Will TuTu Atwell Breakout for Rams in 2023?
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You sir are the greatest of his athletic supporters.
ArkyRamsFan
Hall of Fame
When I was in high school I would have "breakouts" when I ate a lot of pizza.
Does that count?
~ArkyRamsFan~
Does that count?
~ArkyRamsFan~
Pizza Faces know that answer,so look in the mirror? Then again self consciously maybe there is a complex. Does that mean it can happen at The Rams complex & it’s contagious? unbelievable
Can you feel the jock itch now?Maybe Loyal needs extra support & help keeping all that junk in there.Might want Tutu’s sticky gloves.Never know what is catchable,but you won’t run as fast as Atwell.
LARAMSinFeb.
Hall of Fame
Tutu Breakout in 2023?
View: https://media0.giphy.com/media/ZqlvCTNHpqrio/200w.webp?cid=ecf05e470yiif35y1t2tf4w0c9gskgx8n0yt5wvp37d4vyw4&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200w.webp&ct=g
View: https://media1.giphy.com/media/XcGZ2DKKDw3J8UeVKT/200.webp?cid=ecf05e47xbip01ddwy8dqxr8xpzv6tjttprxd5yqrffw9ubd&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200.webp&ct=g
View: https://media0.giphy.com/media/ZqlvCTNHpqrio/200w.webp?cid=ecf05e470yiif35y1t2tf4w0c9gskgx8n0yt5wvp37d4vyw4&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200w.webp&ct=g
View: https://media1.giphy.com/media/XcGZ2DKKDw3J8UeVKT/200.webp?cid=ecf05e47xbip01ddwy8dqxr8xpzv6tjttprxd5yqrffw9ubd&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200.webp&ct=g
oldnotdead
Legend
Tutu needs a major improvement in his route running. IMO Nacua will be the #3WR by the end of the season. There are just so many receptions to be had. Kupp will get the lion's share, followed by Jefferson. What's left over will go to Nacua, Atwell, and Skowronek. To presuppose Atwell will have a breakout year will mean he must take receptions away from Jefferson and Nacua, something I see as extremely unlikely. Why? Because Stafford is always going to read Kupp and Jefferson first. As long as Jefferson and Kupp are healthy, they will get the first read. After that comes Nacua, Atwell, Skowronek and probably Smith.
By breakout year does that simply mean doing more than he's done so far? Personally, I don't think Stafford has a whole lot of trust in Atwell. Nacua will fill the role they envisioned for Robinson. In two years Atwell has started only 4 games taking snaps in 21 games. He's had 18 receptions on 35 targets. His 4 starts were with Mayfield at QB and Kupp out with Jefferson returning from injury. His production was 298 yds and one TD. That isn't a whole lot to show for two years in the same offense.
So by what definition would a breakout year be? As is the bar is set pretty damn low. IMO the question is will he be on the team this year much less next year. He's no sure thing to make the team this year. If Smith has a good camp and can return kicks, he could easily take Tutu's roster spot. In two years Atwell has done basically nothing to earn Stafford's trust while on the flip side, he's done enough in terms of errors to earn Stafford's mistrust. His route running is very basic, with few combinations or options. As we saw last year he still will turn into coverage instead of away from coverage. It was clearly evident on a long pass from Mayfield who read the secondary properly and Atwell read it incorrectly. Thus far this offense has been a poor fit for Atwell.
If Atwell makes the team he will likely be buried on the depth chart at #5WR. This is Atwell's last chance to make this team as a kick returner. He's going to have competition with Smith who has done it in actual games for 3 years while Tutu hasn't. Brandon Powell was ahead of Atwell on the depth chart last year starting 6 games, producing 24 receptions on 32 targets. Adding over 780 PR and KR yards during the season. The Rams are looking for an upgrade, and I don't see it in Atwell unless he has really improved his game.
Tutu will be fighting for a roster spot, before a breakout year.
By breakout year does that simply mean doing more than he's done so far? Personally, I don't think Stafford has a whole lot of trust in Atwell. Nacua will fill the role they envisioned for Robinson. In two years Atwell has started only 4 games taking snaps in 21 games. He's had 18 receptions on 35 targets. His 4 starts were with Mayfield at QB and Kupp out with Jefferson returning from injury. His production was 298 yds and one TD. That isn't a whole lot to show for two years in the same offense.
So by what definition would a breakout year be? As is the bar is set pretty damn low. IMO the question is will he be on the team this year much less next year. He's no sure thing to make the team this year. If Smith has a good camp and can return kicks, he could easily take Tutu's roster spot. In two years Atwell has done basically nothing to earn Stafford's trust while on the flip side, he's done enough in terms of errors to earn Stafford's mistrust. His route running is very basic, with few combinations or options. As we saw last year he still will turn into coverage instead of away from coverage. It was clearly evident on a long pass from Mayfield who read the secondary properly and Atwell read it incorrectly. Thus far this offense has been a poor fit for Atwell.
