WR Allen Robinson's fate looms large over Rams offseason

[kurtfaulk]

And Stafford had no issues getting the ball to OBJ and they had literally no time together, so I'm not sure how culpable Staff is for Arob. And for sure like you said, when is it a bad idea to throw to Kupp being he catches 75% of the balls thrown his way

The difference is Mcvay called obj's number early and often. Stafford threw a few ints obj's way during the regular season. He averaged less than 30 yards per game. They didn't really click until the playoffs.

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[RamDino]

I know this has been talked about before but I still believe the reason why Stafford did not use A-Rob much was because he didn't have the time. I remember Stafford mentioning after a few games played under McVay that (and I paraphrase) "in this offense everyone is open". Probably had more to do with the time the O-lne gave him.

 

[dieterbrock]

The difference is Mcvay called obj's number early and often. Stafford threw a few ints obj's way during the regular season. He averaged less than 30 yards per game. They didn't really click until the playoffs.

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Well if that was true, then it would be on McVay for not calling Arob's number in the same fashion.

 

[OldSchool]

Still don't get why Stafford didn't go his way more. He was open he was running his routes and running them well. Guess he had Kupp blinders on. I really want to see AR again this year as the #2 to give Stafford a chance to improve the connection. We don't need superstar #'s from our 2nd WR we need our QB to work better with him.

 

[PARAM]

The difference is Mcvay called obj's number early and often. Stafford threw a few ints obj's way during the regular season. He averaged less than 30 yards per game. They didn't really click until the playoffs.

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Can we really determine how often his number was called? Targets don't necessarily mean number called. McVay calls the play, Stafford determines where the ball goes. In his first 8 games with Kupp and Stafford, OBJ was targeted 48 times (Kupp 88 times). In Robinson's first 8 games, with Kupp and Stafford he was targeted 41 times (Kupp 93). We can't blame Stafford for targeting Kupp because even when he's covered, he's apt to make the catch. But by no means do targets equate to number called. JMHO. Though it wouldn't surprise me if McVay wants Kupp to be the first look every play!

 

[Psycho_X]

I know this has been talked about before but I still believe the reason why Stafford did not use A-Rob much was because he didn't have the time. I remember Stafford mentioning after a few games played under McVay that (and I paraphrase) "in this offense everyone is open". Probably had more to do with the time the O-lne gave him.

This is my belief too especially after how much of a connection they had in training camp. The Buffalo game was a disaster to start the season and it set up the rest of it. Stafford was having to get it out instantly almost the entire time he was playing plus had a bad elbow. I'm actually really excited to see this offense with Robinson, healthy Stafford, Kupp, healthy 100% Akers, Tutu burning the roof off, etc if they can get the oline consistent.

 

[LouisvilleRam]

Can we really determine how often his number was called? Targets don't necessarily mean number called. McVay calls the play, Stafford determines where the ball goes. In his first 8 games with Kupp and Stafford, OBJ was targeted 48 times (Kupp 88 times). In Robinson's first 8 games, with Kupp and Stafford he was targeted 41 times (Kupp 93). We can't blame Stafford for targeting Kupp because even when he's covered, he's apt to make the catch. But by no means do targets equate to number called. JMHO.

True about Kupp always making the catch but we all know how mentally fragile a lot of WR's are so Stafford does need to try to keep the Kupp blinders off. It was reported not sure if true that Bobby Trees who is the ultimate team player commented on it 2 years ago .

 

[PARAM]

True about Kupp always making the catch but we all know how mentally fragile a lot of WR's are so Stafford does need to try to keep the Kupp blinders off. It was reported not sure if true that Bobby Trees who is the ultimate team player commented on it 2 years ago .

Yeah, it was reported he and McVay had a "discussion" after week 4 when Woods had 25 targets, 15 receptions. The next week he was targeted 14 times (12 rec for 150) and then DJax started complaining. So yeah, we really didn't have what I'd call a WR Diva, other than DJax.

Another point in this thread (not made by you) was ARob didn't get targeted because Stafford didn't have the time. He didn't have a lot of time but why did Kupp's targets not suffer because of time? I understand the lack of time but one would think ALL WRs would suffer for it.

Stafford has to target receivers other than Kupp and that's all on Stafford, not McVay. At least not directly.

 

[FarNorth]

Yeah I think OBJ is a very smart dude. He had this offense down quickly and there was no uncertainty with the QB. It was like they've been playing together for years.

I'll bet down the road the truth will filter out and it'll be that Robinson just isn't all that smart. But maybe with two camps they can get him going. We're gonna need weapons to step up to elevate this offense and he's one of the options.

Have to disagree on this one. Imo AR is in fact a very bright and articulate dude. If there was a problem with smart usage of him, it came from McVay and maybe Stafford.

AR was poorly thought out by the Rams as an option in the offense. Rams thought they wanted a big physical WR who can catch the ball, which AR is, but he is not a guy with great speed or quickness or cutting ability. Somehow his skills and route tree just didn't mesh in the offense or with the QB.

