Hey pal, I'm not sure I have a blind spot - you're introducing coaching, play design and playcalling pre and post-Kupp return to the lineup in addition to other things. I was trying to focus on the subject at hand - Tutu.
Like Kupp and Puka, Tutu has talents and abilities - and limitations.
Stafford
CAN get the ball to him and was doing so early-on before Kupp's return. Stafford was playing behind decent OL protection then, before being faced with omious rushes that disrupted everybody's timing - and not enough chip blocking from a second tight end.
A heavy rush takes those late reads away from any quarterback - and long-distance throws to speedy wideouts generally take more time to develop tha being hurried will afford. We know these things but sometimes lose sight of them..
And while most of McVay's pass plays have progressions, they're designed to go to one receiver - the rest come later. If Kupp is Stafford's first read he goes there - and that's a call from the sideline. Which makes me wonder, probably along with you: How many plays, post-Kupp return were designed to go to Tutu? One TD certainly was - butof the rest, how many saw the QB without enough time to make the throw?
There are many layers here. Tutu's emerging value this season is a relief, and exciting. I never thought he'd be a legitimate third reveiver, but here he is. And whilIe I thought Puka would earn himself a spot and be a big contributor by late season, I didn't foresee what he's become so early.
Give Stafford time to throw, and he'll still slice and dice any secondary in the NFL with this crew and spread the ball around.
But that's not all there is to offensive football. To do that with any pocket passer you have to protect them, give them a running game, and playcallling beyond what opposing DC's can safely predict.
Like I said, many layers here.
