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Tavon Austin (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter JAA
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Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Five Takeaways: Preseason at Denver
http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Five-Takeaways-Preseason-at-Denver/502558e5-05e7-474a-b222-19af6e32606d
"In 2015, Austin became the first player since Gale Sayers in 1965 to record at least five receiving touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, and a punt return for a touchdown."
http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Five-Takeaways-Preseason-at-Denver/502558e5-05e7-474a-b222-19af6e32606d
"In 2015, Austin became the first player since Gale Sayers in 1965 to record at least five receiving touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, and a punt return for a touchdown."
TripItUp
Footballguy
yes and no, if you are drafting for upside then he is a wasted pick in standard leagues IMHO.
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Jeff Fisher: Tavon Austin was paid based on “anticipation of what he’s going to do”
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/08/29/jeff-fisher-tavon-austin-was-paid-based-on-anticipation-of-what-hes-going-to-do/
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/08/29/jeff-fisher-tavon-austin-was-paid-based-on-anticipation-of-what-hes-going-to-do/
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Bonsignore: Rams WR Tavon Austin rewarded and ready to roll
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160831/bonsignore-rams-wr-tavon-austin-rewarded-and-ready-to-roll
MINNEAPOLIS — Barring some unforeseen turn of events, you won’t see Tavon Austin on the field when the Rams wrap up their preseason against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings are the perfect example why key players like Austin are draped in bubble wrap at this point of the preseason. The Vikings were being talked about in Super Bowl terms barely 48 hours ago, but those discussions, if not their whole season, went up in smoke when quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went crumbling to the ground Tuesday with a devastating knee injury that will knock him out for all of 2016 and could threaten 2017 as well.
And that was during practice in a non-contact drill.
With the stakes so high, the physicality of football so explosive and the line between hope and hopelessness so thin in the NFL, no sense risking a key cog like Austin.
Especially after the Rams just gave Austin a four-year contract extension that guarantees him $30 million, could top out at $42 million, and keeps him in Los Angeles through the 2021 season.
The new contract, and the security it represents, was appreciated by the low-key Austin, who admits the business side of things weighed heavily. Now in his fourth season — and with no guarantees the Rams would take the relationship to the next level — he peered around the league and saw teams surprisingly parting ways with key players.
He couldn’t help wonder about his future with the Rams.
“At the end of the day, this is a sport, yes, but it’s also a job, and sometimes you worry about your family and other things going on off the field,” Austin said. “You look around and see players who left teams and it makes you wonder.”
Austin appreciates the financial commitment, and the peace of mind it provides.
“I feel clear minded. I don’t have to worry about nothing else,” he said. “No doubt you have to deal with the business side, but for me it’s all about football now. Having fun. I’m just ready to play football.”
You protect assets in which you invested that much faith and money, so Austin will take his place on the sidelines with the rest of the players the Rams will rely on this season.
For Austin, it continues a bit of a trend.
The Rams have played three preseason games, yet their new $42 million man has been nearly invisible.
“We’ve won two games and I haven’t even touched the ball yet,” Austin said.
He doesn’t say that with rancor. Actually it’s a tip of the cap to some young playmakers who figure to complement Austin and star running back Todd Gurley.
If newcomers like wide receiver Pharoh Cooper and tight end Tyler Higbee can carry their strong training camp and preseason work to the regular season, the Rams’ offense has a legitimate chance to emerge from the bottom rung of NFL production.
“We have a lot of playmakers on this team,” Austin said.
That’s a noted departure from previous seasons, and while his lack of preseason targets suggests the added talent could push Austin to the background, the Rams are expecting the opposite.
More talent means more defensive focus shifting away from Austin. Theoretically, that means more room for Austin to operate. And while he’ll never be a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver threat in the mold of Dez Bryant or Odell Beckham Jr., Austin is capable of flourishing in space.
“He’s very, very talented with the ball in his hands,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said. “He is a problem to defend against and we hear that week after week after week. I was speaking with (Broncos defensive coordinator) Wade (Phillips) before the game and (he was saying), ‘This guy is really good.’ It was obvious, the way they defended us, they knew we weren’t going to give him the ball, so they just kind of disregarded where he was, but things change here in a couple weeks.
