The Tavon Austin vibe....

[red desert]

Do you guys realize that without an offensive line and a pass rush, we won't be able to generate consistent offense or points and won't be able to stop anyone on defense?

Absolutely correct. Could we use Eric Fisher? Heck yes. Dion Jordan? Heck yes. The DT from Utah? Heck yes. Here's my thinking:

We actually do have an offensive line, but we had substandard coaches last season. The upgrade in coaching is going to make this line much better. I am convinced of that. Watch it happen. Our Defense has sufficient talent to repeat last year's performance. Horton was good, but the talent was there to succeed already, in my opinion.

Arians knows this. His pressers aren't bs, he knows.

This draft is going to be exciting for all of us.

 

[kerouac9]

Absolutely correct. Could we use Eric Fisher? Heck yes. Dion Jordan? Heck yes. The DT from Utah? Heck yes. Here's my thinking:

We actually do have an offensive line, but we had substandard coaches last season. The upgrade in coaching is going to make this line much better. I am convinced of that. Watch it happen. Our Defense has sufficient talent to repeat last year's performance. Horton was good, but the talent was there to succeed already, in my opinion.

Arians knows this. His pressers aren't bs, he knows.

This draft is going to be exciting for all of us.

If Bruce Arians had been hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, he would have brought Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm with him.

It may be a primary reason why he's not the current head coach of the Chicago Bears.

Caveat emptor.

 

[red desert]

Thought this link deserved its own thread, but given the animosity D) on the board for the TA train, I'll spare them this breaking news, TA-wise anyway.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/An-early-look-at-NFL-draft-props.html

 

[Duckjake]

Absolutely correct. Could we use Eric Fisher? Heck yes. Dion Jordan? Heck yes. The DT from Utah? Heck yes. Here's my thinking:

We actually do have an offensive line, but we had substandard coaches last season. The upgrade in coaching is going to make this line much better. I am convinced of that. Watch it happen. Our Defense has sufficient talent to repeat last year's performance. Horton was good, but the talent was there to succeed already, in my opinion.

Arians knows this. His pressers aren't bs, he knows.

This draft is going to be exciting for all of us.

I agree on the offensive line.

Not on the Defense. The talent that produced the #5 pass defense is gone. The talent that produced the 28th ranked run defense is still here.

 

[red desert]

not a fan of this article, but in the spirit of full disclosure...

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Scout-Talk-1231.html

 

[Mitch]

not a fan of this article, but in the spirit of full disclosure...

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Scout-Talk-1231.html

To me, Austin is unique because of his ability to play at top speed and maintain full body control. Plus, his versatility...he can play RB, slot WR and wide WR. Move him around to give defenses fits---it's a matchup conundrum for any defense.

 

[john h]

I am starting to believe he really will be gone when we pick at number 7. I know most of you don't care and another many of you would be happy to take that temptation of the table before we pick.

I, on the other hand, echoing Mitch's sentiments, believe this should be our pick, if he's there. Can't help but think who Harbaugh and Carroll would most NOT like us to pick.... Austin, IMO. I know He really would make our offense electric. Mayock among others have stated the exact same thing about this kid, he would be a matchup nighmare for defensive coordinators. Baldinger's and Cosell's favorite player in the draft. His size not much of a concern for them. In anticipation of one counterpoint, I respond with our O-line being in better shape than most think.


http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...iefs-geno-smith-jaguars?modid=recommended_4_5

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ginia-wr-tavon-austin-should-be-a-top-10-pick

Being as small as Austin is presents a Red Flag to anyone. I do not doubt his ability but one big hit and your #7 pick is gone. He has never faced speed and size like in the NFL.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I posted this in another thread and think it can be re-posted here:

• Smaller than Santana Moss.
• Shorter than Desean Jackson.
• Smaller than Titus Young.
• Jaquizz Rodgers is 20lbs heavier.
• Harvin is 2 inches taller and 20lbs heavier.
• T.Y. Hilton is taller and heavier.
• Mike Wallace is 4 inches taller and 20lbs heavier.

