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Blue and Gold
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Rams43
We all agree that Watkins has potential but the fact remains that he caught 39 passes for 593 yards, although that included 8 TD’s. We all expected a helluva lot more in a contract year.
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And it has been explained that the reason Watkins didn't have bigger numbers is a good, but still learning QB. Watkins was open. A lot and Goff when elsewhere
That is a fact.
Watkins can run proper routes.
That is a fact
Watkins can catch the damn ball
That is a fact.
Watkins is a tough target in red zone.
That is a fact
And if they have to franchise him, which won't likely be necessary, it it better to do that and have a WR who can beat good NFL corners than bring in some chumps who can maybe beat the average NFL corner but not beat the good NFL corners
Watkins is far better that his stats and though that is not a "fact". It is an opinion that is supported by facts.
Watkins was vital to Rams winning and offensive turnaround and this fantasy football mentality some have is nuts
Well, I don’t want this to be a contentious discussion, B&G.
But there are two sides to at least some of your above points.
1) A lot of WR’s were open and didn’t get targeted last year, not just Watkins. Many times there were 2 and sometimes 3 open receivers for Goff. Apparently not uncommon in a McVay O. Goff was instructed to throw to the first open man in his progressions in his first year under McVay. Hard to argue with that strategy.
2) As to Watkins running proper routes? Some have said that that wasn’t also always true. And it may have led to a lessened confidence in him by Goff. Playbook struggles, maybe? Heck, Kupp was often seen coaching him where to go presnap.
3) Catching the damned ball? Well, sometimes he made spectacular catches, but sometimes not so much. Missed 2 TD catches vs Falcons, for example. Catches that an All World WR should make.
4) Yeah, I definitely agree that Watkins is a tough target in the red zone.
5) We disagree that Watkins is irreplaceable. And that tagging him would be an acceptable strategy. Another FA could be our deep threat. Or perhaps Reynolds or Thomas. To refer to those 3 options as “chumps” is inaccurate, not to mention kinda insulting. I recall many last year Pooh poohing the Woods signing (not necessarily you), but that worked out okay. Saving millions of valuable cap dollars is no small thing.
6) Saying that Watkins is “far better than his stats” is the epitome of opinion masquerading as fact. Why wouldn’t it be equally true that other fine players around him help HIS game, as well?
7) You say that Watkins was vital to Rams having a winning season. As I posted to 81, Watkins was but one of 10 major upgrades to our ‘17 O. Ranging from HC to OL to Woods to Kupp to unleashing Gurley. Hard for me to put Watkins’ contributions above any of those, much less the benefits of all of them combined.
My Watkins position remains unchanged. He is a strong “want”, but certainly not a “must have”. We can and will win in ‘18 either with Watkins or without him.
Having said all that, I’m fine with being in agree to disagree territory with such a distinguished poster. Lol.
