Atwell could easily be a 1000 yard receiver in the system with Adams and Nacua eating up the short and middle of the field.
WR impressions from OTAs
- Thread starter WestCoastRam
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RamsOfCastamere
I drink things, and know nothing
I don't know about easy. He has to compete with Higbee and Ferg also. Having 3 1000 yard receivers will be tough.
El Chapo Jr
Legend
I just don't buy into Atwell automatically being this awesome WR as he hasn't quite proven it to that extent yet. If he was so awesome, why didn't he take more playing time from Kupp or any other WR sooner? Also why sign Adams? Rams clearly view him as a #3 at best. How many #3 WRs have 1,000 yard WRs?
RamsOfCastamere
I drink things, and know nothing
Tutu can get open and has sticky hands, but he's to small to block and it took some time for him to get comfortable playing with the larger, faster NFL defenders. He looked timid his rookie year.
Why didn't he take more playing time from Kupp? Are you really asking that as a legit question?
Why sign Adams? Again, why ask that?
Sure, the Rams view him as a #3 receiver, mainly because that's what he is. A deep threat and guy who knows every WR position in the playbook. Kupp has missed 17 games over the last 3 years and in those 17 games, Tutu has 61 receptions for 805 yards, 2 TDs. Not #1 WR material but a damn good sub and 3rd option when the corp is healthy. In 2023 when Kupp missed the first 4 weeks, Tutu had 22 rec for 270 yards (12.3), 1 TD. He got 35 targets in those 4 games. Once Kupp came back, he was targeted 32 times over the next 13 games. That's McVay and his blinders but despite that, he caught 17 of those for 213 yards and 2 TDs. The kid has proven himself to be a reliable receiver with very good hands and speed to burn. It's not his fault McVay (and Stafford to a degree) ignore him when the Rams are at full strength. We'll see what he can do IF McVay (& Stafford) gives him a bigger role and doesn't ignore him for large parts of games.
He just needs the targets.
Sacred cow situation, which is probably one of the reasons they wanted to move on from Kupp. Not only for the fact that he was being payed $26M a year or whatever it was, how do you sit Kupp and play Atwell more snaps when Kupp is a team leader and Super Bowl legend?
With Kupp gone that elephant in the room is gone. No more tippy toeing around whether a guy has to play even if his caliber of play has diminished.
Yes of course. So simple. If only that piece of shit staff would quit misusing his amazing skills.
In that situation you sit Kupp if you need to. Reduce his snaps. But the truth is even when Kupp was out it wasn't like Atwell was any sort of go-to for the scheme. He has never owned that role. Not even when the so called "sacred cow" was not available.
But in the end the Rams moved on from Kupp. So that means there is nothing standing in Tutu's way this year and we'll see if he's gonna be a dog in this scheme or whether he leaks snaps to more non-optimum athletes like Whittington and Mumpfield. And I'll be real fucking surprised, also quite happy, if Tutu actually puts out some consistent production.
El Chapo Jr
Legend
It's a valid question but why do you seem so offended by it? If he's so awesome then yes, he should have taken more snaps from Kupp or anyone else but he didn't. Atwell hasn't proved anything yet as far as being a 1,000 yard WR so I'm simply saying we shouldn't assume he'll hit 1,000 yards all of a sudden. He's still a #3 that has to share targets with the likes of Puka, Adams, and even Higbee and Ferguson. Never once said anything about him being a bad #3 yet you seem to assume that for some reason. I agree that McVay isn't the only one to blame as Stafford didn't target him as much for whatever reason. Personally, I'm curious to see how Atwell holds up throughout the season as his slight frame still concerns me as far as him not getting nicked up.
This is the heart of Tutu victimization syndrome. Which is when you get goddamn tired of hearing about what a victim he is. How the staff is to blame, oh but so is the QB, and why not the OL while we're at it, hell maybe even the cheerleaders are in on it.
It is absurd. Kupp carried this offense as a lynchpin for years and every single time he went out the offense struggled. Until they found Nacua, who instantly stepped in and carried the offense when Kupp was out. So why couldn't Tutu do that.
El Chapo Jr
Legend
Agree that he's definitely got skills receiving. That small frame will always be the biggest concern I have. I truly doubt he'll last a full season without getting nicked up.
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El Chapo Jr
Legend
Honestly I'm not even saying he's a victim but more so I have no idea why he wasn't targeted more. Facts are he wasn't and projecting him to be a 1000 yard WR is getting way ahead of ourselves. I'm more so gonna sit back and see if he steps up or not.
Elmgrovegnome
Legend
4.59 isn’t great but he did get separation in college. I hope he can do the same in the NFL
Well, I think they would have changed or tweaked the scheme if Atwell was considered to be a guy who would get 50-60% of the snaps.
He's the rub. NOBODY said he "was so awesome". I think most are saying, "he's a legit #3 receiver". IMHO, there is no way he hits 1,000 yards receiving. Not with Puka and Adams in front of him. 600-800? Sure, I'd take that any day.
As far as your question, no it's not "valid". Puka is a stud and Kupp is one of the best all around WRs.....when healthy.....whick hasn't been much lately. On top of that, he's hauling in 26 mil in 2024, so no, it's not a legit question. Why did they go get ADams is even worse. BECAUSE THEY LET KUPP GO. It's got nothing to do with Tutu.
And I'm not offended by it. My intelligence is but not me, personally.
Elmgrovegnome
Legend
Yeah, it’s never Atwell’s fault. If only McVay was smart enough to play him. We see that a lot. I think McVay knew exactly what he was doing, and he knows exactly what Atwell is. McVay remembers every single thing that’s ever happened in his life, including football plays. He didn’t forget about a player.
I hope Tutu plays great this season. I think if he becomes a big factor then defenses will start to get physical with him at the LOS, like in his second season.
I hope he proves me wrong. The Rams could use his help on the way to a Super Bowl and then, he may also net them a decent comp pick when he signs elsewhere.