What question do you want answered in OTAs?

[dieterbrock]

Shelton was signed to 2 years.

Correct, but as I said, they are only committed to him for 1 year. 2nd year isnt guaranteed and is basically a place holder to minimize the cap hit in '25

 

[dang]

Imo you left off the two biggest questions. Tutu and Shelton but I doubt any player questions will be answered in camp.

I actually think we know what we have in Tutu and Shelton. I also believe they will both start at the beginning of the season. But you are correct it will be interesting to see how they hold up. My list was more for players that may or may not be solid contributors this year (based on their TBD readiness/role). If (big if) they all hit - watch out for the Rams!!

 

[OldSchool]

I actually think we know what we have in Tutu and Shelton. I also believe they will both start at the beginning of the season. But you are correct it will be interesting to see how they hold up. My list was more for players that may or may not be solid contributors this year (based on their TBD readiness/role). If (big if) they all hit - watch out for the Rams!!

We know what they've been in the past which to me didn't earn them these contracts. So my two questions were does Shelton still suck and how is McVay going to get Tutu to earn the contract. And we'll have to wait to find these things out.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Yeah been down that road before though. After they drafted Brycen Hopkins they talked about how they were going to get him involved. Still waiting.
It may happen. As much as I’m not a believer in Tutu it appears that McVay is.
Alas.
But like Coleman Shelton, the Rams are only committed to Tutu for 1 year, so I don’t think the dollar amount guarantees a starting position.
It’s going to be fun when we all find out

oh man, can't wait till Tutu gets phased out around game 5 for Fergy and more 12 personnel

 

[Merlin]

does Shelton still suck

Yes I am afraid so. He didn't suddenly grow an ability to not end up in his QB's lap without OG help. Rams signed him for his calls. But we're gonna need to deal with his weakness 1 on 1 until such time as Limmer advances in his anticipation at the line and mastery of the calls.

how is McVay going to get Tutu to earn the contract

I doubt that happens. Would be nice, but Tutu's been an afterthought in this offense for too long for me to believe he's suddenly going to be a revelation. Moment the Rams start utilizing him more opposing DCs will lock him down.

I think the question really is who is the one this year who puts him back on the bench. And would love to be wrong about Tutu but doubt that's gonna happen here. We'll see though.

 

[dieterbrock]

oh man, can't wait till Tutu gets phased out around game 5 for Fergy and more 12 personnel

From your lips to god's ears!

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Yeah been down that road before though. After they drafted Brycen Hopkins they talked about how they were going to get him involved. Still waiting.
It may happen. As much as I’m not a believer in Tutu it appears that McVay is.
Alas.
But like Coleman Shelton, the Rams are only committed to Tutu for 1 year, so I don’t think the dollar amount guarantees a starting position.
It’s going to be fun when we all find out

I think it all depends on if Ferguson is as good as McVay thinks he will be. Brycen Hopkins turned out to not be very good.

I’m not a Tutu guy either but I also didn’t think Ferguson was all that amazing in college. I might be spoiled though because I watched Tyler Warren all last year.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

My questions about Atwell have nothing at all to do with Ferguson sorry but they aren't related at all to me. Yes I watch all the videos the Rams put out and all the interviews they do and they're unrelated. My question is what McVay is going to do to get Atwell the ball and show us why he paid him a 1 year $10 million dollar contract. I know why the drafted Ferguson he earned that draft pick. Atwell has never done anything to earn that contract so I want to see what McVay does with him and what Atwell does with that.

And I’m telling you, he may not even get a chance to show us what he did to earn that contract. Which means he’s a fallback. We went over this before. Tutu doesn’t replace anybody. He’s still the same guy. So, if McVay really plans to use him then that means some changes to the offense. Ferguson takes Kupp’s role. That still makes Atwell receiver 4, just like he’s been for the last few years. If Ferguson flops then maybe McVay has a plan for Atwell to get more snaps but he can’t suddenly morph into a 6’-2” 210lb blocking machine. He still will play the deep threat role.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Yeah been down that road before though. After they drafted Brycen Hopkins they talked about how they were going to get him involved. Still waiting.
It may happen. As much as I’m not a believer in Tutu it appears that McVay is.
Alas.
But like Coleman Shelton, the Rams are only committed to Tutu for 1 year, so I don’t think the dollar amount guarantees a starting position.
It’s going to be fun when we all find out

I think the fact that it is only a one year deal is very telling of the intentions of the coach when it comes to Atwell.

But, with Shelton I’m not as certain. I think he could get extended depending on if Limmer or another lineman can sufficiently learn the mental side of the center position. Or signing Shelton could also simply be reuniting Stafford with his favorite center for one last season before he retires.

 

[Londoner]

And we still ended up losing in the playoffs due to Center play.

There was a lot more contributing to our defeat than just one player.

 

[fanotodd]

There was a lot more contributing to our defeat than just one player.

You are 100% correct. It’s just too easy to see the LAST mistake or bad play as the reason for losing a close game.

