tavon austin

This topic has 11 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 7 months ago by Agamemnon.

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October 5, 2015 at 12:39 am #31857

InvaderRam
Moderator

just wanted to do a quick comparison of tavon austin to steve smith through their first two years.

steve smith (30 games 14 started)
69 touches total 1065 yards from scrimmage 3 touchdowns from scrimmage.
breakdown is:
64 receptions 1026 receiving yards 3 tds
5 rushing attempts 39 rushing yards 0 tds

tavon austin (28 games 11 started)
116 touches total 1035 yards from scrimmage 7 touchdowns from scrimmage.
breakdown is :
71 receptions 660 receiving yards 4 tds
45 rushing attempts 375 rushing yards 3 tds

obviously the comparison is flawed. tavon isn’t a pure receiver like smith is. and maybe he never will be. but they made a similar impact their first two years in terms of total yardage and touchdowns. curious to see what he can do his third year. this is typically a breakout year for receivers especially when you’re as raw as tavon is. and he’s as raw as it gets.

i’m just wondering if tavon can still be an impact player. not just a role player but an impact player. i don’t think we can write him off just yet. he’s a unique weapon. still trying to figure out how best to use him. but this season he looks just so much more confident. he’s noticeably stronger. plays where he’d get knocked down in the past he’s able to fight through and gain yardage. he’s still got his speed and quickness.

i just really want this guy to succeed.

October 5, 2015 at 12:39 am #31749

zn
Moderator

how I judge Tavon—I see him as a combined yards guy. So how does he stack up, as of game 4.

10 rushes, 77 yards
14 catches, 128 yards
5 punt returns, 113 yards

Combined yards: 318
avg. per game: 79.5

TDs: 4 (2 passing, 1 rushing, 1 return)

He has actually gotten 33% of the Rams points so far in 4 games.

.

October 5, 2015 at 1:08 am #31754

InvaderRam
Moderator

i expect tavon to get better as the season goes on. as the oline gels. and as gurley continues to knock rust off and adapt to playing at the professional level.

in the last 2 games alone, he’s got 11 receptions for 134 yards. will he be able to keep this up? i guess we’ll find out.

and speaking of first round picks on the offensive side of the ball, i hope greg robinson can also shine this season. he had a false start penalty today as well as some miscommunication on at least one other play. but again. very raw. having to learn a zone blocking scheme this year.

games like this. you either pat yourself on the back or it makes you even hungrier for more success. i’m gonna gamble that it makes these guys even hungrier. don’t be satisfied. keep pushing forward.

October 5, 2015 at 12:59 pm #31785

zn
Moderator

InvaderRam wrote:

in the last 2 games alone, he’s got 11 receptions for 134 yards. will he be able to keep this up? i guess we’ll find out.

That’s a good pace. To me the main thing is he finally looks really confident.

October 5, 2015 at 2:00 pm #31793

Dak
Participant

Also, how much do other teams have to account for the guy. You could see that the Cardinals had to honor the fake sweeps to him because he showed that he could really hurt them. That opens up holes for the down running back.

Plus, my eyeballs tell me that he looks more comfortable in routes, and the QB can trust him to be where he’s supposed to be.

October 5, 2015 at 6:08 pm #31810

InvaderRam
Moderator

he’s also stronger. he’s no gurley, but he definitely seems to have better balance. i’m thinking he’s been hitting the weights. maybe confidence plays into that too.

October 7, 2015 at 12:16 am #31887

zn
Moderator

InvaderRam wrote:

but this season he looks just so much more confident. he’s noticeably stronger. plays where he’d get knocked down in the past he’s able to fight through and gain yardage.

I see the same things.

October 7, 2015 at 12:51 am #31888
InvaderRam
Moderator
people are talking about the synergy in the run game between austin and gurley. one guy should allow the other to make some really big plays running the ball. and a strong running game should allow austin to make some big plays in the passing game.

not sure if i’ve seen anything like it.

question is how do opposing defenses adjust now that this is on tape. i’m sure they’ll find ways to counter that. and what do the rams do to counter that counter?

but yeah. i’m liking this thunder and lightning combo of gurley and austin. adds an element of unpredictability to this offense. cignetti just needs to find a way to free others up once defenses start to key in on them.
- This reply was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by InvaderRam.
- This reply was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by InvaderRam.
October 7, 2015 at 9:27 am #31907

Zooey
Participant

InvaderRam wrote:

but yeah. i’m liking this thunder and lightning combo of gurley and austin. adds an element of unpredictability to this offense. cignetti just needs to find a way to free others up once defenses start to key in on them.

Yes, that’s what I’ve been thinking amidst all this Austin/Gurley pride. Make somebody else start to “happen,” too. Quick, Bailey, Kendricks….

Then we have an offense.

October 9, 2015 at 10:18 pm #32036

zn
Moderator

I don’t think it’s just how they use him.

How people think Tavon just looks different this year. I think he actually does more things, and looks more confident and more in sync doing it? So if he can do it all more effectively you use him more.

The other theory is that no Tavon didn’t improve, they just started using him more, and he came through.

.

October 9, 2015 at 10:28 pm #32040

InvaderRam
Moderator

no i certainly think he had to work on things. work on his own game.

you gotta remember too. this guy came to west virginia as a running back. i think he was extremely raw coming into the pros especially coming out of that west virginia offense. or at least that’s how i understand it from what i’ve read.

so yeah. he was a project. i’m hoping he can continue this. this is typically a breakthrough year for some guys. their third year. we know he can make plays. here’s to hoping he can become a better receiver too.

October 10, 2015 at 3:48 am #32054
Agamemnon
Moderator
I think it is a bit of everything, not just one thing. Improved understanding by Austin, better usage by the Rams, and he looks more like he did in college. He has stopped doing that sort of hesitation stuff he did before or at least he doesn’t do it so much. For some parts of the last couple years, he just didn’t look like he did in college. imo Maybe he was dinged? HIs movements looked different to me.

He has a better QB, too. Foles is better than the backups of last year.
- This reply was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by Agamemnon.
Agamemnon
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