T-Ferg and the 12s

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

Pupped

Legend
Joined
Aug 5, 2021
Messages
9,176
Name
Pupped
We've all been waiting/wondering when/if McVay would start using 12 personnel at a much higher rate... and I think we're finally here!!

4 legit tight ends on the roster.. it's a big jump from the start of last season!!!

As has been told on here and other places.. the Oregon offense incorporated quite a few Rams concepts and that should help get him opportunities to thrive earlier than typical for a rookie TE.

I'm not expecting a Bowers/Laporta type rookie season.. but maybe something between Dalton Kincade and Tucker Kraft. I'm thinking 40-50 catches is absolutely possible. His YAC potential is really, really high.. can easily see them using TE screens.. chip block/release actions to get him into those YAC situations. I was waiting to see him on the field before getting too excited.. but seeing him track that ball from Winn.. and then his movement on the second catch with the ball... Yeah, the kid's got a ton of talent. He may not be ready to be an every down in-line blocker.. but as a second TE in movement??? That's gonna be fun in the run game.

Higbee is very solid.. Parkinson wasn't great.. but is a functional NFL TE and a big mofo in the run game... Davis Allen as a 4th is a really solid player. It's just a heck of a group, imo.

The Rams power game could go to the next level... and T-Ferg could be a legitimate weapon in 12 personnel by end of season.

This will finally be the year we see the Rams really embrace that 12 grouping, imo.
 

Merlin

Damn the torpedoes
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2023 TOP Member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
43,233
We'll see how long it takes the kid to learn the offense. Might take a while to get up to speed, but as long as Higs is healthy I'd say increased 12 is a certainty.
 

Pupped

Legend
Joined
Aug 5, 2021
Messages
9,176
Name
Pupped
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3
We'll see how long it takes the kid to learn the offense. Might take a while to get up to speed, but as long as Higs is healthy I'd say increased 12 is a certainty.
TE is notoriously a difficult transition to the NFL. My hopes are built on the fact that there are quite a few concepts the Rams use he is already familiar with.. and that I don't think he'll be asked to do much in-line stuff as a rookie, perhaps reducing the amount he needs to learn/process in his first year, allowing him to focus on building on the things he already knows.

It may not happen, but that's what I'm building my hopes on, in addition to his RIDICULOUS physical gifts. Just a WOW athlete for the position.. and not just his raw numbers, the young man is sooooo fluid. Most talented TE I've ever seen in a Rams jersey.
 

snackdaddy

Who's your snackdaddy?
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
13,602
Name
Charlie
I can see why McVay wanted him. He just needs to learn the nuances of blocking at this level. From what I read about him pre draft was blocking inside was not something they asked him to do a lot of. His blocking was more like what receivers do on the outside.
 

Merlin

Damn the torpedoes
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2023 TOP Member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
43,233
TE is notoriously a difficult transition to the NFL. My hopes are built on the fact that there are quite a few concepts the Rams use he is already familiar with.. and that I don't think he'll be asked to do much in-line stuff as a rookie, perhaps reducing the amount he needs to learn/process in his first year, allowing him to focus on building on the things he already knows.

It may not happen, but that's what I'm building my hopes on, in addition to his RIDICULOUS physical gifts. Just a WOW athlete for the position.. and not just his raw numbers, the young man is sooooo fluid. Most talented TE I've ever seen in a Rams jersey.
Most of the difficulties lie with playing off the line in the classic role and taking on Edges, who are some of the worst matchups in the defensive fronts around the league. This is why I say if Higs is healthy his transition for playing time this season should be smooth. All he has to do is learn the routes and adjustments for the playbook, as his role will be a lot of the standard slot routes in McVay's offense. And if there is one position that McVay really knows how to maximize a player, it's in that slot usage. It is one of his super powers, that ability to scheme dudes up for advantage, especially if they trust him on option routes. Which, done wrong, can make the QB look like dogshit and result in six the other way.
 

Spider2YB

Hall of Fame
Joined
May 2, 2015
Messages
2,618
As soon as he proves he can handle himself in the run game, he’s going to become a permanent fixture of the offense. I think the hope is by week 5 or 6 he starts to see his snaps increase.
 

Steve808

Hall of Fame
Joined
Nov 27, 2017
Messages
2,081
Name
Steve
Remember when McVay mixed in some 2 TE formations? It was pretty effective, in my opinion of course. I'd like to see that once in a while to give opponents more to prepare for.
 

Dodgersrf

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Mar 17, 2014
Messages
11,656
Name
Scott
As ling as our o-line is strong, I doubt we will see more 12.
Which I’m fine with.
 

den-the-coach

Fifty-four Forty or Fight
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Jan 16, 2013
Messages
24,032
Name
Dennis
Ferguson offers quite a bit in the passing game, isolation and the fades too in the redzone. Tough to tackle too. All of us have been pounding the table for 12 personnel and looking forward to seeing more of it. Also keep in mind the new TE Coach is Scott "Scooter" Huff and his background is OL, which should help coaching the group from a blocking perspective.
 

OldSchool

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Nov 3, 2013
Messages
44,145
Been pounding the table for Ferg since we drafted him. He will get out there as a TE, both solo a.d 2 TE with Higs. Also think we'll see him as a big slot.
 
Last edited: