Tag: Tutu Atwell

Watch: Tutu Atwell mic’d up vs. Broncos, gets tips from Cooper Kupp

Tutu Atwell got some coaching from Cooper Kupp on the sideline during the Rams’ loss to the Broncos.

Tutu Atwell is just getting his feet wet in the NFL as a rookie, learning the ins and outs of playing wide receiver in the pros. He gained some valuable experience in the preseason, playing all three games and seeing a healthy number of targets.

In the finale against the Broncos, Atwell was mic’d up. It was a great chance for fans to see some of Atwell’s personality on the field, and though he didn’t talk any trash, he did have a couple of funny moments against Denver.

But more importantly, it showed how helpful Cooper Kupp is as a teammate. On a couple of occasions, Kupp gave Atwell some tips about his route running and going up against Kyle Fuller, who loves to press.

“Fuller, all Fuller wants to do is get his hands on you,” Kupp said. Don’t let him put his hands on you easily.”

There was also another moment where Atwell asked Bryce Perkins to get the ball out a little bit quicker on an out route, a healthy conversation between a quarterback and wide receiver.

Check out the full video below because it’s worth your time.

Matthew Stafford explains what it’s like working with a smaller WR like Tutu Atwell

Matthew Stafford has excelled with bigger receivers, but he has no trouble working with smaller wideouts like Tutu Atwell.

Matthew Stafford excelled when he was throwing to bigger receivers in Detroit. Calvin Johnson immediately comes to mind, as does Kenny Golladay and even Marvin Jones, to an extent. He also thrived with Golden Tate running routes, but with Stafford’s arm and aggressiveness, he naturally fits well with bigger-bodied receivers.

Tutu Atwell will get a chance to contribute at wide receiver, especially as a deep threat, and he’s nowhere near a physical or big receiver. That doesn’t bother Stafford, though. He knows how to build rapport with smaller wideouts as they use their speed and quickness to get open, rather than a wider catch radius.

“You just go play and you trust those guys to use their special traits to get open,” he said Monday of playing with smaller receivers. “There are big guys that can be open with not a lot of separations. Smaller guys usually need a little bit more, but those guys are usually better at creating it. You just let those guys go out there and understand what their traits are and how they’re going to get open and how they’re going to run routes and then just throw the ball accordingly.”

Atwell has been impressive in the preseason, even if he hasn’t broken off a big play or caught a deep pass. Stafford obviously isn’t playing in these exhibition games but the two have been working together on the practice field when Atwell gets first-team reps.

Stafford had his eye on Atwell in the Rams’ second preseason game against the Raiders when the rookie caught eight passes for 46 yards, coming away impressed with the effect his speed has on defensive backs.

“He has done a nice job,” Stafford said. “I watched him closely in the game. I thought he did some really nice things, threatened some people with his speed. He was sudden at the top of some of those routes, did a nice job catching the ball when it was thrown his way. He’s just developing. He’s another guy that is every opportunity he gets is going to be a huge plus for him and making sure that he learns from those.”

Atwell won’t be a starter and is buried behind four quality receivers on the depth chart, but his speed and quickness warrant opportunities on offense, whether it’s on deep shots or quick passes in space.

The Rams didn’t draft him in the second round to keep him on the bench. He’ll have his chances this season.

Tutu Atwell leads all NFL players in this stat through 2 weeks of the preseason

Tutu Atwell has the most targets without a dropped pass this preseason, leading all players through two games.

Tutu Atwell has gotten a lot of opportunities in his first two preseason games, both on offense and special teams. Just in Saturday’s game against the Raiders alone, he was targeted 13 times and caught eight passes for 46 yards. That was after catching two of his four targets for 21 yards in the opener against the Chargers, playing 46% of the offensive snaps in his debut.

He’s still adapting to the speed of the NFL game, but he hasn’t looked overmatched or out of place thus far. There haven’t been any rookie jitters, either, as evidenced by his reliable hands.

According to Pro Football Focus, Atwell has the most targets without a dropped pass of any player in the preseason.

Furthermore, he’s been a favorite target of the Rams’ quarterbacks, earning a target rate of 28% through two games – the highest of any rookie receiver. That was helped by Bryce Perkins throwing 13 passes his way against the Raiders.

Atwell is still the fifth receiver on the depth chart but with his speed and explosiveness, he’ll be difficult to keep on the sideline.

Watch: Tutu Atwell flashes his speed on 2nd catch vs. Chargers

Tutu Atwell caught a short pass and turned on the jets, showing off his speed early.

The Rams didn’t draft Tutu Atwell strictly for his speed, but that’s a big part of his game – especially given his underwhelming size. He has the ability to blow by a defense, take a short pass and turn it into a long gain and impact the game on special teams with his blazing speed.

He showed off those wheels early in Saturday night’s game against the Chargers, catching a short pass from Duck Hodges and turning upfield quickly for the first down – and more.

Atwell had two catches on the first drive, as well as a long punt return that was called back by a penalty. It’s good to see him getting involved early.

Tutu Atwell to return some punts in preseason debut vs. Chargers

Fans will get their first good look at Tutu Atwell on Saturday night against the Chargers.

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Fans have been anxiously awaiting the chance to see exactly what the Rams got in rookie receiver Tutu Atwell, who they selected in the second round of the draft this year. He missed the start of camp due to COVID-19 but returned in time for the team’s joint practice against the Cowboys.

He’ll be on the field Saturday night against the Chargers in the Rams’ preseason opener, though, which will be the first real look at the rookie speedster for fans and coaches. He’ll not only get opportunities on offense, but he’ll also get the chance to return some punts.

