FEATURE Atwell Extended

[OntarioRam]

I did not see this coming! But I think a 1 year deal is perfect and am happy to see this.

I am in the camp that has been completely won over by Tutu and thinks he deserves more reps. We sure could use speed in this offense, and he only ever makes plays when given the ball.

But he does need to prove he can succeed in a bigger role and with consistency if and when his reps increase. And at his size, he will never be an every down player. "More reps" in his case just means he has to be a regular part of the game plan. No more disappearing for weeks and weeks on end without even a target. We are paying him too much for that now. A 1 year, let's-see-how-things-work-out term is perfect. 10M will be a huge waste of money if we continue not to use him, but we could easily move on thereafter. Let's see if McVay finds a way to maximize his talents.

 

[RamDino]

Put me in the glad he’s back camp.

WR would have been too big of a priority without him as they build the roster.

This^

Rams needed a fast and "proven" WR and there is little to choose from this year. I'm sure Tutu had opportunities to go elsewhere and sign a long-term deal (think KC, NE, Jacksonville)), but McSnead would not agree to a long-term contract so his agent asked the Rams to increase his salary in exchange for a 1-year contract. This way, the Rams can get out of this deal next year if it doesn't work out or if the draft and/or free agent market have more to offer next year. I like this signing.

 

[Corbin]

Some perspective.

View: https://x.com/Scott_Spratt/status/1897727640314040481

Average inflation rate last 4 years?

2021-4.7%
2022-8.0%
2023-4.1%
2024-2.9%

Historic inflation of the dollar.

Sure that has part to do with the cap to.

 

[thirteen28]

First, this is not directed at you but at everyone who says that McVay doesn't use him and probably won't.
So, you don't think McVay and Snead had a long discussion regarding this before they negotiated the deal?
I think it would be obvious that Snead said that we're not spending 10 million on a guy who's only in on 22 snaps per game

I’m just going by what we’ve seen in the past.

 

[BigRamFan]

Average inflation rate last 4 years?

2021-4.7%
2022-8.0%
2023-4.1%
2024-2.9%

Historic inflation of the dollar.

Sure that has part to do with the cap to.

Hey! Cut out the political crap! <blue font>

 

[Ramstien]

This was the right move by the front office to give Tutu incentive on a one year prove it deal. I for one like the move but hope to see the Rams add another WR and TE in the draft.

 

[fearsomefour]

Unfortunately I think that offense would make us a wildcard team at best.

Ehh, thats basically the level the team has been at the last couple of years.

 

[fearsomefour]

Yes, I like this. He is forced to use him more. IMO, Atwell's 15-18 yard out route is uncoverable. When he ran this route last season, the CB's get driven so far up field that they can't breakdown and recover fast enough when Atwell lowers his hips, puts on the breaks and makes his cut. And, this is in addition to the separation he creates on crossing routes.
I think this signing has to do with McVay saying he wants to diversify the offense. Looks like Atwell is going to be one of the options in that plan,

He is basically uncover able o the mid range out, you are right.
He gets good separation on crossers as well....would like to see him used on deeper crossers. This relies on Stafford being able to hold the ball however. There are some big plays out there for him for sure.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Ehh, that's basically the level the team has been at the last couple of years.

That's a legit and accurate statement but I also think it is very miss-leading because of the poor starts the past two seasons (3-6 in 2023, followed by 1-4 this past year).

I lean towards how a team finishes; and, over the past two seasons, the Rams finished really strong ... And ... that extended into the Post-Season.

They lost in Detroit to the favored Lions but were driving for a go-ahead score late in the game when the officials decided that a pass interference penalty at any point during the regular season or in the first three quarters of a playoff game, should not be called in the final minutes of a playoff game.

That Lions' team blew a 17-point halftime lead in the NFC Championship Game.

This past season, the Rams had the eventual Lombardi winner until an inexcusable fuck-up in pass-pro.

 

[OldSchool]

We're likely down to about $20 million in cap space unless there are void years involved of course. We have 10 million for Tutu, say the push Jackson's money back a other 10 million for him. Then we have whatever they did with Stafford. Part of the remaing is rookie draft class say conservatively 4 million. So much for adding a vet CB, LB or much of anything else. Let alone Jimmy G coming back.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Ehh, thats basically the level the team has been at the last couple of years.

I wouldn't say that. 2023 had a fully healthy Puka and a more productive Kupp. It might be close to 24, but the 24 Rams offense wasn't exactly great scoring the ball. They scored 20 points or less in 10 out of 17 games.

