WR: outside the box thought

[Richbert88]

Whose satisfied with the current group of WRs?

I am hearing our guys are having problems getting seperation and holding onto the ball.

Here is a <bizarre> thought for the future, possible a little sooner.

DX and Onobun as WRs. At 6-5, with excellent hands, seperation wouldn't be a problem. What seperation you can't get in the x,y plane you can easily attain in the z plane <vertical>.

I understand the limitations on both. Inexperience. And for DX, his knees.

But lets ponder this together. Who has two really big CBs to cover these guys? Are they going to be pressed and bumped? I would find it hard to imagine a CB being more physical in press than Onobun. The guy is too big and strong. His biggest obstacle, as I have an understanding, is his blocking. Put him wide and let him do the WR blocking on running plays. Fendi ran a 4.45 and a 4.5 during his pro day. He is fast enough. DX also looks to have some skills and unussual size.

Put Amendola & Gillyard in the slot, Hoomanawanui, Fells & Baj in at TE. SJ would see some big bodies down field while running.

Why not?

[RebelYell]

I don't think anyone considers Obubon a real TE with near term blocking potential. He's more of a WR / quasi slot type receiver. Still, it's going to take time for him to learn the game.

Jordan Kent is 6'4 and HAS WR experience.

[richtree]

Jordan Kent is 6'4 and HAS WR experience.

Didn't we cut him last night to sign DA ?

[RebelYell]

Didn't we cut him last night to sign DA ?

No, they didn't.

[richtree]

Oh, we released Brooks Foster only so far...that leaves a good fight for Reps with the addition of DA...even if DA doesn't make team he will push guys even more for PT.

[Goldenfleece]

The main "why nots" that I could think of would be:

• Interceptions. I don't care if our guys are six inches taller than the defenders; we probably don't want to have to rely on jump balls as a staple of our offense. It's easier to prevent turnovers when the defender is a few feet behind the receiver than a few inches below.
  
• Route-running. Receivers who can't beat their man with speed can often still get separation by running sharp routes that are difficult to read. This is another area where Onobun and DX are probably still lacking. If the corner can tell what route the guy is running, he knows how to defend against it.
  
• Stretching the field. If you don't have fast guys pulling the defense in different directions, it's not just going to be one defender trying to make a play on the ball when you throw it up to the big receiver.

Generally speaking, I like the idea of playing the mismatches, and I think this tactic makes a lot of sense in the red zone where there's less room to work with. But it's maybe not appropriate for every situation.

[ManofGod]

In a word: No.
This may work as a "gimic" package here or there, but not as a long term staple of our offense.

[Trevor]

Oh how I miss Holt and Bruce...

[laram0]

I'm for whatever works. Our offense was horrendous last season and it's not off to a great start so far in the preseason.

C'mon RAMS let's go!

[Bing69]

Seems like something that would work in madden, but considering how important running routes, awareness and game knowledge is nowadays i cant see it working all game. Would be interesting to see as a gimmick play though.

[Richbert88]

Well now.............I see that Fendi Onobun has been getting reps split wide during Mondays practice.

True, I'd rather have a fast, sudden and quick WR out wide. But honestly, the kid runs 4.45 & 4.5 40s and has really nice hands and freakish athletism. He'll learn route running. In the mean time, you have the rest of him and his height to work with. Gotta have him in wide in goal line packages, maybe a little farther out, at the least. If there were better options available..........I wouldn't be thinking this way.

[MauiRam]

The main "why nots" that I could think of would be:

• Interceptions. I don't care if our guys are six inches taller than the defenders; we probably don't want to have to rely on jump balls as a staple of our offense. It's easier to prevent turnovers when the defender is a few feet behind the receiver than a few inches below.
  
  
• Route-running. Receivers who can't beat their man with speed can often still get separation by running sharp routes that are difficult to read. This is another area where Onobun and DX are probably still lacking. If the corner can tell what route the guy is running, he knows how to defend against it.
  
  
• Stretching the field. If you don't have fast guys pulling the defense in different directions, it's not just going to be one defender trying to make a play on the ball when you throw it up to the big receiver.

Generally speaking, I like the idea of playing the mismatches, and I think this tactic makes a lot of sense in the red zone where there's less room to work with. But it's maybe not appropriate for every situation.

Excellent point! One of the reasons Bruce and Holt were so hard to cover in their prime .. plus they had a bit of speed too ..

[The Rammer]

As Ron Franklin said when Mizzou played Oklahoma State, "To start with, he's 6'5". Then, they say his vertical is 46". Even if it's slightly less than that, it's still pretty good. That means you would need a 7' cornerback to cover him on a ball that's thrown to him!"

[Ramblin` Ram]

as i think it was Fleece who mentioned it...would be a good idea for the Red Zone.

people shouldn`t get too carried away with a "wideout"`s height tho..Drew Bennett is the tallest wideout i`ve seen in horns..(in 27 years of being a Rams fan) and the worst!

[Fortuninerhater]

Yeah, sounds good for the Red Zone and some third down packages.