Rams Waived Kendall Blanton. WTF?

[Allen2McVay]

Classy tweet from Kendall Blanton

"@RamsNFL
I’m grateful. Grateful for it all. I’m grateful for the opportunity. The ups and the downs and everything I’ve learned and experience in my 4 years here. I believe in God and I know that while I may not always understand it, His plan is greater than my own #lookatGod"

 

[majrleaged]

I think blocking is tenatousness, not just winning at the point of contact. He got beat, but didn't give up and as a result he still gave a key block. So yes he deserves to be talked up on that play. This happens all the time.

 

[PhillyRam]

We might be moving towards a deal where WR and TE blur more than usual in this offense.

I would point at Skow last year down the stretch and into the playoffs functioning as a lead blocker out of motion as a prime example of this. McVay requires his WRs to block and all of them are effective in that role if they make the roster. Harris on that block I mean damn that was a highlight play. In a big game a block like that would make you some name and rightly so. So what we might see is McVay move away from traditional roles and plug and play his big passing game pieces for different situations.

If you need to have good blocking on the end of the line then you have an OL flex out and report in for eligibility. It's not as good as a TE who can play great run/pass because it's a bit of a run tell but then again nobody expects you to throw to that OL. One of those dudes on the depth chart must have some hands for the pop pass type usage.

And when you talk overall roster strength what is more valuable... A WR7 who has elite upside and is developing or a run of the mill TE who has zero threat in the pass game. Some of the depth TEs you see around the league you might as well just grab an OL and have him serve in that role.

Just something I've been thinking about here as I watch things unfold not just this year but last year too. Difference this year is guys like Harris slid down the depth chart. So the final round of cuts might be very interesting.

Not much different than the old H-Back that Joe Gibbs used with guys like Clint Didier or Ernie Zampese did with Pete Holohan on the Rams or Jay Novacek in Dallas.

Not big physical guys, more receiving types, but could also block, even out of the backfield at times.

 

[1maGoh]

"Kupp cleanly grabbed Stafford’s handoff, making a cut at the right moment, and successfully got the first down as he gained seven yards on the play.

“We were able to execute it,” Kupp said."

Cooper Kupp Revealed How Key Super Bowl Play Almost Didn't Happen

Cooper Kupp revealed that the Rams had trouble with the jet sweep they ran during Super Bowl LVI in practice.

heavy.com

They executed the play as designed.

I'm going to pile on here with Elm and Kupped. Hopkins got pushed back a couple of yards. That's never a part of the blocking scheme. Kupp was headed around Hopkins' backside by setting as the defender was having his way and was already there, Kupp cuts up field. There's no way McVay's plan includes pushing a blocker back 2 yards and nearly getting past him.


View: https://youtu.be/F-OuaPUueOA


It worked but there's no way the plan isn't to go all the way out to the edge of the field like every other jet sweep we've seen here or for the defender to penetrate that far into the backfield.

What Kupp was probably talking about was that they failed to coordinate the hand off in practice resulting in the play failing. Here's the quote from the article you posted:

"We fumbled it like once or twice during the week where we just weren’t getting the snap-to-hand off situation."

They executed the hand off, which was consistently a problem in practice. The blocking... well, Kupp was able to adjust to it.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Washington claimed Blanton off waivers.

 

[MachS]

Washington claimed Blanton off waivers.

Yup. He put out good film vs TB in the playoffs.


View: https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1561461681666068481?t=gjdbpZ_n4mPvnFObsV361A&s=19

 

[So Ram]

I think in this scheme a lot of average TEs would look very good. His issue was no flexibility to play special teams and your 3rd TE needs to be able to do that otherwise he may see only one or two plays a game.

He didn’t improve & stopped ascending. His blocking was horrible & Mcvay got pissed & used him as an example of no one is safe from getting cut.
I look back at Mo Alexander as how Mcvay is not afraid to cut a veteran player who is not preforming to his ability at anytime.
You go from a stater & 2 weeks later your cut.

—I’m very curious about the DB’s as well. The numbers aren’t adding up imo ?

 

[So Ram]

Washington claimed Blanton off waivers.

I’ll add The Rams also want to make sure they take care of there own.
Meaning that they will cut a guy early to let him sign somewhere else.
-Another example is at the begging of a new season. Before a draft as well.

 

[“Turbo set!”]

Not shocked. Seemed like a tweener of WR and TE.

 

[dang]

Not being snarky, but what is he going to say?

I think Hopkins got blown up.. BUT... kept the guy engaged enough to allow Kupp to cut upfield.

Thats not how I recollect. Hopkins engaged and stick with the defender. Once the defender committed to the outside Kupp cut inside. Excellent teamwork by Hopkins and Kupp to make it happen. But my recollection has been less than sharp in recent years.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Thats not how I recollect. Hopkins engaged and stick with the defender. Once the defender committed to the outside Kupp cut inside. Excellent teamwork by Hopkins and Kupp to make it happen. But my recollection has been less than sharp in recent years.

Unless Hopkins was blocking backwards he wasn’t winning on his block.

It really looked like the linebacker was trying to shut down the sweep by cutting off the lane. That’s what he did.

 

[BonifayRam]

Sean McVay: Rams didn't waive Kendall Blanton to keep more WRs

Sean McVay said the Rams didn’t waive Kendall Blanton so they could keep more wide receivers, saying it’s “a total separate thing.”

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[kurtfaulk]

Unless Hopkins was blocking backwards he wasn’t winning on his block.

It really looked like the linebacker was trying to shut down the sweep by cutting off the lane. That’s what he did.

Hopkins pushed him sideways and that opened up a huge hole for Kupp to run through. Wasn't anybody within 5 yards of him. It was a fantastic block at the most crucial time.

.

 

[fanotodd]

My best wishes for Kendall Blanton in D.C.. Who do THEY have at TE?

 

[fearsomefour]

Interesting.

I’ve pointed out.. he can’t block.

Hopkins is light years better in the pass game.
Wonder if they’re bringing someone in or promoting someone.

Cater is mostly a blocking TE.
The Rams lost their "blocking" TE in Mundt.
If the coaches feel confident with Hopkins stepping up as a receiver (and with a couple of big bodied WR in the fold now) I think they like having that "blocking" TE as the 3rd TE.

 

[Psycho_X]

One other thing I'd expect from this is Hopkins not playing last preseason game? Being the defacto TE2 now and really no one else at all behind him who can play as an every down TE I'd think we'd protect him now? I wouldn't mind seeing Carter play a whole game anyway to see if we have something there who is worth keeping on PS at the very least.

 

[RamWoodie]

I think Hopkins is the better guy all around. I think many are remembering how great Blanton was in the NFC Championship game...and rightfully so but don't forget he disappeared in the SuperBowl. There's serious competition going on here, and I think we need to trust McVay on this one.

 

[ReekofRams]

I think Hopkins is the better guy all around. I think many are remembering how great Blanton was in the NFC Championship game...and rightfully so but don't forget he disappeared in the SuperBowl. There's serious competition going on here, and I think we need to trust McVay on this one.

He was injured in the SuperBowl, which is why Hopkins was playing.

 

[RamWoodie]

He was injured in the SuperBowl, which is why Hopkins was playing.

I remember...but still I liked Hopkins better...and even more, I'm gonna miss Mundt. That guy was rugged!!!!

 

[Riverumbbq]

and even more, I'm gonna miss Mundt. That guy was rugged!!!!

Roger Carter may put that to rest.