“I’m just really happy for Tavon. He’s a great team guy, full of energy and he’s got a God-given talent that’s going to carry us a long way.”
The Rams, in anticipation of that, rewarded Austin with the extension. And while critics will argue the pay raise doesn’t represent his body of work — in three seasons Austin has 123 receptions for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns and 809 yards and seven rushing touchdowns — Rams officials argue they’ve already paid Austin for goods delivered.
The new contract is a reflection of what they believe he’s on the verge of doing.
“It’s our anticipation of what he’s going to do. We’ve seen what he’s capable of and we’re hoping we’re going to get a lot more than what we’ve seen in the past,” Fisher said. “I know people are putting out numbers and things like that, but they forget three or four punt returns that were returned for touchdowns that were called back.”
And after watching the Rams throughout training camp, it’s pretty obvious new offensive coordinator Rob Boras is determined to get Austin the ball in multiple, creative ways. It’s been a constant theme in camp, but for obvious reasons the Rams have kept a lid on it in preseason games.
Whether that translates to the actual season remains to be seen. That will depend on Case Keenum, the effectiveness of the offensive line and receivers Cooper and Kenny Britt and tight ends Higbee and Lance Kendricks emerging and being dependable just as much as it is Austin.
But that is the plan.
Hence the contract extension.
Austin appreciates the confidence and compensation. And he’s ecstatic it will unfold in Los Angeles.
“The Rams gave me my first chance, brought me to the NFL, and I’d love to finish my career here,” he said. “For them to put that extension on my contract lets me know it’s not just about football. It’s a family thing over here.”
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160831/bonsignore-rams-wr-tavon-austin-rewarded-and-ready-to-roll
MINNEAPOLIS — Barring some unforeseen turn of events, you won’t see Tavon Austin on the field when the Rams wrap up their preseason against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings are the perfect example why key players like Austin are draped in bubble wrap at this point of the preseason. The Vikings were being talked about in Super Bowl terms barely 48 hours ago, but those discussions, if not their whole season, went up in smoke when quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went crumbling to the ground Tuesday with a devastating knee injury that will knock him out for all of 2016 and could threaten 2017 as well.
And that was during practice in a non-contact drill.
With the stakes so high, the physicality of football so explosive and the line between hope and hopelessness so thin in the NFL, no sense risking a key cog like Austin.
Especially after the Rams just gave Austin a four-year contract extension that guarantees him $30 million, could top out at $42 million, and keeps him in Los Angeles through the 2021 season.
The new contract, and the security it represents, was appreciated by the low-key Austin, who admits the business side of things weighed heavily. Now in his fourth season — and with no guarantees the Rams would take the relationship to the next level — he peered around the league and saw teams surprisingly parting ways with key players.
He couldn’t help wonder about his future with the Rams.
“At the end of the day, this is a sport, yes, but it’s also a job, and sometimes you worry about your family and other things going on off the field,” Austin said. “You look around and see players who left teams and it makes you wonder.”
Austin appreciates the financial commitment, and the peace of mind it provides.
“I feel clear minded. I don’t have to worry about nothing else,” he said. “No doubt you have to deal with the business side, but for me it’s all about football now. Having fun. I’m just ready to play football.”
You protect assets in which you invested that much faith and money, so Austin will take his place on the sidelines with the rest of the players the Rams will rely on this season.
For Austin, it continues a bit of a trend.
The Rams have played three preseason games, yet their new $42 million man has been nearly invisible.
“We’ve won two games and I haven’t even touched the ball yet,” Austin said.
He doesn’t say that with rancor. Actually it’s a tip of the cap to some young playmakers who figure to complement Austin and star running back Todd Gurley.
If newcomers like wide receiver Pharoh Cooper and tight end Tyler Higbee can carry their strong training camp and preseason work to the regular season, the Rams’ offense has a legitimate chance to emerge from the bottom rung of NFL production.
“We have a lot of playmakers on this team,” Austin said.
That’s a noted departure from previous seasons, and while his lack of preseason targets suggests the added talent could push Austin to the background, the Rams are expecting the opposite.
