Tag: Cooper Kupp

Cooper Kupp’s 69-yard TD was another perfect example of his chemistry with Matthew Stafford

Cooper Kupp adjusted his route mid-play on his 69-yard touchdown and as usual, he and Matthew Stafford were on the same page

There’s a reason Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp are one of the best quarterback-receiver tandems in the NFL and their 69-yard touchdown on Sunday was yet another example to support that claim.

It’s not that Kupp is the fastest receiver in the NFL or that Stafford is the most accurate. They’ve had so much success in the last three-plus years because they’re always on the same page – whether it’s pre-snap or mid-play.

That was the case on their long touchdown against the Patriots. When Kupp saw that the Patriots were running Cover 0, he adjusted his seam route to break inside more, giving his quarterback a clearer throwing lane knowing the ball had to come out quickly.

Kupp explained what happened on the play, telling reporters how important it is to be on the same page as his quarterback.

“They had Jones off and outside about 8 yards and Dugger inside and I thought they were going to get some kind of 220 Tampa safety look and be able to drop out of there with how far off he was,” Kupp explained postgame. “And on the snap, Dugger just disappeared and what I thought was going to be a Tampa 2 ended up being a soft zero and it just goes back to a really old rules we used to have about running seam routes against zero and speeding that thing up and ripping in there and Matthew was just ready to go. It’s not something we’ve talked about in a while but being on the same page with him, it’s huge when you can do those and you can make those plays where you have small margins. Matthew’s getting hit and letting that ball go, trusting I’m going to be where I’m supposed to be, so glad we were able to make that one come alive.”

Stafford echoed Kupp’s thoughts after the game, as well, saying he saw exactly what his receiver did post-snap, which worked to perfection.

“I just hadn’t had a lot of opportunities to run that kind of a play against a zero pressure,” he said. “I’m just glad he was on the same page I was on and did a nice job at the top.”

Sean McVay has watched Stafford and Kupp work together for years and he probably never gets tired of seeing them make plays like the 69-yarder on Sunday. He confirmed Kupp made the right play to shallow off his route a little bit at the top and Stafford hit him in stride for an easy touchdown.

“He read it right,” McVay said. “That was the adjustment you want with that specific route and that coverage contour. He and Matthew were on the same page. It was a 69-yard touchdown. We like those plays.”

Watch: Cooper Kupp strolls into end zone after catching dart from Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp beat the Patriots’ cover 0 for an easy walk-in touchdown

If you try Matthew Stafford with a cover 0 blitz, you better get to him because he’ll make you pay.

The New England Patriots learned that the hard way on Sunday when they tried it in the third quarter. The result? A 69-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Cooper Kupp, who could’ve crawled into the end zone. That’s how far away the nearest defender was.

Kupp beat his man and after making the catch, there was no one back there to wrap him up. It wasn’t the easiest touchdown Kupp has ever scored, but with it being pure one-on-one coverage, it wasn’t a huge challenge, either.

This was Kupp’s second touchdown of the game, with the first being a short 5-yarder to get the Rams on the board in the second quarter.

Watch: Cameras catch Cooper Kupp’s postgame chat with Jalen Ramsey

Cameras caught a cool moment between Cooper Kupp and Jalen Ramsey after Rams-Dolphins on Monday night

Cooper Kupp and Jalen Ramsey were teammates for three and a half seasons in Los Angeles, winning a Super Bowl together as members of the Rams. Monday night was Ramsey’s first game against his former team, returning to the place where he won a ring with Kupp less than three years ago.

It was Ramsey’s Dolphins who came away with the 23-15 win over the Rams and after the game, the two All-Pros caught up on the field. Kupp and Ramsey shared a cool moment, which was caught by cameras and posted by the Rams on social media.

Ramsey thanked Kupp for sending him some of his Dodo Coffee Co. coffee and wished him well the rest of the way.

“What’s up, brother? How you doing? Thank you for the coffee, my shorty loves it,” Ramsey said.

Kupp told Ramsey that he’s “playing great ball” and wished him “a great rest of the year.”