Sean McVay told reporters Thursday what he’s looking to see from Atwell against the Chargers.

“Just continued growth. Just understanding what’s being asked of him from the receiver position within the framework of whether it’s the run game, the pass game,” he said. “He’s doing a good job. I like the progression. (WRs coach) Eric Yarber always does a great job with those receivers. If he gets the ball in his hands, want to see him be able to make some plays and then he’ll get an opportunity to catch some punts as well.”

Atwell seems to be among the favorites to start the season as the Rams’ punt returner, but he’ll face some competition from others such as Landen Akers, Jeremiah Haydel and possibly Otis Anderson.

We don’t have much clarity on how that battle is going, but Saturday’s preseason opener will tell us a lot about the pecking order.

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Rams activate WR Tutu Atwell from reserve/COVID-19 list

Tutu Atwell hasn’t practiced at camp yet but he’s now eligible to take the field for the first time.

Not long after reporting to training camp, rookie receiver Tutu Atwell was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Rams. He remained sidelined for 10 days, but on Wednesday, he was finally activated.

That means he’s able to practice for the first time, which is great news for the rookie. But don’t expect him to be unleashed on Wednesday when the Rams take the field. Sean McVay said the team will be smart with him, which likely means he’ll be limited to individual work and conditioning before participating in team drills.

“We’ll be smart with how we bring Tutu back into the practice rhythm and routine,” McVay said Tuesday. “We’re not just going to throw him right back into it. He’s been sitting in his hotel room for the last 10 days not doing anything, be interested to see how much he weighs right now.”

Atwell was drafted by the Rams at No. 57 overall in this year’s draft out of Louisville, giving Matthew Stafford yet another weapon on offense. He’s buried on the depth chart right now, however, below Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson and Van Jefferson.

Rams will take it slow with Tutu Atwell upon return from COVID-19 list

Tutu Atwell hasn’t practiced in camp yet due to a positive COVID-19 test, but when he does return, the Rams will be smart with him.

Tutu Atwell might be the fastest player on the Rams, but he’s gotten off to a slow start this summer – and not because he’s struggled on the field. The problem is, he hasn’t been on the field at all during training camp.

Atwell was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list at the start of camp and has been sidelined for the last 10 days as a result. He’s expected to return on Wednesday but even when he does get back out there, the Rams will be smart with their top rookie.

“It’s been the 10 days, and so (Kevin) Carberry is back tomorrow and I believe Tutu is,” McVay said Tuesday. “Need to get true clarification, but we’ll be smart with how we bring Tutu back into the practice rhythm and routine. We’re not just going to throw him right back into it. He’s been sitting in his hotel room for the last 10 days not doing anything, be interested to see how much he weighs right now.”

The Rams talked to Atwell about possibly adding some weight but they probably didn’t mean the type of pounds that come with quarantining in a hotel room for more than a week. Considering he’s been mostly inactive for the last 10 days, they’ll have to be careful with soft-tissue injuries and strains when he does return. But, the Rams are always smart with their players so they’ll have a plan for Atwell.

Don’t expect him to be a full participant when he’s cleared, especially now that the pads have been put on. The speedy Atwell will need to stay in first and second gear initially when he does make his camp debut.

Rams place WR Tutu Atwell on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Rams have placed Tutu Atwell on the reserve/COVID-19 list at the start of camp.

Tutu Atwell’s first NFL training camp hasn’t gotten off to the start he was probably hoping for. The Rams said Monday that Atwell has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after reporting for camp on Sunday.

If Atwell is vaccinated, he will be able to return to the team after testing negative twice 24 hours apart. If he is unvaccinated, he will have to quarantine for 10 days, which is the same rule the NFL instituted last year when a player tested positive for COVID-19.

Atwell is the first Rams player to be placed on the COVID-19 list, but the only players who have reported for camp so far are the rookies and quarterbacks.

The Rams selected Atwell in the second round of the draft this year, adding the explosive receiver to a room already filled with talented pass catchers.

Tutu Atwell trained with Teddy Bridgewater, sees him as a mentor

Tutu Atwell worked out with Teddy Bridgewater and got in throwing sessions with him in Miami this offseason.

Tutu Atwell has officially reported for his first NFL training camp, arriving at UC Irvine on Sunday with the rest of the Rams’ rookies. And with this being such an important month for the rookie receiver, he put in a lot of work this offseason ahead of camp opening.

Atwell met with members of the media on Sunday and told them that he worked out with Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater this summer. The two got in throwing sessions in Miami and Atwell looks at Bridgewater as a mentor, since they both went to Louisville and played at the same high school – though at different times, of course.

Atwell also added that he’s currently 155 pounds, but he plans to put on some weight to get to the 160 range.

Atwell is undersized and his role on offense is still to be determined, but if he can put on some muscle and still maintain his speed, it will help him against bigger and stronger defenders.

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6 players who must stand out in training camp for the Los Angeles Rams

These six players must stand out for the Rams during training camp.

Training camps are set to get underway around the NFL, which means it is time to keep close tabs on certain players and how they perform in practices. For the Los Angeles Rams, there are a variety of positions that are expected to have heated battles or guys simply competing for a roster spot.

It goes without saying that fans of the Rams are chomping at the bit to get a preview of what Matthew Stafford brings to the offense. We’ll all get an opportunity — at least from afar — to get a sneak peek of what Los Angeles is going to look like before meaningful games are played. With the team slated to begin training camp near the end of July, there are a handful of players on the Rams who must stand out.