More talent means more defensive focus shifting away from Austin. Theoretically, that means more room for Austin to operate. And while he’ll never be a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver threat in the mold of Dez Bryant or Odell Beckham Jr., Austin is capable of flourishing in space.
“He’s very, very talented with the ball in his hands,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said. “He is a problem to defend against and we hear that week after week after week. I was speaking with (Broncos defensive coordinator) Wade (Phillips) before the game and (he was saying), ‘This guy is really good.’ It was obvious, the way they defended us, they knew we weren’t going to give him the ball, so they just kind of disregarded where he was, but things change here in a couple weeks.
“I’m just really happy for Tavon. He’s a great team guy, full of energy and he’s got a God-given talent that’s going to carry us a long way.”
The Rams, in anticipation of that, rewarded Austin with the extension. And while critics will argue the pay raise doesn’t represent his body of work — in three seasons Austin has 123 receptions for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns and 809 yards and seven rushing touchdowns — Rams officials argue they’ve already paid Austin for goods delivered.
The new contract is a reflection of what they believe he’s on the verge of doing.
“It’s our anticipation of what he’s going to do. We’ve seen what he’s capable of and we’re hoping we’re going to get a lot more than what we’ve seen in the past,” Fisher said. “I know people are putting out numbers and things like that, but they forget three or four punt returns that were returned for touchdowns that were called back.”
And after watching the Rams throughout training camp, it’s pretty obvious new offensive coordinator Rob Boras is determined to get Austin the ball in multiple, creative ways. It’s been a constant theme in camp, but for obvious reasons the Rams have kept a lid on it in preseason games.
Whether that translates to the actual season remains to be seen. That will depend on Case Keenum, the effectiveness of the offensive line and receivers Cooper and Kenny Britt and tight ends Higbee and Lance Kendricks emerging and being dependable just as much as it is Austin.
But that is the plan.
Hence the contract extension.
Austin appreciates the confidence and compensation. And he’s ecstatic it will unfold in Los Angeles.
“The Rams gave me my first chance, brought me to the NFL, and I’d love to finish my career here,” he said. “For them to put that extension on my contract lets me know it’s not just about football. It’s a family thing over here.”
Yup. Pharoh Cooper could get some, too, but I'd be surprised if Austin isn't handling the majority of them.
Edit: I've tentatively got Austin projected for 66% of LA's punt returns, but that's largely just me being pretty conservative on the heels of the big extension. I wouldn't at all be surprised if that number wound up being more like the 90% he's averaged over the last two years.
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TheFanatic
Footballguy
So glad I drafted this guy 1st overall his rookie year 
Just maybe the new regime can do something with him but come on. Sooooooo terrible.
Just maybe the new regime can do something with him but come on. Sooooooo terrible.
hoffman0001
Footballguy
He is still in the league? 
"I can't believe he's still in the league" I've had those thoughts. (I pegged him as a third down back so I never jumped on this train.) He's got some speed and moves to him that are undeniable. I don't think he's bulky enough to be a third down back or big enough to be a WR but he could sure fill in as either. Definitely could return kicks and punts.
This next contract and next team could be good for him. As long as he's not some key cog, he could still definitely be a piece for some team. Belichick would sure know how to use him in spots and he'd probably play a long time there. Who else would though?
Darren Sproles got his role, thrived, and he's like 40. Woodhead had about the same experience. Neither would have made it if they went to a team and had to primarily be a runner.
Does anyone remember "the weapon" in Jax? He was useful as all get out. Could play QB, RB, and WR. Very fast with some nice moves. I couldn't believe the hypocrisy in cutting him because he was just a weapon and hadn't become a complete WR or complete back. They literally drafted him and called him the weapon moments later assigning that purpose. He never found another team willing to take a player with his specific skill set-both limited and special in that limited capacity.
I think Austin is at a big crossroads here. His agent better be good at what he does and they better sit down and talk before he joins just any team. I can't stand Dowell Loggains offense but he loves the 4-5 yard crossing route. Austin could thrive in Miami like Kendall Wright did when Loggains was the Titans OC.
