Wagoner: Kendricks

Recent Forum Topics Forums The Rams Huddle Wagoner: Kendricks

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #27541
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Key Rams for 2015: Tight end Lance Kendricks

    By Nick Wagoner

    http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/19614/key-rams-for-2015-tight-end-lance-kendricks

    EARTH CITY, Mo. — Before the St. Louis Rams report for training camp next week, we’re taking a look at five players returning to the team who will need to provide more if the team is going to be a playoff contender in 2015.

    We wrap up the series with tight end Lance Kendricks.

    Why more is needed: Unlike the other players mentioned in this series, Kendricks isn’t a youngster looking to find his way in the league nor is he a guy heading into a contract year with something to prove. Quite the opposite, in fact. Kendricks signed a four-year deal worth about $18.5 million in the offseason, a hefty price to pay for a player who has never exceeded 42 catches, 519 receiving yards or five touchdowns in a season. But the Rams view Kendricks as an integral part of their offense because of his versatility. Kendricks has worked in multiple roles, occasionally lining up at fullback in addition to normal duties at tight end. Upon agreeing to re-sign with the Rams, Kendricks made it known he took a little less money to stay in St. Louis rather than depart for the Atlanta Falcons. He did so in part because the Rams let him know that they intend to get him more involved in the passing game, something Kendricks sought when he hit the open market. Now, it’s up to the Rams to find ways to get Kendricks more opportunities to make plays and for Kendricks to take advantage of those chances. Kendricks struggled with drops early in his career, which might be a primary reason his numbers have never gone beyond those listed above, but he’s shown improvement in those areas since. For a Rams offense that has struggled to produce, more from Kendricks would be a positive step in that direction.

    What the Rams need from him: Kendricks isn’t going to be asked to carry the freight for the offense as a pass-catcher or even as a blocker, but the Rams simply need him to be productive in both areas in order for the offense to become what the team envisions. The offense figures to feature a run-heavy approach that will have Kendricks doing plenty of blocking. He’s improved each year in that regard but will need to be even more efficient (along with the line) for the run game to take the next step. In terms of receiving, something similar to Kendricks’ career-best numbers — say, 50 catches, 500-600 receiving yards and five to seven touchdowns — would offer a solid return on investment.

    Outlook: Kendricks has quietly been one of the Rams’ most consistent performers offensively. The question now is whether he can take the next step to produce in the passing game. There’s a bit of a chicken or the egg thing happening with Kendricks where it’s fair to wonder whether the Rams have given him fewer opportunities because he hasn’t excelled in that area or if he hasn’t excelled in that area because he hasn’t had the chances to do so. Regardless, it doesn’t seem like it’s asking too much for Kendricks to offer the kind of production mentioned above. The question will be whether he will actually get the chance to do so or if those were empty promises made in an effort to keep Kendricks in St. Louis.

    #27546
    rfl
    Participant

    The Rams view Kendricks as an integral part of their offense because of his versatility. Kendricks has worked in multiple roles, occasionally lining up at fullback in addition to normal duties at tight end. …

    The Rams let him know that they intend to get him more involved in the passing game, something Kendricks sought when he hit the open market. Now, it’s up to the Rams to find ways to get Kendricks more opportunities to make plays and for Kendricks to take advantage of those chances.

    What the Rams need from him: Kendricks isn’t going to be asked to carry the freight for the offense as a pass-catcher or even as a blocker, but the Rams simply need him to be productive in both areas in order for the offense to become what the team envisions.

    In terms of receiving, something similar to Kendricks’ career-best numbers — say, 50 catches, 500-600 receiving yards and five to seven touchdowns — would offer a solid return on investment.

    Outlook: Kendricks has quietly been one of the Rams’ most consistent performers offensively. The question now is whether he can take the next step to produce in the passing game.

    There’s a bit of a chicken or the egg thing happening with Kendricks where it’s fair to wonder whether the Rams have given him fewer opportunities because he hasn’t excelled in that area or if he hasn’t excelled in that area because he hasn’t had the chances to do so.

    Regardless, it doesn’t seem like it’s asking too much for Kendricks to offer the kind of production mentioned above. The question will be whether he will actually get the chance to do so or if those were empty promises made in an effort to keep Kendricks in St. Louis.

    I gotta stop reading these things. The reasoning is laughable.

    Here, Wagoner concedes Kendricks’ value and achievement. He admits that the Rams resigned BECAUSE they see his flexibility as central to their offense.

    Then, he says, well, we need more than that. And he puts up some numbers–apparently arbitrarily chosen–that Kendricks SHOULD produce.

    Meanwhile, there’s no reference to Cook. Cook will get playing time because he offers a different package than does L K. He is the dedicated passing threat. He’s better at that (albeit uneven in his performance). For Kendricks to get to Wagoner’s numbers, they’d have to reduce Cook’s role. Is that what Wagoner is proposing?

    Hell, maybe they are. Maybe they’re tired of Cook’s under-performance. If so, that answers W’s “chicken-and-egg” question. K has had limited performance because of Cook’s being used heavily as a receiving TE. Either that continues and K doesn’t reach loftier numbers even if he catches the ball well, or K displaces Cook and proves that he is not only more versatile but also comparable as a receiver.

    But they won’t BOTH happen.

    And the logic of the facts W himself cites undermines his big point–the demand for more passing stats. Kendricks’ versatility has value in itself, so much value that the Rams extended him. Apparently, they see his ability to receive AND BLOCK as a worthwhile “return on investment” in itself. Maybe, W should realize that and learn to value what Kendricks actually IS and always has been!

    By virtue of the absurd ...

    #27547
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    And the logic of the facts W himself cites undermines his big point–the demand for more passing stats. Kendricks’ versatility has value in itself, so much value that the Rams extended him. Apparently, they see his ability to receive AND BLOCK as a worthwhile “return on investment” in itself. Maybe, W should realize that and learn to value what Kendricks actually IS and always has been!

    Hear, hear.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

Comments are closed.