Tutu’s back

[InfiniteRam]

Atwell also has more offensive snaps than the 3 of them combined by a decent amount and should have more production as a veteran of the team and having received a big 1 year contract after his rookie deal ran out. Smith has been almost exclusively a ST guy Whittington is a 2nd year guy still learning and Mumpfield just had his rookie season. TBH Atwell should have had a hell of a lot more production with the offense he was part of for 5 years.

Atwell has no control over how many times he's targeted, nor do any of the #3+ WR's.

He has made multiple huge plays for this team over the past several years.

 

[OldSchool]

Atwell has no control over how many times he's targeted, nor do any of the #3+ WR's.

He has made multiple huge plays for this team over the past several years.

Two years on the team and Whittington has a 40 and 50 for the long each of his two years. Smith in his first year really used as a WR last year had 24 targets and had game longs of 36 48 and 51 Tutu had 3 longs of 19 38 and 88. Means nothing he's no better than the guys people want to compare him to with his 5 years experience in this offense. Smith had as good of a year in YPC last year as Tutu had any other year than last year which was skewed by 1 reception.

And in the Rams you earn your targets and snaps. Tutu seems to earn being on the team but very little else. We're honestly at the point where this is absolutely pointless. There's nothing else to do but watch them all play if they make the team.

 

[Ram65]

I wonder if McVay, in his off-season video analysis and new play development, realized that their deep passing to WRs other than Puka has been lacking. It was noticeable that they tried to connect deep to Mumpfield; they failed because he never separated on deep routes. Even though Atwell was hurt and didn't get back in the games, he still had more yards than the others besides Smith. It's wild when you think about it. I don't think we give Smith enough credit for his ability to stretch the field. His YAC was 6 with total of 107 yards.

Google Search

2025 Regular Season Receiving & Average Stats

Player	Catches (Receptions)	Receiving Yards	Yards Per Catch (Avg)
Xavier (X) Smith	18	303	16.8
Tutu Atwell	6	192	32.0
Jordan Whittington	18	171	9.5
Konata Mumpfield	10	92	9.2

 

[Ram65]

WR last year had 24 targets and had game longs of 36 48 and 51 Tutu had 3 longs of 19 38 and 88.

Tutu got only 15 targets. That's 37.5% fewer opportunities. One of those was a game-winner, and the other set up the Rams to beat the Whinners, but the Rams didn't capitalize. These long plays are always important. Having two WR that can stretch the field is better than one. Missed games happen for both Adams and Puka. Having backup options is needed.

 

[PARAM]

Two years on the team and Whittington has a 40 and 50 for the long each of his two years. Smith in his first year really used as a WR last year had 24 targets and had game longs of 36 48 and 51 Tutu had 3 longs of 19 38 and 88. Means nothing he's no better than the guys people want to compare him to with his 5 years experience in this offense. Smith had as good of a year in YPC last year as Tutu had any other year than last year which was skewed by 1 reception.

And in the Rams you earn your targets and snaps. Tutu seems to earn being on the team but very little else. We're honestly at the point where this is absolutely pointless. There's nothing else to do but watch them all play if they make the team.

He was #4 among WR in 2024 and #3 among WR in 2023 for targets, so yeah, he earned that. Last year he missed time on IR and by the time he came back they were heavy into 13P.

IIRC, prior to the season, McVay made a comment about getting Tutu more involved, hence the 10 mil price tag. It didn't happen probably for the reasons cited above.

It is certainly baffling...and frustrating. On many levels.

 

[Classic Rams]

I wonder if McVay, in his off-season video analysis and new play development, realized that their deep passing to WRs other than Puka has been lacking. It was noticeable that they tried to connect deep to Mumpfield; they failed because he never separated on deep routes. Even though Atwell was hurt and didn't get back in the games, he still had more yards than the others besides Smith. It's wild when you think about it. I don't think we give Smith enough credit for his ability to stretch the field. His YAC was 6 with total of 107 yards.

Google Search

2025 Regular Season Receiving & Average Stats

Player	Catches (Receptions)	Receiving Yards	Yards Per Catch (Avg)
Xavier (X) Smith	18	303	16.8
Tutu Atwell	6	192	32.0
Jordan Whittington	18	171	9.5
Konata Mumpfield	10	92	9.2

I like this chart. Straight to the point. Catches and no targets. Fuck that fantasy stat.