I wonder about this guy and think the weapon is a cautionary tale for him
This next contract and next team could be good for him. As long as he's not some key cog, he could still definitely be a piece for some team. Belichick would sure know how to use him in spots and he'd probably play a long time there. Who else would though?
Darren Sproles got his role, thrived, and he's like 40. Woodhead had about the same experience. Neither would have made it if they went to a team and had to primarily be a runner.
Does anyone remember "the weapon" in Jax? He was useful as all get out. Could play QB, RB, and WR. Very fast with some nice moves. I couldn't believe the hypocrisy in cutting him because he was just a weapon and hadn't become a complete WR or complete back. They literally drafted him and called him the weapon moments later assigning that purpose. He never found another team willing to take a player with his specific skill set-both limited and special in that limited capacity.
I think Austin is at a big crossroads here. His agent better be good at what he does and they better sit down and talk before he joins just any team. I can't stand Dowell Loggains offense but he loves the 4-5 yard crossing route. Austin could thrive in Miami like Kendall Wright did when Loggains was the Titans OC.
I wonder about this guy and think the weapon is a cautionary tale for him
BoltBacker
Footballguy
Biabreakable
Footballguy
What does this mean?
Google doesn't know.
Does he have spiderman type powers?
What’s a web-back? Cowboys have vision for former speedy disappointment Tavon Austin
Bojang0301
Omar4Heisman
Perhaps Stephen Jones should stay away from Michael Irvin in the off season.
Tau837
Footballguy
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
It's also a great idea to keep you most valuable offensive player on the bench for a guy like Austin.
Right? I've heard some nonsense coach-speak in the past, but this has to take the cake.
Zyphros
Footballguy
I know we all view it as a joke and impractical and just nonsensical but what if it's true? If Austin gets that kind of work, what kind of value SHOULD he have in the trade market. Obviously that quote gives his owners some semblance of hope and Zeke isn't an all world pass catcher himself so there is some value here no?
Dezbelief
Footballguy
If Tavon had a couple good games I would be ecstatic if I got a 2nd for him(IDP). I would sell for a 3rd. A 4th I would hold and flex him.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
I think he could have some value in ppr leagues - but I feel pretty safe in believing it ISN'T true.
I wouldn't be looking to trade for him even cheaply, but would take him on as a throw in. If you wanted to trade him away, you'd probably be better off waiting for a game where he catches 4 passes and scores a TD - if that ever comes. I doubt you could get anything for him now even based on this "news".
cloppbeast
Footballguy
As yet Austin has only left us broken-hearted in disappointment, but maybe the book isn't finished yet. A non-typical player, he has some unique abilities of which aren't easily taken advantage. Is he a wide receiver or a running back or both or neither? Such guys need a good situations with the right coach, i.e, not Jeff Fischer. The exaggerated prediction for touches notwithstanding, it's encouraging Dallas has plans to get him involved. And they might not have much of a choice looking at their roster. There's a little hope Jason Garrett and Scott Linehan find a way to put Austin in favorable situations for success.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Well it will likely be similar to what the Rams were doing taking Gurley off the field to accommodate Austin.
Not sure if you saw hard knocks with the Rams, but Austin was treated like a diva there at that time, seems like FIsher and company thought the sun shone out of his butt.
The Rams built their offense around this guy and at times took their best player off the field for this guy and despite all of that his best year as a receiver was 58 catches in 2016.
In 2015 Austin had 907 combined yards with 52 rushing attempts and 52 receptions that year.
I don't see him doing nearly as much for the Cowboys but they do need receivers and Cole Beasley did have 75 receptions with Dak Prescott in 2016. Presscott is likely better than Case Keenum was in that juvy offense with the Rams so maybe Austin can actually do something. It does give the Cowboys some triple option type ability for defenses to worry about.
cloppbeast
Footballguy
I'm guilty of not having watched the Rams much, so I can't say as how they used Austin. Seems like they plugged him in the offense and forced him the ball. Rather than win one on one match ups, he's more of a player which can do damage in open space.
Maybe it takes some imagination to envision a decent season for Austin. Otherwise he's a much over paid punt returner.
