Return Man

[Merlin]

If you watch highlights he sure as hell return and int skills. I’m under the impression that he didn’t have a lot of opportunities to return but when he did he was electric! Sure as hell has the talent to be good. I’m intrigued.

Exactly. He may have had issues with ball security idk. Or maybe he was too important to that offense. Either way we'll see here soon I just like his skills for returning punts. Have to think he can help us there if he can keep from fumbling.

 

[blackbart]

One thing I really want to see is no punts hitting the turf. Whoever is back there needs to be able to catch the ball in the air every time. That should be a requirement, there should never be an average or short punt that bounces in front of the return guy and rolls for 25 yards.

Webster can’t make the team to be a punt returner. He’s not very good at it and no way is he a better option at WR than the rookies.

Maybe VJ steps up in that for???

 

[ProGen]

Atwell = PR
Funk = KR

I like this. Funk looks like a decent RB, and has skills throughout ST's in all phases, so would be nice to see him stick around.

 

[FrantikRam]

One thing I really want to see is no punts hitting the turf. Whoever is back there needs to be able to catch the ball in the air every time. That should be a requirement, there should never be an average or short punt that bounces in front of the return guy and rolls for 25 yards.

Webster can’t make the team to be a punt returner. He’s not very good at it and no way is he a better option at WR than the rookies.

Maybe VJ steps up in that for???

Great point.

Not sure why anyone is even stressing about kick returner - they're few and far between, and all the returner has to do is get 20-25 yards and not fumble. The bigger issue with KRs is penalties that bury us - thats not on the return man though.

For PRs - even though it's nice to have a game changer, at the end of the day, a guy that can fair catch and secure the ball everytime is all this team needs. That could be Robert Woods or Kupp - if he doesn't try to return.

 

[FarNorth]

Who’s it going to be? No way they keep Webster for that role, he is a turnover waiting to happen.

Tutu really doesn’t have the body or experience to get it done.

Funk?? Knee injuries could be a problem.

Who else is there? One of the DBs?

I've been wondering when someone would start this thread. It'a mystery at this point.

I've been predicting Funk and will stick with him for at least one of the spots. He certainly has enough speed and appears to be a good open field runner. He's also relatively expendable, at least compared with a receiver. I believe McVay and/or Snead have at least suggested he gets a look, and imo he could win one of the jobs.

Rams have also suggested Atwell gets a look, but I suspect McVay will be reluctant to put his prize rookie speed receiver in harm's way in the return game. And even less willing to do so for Jackson or Kupp-- no way imo either of them returns kicks.

 

[SteezyEndo]

I miss Pharoah Cooper. It baffles me that he wasn’t a speed guy, but he was a hell of a return guy.

 

[BonifayRam]

Interesting thought Corbin. He does have some crazy athleticism and was too important to do that kind of thing in college as a starting corner. Wonder if he's got good instincts. He does bring real nice size too.

IMO Rookie Robert Rochell will be terribly busy working as a major contributor as a reserve outside corner to be involved as the top returner. It's been discussed earlier & put into press already that RR will start as the Rams 4th CB. & RR could end up being the top CB backup.

Watch: Rams scouts discuss Robert Rochell's potential and athleticism

Coming out of the 2021 NFL draft, the Los Angeles Rams have given fans a behind-the-scenes look at the scouting process that goes into evaluating a prospect. They’ve done so in their webseries “Inside the Draft,” which features clips from Zoom calls with scouts,…

theramswire.usatoday.com

If after all the team capital/assets that have been invested into offensive skilled positions this off-season & the Rams have to utilize one of the very rare & few corners they have as a returner?:facepalm:

........it would point to some poor decision making.

 

[Rams43]

Wasn’t Jeremiah Haydel specifically a return specialist in college?

And wouldn’t Funk seem an adequate PR, as well?

Hell, anybody seems like a competent KR in today’s NFL.

I have virtually no worries about our returner situation.

 

[Merlin]

IMO Rookie Robert Rochell will be terribly busy working as a major contributor as a reserve outside corner to be involved as the top returner.

If after all the team capital/assets that have been invested into offensive skilled positions this off-season & the Rams have to utilize one of the very few corners they have as a returner?:facepalm:

........it would point to some poor decision making.

Hrm I cannot agree there Boni. He will have a few guys ahead of him on the roster, at least two. So if he can do it (which I have no idea) I don't see that as a big deal that would cause him issues.

Even if he can't do returns they'll probably give all these rooks a look as primary teams guys this year. So whether that role is returns or gunner or whatever I don't see it being a big deal.

I don't think he's likely to win that role btw. But I do find it an interesting suggestion because he's such a good athlete.

 

[Dodgersrf]

The coaching staff just doesn't seem to value this position that much.
They are aggressive on offense and defense, but quite conservative with the return game.
It just doesn't seem like a valuable position to McVay.
I think McVay is perfectly fine with having someone just protect the ball and give it to his offense. Return yards don't appear to be a concern.