 

[Faceplant]

An image of Tutu showing up to camp at 400 lbs wearing a moo-moo with face paint and an opium pipe popped into my head....

 

[Merlin]

1. Tutu knows the system.
2. Tutu has proven himself when called upon, especially in clutch moments.
3. The WR market is dry. Both free agency and draft unless you want to spend a ton money or package a ton of picks.

If the Rams can get an impact TE in the draft then they will be fine on offense.

I still expect a top FA CB signing.

I think this is a good summary of things. Only caveat for me is he isn't a guy who can move the chains on the regular, so the cost does feel rich.

Possible the Rams looked at FA and the draft and think things may not line up at WR. So I get it from that perspective.

If they get a top TE pass game weapon then maybe this offense sees more 12 sets anyway and Tutu ends up in a gadget role. Adding a Kupp replacement from the TE class makes things look more recognizable, and Tutu's a super sub type role, maybe starting X role if he can handle it, and so on.

We're likely down to about $20 million in cap space unless there are void years involved of course. We have 10 million for Tutu, say the push Jackson's money back a other 10 million for him. Then we have whatever they did with Stafford. Part of the remaing is rookie draft class say conservatively 4 million. So much for adding a vet CB, LB or much of anything else. Let alone Jimmy G coming back.

Yeah this may be an indicator the Rams aren't going to play FA aggressively this year. Of course the Rams could do whatever they want by staggering when the cap hits are felt.

I don't want them to grossly overpay for corner. But it would be very nice to see that group settled down prior to the draft.

Rams haven't said shit about Bennett irt their plans for him, so he's probably odd man out in the backfield. But the dude has been around long enough to serve as QB2. No idea what he knows or where his head is, but unless he's been banging cheerleaders instead of studying his playbook the dude should be able to compete for the QB2 role.

 

[OldSchool]

I think this is a good summary of things. Only caveat for me is he isn't a guy who can move the chains on the regular, so the cost does feel rich.

Possible the Rams looked at FA and the draft and think things may not line up at WR. So I get it from that perspective.

If they get a top TE pass game weapon then maybe this offense sees more 12 sets anyway and Tutu ends up in a gadget role. Adding a Kupp replacement from the TE class makes things look more recognizable, and Tutu's a super sub type role, maybe starting X role if he can handle it, and so on.


Yeah this may be an indicator the Rams aren't going to play FA aggressively this year. Of course the Rams could do whatever they want by staggering when the cap hits are felt.

I don't want them to grossly overpay for corner. But it would be very nice to see that group settled down prior to the draft.

Rams haven't said shit about Bennett irt their plans for him, so he's probably odd man out in the backfield. But the dude has been around long enough to serve as QB2. No idea what he knows or where his head is, but unless he's been banging cheerleaders instead of studying his playbook the dude should be able to compete for the QB2 role.

The 10 million for Tutu could have gone a long way to signing an ilb like Bolton or a CB like Ward. I stead now well either just get a rookie or a cheap vet who is nowhere near as good.

 

[OldSchool]

1. Tutu knows the system.
2. Tutu has proven himself when called upon, especially in clutch moments.
3. The WR market is dry. Both free agency and draft unless you want to spend a ton money or package a ton of picks.

If the Rams can get an impact TE in the draft then they will be fine on offense.

I still expect a top FA CB signing.

What top CB free agent can we afford right now?

 

[WestCoastRam]

McVay isn't perfect and some can argue that this is a mistaken overpay... I wonder if this was him saying I need to at least have this one thing no matter the cost for next year (speed) and didn't want to risk not getting it in the draft or FA?

That's reductive and probably not the whole reason but I've always had the sense that when push comes to shove with McVay, he's willing to overuse resources on offense.

It's not an all the time phenomena but does seem to happen.

 

[RamFan503]

Now I have to say his name for another year.

You mean TuTu? C'mon... say it with me Mems. TU TU!

 

[Flatlyner]

Any CB FA you like a lot?

Personally, I'm hoping for a Byron Murphy Jr signing Monday. Hopefully we already have something worked with Witherspoon too.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I expect to see a ton of short motion next year with Tutu and less trips near the line FWIW

 

[DzRams]

How is anyone ok with the 10 Mil for one year, this is the most expensive proctology exam all of us are going to experience? D Rob is way more useful in this offense at a way cheaper price.. Sneed just had to Tavon the fans one more time! !&%$#@

By useful you mean only have 500 yards as a starter with double the snaps of Tutu who had 562 yards?