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CalBear
Footballguy
He's not a great receiver (weak route running keeps him from overcoming his size liabilities the way Desean does) and he's not a great running back (too small, can't break tackles). Over paid punt returner is about right.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
The Rams built their whole offense around Austin.
He mostly lines up in the slot, frequently motioning to the other side of the field where they will fake the jet sweep to him and giving him the ball on these some times as well. He would line up in the backfield as a RB as well, sometimes motioning out to the slot before the snap or other times they just use him as a RB leaking out. There were times where both he and Gurley would be in the backfield and other times where Gurley wasn't on the field and Austin is the only RB.
Austin is a constraint play player, you have to be creative to get him the ball because he doesn't win conventionally.
A lot of this misdirection is intended to stress the defense and make their run fits more challenging. The constraint plays are meant to make the defense play more honest and help free up the running game but in actual practice what it does is bring more defenders into the box because all of action laterally.
The Rams overdid it. I don't expect that the Cowboys will. Austin won't see the field as much because they are not as heavily invested in Austin as the Rams were using such a high pick on him and then trying to force things to prove they were not dumb for picking him so high.
Austin is a over paid punt returner but he will get some slot looks as well and will run a lot of fakes and misdirection for the Cowboys.
The lack of other receiving options and the success the Cowboys have had with the zone read option does make him interesting as he may get more opportunities with Dallas than he would with another team right now.
Bojang0301
Omar4Heisman
I don’t expect the hubris of a Jones to allow him to correct himself (especially after watching the Amazon series) but I’m pretty sure he meant 12-24 SNAPS. He should really clarify instead of looking like an idiot when the season rolls around.
cloppbeast
Footballguy
The Tavon at receiver experiment has ended in rejection of the null hypothesis; but you could argue he's done decent at running back based on ypc. Dallas plans to use him as such, specifically a web-back, I take it just a fancy term for a Darren Sproles guy. They want to get him involved out of the back field, hopefully in space where he's at his best.
You can take Austin's time with the Rams as their failure or his. Not saying it can't be both. But the guy has a very unique skill set, and just because the NFL hasn't figured out a way to use him yet doesn't mean they definitely won't. I'm just telling you there's a chance. He won't be a great player, but he could be serviceable.
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Biabreakable
Footballguy
He definitely could.
My ax grinding has more to do with the coaches and front office than Austin.
The Cowboys need some receivers and there is opportunity to be had for him here.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
A lot like NFL draft "hot takes" in February, nobody will remember them by the time the even actually gets here. Everyone will be so wrapped up in the start of the season the only people that will remember or even care are people like us. And we all took it with a giant grain of salt in the first place. At the end of the day he owns the F'n Cowboys, he pretty much has the last laugh no matter what he said about Tavon Austin in May. We own imaginary NFL teams. He owns a real one.
Tau837
Footballguy
Why? Do one or both of them have some kind of reputation for creative use of non-traditional players? Have either of them ever used a WR/RB hybrid successfully? When Zeke has been healthy, have they demonstrated any tendency to give other players significant backfield touches?cloppbeast said:
I'm not seeing any reason for optimism. I mean, literally none.
cloppbeast
Footballguy
Biabreakable
Footballguy
The two names that come up in connection with Austins role with the Cowboys are Cole Beasley and Lance Dunbar.
As I already mentioned in 2016 Cole Beasley led the Cowboys in targets (98) catches (75) and receiving yards (833) he only ran the ball one time.
Rokie Dak Prescott certainly used Beasley a lot and it fit their offense. Beasley is very similar size player to Austin at 5'8" 180 lbs and Austin is likely a better runner than Beasley was.
Same coaches same QB.
Cole Beasley is still under contract with the Cowboys for this season and is a free agent in 2019.
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cloppbeast
Footballguy
Aside from the Jones quote, the article explains some reasons for optimism, in that at least they have a plan to use him on offense. Yeah, it's a may fluff piece so you can ignore it. But the Dallas traded a 6th round pick for him to take on his $5 million salary, expensive for a kick returner. This implies they will use him as more than a special teamer. How much more, IDK. I'm not telling anybody to trade their first round rookie pick for him. He's just worth a flyer.