 

[Ram Ts]

I just don’t understand the thinking of using Tutu as a punt returner. All the valid points of him being too small and thin as a WR are even more exasperated as a returner. Calais, Funk or similar is fine even with injuries because who cares about them LT - not to be mean but they are roster replaceable guys. Tutu was our top pick and drafted specifically for the offense.

I don’t care if Stafford was by far the greatest PK who never misses or punter - no way am I risking putting him in there to potentially get crushed on a blocked kick.

Just give me a guy who won’t fumble and can catch a punt - anything extra is a bonus. Unless the guy is the rare elite all-pro returner, I don’t want an important guy out there doing those duties.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

I just don’t understand the thinking of using Tutu as a punt returner. All the valid points of him being too small and thin as a WR are even more exasperated as a returner. Calais, Funk or similar is fine even with injuries because who cares about them LT - not to be mean but they are roster replaceable guys. Tutu was our top pick and drafted specifically for the offense.

I don’t care if Stafford was by far the greatest PK who never misses or punter - no way am I risking putting him in there to potentially get crushed on a blocked kick.

Just give me a guy who won’t fumble and can catch a punt - anything extra is a bonus. Unless the guy is the rare elite all-pro returner, I don’t want an important guy out there doing those duties.

I share your concerns about Tutu's size regarding returning punts. But looking at our depth at WR I dont see how he gets many snaps ahead of the guys we have. My thinking is that if we used a 2nd round pick on someone who is coming in as our 5th receiver, they view him as a return guy to justify the value of a 2nd round pick. And as far as his size, I'm more confident in him putting on enough weight to be a durable punt returner, than I see him putting on enough weight, AND passing guys on our depth chart to be a valuable WR for us

 

[den-the-coach]

Wasn’t Jeremiah Haydel specifically a return specialist in college?

And wouldn’t Funk seem an adequate PR, as well?

Funk has never returned punts. Big difference returning punts & kickoffs. Yes Haydel was very good in college, however, he's not making the squad. Most likely Atwell & Jackson or if one gets hurt, they could sign a veteran too.

 

[oldnotdead]

With all the new guys I doubt if Calais makes the final roster cut. I see Funk and Webster on KO and Tutu and Webster on Punts. I think it might vary from game to game depending upon the anticipated workload of Funk and Tutu. If it's a field possession game I really see Tutu on punts. As #3 RB I don't see the risk for Funk on KOs that much more than on runs. One missed tackle could mean really good field possession.

 

[oldnotdead]

Size of Tutu on punt returns?
Jojo Natson 5'7" 153 lbs
Tutu 5'9" 165 lbs

 

[…..]

Atwell wieghs about 78 pounds and cant make people miss. It wont be Atwell returning anything.

We’ll see.I think Henderson on kickoffs should be a thing. As far as punt return, we can teach a guy. Doesnt seem like we value returns that much to me.

 

[So Ram]

Atwell wieghs about 78 pounds and cant make people miss. It wont be Atwell returning anything.

We’ll see.I think Henderson on kickoffs should be a thing. As far as punt return, we can teach a guy. Doesnt seem like we value returns that much to me.

I’ve stated even before The Rams signed DJ1 that he will be an excellent option when The Rams really are in a good position to make a play with a PR. Copper Kupp was the PR guy early last season which was Crazy IMO. Funk will get some KR’s in during the preseason.
Tutu - he is a rookie,so anything The Rams get from him in 2021 is ice on Top. -Van Jefferson is going to add at least 800 yards to the passing game.
Kupp & Woods your guess ?? DJ1 600 yards & a few PR try’s.

 

[…..]

I’ve stated even before The Rams signed DJ1 that he will be an excellent option when The Rams really are in a good position to make a play with a PR. Copper Kupp was the PR guy early last season which was Crazy IMO. Funk will get some KR’s in during the preseason.
Tutu - he is a rookie,so anything The Rams get from him in 2021 is ice on Top. -Van Jefferson is going to add at least 800 yards to the passing game.
Kupp & Woods your guess ?? DJ1 600 yards & a few PR try’s.

Very good point! DJ can be the PR option! If we kill him, the loss will be much more tolerable!

 

[TheTackle]

If you watch highlights he sure as hell return and int skills. I’m under the impression that he didn’t have a lot of opportunities to return but when he did he was electric! Sure as hell has the talent to be good. I’m intrigued.

Nice to see you on the positive tip, keep it up. I will be surprised as punch, but the hope you are right

 

[den-the-coach]

Atwell wieghs about 78 pounds and cant make people miss. It wont be Atwell returning anything.

Well, he weights a tad more than 78 and I expect they are going to want to see him returning punts. Again, I would not be shocked if they added a player specifically for that reason.