hopkins because he'd be a better blocker right now. Blanton played a lot of H-back in college, where Hopkins was used more in the slot when he wasn't lined up at TE.

I think you're talking about a different team.
The Rams pattern is to draft guys and play them right away. McVay doesnt draft players with the intention of redshirting them. It doesnt happen, especially not with a 4th rounder. Especially when he talked about getting guys who could make big plays, could get seperation. That was Hopkins. And guess what? What was McVay criticism of the team after the season? Not enough big plays.
Blanton is a Jag, Mundt is a Jag, the idea that Hopkins was behind either on the depth chart is silly.
Again, I get it that you really arent even talking about this, you're just arguing to argue. Because things you are saying are just not true.