 

[kurtfaulk]

I wonder if McVay, in his off-season video analysis and new play development, realized that their deep passing to WRs other than Puka has been lacking. It was noticeable that they tried to connect deep to Mumpfield; they failed because he never separated on deep routes. Even though Atwell was hurt and didn't get back in the games, he still had more yards than the others besides Smith. It's wild when you think about it. I don't think we give Smith enough credit for his ability to stretch the field. His YAC was 6 with total of 107 yards.

Google Search

2025 Regular Season Receiving & Average Stats

Player	Catches (Receptions)	Receiving Yards	Yards Per Catch (Avg)
Xavier (X) Smith	18	303	16.8
Tutu Atwell	6	192	32.0
Jordan Whittington	18	171	9.5
Konata Mumpfield	10	92	9.2

It seems like the only way Mcvay could incorporate him in the offense was as a deep threat. No idea why he can't use him on slants and let him use his speed for yac.

.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I remember when Tutu caught that TD against the Colts he led the league with 88 yards per catch.

 

[WestCoastRam]

It seems like the only way Mcvay could incorporate him in the offense was as a deep threat. No idea why he can't use him on slants and let him use his speed for yac.

.

I think a big part of the limiting factor with Tutu (aside from his own physical shortcomings) is that we can't just run him on slants.*

What I really mean by that is it's really hard to just have a package for him where we're running routes just to take advantage of his unique skills when so much of the offense is predicated on formations, personnel, etc... being set up so run and pass plays look the same and routes look the same... till they don't.

This requires guys to to be versatile as route runners and blockers where Tutu really can't. Sure we have packages for him, we do for certain guys but the more we cater to his skill set the more we lose in one of the greatest strengths of our offense which is the ability to sell run and pass equally and reliably threaten on certain routes or make them look a certain way till we throw a counter which he just can't do with his limited route tree.

*Okay, another thing is running slants with him wouldn't be a route I'd run, you need a guy who can get off the line, usually against press - you'd want to run slants against that - and then a guy who can muscle through at the top of the route where CBs, LBs and safeties can still get a hand on you in 5 yards. Also, I want a guy with agility catching slants who can get YAC in a crowd. Tutu is fast but he's never been quick or agile.

Honestly, it's one of the last routes I'd run with him. Ugh. He's such a limited player but good depth for us with a likely Puka suspension for 1-2 games.

 

[PhillyRam]

McVay's call to Tutu...

 

[Steve808]

He makes plays whenever given the opportunity.

So my guesses are either:
- Puka is about to be suspended or has had an injury set back (hopefully not holding out).
- There's a WR injury that we don't know about yet.
- Xavier Smith just lost his job and Kyren will actually be returning punts.

One thing I loved about Tutu. He made big plays against the whiners.

 

[TexasRam]

I do like Tutu's speed but....



View: https://giphy.com/gifs/latenightseth-lol-seth-meyers-lnsm-hSuNBrSOfAp2lG0mOr

 

[kmramsfan]

Welcome back
Your dreams were your ticket out
Welcome back to that same old place
That you laughed about

Well, the names have all changed
Since you hung around
But those dreams have remained
And they've turned around

Who'd have thought they'd lead you
(Who'd have thought they'd lead you)
Back here where we need you
(Back here where we need you)

Yeah, we tease him a lot
Cause we got him on the spot
Welcome back

Welcome back
Welcome back
Welcome back
Welcome back
Welcome back

I can still hear John Sebastian singing that .........

 

[PARAM]

It seems like the only way Mcvay could incorporate him in the offense was as a deep threat. No idea why he can't use him on slants and let him use his speed for yac.

.

Deep threat and decoy. Run him deep and that's 2 guys, a CB and a S preoccupied with Tutu. I wish I could see a stat about how productive or unproductive the offense is when he is on the field.

 

[Ram65]

I think a big part of the limiting factor with Tutu (aside from his own physical shortcomings) is that we can't just run him on slants.*

What I really mean by that is it's really hard to just have a package for him where we're running routes just to take advantage of his unique skills when so much of the offense is predicated on formations, personnel, etc... being set up so run and pass plays look the same and routes look the same... till they don't.

