[/zn/]

If Tavon can't break through this season then he never will.

My view is that he already has broken through. He did in 2015. In 2015 they used him right, according to what he actually is and does.

My view is also that if you don't use him like they did in 2015, then, it's just not going to be as productive. You don't use Torry Holt the way you would use Tavon, and you don't use Tavon the way you would use Torry Holt.

But as I keep adding, maybe McVay's view is, if he can't be a pure receiver type, then, why not move on. That's up to McVay. McVay either adapts to what Tavon does, or Tavon becomes the kind of receiver McVay wants...which, frankly, I don't think Tavon is capable of doing.

.

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[PARAM]

If you look at Tavon's numbers, in both the NFL and NCAA, he has never been a deep threat. He may catch some deep balls but his numbers suggest he's a "within 10 yards of the LOS" type receiver.

NCAA:

15 rec -151 yds (10.1) 1 TD ; 6 rushes 47 yds (7.9) 1 TD
58 rec - 787 yds (13.6) 8 TD ; 16 - 161 (10.1) 1 TD
101 rec - 1186 yds (11.7 ) 8 TD ; 16-182 (11.4) 1 TD
114 rec - 1289 yds (11.3) 12 TD ; 72- 643 (8.9 ) 3 TD

BTW, he was listed as a RB his first 3 years at WVA.

In the NFL:

40 - 418 (10.5) 4 TD ; 9 att- 151 (16.8) 1 TD
31 - 242 (7.8) 0 TD ; 36 att -224 (6.2) 2 TD
52 - 473 (9.1) 5 TD ; 52 att- 434 (8.3) 4 TD
58 - 509 (8.8) 3 TD ; 28 att - 159 (5.7) 1 TD

Zn has said "if they use him like they did in 2015" and that is when he had his best production. And I'd take that a step further. As I've said before in 2015 with Foles at QB, Austin's production (and Gurleys) was much better than with Keenum. So I'd say "if they use him like they Foles did in 2015".

For instance Tavon's 2015 production in the 11 games Foles started :

37 receptions for 362 yards (9.8) 4 TDs ; 34 rushing att for 302 yds (8.9) 3 TD
Averages? 3.4 receptions per game, 60 yards from scrimmage per game, 7 TDs in 11 games

With Keenum

15 receptions for 111 yards (7.4) 1 TD; 18 rushes for 132 yds (7.3) 1 TD
Averages? 3 receptions per game, 48 yards from scrimmage per game, 2 TDs in 5 games.

Clearly, his production was much better with a better QB and that's admitting Foles wasn't a better quarterback the last 4 games he started.

And here's some more food for thought. Austin is viewed as a "multi-threat"; a receiver and a runner as well as a punt returner. I'll acknowledge on punt returns he's a threat every time he returns one. But in 59 NFL games, he's accumulated 75 or more yards from scrimmage just 9 times. 4 with Foles (in 11 total games), 2 with Keenum, 2 with Clemens and 1 with Goff. He amassed 100+ yards from scrimmage 5 times, 2 with Foles, 1 with Keenum and 2 with Clemens. All this tells me is, with a good QB or at least NFL caliber QB, he'll produce more. NOTE: He had a higher YPC average with Goff last year (9.2) than with Keenum (8.5).

[LA_Ram_#29]

I'm not confident that he's going to be much better than what we've seen... he's limited as a wide out because of his size...and we have some slot options now that won't take much to be more consistent than Tavon..

I'm pulling for him but I think the time to move on is approaching. We need some of that money to keep Aaron Donald around

[RamsCosign314]

It starts with scheme. Rams under Fisher run run run and when passing kept most all throws in the same area defensive players were squatting. There were zero over coverage throws. Our wr were essentially waiting to get tackled as soon as they got the ball.

No QB would succeed in the Rams previous scheme because there were no windows. The previous regime and offense created zero mismatches in scheme. You can't beat NFL teams on ability alone. Playing backyard football against any coordinator is going to let defenses feast. How do you line up three wr and a te and keep them at scrimmage to five yards???

This is why Tavon never had a chance. Our entire offense was lateral. See what happens when the scheme takes care of our players. Just watch. Folks will be talking about where the production from the Rams came from and why this year happened so suddenly. I'd bet a months pay on it.

[safer]

To me it is obvious that an elite athlete with amazing football skills was playing under a completely inept offensive structure.

McVays system is just what the Doctor ordered for Tavon. I got a good feeling this year is going to be fun fun FUN!!!

I'm not implying it won't. I would love to see Tavon take on a role similar to what DJack did in Washington the last couple of years.

[Rams1PlateSince1976]

I bet Mike Martz knows.

[Rams1PlateSince1976]

I don't know so I'm just asking. Can Tavon throw the football with decent accuracy up to 20 yards down the field? (10 to 15 yards would do.) If Yes, get me an etch-a-sketch and I will show you a few things you could do with Tavon.

[PARAM]

I'm not confident that he's going to be much better than what we've seen... he's limited as a wide out because of his size...and we have some slot options now that won't take much to be more consistent than Tavon..

I'm pulling for him but I think the time to move on is approaching. We need some of that money to keep Aaron Donald around

You could very well be right. But I'd prefer.....and I'm sure all Ram fans who's minds aren't already made up......would like to see what he can do in a LEGIT NFL offense with a LEGIT NFL quality QB before deciding in their minds, it's time to move on from Austin. Hell, I don't care if he's a stellar WR or not.

The positive spin? For me he just has to produce more in that respect and also continue to gain yardage/score on runs and return punts. He's got 12 receiving TDs, 8 rushing TDs and 3 punt return TDs. That's 6 scores per season in a GOD AWFUL LOUSY pedestrian offense. More than any other Ram during that same time.

Austin 21
Gurley 16
Kendricks 13
Britt 11
Quick 8
Bennie 5

And that, in the end, is the name of the game on offense. Put the ball in the end zone.

[Juggs]

I think Tavon was a huge draft mistake. No way he should have went that high in the draft. Then when I thought it couldn't get worse, Fisher and Les extend his ass with a big money contract. Just fuckin crazy to me.

[dieterbrock]

Being in an offense that actually throws the ball downfield will open opportunities for everyone. The offensive Fisher Offense was basically a red-zone offense played everywhere on the field.
I look forward to stretching the D which will open even the underneath stuff which was the majority of the plays last season. The threat of going over the top will help everyone