Look: Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. link up before Monday Night Football

Odell Beckham Jr. is facing the Rams for the first time since winning the Super Bowl in LA and he linked up with Cooper Kupp before kickoff

It’s been almost three years since the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl and for the first time, Odell Beckham Jr. will face the team he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy with. Now a member of the Miami Dolphins, Beckham is set to play against the Rams on Monday Night Football.

Before kickoff, he linked up with Cooper Kupp on the field at SoFi Stadium, reuniting with the Rams’ star receiver. The Rams shared a video of the two wideouts, and even though no audio was captured, it was a cool moment between a couple of Super Bowl champions.

Beckham, of course, tore his ACL in his last game with the Rams, which caused him to sit out the 2022 season. He signed with the Ravens in 2023 before joining the Dolphins this offseason.

In four games this year, he has three catches for 15 yards.

Jalen Ramsey says Cooper Kupp is still ‘easily’ a top-5 WR

Jalen Ramsey had high praise for Cooper Kupp ahead of tonight’s matchup, leaving no doubt about where he ranks among the NFL’s top WRs

Jalen Ramsey and Cooper Kupp were teammates in Los Angeles for three and a half years, helping the Rams win Super Bowl LVI in 2021. Being on the same team for as long as they were, Ramsey and Kupp saw each other a lot on the practice field.

Ramsey always had a ton of respect for Kupp’s game and regularly praised the Rams wide receiver, and that admiration hasn’t waned now that they’re no longer on the same team. Ramsey still views Kupp as one of the best wideouts in football, putting him in the top five at his position leading up to Monday night’s game between the Rams and Dolphins.

“They were great,” Ramsey said, via the Palm Beach Post. “I’ve got a ton of respect for Coop. I easily think he’s a top five receiver. He and Matthew (Stafford) have a chemistry, great connection. And yeah, it was it was truly iron sharpening iron. We worked. We made each other better.”

Ramsey may be in Miami now, but he still has a lot of love for Los Angeles and the Rams, saying the city of LA is “like a home to me.”

“I never got an opportunity to give like a farewell gift to, you know, all the people out there,” Ramsey said. “It’s like a home to me. It’s like a family. I’ve got some family from out there. My daughter was born out there. Great memories out there. Everlasting memories of community, always treated me and my family right, nothing but loved and respected. So, still got a lot of ties out there. Still go out there often. A lot of positive energy out there. Nothing, like, negative that I could say about my time there.”

Monday will be Ramsey’s first time back in Los Angeles to face his former team, which traded him to the Dolphins in 2023. That adds to the magnitude of this matchup between the Rams and Dolphins, which might be a must-win game for his 2-6 Miami team.

If there’s one receiver that’s likely to see Ramsey often in coverage, it’s Kupp. Both players primarily line up in the slot, as they did often in practice when they were teammates with the Rams.

Kupp recalled those battles in Los Angeles, appreciating the way they made each other better.

“All those ‘Mamba’ periods. There were a lot of times when he played that star role for us for a while and with me playing in the slot a lot of the time, we ended up being matched up on each other often,” Kupp said Friday. “It was always so competitive. The physicality and the urgency that he plays with, it makes you meet him there. You can’t hesitate at all. It was something I appreciated about the way that Jalen played the game.”

Ramsey’s first season in Miami didn’t go according to plan in 2023, struggling to get going in Vic Fangio’s defense. But in 2024, he’s the Dolphins’ highest-graded player on defense (83.4), tied with Calais Campbell, per PFF.

The Rams know how talented and impactful Ramsey can be in the secondary, so they’ll try to find ways to attack other defenders instead of going at the All-Pro corner. That’s not to say Kupp will shy away from that matchup, but there are better ways to exploit Miami’s defense.

Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua got into the funniest debate about how they’d fare in an NBA game

Puka Nacua thinks he could score 8 points in an NBA game but Cooper Kupp says there’s no way

Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are good basketball players. Kupp played against Zach LaVine in high school and shut him down, while Nacua played in the NBA All-Star celebrity game as a rookie and actually shined.

Given their basketball backgrounds, the two of them sat down with Quentin Lake for a new web series, “Right on Q.”

Lake asked the two receivers to give their projected stat lines if they were to play 30 minutes in an NBA game. Kupp took the conservative route, focusing solely on defense: three steals, eight rebounds and two points in 30 minutes for the Lakers.