The reality is that two HUGE fumbles preceded and necessitated that comeback effort. The KW fumble followed the safety the Rams defense had just got. The Rams were in position to take over that game right then and there. Stafford fumbling after that helped dig a deeper hole.

Certainly, there were missed tackles on those big TD runs that might have helped keep the eagles in check, forcing them to throw more—which they struggled to do when they had to.

 

[dieterbrock]

I think it all depends on if Ferguson is as good as McVay thinks he will be. Brycen Hopkins turned out to not be very good.

I’m not a Tutu guy either but I also didn’t think Ferguson was all that amazing in college. I might be spoiled though because I watched Tyler Warren all last year.

Well, exactly. What McVay says when he drafts a guy isnt all that telling until the pads are on and the games become real. Making a comment about running 12 at that time is as meaningful/meaningless as any hype for any player at the time they are picked

 

[dieterbrock]

I think the fact that it is only a one year deal is very telling of the intentions of the coach when it comes to Atwell.

But, with Shelton I’m not as certain. I think he could get extended depending on if Limmer or another lineman can sufficiently learn the mental side of the center position. Or signing Shelton could also simply be reuniting Stafford with his favorite center for one last season before he retires.

Neither player is signed with long term commitment, Tutu with a 10 mill placeholder deal and Shelton with a non guarantee 2nd year that would be cheaper to cut than keep

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Well, exactly. What McVay says when he drafts a guy isnt all that telling until the pads are on and the games become real. Making a comment about running 12 at that time is as meaningful/meaningless as any hype for any player at the time they are picked

Who said it was a commitment?

It’s what he desires, which means that if he can make it work, then he likely will use it. He is after all, the Head Coach. Nobody is dictating which scheme he uses but him.

In the past, his roster didn’t alllw 12 personnel to be the optimum scheme. Kupp however was a hybrid TE/WR so in some ways McVay has been using 12 all along.

 

[dang]

And I’m telling you, he may not even get a chance to show us what he did to earn that contract. Which means he’s a fallback. We went over this before. Tutu doesn’t replace anybody. He’s still the same guy. So, if McVay really plans to use him then that means some changes to the offense. Ferguson takes Kupp’s role. That still makes Atwell receiver 4, just like he’s been for the last few years. If Ferguson flops then maybe McVay has a plan for Atwell to get more snaps but he can’t suddenly morph into a 6’-2” 210lb blocking machine. He still will play the deep threat role.

I saw Tutu as more than a deep threat. He was able to find soft spots in the middle of the field and had good hands on uncontested catches. Not sure if McVay will utilize that more or just have Atwell as insurance.

 

[dieterbrock]

Who said it was a commitment?

It’s what he desires, which means that if he can make it work, then he likely will use it. He is after all, the Head Coach. Nobody is dictating which scheme he uses but him.

In the past, his roster didn’t alllw 12 personnel to be the optimum scheme. Kupp however was a hybrid TE/WR so in some ways McVay has been using 12 all along.

I didnt say it was a commitment
Kupp's route tree said otherwise but that debate doesnt need to be re-hashed again. It wasnt 12, he hasnt ran 12 with an inline TE since Mundt left

 

[Loyal]

Yes I am afraid so. He didn't suddenly grow an ability to not end up in his QB's lap without OG help. Rams signed him for his calls. But we're gonna need to deal with his weakness 1 on 1 until such time as Limmer advances in his anticipation at the line and mastery of the calls.


I doubt that happens. Would be nice, but Tutu's been an afterthought in this offense for too long for me to believe he's suddenly going to be a revelation. Moment the Rams start utilizing him more opposing DCs will lock him down.

I think the question really is who is the one this year who puts him back on the bench. And would love to be wrong about Tutu but doubt that's gonna happen here. We'll see though.

@Merlin is still part of Team Humphrey!

 

[Mojo Ram]

Will any of our new offensive skill guys show that they’re ahead of the rookie curve and will be strong contributors sooner rather than later or never.

 

[majrleaged]

The shelton signing is a acknowledgement of the poor decision to move Avila to center. The underestimating of how hard it is to learn the line calls. The Rams have decided not to count on Limmer to learn the line calls. Although I am sure they want him to.

 

[dieterbrock]

The shelton signing is a acknowledgement of the poor decision to move Avila to center. The underestimating of how hard it is to learn the line calls. The Rams have decided not to count on Limmer to learn the line calls. Although I am sure they want him to.

Poor decision? I dont know about that. Remains to be seen how things would be different if if hadnt gotten hurt week 1. I think having a vet like Shelton helps both Limmer and Avila to possibly fill the gaps they have in their game and that one can take over the C.
If there was a decision which was less than ideal it was the signing of Jonah Jackson. I foresee both Limmer and Avila being key members of the team for quite awhile, both played exceptionally well initially and that seems to be taken for granted. Learning curve happens for everyone, just in some cases takes longer than others