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RFL
TE is a loose term for a range of types of player.
People tend to forget the value of a TE who can block with power. We had that in Mundt ... but we have it in no one else.
So what do we do? Well, we COULD offset the loss of power blocking in a 2-TE set with increased splits and passing options. It is conceivable to replace a power TE with a slot-receiving TE. There could be a role for Harris, replacing Mundt with something very different.
Just speculating here.
I've talked Mundt up in the past wrt his run blocking, going back so far as a couple years ago iirc, so I am no Mundt hater when I say he is one of those guys you want to replace going forward to get better. Just like with Goff or Young he's not good enough for where the Rams want to go. Won't stop them from using a player like that, however those types are on a timer where the team will flip that spot as soon as they can.
Also when it comes to the run game you can run a power look with just your OL and 5 wide if you wanted to. Lining a guy like Harris up outside isn't going to be ignored, there will be a DB on him. So the fundamental question of balance has nothing to do with personnel sets. Balance, rather, is something you do as an offensive philosophy, where the coach has to check himself and ensure he's not getting too greedy looking for chunks with the pass game to the point where the offense becomes dependent on them.
Back to Harris the delay in his arrival definitely has to do with Jefferson playing well. Jefferson has done enough to keep getting looks as the team tries to develop that third threat and rightly so. He's pushed DJax to the background as well. And all of this is a good thing. Having competition and guys waiting in the wings that might really be something is what you want.
But just because we haven't seen Harris worked in there yet doesn't mean he's not part of the plan. I think his talent is real and once they get him through some fundamentals work his arrival is going to surprise a lot of people. A guy with his ability can impact the game in a small number of snaps and once he starts doing that McVay will feed him. That's one of McVay's strengths IMO, is that he runs a meritocracy with his offense. Guys need to produce to get more time, there's none of that vision nonsense where guys get rewarded with playing time even when they're not producing. Especially now that Kromer is gone.