Nacua was more optimistic. He says he could score eight points and grab four boards, along with one steal and two blocks. Oh, and 3-4 fouls because he’s being aggressive when guards go to the basket.

Kupp says there’s no way Nacua is scoring eight points in an NBA game and it led to the funnies debate between the two of them.

“What do you think your percentage three-pointer would be? If you played consistently, what’s your percentage?” Kupp asked.

“Don’t say 30,” Lake mumbled.

“That’s what I was about to say. I was about to say like 29,” Nacua replied.

“You know how good 30 is?” Lake said.

The whole conversation is quite funny, hearing Kupp and Nacua go back and forth about how they’d fare in an NBA game if ever given the opportunity. And if you stick around, you’ll see the two of them go shot for shot on a mini hoop, which is pretty good, too.

Investing in a fullback could be a game-changer for the Rams

The Rams have been at the forefront of football innovation but a new trend is passing the team by. Here’s why the Rams should add a fullback

The Rams’ offense has been at the forefront of innovation since Sean McVay became head coach in 2017. Modern passing concepts, different formations, and the “Cooper Kupp” role have defined McVay’s system but it’s time for some improvements.

McVay’s offense was innovative because it was ahead of the curve and that curve was a pass-first NFL. In 2017, teams were airing the ball out, but not in the way they are now. The NFL had legitimate gunslingers launching bombs on a regular basis. It was a vertical attack that McVay exploited with a horizontal passing attack in contrast. As defenses prepared for vertical attacks, the horizontal attack was a counter concept that soon infected the league.

Many McVay disciples like Kevin O’Connell, Zac Taylor, Matt LaFleur, and Raheem Morris ran similar offenses after getting hired to head coaching roles. The Chiefs also modernized their attack with similar philosophies to McVay, leading to a combined four Super Bowl wins between the Rams and Chiefs in the last five years.

As a result, McVay’s offense isn’t as forward-thinking as it once was. The league always catches up and oftentimes, in order to go forward, one must go backwards.

The fullback was a staple in every offense up until the end of the 2000s. Players like Mike Alstott, Lorenzo Neal and Mike Tolbert made up the then-“modern” fullback – a massive, muscled-out monster with a short neck and a propensity to put people on their behinds. As the NFL adopted a stronger emphasis on the pass, players like that were no longer needed and the position has been on life alert ever since.

That was until Kyle Juszczyk came into the NFL. A slender, physically cut player with length, he was the opposite of what a fullback was supposed to look like and for good reason. The modern fullback must accommodate the needs of a modern offense and Juszczyk’s body type allowed for that.

For Baltimore and now San Francisco, Juszczyk serves as a fullback, blocking halfback in shotgun formations, as a tight end, receiver and in rare occasions, he’s used as an H-back in odd formations. The modern fullback is a Swiss Army knife of talents that can be flexible.

That’s why players like Patrick Ricard, Hunter Luepke, Scott Matlock, Michael Burton and Alec Ingold have found work around the NFL. The Rams need a player like that. A fullback would complement the Rams’ rushing attack perfectly.

The fullback is effective in these times because linebackers are built differently. Gone are the downhill brawlers like Jessie Tuggle and now there are the Fred Warners of the world – he coverage guys that shed blockers. Well, a fullback provides the second hit that eliminates a player like Warner from making a play after he sheds an offensive lineman. A fullback is the player that will set the edge on a toss. Faster than an offensive lineman, a fullback can get to the point of attack sooner than any other blocker.

In the McVay offense, a fullback would not only open up holes for Kyren Williams but on passing downs, a fullback could serve as a more effective blocker than a true running back due to a difference in size and frame.

A fullback would also allow for better red zone plays as not only would the Rams be able to more effectively run the ball inside the 20, but fullbacks are the perfect targets for play action, something Matthew Stafford excels at.

