I’d believe Tutu Atwell’s trash talk after a great season
By Bret Stuter
Before we sink our teeth into this article, I want to state directly that I am hoping for a huge season out of LA Rams WR Tutu Atwell. Not only do I want him to do well for the sake of his NFL career, but I want him to prove the Rams front office correct in valuing his play so highly in the 2021 NFL Draft.
After all, the LA Rams need to hit on draft picks in order to afford to pay their elite veterans what they believe they are worth. If younger players perform better than their contract, they have the opportunity to re-sign with the LA Rams for a substantial pay increase. Or they can auction off their play to the highest bidder.
It’s a natural progression. From arrival, to learn, to perform, to getting paid. It’s now the LA Rams stay successful.
But every now and then, a young man claims to be disrespected before ever performing well enough to earn the respect desired. As a result, it all becomes a bit of a social media standoff. The player demands respect and the fans who respond demand that the player does something to earn that respect.
Catch-22 club
Right now Rams WR Tutu Atwell is falling into that Catch-22.
The trouble is that NFL trash talk does nothing to ensure whether or not a player even makes the roster. Right now, that should be Atwell’s sole focus: Make the 53-man roster. Forget the social media banter of “I’m gonna…” or “You’ll see…”, because nobody on Twitter has control over his career, his success, or what happens this year.
Yes, trash talk is part of the NFL. But it’s what players do after making a great play. Or, at the very least, what players do after earning the right to do so by putting up solid performances. Right now, it’s all… rhetoric.
I am absolutely hoping for a huge season out of LA Rams WR Tutu Atwell. I want him to do well for the sake of his NFL career and to prove the Rams front office was wise by valuing his play so highly in the 2021 NFL Draft. But as for the trash talk while running around in tee-shirts and shorts?
Nah. I’ll pass. That don’t impress me much.