If Atwell makes the team he will likely be buried on the depth chart at #5WR. This is Atwell's last chance to make this team as a kick returner. He's going to have competition with Smith who has done it in actual games for 3 years while Tutu hasn't. Brandon Powell was ahead of Atwell on the depth chart last year starting 6 games, producing 24 receptions on 32 targets. Adding over 780 PR and KR yards during the season. The Rams are looking for an upgrade, and I don't see it in Atwell unless he has really improved his game.
Tutu will be fighting for a roster spot, before a breakout year.
I'd like for both of those guys to have "breakout" seasons, but I'm really curious about Van Jefferson's play next year as well. It would be great to see both of those guys excel.
Unless Tutu becomes a pretty good punt returner, I fear he may not ever get a good opportunity to shine with the Rams.
Side note: I'm really intrigued by what happens in New York with Corey Davis. Methinks he'd be the 2nd best WR on the team immediately if he joined the Rams.
Side note: I'm really intrigued by what happens in New York with Corey Davis. Methinks he'd be the 2nd best WR on the team immediately if he joined the Rams.
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I wouldn’t be against this. I love his size.
Davis feels a bit like Woods, in that on the right team… he could emerge as a better weapon than he’s shown so far.
OntarioRam
Hall of Fame
I'll be rooting for him. He has showed flashes. He could be a good gadget player. Very good top speed, agility, and acceleration. Not all fast players have all 3. And despite being so small, with assumedly small hands to match, he seems pretty good at catching the football. He definitely tracks the ball well through the air. But he is so slight of frame, that I am always scared he is going to fumble the football when he gets hit.
You can be slight of frame and still succeed in the NFL.
But I've never see it happen with someone as small as Tutu. He takes it to an entirely new level.
Even guys like Desean Jackson had quite a bit of bulk on him. Calvin Ridley type receivers are just as skinny but much taller and lankier with long arms for a nice catch radius. Tavon was just as short, but again, a lot more bulk. I think Tutu is just too small at the end of the day. His body resembles a child's. And I say that in no way meaning to insult him. I just can't ever recall a player that small doing anything at the NFL level? Any high-school team, no matter how poor, would likely have several more "NFL ready" bodies at WR even if only with a fraction of Tutu's skill. I know because I played high-school football. And that was here in Canada. Most U.S. high-schools would have 10x bigger and better players. Time will tell.
You can be slight of frame and still succeed in the NFL.
But I've never see it happen with someone as small as Tutu. He takes it to an entirely new level.
Even guys like Desean Jackson had quite a bit of bulk on him. Calvin Ridley type receivers are just as skinny but much taller and lankier with long arms for a nice catch radius. Tavon was just as short, but again, a lot more bulk. I think Tutu is just too small at the end of the day. His body resembles a child's. And I say that in no way meaning to insult him. I just can't ever recall a player that small doing anything at the NFL level? Any high-school team, no matter how poor, would likely have several more "NFL ready" bodies at WR even if only with a fraction of Tutu's skill. I know because I played high-school football. And that was here in Canada. Most U.S. high-schools would have 10x bigger and better players. Time will tell.
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12intheBox
Legend
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can't believe how many people count this guy out.
looks alright to me when he's given a chance.
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can't believe how many people count this guy out.
looks alright to me when he's given a chance.
.
This is the part I still don't get about McSnead's thinking with drafting Tutu in the second round. His small size is just off the charts.
I remember in his rookie year training camp he was on the record saying he had a "good" weigh-in because he was "up" to 150 pounds. Apparently he had been in the high 140s but he was "bulking up." I mean... if this guy makes it, he will be the lightest player in the history of the modern NFL.
I love the Rams, and I see Tutu's speed, body control, quickness, dedication, and also his fly-paper hands. But at 150 pounds, he would be reinventing the position.
I'd be curious what he weighs now. Given his dedication and with the help of the coaching staff, maybe he's closer now to 165.
Having said all that, I saw huge progress from Tutu last year. He's got guts and a knack for the big play. I'll just try to close my eyes a little any time he gets hit.
Last thing: Spud Webb, at 5'6"", won the slam dunk contest. And Muggsy Bogues played 14 seasons (!!) in the NBA. He's 5'3". So there's that...
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Tutu's route tree is limited. Go routes are nice and all, but other than those or some jet sweeps, Tutu doesn't have much else to offer. Skrownek offers some versatility, but again, a limited route and has dropped some passes. I believe they'll all play a role, but honestly Nacua, and McCutcheon have an opportunity here in that they have a more diverse skill set than Skow and Tutu in terms of being a conventional WR.
Also, don't sleep on Xavier Smith. If he proves to be a more dependable return option than Tutu showed when given the chance, he could be a more valuable overall player to us than Tutu..
Also, don't sleep on Xavier Smith. If he proves to be a more dependable return option than Tutu showed when given the chance, he could be a more valuable overall player to us than Tutu..