The Rams need to incorporate a fullback into their offense. They’re gritty, they’re tough and they make the play that sets up the play to win a game. The key block, the FB dive on fourth-and-short to move the chains, the blocker that picks up the blitz. They are an essential part of football and the fullback is where the NFL is going. It’s time to get ahead of the curve once again.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott expected to miss multiple weeks

The Cowboys will likely be without Dak Prescott for multiple weeks

The Dallas Cowboys’ challenges in 2024 became greater on Monday when it was reported quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to miss multiple weeks due to the hamstring injury suffered in the loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

The Cowboys play host to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and that means Cooper Rush will get the start.

Cooper Kupp moves into 3rd on Rams’ all-time receptions list

There are only two players in Rams history with more receptions than Cooper Kupp. Can you guess who they are?

Cooper Kupp is already heralded as one of the best wide receivers in Rams history and he just moved up on the team’s all-time receptions list. With his fourth reception of the game on Sunday against the Seahawks, Kupp moved into third place for the most career catches in franchise history.

He passed Henry Ellard, who had 593 in his Rams career. Kupp has 594 and counting, leaving just two players with more receptions in franchise history: Torry Holt (869) and Isaac Bruce (942).

It’s hard to imagine Kupp catching either player, but even being third all-time is quite the feat for the eighth-year receiver out of Eastern Washington.

Kupp is also tied for third in career touchdown receptions (53), and he ranks fourth in franchise history in receiving yards (7,264 entering Sunday). Ellard is third with 9,761 yards, so Kupp has a long way to go.

What’s at stake for the Seahawks? Week 9 preview and prediction

What’s at stake for the Seahawks? Week 9 preview and prediction

The Seattle Seahawks are set to face the Los Angeles Rams for the first time in the 2024 season. Seattle has struggled as of late. Since starting the season with a blistering 3-0 record, the Hawks have gone 1-4 since then, including three ugly blowout losses.

Things aren’t going to get any easier for them in Week 9. The Rams may have started the year 1-4, but since their bye they’ve won their last two games. Now they have wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back in the fold. The extent of which Nacua can play is to be determined, but the Rams expect him in the game.

During this recent stretch, the Seahawks don’t seem to do anything well. Their offensive line cannot offer protection, or open up any kind of running lanes for Kenneth Walker III. Conversely, their defensive front cannot stop any opposing rushing attack. Their pass rush routinely struggles to get any consistent pressure, especially against quarterbacks who can move. Oh, and the defense as a whole isn’t generating enough turnovers.

What else is there to say at the moment? Defense can’t stop anyone, and the offense cannot get going early or stay on the field long enough to sustain any meaningful drives. Once they get to the red zone, they stall out.

Making matters worse for them is the fact today’s opponent is… the Rams. Under Sean McVay, Los Angeles has had Seattle’s number. These teams have faced each other 15 times since McVay has been in charge. The Seahawks are only 5-10 against the Rams, including being swept by them last year… and in 2021.

This team is Seattle’s kryptonite, and they are facing each other at a time when they are trending in opposite directions. This is a major gut check moment for the Seahawks. Right now, the Cardinals, 49ers and Seahawks are all tied with identical 4-4 records. However, due to tiebreakers, Seattle is technically in third place in the NFC West.

Around the division, the 49ers are on a bye. The Cardinals host the Chicago Bears this afternoon, which means Rams/Seahawks is the only other action the division has this weekend. If Arizona and Los Angeles both win, then Seattle falls to last place in the west headed into their bye week.

Unfortunately, I wish I could be more optimistic. This Seahawks team is struggling too much on both sides of the ball and at this point, the Rams are obviously better coached. Lumen Field may not be the “road game” for the Seahawks the way it was last week when Bills Mafia invaded, but McVay seems to be inoculated against the 12th Man. His squads are 5-3 in the Emerald City, but in two of those losses it could have easily gone the other way. In 2022, the Seahawks needed overtime to beat a Rams team without Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp or Aaron Donald. In 2019, Los Angeles missed a game-winning field goal in a 30-29 defeat.

I have picked Seattle over the Rams in many moments where it appeared they were down and out, and each time I was proven wrong. I am no longer going to be Charlie Brown attempting to kick the football Lucy is holding for me. Until I see the Seahawks beat Los Angeles in a moment like this, I may change my tune. But until then, I have a hard time going against history.

Prediction: Rams over Seahawks 23-13

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