The OTHER Austin…no not that one….the OTHER Austin

Here’s a highlight vid of the catch:

http://www.stlouisrams.com/videos/videos/Pettis-Makes-Spectacular-27-yard-Catch/38864947-dae7-4a8f-b059-04b2d2725afd

Austin Pettis still has plenty of value … especially with Tavon hurt.

Agamemnon wrote:

That was the catch of the game.

It’s a knack he has.

Pettis perseveres to come up big for Rams
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11694/pettis-perseveres-to-come-up-big-for-rams

TAMPA, Fla. — St. Louis Rams quarterback Austin Davis wasn’t the only Austin who had lingered toward the bottom of the depth chart only to come up with big plays in the team’s 19-17 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Wide receiver Austin Pettis took full advantage of an expanded opportunity after a second-quarter knee injury toTavon Austin. Once one of the team’s starting receivers, Pettis entered the season fifth or sixth among the team’s wideouts.

But just because Pettis’ role has decreased doesn’t mean his ability to come through in important situations has faded. After coming on in relief of Austin, Pettis finished with three catches for 46 yards, including an acrobatic 27-yard grab down the seam to set up the game winning field goal.

“We have a lot of good receivers in the room, a lot of talent we can put on the field, and I’ve been kind of put in a backup role,” Pettis said. “Unfortunately Tavon got a little banged up today but for us we have been rotating a lot of guys throughout OTAs and camp preparing for different scenarios.”

Even with that work being done in practice, there’s no way to simulate a scenario like Pettis provided Sunday. On third-and-9 from the Rams’ 48 with 1:55 to go, the offense spread things out with four receivers running vertical routes straight down the field. Davis looked off receiver Kenny Britt and fired down the seam for Pettis, who went up to get it over cornerback Leonard Johnson.

As Pettis came down with the ball, however, Tampa Bay safety Dashon Goldson came over and delivered a crushing blow only to see Pettis find a way to hang on to the ball.

“At that point in the game you want to make a big play and I kind of thrive in those kind of situations,” Pettis said. “I came off the line and kind of had a feeling the ball was going to come to me on that play so I knew I had to come down with it no matter what.”

Three running plays later, Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein booted the game-winning field goal. Considering that just last week Pettis played a total of 10 snaps without so much as a target, it would seem far-fetched for him to provide such big plays. But it actually has been something of a theme for Pettis to come up with quality over quantity with his catches.

In 2012, Pettis made a difficult catch on fourth-and-1 to keep a game-winning drive going against Buffalo in Week 14 and also had a touchdown grab late in the fourth quarter to briefly give the Rams a lead in an eventual tie at San Francisco in Week 10.

“Pettis is a team player,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “He helps the young guys. He knows exactly what to do. Every time you give him a chance to make a play he makes one.”

As Pettis came down with the ball, however, Tampa Bay safety Dashon Goldson came over and delivered a crushing blow only to see Pettis find a way to hang on to the ball.

“At that point in the game you want to make a big play and I kind of thrive in those kind of situations,” Pettis said. “I came off the line and kind of had a feeling the ball was going to come to me on that play so I knew I had to come down with it no matter what.”

I love that attitude. I think the Rams have to find more opportunities for Pettis. This may lead to less Givens or Britt, I don’t know, but Pettis expects to come down with the ball. Maybe Quick should be watching Pettis and learning more from him. Because if Quick could come down with just a few more clutch plays (like the ball that hit him in the helmet), he’d be All-Pro.

I do wonder what happens when Bailey comes back. There really are a host of pretty good WRs on this team now, but no great ones.

Dak wrote:

As Pettis came down with the ball, however, Tampa Bay safety Dashon Goldson came over and delivered a crushing blow only to see Pettis find a way to hang on to the ball.

“At that point in the game you want to make a big play and I kind of thrive in those kind of situations,” Pettis said. “I came off the line and kind of had a feeling the ball was going to come to me on that play so I knew I had to come down with it no matter what.”

I love that attitude. I think the Rams have to find more opportunities for Pettis. This may lead to less Givens or Britt, I don’t know, but Pettis expects to come down with the ball. Maybe Quick should be watching Pettis and learning more from him. Because if Quick could come down with just a few more clutch plays (like the ball that hit him in the helmet), he’d be All-Pro.

I do wonder what happens when Bailey comes back. There really are a host of pretty good WRs on this team now, but no great ones.

I honestly don;t think anyone else on the team can do the Pettis as Extreme Pettis stuff Pettis does.

His reach and body control are kind of unique.

He’s like Mr. Fantastic from the Fantastic 4 out there.