[PARAM]

I would LOVE for Tutu to become the "weapon" that he was envisioned to be but I just don't see how that happens.

Okay. Maybe it happens this way? He puts on a little weight, is more motivated and becomes a version of what they envisioned.

The "little" I did see from him showed me nothing special.

He didn't look faster than the NFL DB's...
He didn't look elusive at all...not even a "little" bit.
He didn't look like his body could handle the NFL level hits...
Or the impact from hitting the turf when tripping over his own feet.

However, Tutu DID look like one thing...he looked like he didn't belong in the NFL.

Let's just say when it came to Tutu's chances to impress this year...he came up a "little short".

Maybe next year (if he's still on the team) he can put on his big boy pants and try again. I wish him luck. I hope he succeeds because that means our Rams will be a better team.

What chances? You said yourself, he was injured half the year. I'll add he had covid to begin the year. So how many chances did he have to impress? How much did you actually *see* of him to make a definitive decision on whether or not he can play?

Not being a smart ass here, just pointing out....if he didn't get on the practice field enough or in games, for whatever reasons (and there were a couple), how big is the sample size you're working from? And what are the odds, you're mistaken?

FWIW, of what I saw from him I was not impressed but I know for a fact, I didn't see much of him at all.

[Ramsdude]

FWIW, of what I saw from him I was not impressed but I know for a fact, I didn't see much of him at all.

I'm not taking your response as being a smart ass one at all PA! We're good.

I admit, I didn't see as much as I would have liked but that was due to Tutu's "short comings".

I can only judge him on what I have seen but again, based on the "little" I did see...I was not impressed even a little bit.

It doesn't look like he will see much time again next year either. Who is he gonna take snaps from? Everyone ahead of him is sooo much better and when/if we resign OBJ his opportunities become even less.

How about ST's? Is he better than Powell? Not by what my eyes saw. When Powell started returning kicks it made it even more clear how poor Tutu was at it. Tutu wasn't even close to the level Powell played at on ST's. Powell looked like a Star. Tutu? Not so much.

IMO, as of right now...Tutu just doesn't measure up to the competition he will be competing against on his own team.

I wish it wasn't true...but it is. I wish/hope Tutu can knock my socks off this pre-season because that might be his only chance to make some "noise" and show out.

[Hacksaw]

Just don't exhale when he's carrying the ball.

[Elvis]

C'mon he's already putting on weight:

[Ramsdude]

C'mon he's already putting on weight:

He should have chewed that Grape instead of swallowing it whole!

[phoenixrising]

just curious, but does anyone know what los ramos scouts saw in him? in college??

Well, for starters, they said he was the fastest player they had ever clocked using their "secret" methods. They also liked the way he fought for the ball in traffic.

[phoenixrising]

Didn't people say Tavon was drafted too high? Was he "really" a top 10 Pick?

Either way, if Tavon, who was clearly a better player than Tutu, couldn't make it in the NFL I am not sure I have confidence Tutu will either.

To me, where they were picked doesn't matter. Players get picked where they shouldn't get picked all the time.

Bottom line for me is if Tavon was the better player and failed in the NFL then Tutu has no chance. He is not as fast or as elusive as Tavon and seems to be much more fragile.

Here is a scouting report from 2013 on TA. The pros and Cons seem eerily familiar to Tutu's.

https://www.milehighreport.com/2013/2/7/3964318/2013-nfl-draft-prospects-tavon-austin-scouting-profile-denver-broncos

Tavon cons but could apply to both:

Cons:
Lacks size, needs to bulk up (5-8, 170)
Takes too many hits, in the NFL that may cause issues with his size
Needs to polish his route running
A lot of his receptions come from behind the line of scrimmage
Needs the ball in space, doesn’t seem as comfortable in traffic
Isn’t an ideal fit at any position

Here is a link to a scouting report on Tutu:
https://assets-global.website-files.com/5988f684fda8db00017f4dee/60aee25ae130ac0c60530c59_CFM21_WR-s_Atwell_Tutu.pdf

This part stood out to me and looks pretty accurate:

2021 NFL Draft Outlook:
Atwell was unbelievably the #57 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. I would have projected him 7th-round or
UDFA pre-Draft.
If I were an NFL GM, I wouldn’t have drafted him -- nor would I have called his agent if he went
undrafted.

College Football Metrics| 4

NFL Outlook:
A likely flameout. He’ll probably get shoved into games and he might even make a big play or two on a
deep ball where he’s forgotten in coverage, but he won’t last long – he’s too small, and too unathletic
for his size to really be an impact player. I have no idea what the Rams were thinking.

Tavon was more elusive and possibly faster, not to mention almost 20 lb heavier. But he was a terrible WR. Tiny catch radius, didn't track the ball real well, rounded off his routes, no feel for soft spots in coverage. More of his college highlights were from RB. And that elusiveness just didn't translate to the NFL as much as I hoped.

Tutu has better WR traits, he runs better patterns, catches the ball well in traffic for his size and can highpoint the ball. But 155 lbs? That worried me. There are other good WR's now that aren't bigger though.

I really think they were looking for another Desean Jackson, and I wouldn't say he was known for his juke moves.

One other thing seemed clear to me: the Rams were trying to make Tutu prove his toughness in the preseason last year. They beat the crap out of him. And as I recall he ended up getting hurt.

[elmendorf]

Tutu is going to be a beast as he will win the #4 spot until OBJ gets back and the order is shuffled. He's motivated, runs excellent routes, is blazing fast, has really good hands. He can and will attack the 2nd and 3rd levels - opening up the underneath areas to his side.

He just needs to bulk up a bit and get stronger, and KNOW the playbook, so he can avoid unnecessary contact and stay healthy.

Agree. With his explosive speed in the mix, it changes the entire dynamic for opposing defenses. Sounds like he is totally motivated and has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Bring it on!

[PARAM]

Jackson combine measurements
5'10" 169 lbs
Atwell combine measurements
5'9" 155 lbs

Is it really about size? That 14 lbs gonna make him or break him? I think it's more about football IQ, picking up the playbook and work habits. In an NFL training room, he could put on 14 lbs in a couple of months.

Curious to see how he looks in camp.

[Oldschoolramfan]

Jackson combine measurements
5'10" 169 lbs
Atwell combine measurements
5'9" 155 lbs

Is it really about size? That 14 lbs gonna make him or break him? I think it's more about football IQ, picking up the playbook and work habits. In an NFL training room, he could put on 14 lbs in a couple of months.

Curious to see how he looks in camp.

Best response I've seen yet. I am very hopeful. Everyone can change going forward and you cannot change 5 seconds ago!! I am still optimistic, because I believe it's all in your head and he has the speed to run past it all.