Stafford's early rapport with OBJ imo suggests that what the Rams need is a No. 2 WR with both speed/quickness and real cutting chops. A playmaker, not just a slower possession route option. This might also make AR a useful no. 3. Right now the Rams really lack speed on offense except for Atwell, another WR McVay wanted but hasn't figured out how to use.

 

[Merlin]

Have to disagree on this one. Imo AR is in fact a very bright and articulate dude. If there was a problem with smart usage of him, it came from McVay and maybe Stafford.

AR was poorly thought out by the Rams as an option in the offense. Rams thought they wanted a big physical WR who can catch the ball, which AR is, but he is not a guy with great speed or quickness or cutting ability. Somehow his skills and route tree just didn't mesh in the offense or with the QB.

Stafford's early rapport with OBJ imo suggests that what the Rams need is a No. 2 WR with both speed/quickness and real cutting chops. A playmaker, not just a slower possession route option. This might also make AR a useful no. 3. Right now the Rams really lack speed on offense except for Atwell, another WR McVay wanted but hasn't figured out how to use.

What I don't like is the idea that Robinson had nothing to do with his poor showing. I mean as usual everything has to be in the extreme it seems.

Robinson is either shit and needs to be gotten rid of. Or he's some victim of the QB not looking his way. I think both those takes, as per usual, are likely wrong.

Much more likely is that Robinson had plenty to do with his struggles. He was open a lot though. How do we explain that. Well you have poor protections. You have a QB playing through injuries and excessive pressure. You have a top WR ahead of him in most reads that is almost always a better choice. And you have a Head Coach who could probably do better and might this year.

But what would be the most likely reason he was partly to blame. I've put forth my beliefs on that plenty, and don't mind the disagreement as it's purely based on my imagination running a sim of sorts on most likely cause. I haven't administered an intelligence test to AR. Not like I have some proof of any sort. Just an opinion so let's disagree and wait to see down the road what shakes out as to the hows and whys. Bottom line is McVay knows what he's doing with wideouts IMO. If there's an issue, which there certainly is, there has to be something that falls on AR.

 

[jap]

I suspect too many are discounting the non-establishment of that precious QB WR rapport between the Comeback Maestro and his most recent starting WR. Establishing that rapport is where trust is built. All of Matthew's off-season throwing arm troubles disallowed that trust to form. With the picket constantly disintegrating around him, what is a Comeback Maestro to do but look to who he trusts most - even when Cooper was quadruple-covered? I would think that Matthew and AR are working things out now.

 

[CGI_Ram]

One thing about the 2022 Rams Offense… not a whole lot looked great. Robinson wasn’t alone.

 

[Faceplant]

One thing about the 2022 Rams Offense… not a whole lot looked great. Robinson wasn’t alone.

This. Honestly I am worried about Mcvays play calling as much as anything going into this season. Sean's offense has to evolve and adapt to the talent on the field better than it did last year, that's for sure.

I love McVay, and I have faith we will see some cool new wrinkles this year. Just have to hope they stay healthy enough at key posisions

 

[AvengerRam]

When Stafford has .0001 seconds to throw, he’s probably going to throw to Kupp.

Give him more time, he’ll find the open receiver.

 

[dang]

When Stafford has .0001 seconds to throw, he’s probably going to throw to Kupp.

Give him more time, he’ll find the open receiver.

Agreed. And it needs to improve not just to give Stafford more read time but to keep Stafford from regular pounding. I’d love to know what McSnead have planned for the OL over the next 2 years but I have to believe it will be a significant overhaul.

 

[Snaz]

Pretty sure Sean McVay has a Primary first read per play, and most likely that was Kupp. He even said something about not getting the ball to AR was his fault last season. In other words not calling plays where AR was first read. Stafford rarely had time to look past his first read.

 

[simonblaze]

Robinson can't separate to save his life...If he's not traded, they're going to have to scheme him open and hopefully utilize him as a jump ball red zone threat...He can be a decent weapon but Van Jefferson and Atwell should have every chance to be the starting #2/#3 WRs on this team.

 

[Merlin]

Robinson has never been a big separator. He's just always open.

 

[Malibu]

I know this has been talked about before but I still believe the reason why Stafford did not use A-Rob much was because he didn't have the time. I remember Stafford mentioning after a few games played under McVay that (and I paraphrase) "in this offense everyone is open". Probably had more to do with the time the O-lne gave him.

To a degree I believe but Stafford didn't have an off-season with ARob and was always comfortable with Kupp.

 

[So Ram]

To a degree I believe but Stafford didn't have an off-season with ARob and was always comfortable with Kupp.

Well there is a degree everywhere. Just like
Einstein .

Kupp had The Best year(season) of any Ram WR ? Makes Bruce & Holt days more important to say Torry Holt should be in the HOF.

Kupp in 2021 had Robert Woods & DJ1 complaining to Mcvay of not getting the FB.

I just remember watch the first half of the niner Ram game. Will also think what the season could have been in the cards played out a little better.