2019 NFL Week 16

[Hartline]

Kupp being insanely productive despite his lower snap count and very few targets.

 

[IRONGUARD]

Kupp shows why you should get him the ball more often....TD.

 

[Leonardfan]

San Fran's mediocrity at WR should bode well for Trent Taylor's chances next year.

 

[backrow]

Morgan Fox had a sack earlier for Rams.

 

[backrow]

TD Kittle! 72 yards so far

 

[Leonardfan]

Kittle and Dwelley both the catalysts for that drive.

 

[Shadowlight]

Not only does Kittle remind me of the crazed tight ends of the past like Dave Casper when I watch him run in the open field there is a strange thrill in the air. He doesn't seem like other players. His gait and running style has a wild off the hinges effect as if he is going to explode at any second.

He is the 49ers version of "Julian Edelman." Spitting fire and grit he embodies what football used to be about and what a refreshing concept. Before the game he was being interviewed by Brian Urlacher, one of my all time favorite players. Kittle was watching an Urlacher interception and said "wow you could catch the ball." Urlacher said yes and then said he would have been a wide receiver not a tight end. He wanted to get the last laugh. Ha.

 

[Westside]

Rams going out swinging! Tied up 31-31.

 

[Westside]

Not only does Kittle remind me of the crazed tight ends of the past like Dave Casper when I watch him run in the open field there is a strange thrill in the air. He doesn't seem like other players. His gait and running style has a wild off the hinges effect as if he is going to explode at any second.

He is the Rams version of "Julian Edelman." Spitting fire and grit he embodies what football used to be about and what a refreshing concept. Before the game he was being interviewed by Brian Urlacher, one of my all time favorite players. Kittle was watching an Urlacher interception and said "wow you could catch the ball." Urlacher said yes and then said he would have been a wide receiver not a tight end. He wanted to get the last laugh. Ha.

SL you mean the 49ers version of Edelman.

 

[Shadowlight]

Thanks I changed that. Three wild games today.

 

[Leonardfan]

Ramsey in melt down mode after giving up that big play. Kittle also made him look foolish on that long catch and run.

 

[Westside]

My chips on the Patriots, 49ers and Vikings going forward. Rams, WTF, a lot of head-scratching in the offseason.

 

[The Hock]

One of the announcers said something about Kupp being "held in check." In my opinion yes. By his coach.

That Allen QB sneak for a first down was something else. He was stopped, then stepped to the side and launched himself easily for the first down. With one foot. Now that's athletic.

 

[Johnny Tightlips]

Awesome touchdown by Kupp wish he was targeted more! The one silver lining for the Rams over their late season collapse is that Tyler Higbee has emerged as an elite TE. Morgan Fox has taken great strides too! You figure an undrafted white D lineman who missed the whole season last year and was brought back had to have some kind of real talent

 

[Shadowlight]

There are so many things to worry about this season that Kupp's fall off in a production while troubling is not at the very top of my list. The lack of overall white defensive players takes top prize along with the lack of production of the young white wide receivers like Isabella and Miller with no reinforcements coming in the draft for 2020 and even beyond that. Now I would be whistling a different tune if Kupp hadn't crossed over the 1,000 yard mark and if you just glance at his season stats they look impressive (87-1062-9). And he leads the team in receiving touchdowns including a nice one from last night.

That said the Kupp decline doesn't make a lost of sense but weirdly it eerily mirrors the fall off WR Adam Thielen had last season. Although Kupp's fall off is more dramatic. But it is worth repaying a visit to Adam's game log last year. I am sure most remember that Adam got off to a fiery start through 8 games and was heading for one of those all time seasons. Then things went south but at least he managed to squeeze in one more 100 yard game before the season ended. Kupp has one more game to accomplish that.

But take a look at Adam's game log last year see below:

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/players/game-log/2018/2059362/adam-thielen/

The lack of usage of Kupp has resulted in the Rams losing more often. After his brilliant game in London in week 8 the Rams were 5-3 and still in the playoff hunt. Since Kupp has been semi ignored they are 3-4. If they were winning while his production faltered at least one could reason the coaching staff were mixing things up towards a positive result. But that is far from the case. The Rams downfall has occurred since they have semi forgotten about Kupp. It is worth noting WR Brandin Cooks production has also fallen off but some of that could be attributed to his head injury.

And I think we all were on the same page last year in thinking the Rams might have won the Super Bowl last year if Kupp was playing. At least TE Higbee has picked up the slack of late. See below Kupp's game by game log this season and you can see some of the similarities to Thielen from 2018.

http://www.nfl.com/player/cooperkupp/2557898/gamelogs

We will have to wait until next season to see if this is the new norm for Kupp's usage or just a mysterious drop off that won't affect next season. I tend to think it is the latter but only time will tell. It seems to be in the hands of the coaching staff who have badly faltered this year.

 

[backrow]

Kupp is still tied for second in NFL in receiving TDs. Imagine what he would amount to if they didn't move away from him after London game. I'm thinking 12-14 TDs and probably 300-400 yards more, which would place him in top two, three of the league.

 

[Leonardfan]

I'll be off and on today - will be doing some holiday stuff with the family.

It sounds like Irsay is having a bit of buyer's remorse with Brissett - something we called here back when Luck retired.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...olts-expected-to-be-in-qb-market-in-offseason

I'd love to see C-Mac and the Panthers defeat the odious Colts today. It's too bad Allen is not starting but looking forward to see what Grier can do.


I was hoping the Steelers would turn back to Rudolph but that does not seem to be the case. My guess is the lie about Rudolph saying the dreaded "n" word may be damaging his career. I hope the Steelers hang onto him and continue to develop him - he has not been the same since the cheap shot by Earl Thomas.

 

[Leonardfan]

David Sills inactive

 

[Freethinker]

David Sills inactive

The Giants are a criminally stupid organization. At least over the last half decade or so.

 

[Leonardfan]

Daniel Jones with a nice TD pass!

 

[Leonardfan]

The Giants are a criminally stupid organization. At least over the last half decade or so.

I would agree with that 100%.

 

[Leonardfan]

Zach Sieler with a sack on Dalton.

 

[backrow]

Zach Sieler with a sack on Dalton.

first of his 2 year career!

 

[wile]

Vikes should sign ZZ

 

[backrow]

I'm all for Panthers seeing what they got going with Grier, but I'd be pissed if he can't feed the ball to McCaffrey who stands to break multiple NFL milestones and records... And they are already 14-0 behind.