The hamstring damage to Cooper Kupp at first of the 2023 season ended up being a blessing in disguise for the Los Angeles Rams because it allowed rookie Puka Nacua to emerge.
The chosen Nacua within the fifth spherical out of BYU, and gamers drafted that late often don’t contribute straight away. With Kupp out although, Nacua burst on the scene in Week 1 in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks and by no means appeared again en path to a historic rookie season.
Having the possibility to be taught from an incredible participant like Kupp positively helped Nacua early on in his rookie season as nicely. In an interview on ‘The Rush with Maxx Crosby’ podcast, Nacua defined how he first approached Kupp for recommendation:
“I attempted to work into the Breakfast Membership, which I didn’t know was a factor, it was identical to we’re all within the facility, individuals present up early. However they get up approach earlier than I do. I’m catching just like the again 45 minutes of that Breakfast Membership coming in. However I might simply sit within the conferences after which when Coop when down, it was like oh, Puk, you’re in these. However I used to be additionally sort of getting some reps with those getting sprinkled in right here and there, so I simply thought it was so humorous, like they weren’t unintentionally not speaking to me, however they’d roll by that clicker with the tape, they’re quick forwarding, pausing, a selected factor. They generally are saying it after which they’re not, however Coop can be in there and he would take the time to speak to me. Particularly in these first 4-5 weeks earlier than he got here again, I used to be blessed to get I suppose like a luxurious therapy as a fifth rounder. I bear in mind I harm my ribs after Week 1 in Seattle and I didn’t follow all the way in which till us enjoying the 49ers till like Friday, Friday in helmets once we’re identical to fine-tuning the sport plan, quick Friday. So me and Coop have been like watching all people follow and we’re speaking and I’m like I like basketball, I’m speaking to him on a regular basis like ‘Yeah, I’d hit you with this crossover.’ I suppose that was my option to sort of ask him about route operating as a result of Coop is a reasonably quiet man, I don’t know when you’ve ever talked to him. Very lowkey, however he’s the person. Probably the greatest route runners of all-time. A scholar of the sport. In order that was my option to get him to sort of educate me, such as you’ve run all these routes earlier than, like on the prime of the seven reduce, like OK, if he’s trailing on my inside hip, how do I set as much as win? Or do I simply triple or go one now or do I simply take it now? We began having these conversations like on the facet and after simply that Week 1 in Seattle. Then that occurred for the 5 weeks that he was gone after which when he got here again, it was like now we’re in conferences, now we’re in follow… Simply having the ability to perceive like OK, I can are available and the final 45 minutes of them watching tape, I can begin to look OK, how do IO see myself in what we’re watching or how do I ask questions if I’m simply watching this particular man. I do know they’re all of this however I’m like OK, I can’t take a look at all of it however how do I slender it do to 1 man and ask questions?”
In relation to enjoying broad receiver within the NL, there isn’t any one higher to be taught from than Kupp as he’s a former triple crown winner that’s arguably the most effective route runner within the recreation.
Now as Nacua heads into his second NFL season, not solely will he be capable to proceed studying from Kupp, however he will even be capable to instill a few of that information he has picked up on the workforce’s youthful receivers as nicely.
Tyreek Hill consists of Rams’ Puka Nacua in prime 5
One of many different finest receivers within the league at present is Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins. Nacua already appears to have gained Hill’s respect as he included the Rams broad out in his top-five checklist after the 2023 season.