I will be shocked..... SHOCKED.... if this guy makes it through an NFL season.

This guy is Dexter McCluster v.2.0

 

[red desert]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...austin-catapults-on-mike-mayocks-top-100-list

 

[kerouac9]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...austin-catapults-on-mike-mayocks-top-100-list

You post these links like you're not reading them. Austin is the #14 prospect on Mayock's Big Board, so we should draft him at #7?

Smart move.

 

[Mitch]

I thought this was an excellent article. They say what I keep saying: to think of Austin as simply a slot WR is a mistake---he's the kind of player you move around the offense in order to create mismatches and defensive mayhem.

It's a very good read---and the author argues very cogently that playmakers like Austin have been coveted for decades.

http://www.footballperspective.com/tavon-austin-is-a-new-breed-of-player-like-so-many-before-him/

 

[kerouac9]

I thought this was an excellent article. They say what I keep saying: to think of Austin as simply a slot WR is a mistake---he's the kind of player you move around the offense in order to create mismatches and defensive mayhem.

It's a very good read---and the author argues very cogently that playmakers like Austin have been coveted for decades.

http://www.footballperspective.com/tavon-austin-is-a-new-breed-of-player-like-so-many-before-him/

Maybe you should read the whole article:

Jermaine Lewis was 5’7, 183 pounds, and he helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl with his elite return skills. As a wide receiver, though, he was overmatched. Tim Dwight (5’8, 180) returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the Super Bowl and had some success as a deep threat, but could never turn into a starting caliber wide receiver. Az-Zahir Hakim was the icing on the cake for the Greatest Show on Turf, allowing the Rams to score before the offense even took the field. But the 5’10, 189-pound receiver disappointed on offense in both St. Louis and Detroit. Dante Hall (5’8, 187) was known as the X-Factor, but no matter how many times the Chiefs tried to put the ball in his hands on offense, it never seemed to work. You can say the same about Devin Hester, and early reports from the new regime in Chicago indicates that his time as an offensive player may be over.

It should go without saying that the failure of those players to succeed on offense has no relevance for how Austin’s career will unfold. Troy Brown, Santana Moss, Steve Smith, and Wes Welker also fall into the short, agile, punt-returner/slot receiver/space player that were also very good to excellent wide receivers. But that’s the point. Whether you look at Austin as a running back/wide receiver hybrid or a player with world-class agility that teams will try to get out in space, NFL teams have been trying to find Tavon Austins for as long as the NFL has been around.

The fact of the matter is that this type of player has been promoted as a "solution" to whatever problem an NFL offense has, but such a player has never revealed himself to be complete enough to justify a very high draft pick.

 

[unseenaz]

I remeber when reggie bush was "electric" coming out of college, we all saw how that turned out.

TA is a slot receiver, bottom line, would you spend a top 10 pick on a SLOT receiver? crazy.

as far as putting him in at running back, forget it. he's 5-7 175lbs. IDC how fast he is, he can't catch passes in a neck brace. bet he won't get 1000 yards his first year, let alone 1400. the way NFL DB's are these days, his speed isn't a game changer as it was in college.

shifty college players don't usually translate to the NFL too well, RG3 messed up his knee his FIRST season.

 

[kerouac9]

Michael Vick, Reggie Bush, and Darren Sproles have all TOTALLY redefined the way that not only their positions are played, but the way that football is played in the NFL.

Right?


Right???

 

[D-Dogg]

The best part of the draft happening is that wild ideas like this aren't bounced around as much.

OL or bust, folks.

 

[TJ]

The best part of the draft happening is that wild ideas like this aren't bounced around as much.

OL or bust, folks.

The best part of the draft happening is that it's happening in five days and these wild ideas will disappear once the picks are made.

....until next year......