This requires guys to to be versatile as route runners and blockers where Tutu really can't. Sure we have packages for him, we do for certain guys but the more we cater to his skill set the more we lose in one of the greatest strengths of our offense which is the ability to sell run and pass equally and reliably threaten on certain routes or make them look a certain way till we throw a counter which he just can't do with his limited route tree.

*Okay, another thing is running slants with him wouldn't be a route I'd run, you need a guy who can get off the line, usually against press - you'd want to run slants against that - and then a guy who can muscle through at the top of the route where CBs, LBs and safeties can still get a hand on you in 5 yards. Also, I want a guy with agility catching slants who can get YAC in a crowd. Tutu is fast but he's never been quick or agile.

Honestly, it's one of the last routes I'd run with him. Ugh. He's such a limited player but good depth for us with a likely Puka suspension for 1-2 games.

I don't get the slant references. Tutu is not viewed as a #1 or #2 WR. Tutu does have versatility. He has filled in successfully for injuries that sidelined Kupp, Nacua, and Adams. That's value that he brings to the Rams. I don't know why the slant route references are made. He runs quick outs, intermediate dig routes where he sinks his hips to get separation, deep stop-and-go routes, and deep post routes. He also has shown he can find the soft spot over the middle in zone coverage. He has limits like most WRs; he isn't an inline run blocker like Nacua, but I've seen him shield off DBs on outside runs. He stretches the field both vertically and horizontally with great speed, good hands, is great at tracking the ball, and has made big plays for the Rams.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x0UIDU2vr8&t=32s

 

[dang]

Who knows what McVey has in mind for tutu. Maybe nothing more than a practice squad option. But tutu as a receiver is better than Xavier Smith. Better hands better route running. Just better.

 

[InfiniteRam]

I don't get the slant references. Tutu is not viewed as a #1 or #2 WR. Tutu does have versatility. He has filled in successfully for injuries that sidelined Kupp, Nacua, and Adams. That's value that he brings to the Rams. I don't know why the slant route references are made. He runs quick outs, intermediate dig routes where he sinks his hips to get separation, deep stop-and-go routes, and deep post routes. He also has shown he can find the soft spot over the middle in zone coverage. He has limits like most WRs; he isn't an inline run blocker like Nacua, but I've seen him shield off DBs on outside runs. He stretches the field both vertically and horizontally with great speed, good hands, is great at tracking the ball, and has made big plays for the Rams.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x0UIDU2vr8&t=32s

Fantastic post, and its clear you have studied him as a player. He has value in this offense.

 

[InfiniteRam]

Deep threat and decoy. Run him deep and that's 2 guys, a CB and a S preoccupied with Tutu. I wish I could see a stat about how productive or unproductive the offense is when he is on the field.

Excellent point at the end. There is example after example after example of Nacua or DA getting easy one-on-one coverage due to Tutu clearing the pack. I'm sure somebody is tracking that stat but not sure where to find it.

 

[fearsomefour]

Again it's not about a specific player. It's about a player that doesn't produce. He's had 5 years on the roster. He hasn't been used enough to be worth the spot. And the baffling part is the guy who won't use him is the guy who keeps adding him to the offense. It makes no sense that's the part that has people continually discussing the negatives about the player and the moves that bring him back. We were told last year he was going to break out because the offense needs speed. Man aside from 1 TD was non existent and had his worst season as a pro. We also heard all offseason that the offense just needed speed. Yet we didn't draft any speed at WR and had let this speed go to another team. One of the worst teams in the league signed him and let him go even though they have without a doubt the worst WR group in the NFL. He was going to get cut and so was the guy we traded for him. There is nothing about this that makes sense or seems to make the Rams better. And that's why people don't want the guy it's really that simple.

I fully understand and I laughed when I heard about the trade because, I agree at first glance, it makes no sense.
We aren't really arguing.
They basically replaced a guy who wasn't really going to contribute in a meaningful way with another guy who likely won't contribute in a meaningful way at a different position group.
Tutu did contribute running deep stuff to help clear space for Puka and Adams underneath at times....but, does his speed do that so much more meaningfully than Smith or someone else? Probably not.
So it goes.
It will be interesting to see how they handle the WR position as a group this year.

 

[KombuchaTea]

View: https://x.com/underdognfl/status/2094185728896835925?s=46&t=O1zW1Q6bypRCclwuiILR-A