 

[mojorizen7]

Az-Zahir Hakim was the icing on the cake for the Greatest Show on Turf, allowing the Rams to score before the offense even took the field. But the 5’10, 189-pound receiver disappointed on offense in both St. Louis and Detroit.

Wrong.
He was disappointing AFTER he left St Louis. He only missed one game in three seasons as a slot reciever during the GSOT years of '99-'02 and scored 15 TD's as a 4th option.

He fumbled ALOT...but he was effective and durable as both a WR and return guy.

 

[kerouac9]

Wrong.
He was disappointing AFTER he left St Louis. He only missed one game in three seasons as a slot reciever during the GSOT years of '99-'02 and scored 15 TD's as a 4th option.

He fumbled ALOT...but he was effective and durable as both a WR and return guy.

15 TDs over 4 seasons. He started 6 games in 4 seasons with the Rams, and his highest number of receptions as a Ram was 53.

Michael Floyd had 8 fewer receptions LAST SEASON as a rookie and has been considered a MASSIVE disappointment.

 

[mojorizen7]

15 TDs over 4 seasons. He started 6 games in 4 seasons with the Rams, and his highest number of receptions as a Ram was 53.

Michael Floyd had 8 fewer receptions LAST SEASON as a rookie and has been considered a MASSIVE disappointment.

Of course he wasn't a regular starter Kerouac. He was a slot guy behind studs Bruce and Holt....and his numbers were very good for a guy who was the 4th option behind those two and Faulk. Not sure how a M.Floyd comparison is even remotely valid here. Floyd was drafted very high to be a strong #2 guy. He struggled.
Sorry,but thats just silly...and that writer is clueless with that general statement i quoted.

The Lions quickly made Az a starter on the outside where he was a poor fit,and durability became an issue....thus he was a disappointment post-St Louis.

More on topic,Az Hakim in the slot and as a returner had no durability issues as a smallish guy.
Time will tell with T.Austin of course,but i for one believe in his abilities at the next level.....but again,he's not a guy who should be drafted in the top 10.

 

[red desert]

Good read on my boy, TA. Even if it is from a Cowboy fan.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2013...port-west-virgina-mountaineers-dallas-cowboys

 

[red desert]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...-virginia-wr-tavon-austin-000052777--nfl.html

 

[cardinalsfan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/greg-cosell-mock-draft-picks-1-16-142026171--nfl.html

Has the cardinals taking Tavon Austin. Would be exciting to have a player like that, but I would just hope we could keep Palmer upright for 3 seconds. How about:

First round - Austin
Second round - Warford

 

[red desert]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/greg-cosell-mock-draft-picks-1-16-142026171--nfl.html

Has the cardinals taking Tavon Austin. Would be exciting to have a player like that, but I would just hope we could keep Palmer upright for 3 seconds. How about:

First round - Austin
Second round - Warford

Works for me.

As we close in on the draft, I really do believe we take him if he's there, regardless of who else is on the board. For me, it comes down to Arians' not so subtle comments about wanting x number of plays down the field and wanting chunk yardage plays. My belief is that no player in this draft makes us more competitive with SF and Seattle than TA. Even if our D equals last years performance, they are still going to score 20- 30 points a game against us. We need to be able to respond, and drafting TA gives us a much better shot at that. TA will open up opportunities for Fitz and others. He will take such a load off Fitz, which will make Fitz that much more explosive.

 

[red desert]

Good read.

http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/n...ate-Match-Up-Probl?blockID=894849&feedID=3799

 

[john h]

I am starting to believe he really will be gone when we pick at number 7. I know most of you don't care and another many of you would be happy to take that temptation of the table before we pick.

I, on the other hand, echoing Mitch's sentiments, believe this should be our pick, if he's there. Can't help but think who Harbaugh and Carroll would most NOT like us to pick.... Austin, IMO. I know He really would make our offense electric. Mayock among others have stated the exact same thing about this kid, he would be a matchup nighmare for defensive coordinators. Baldinger's and Cosell's favorite player in the draft. His size not much of a concern for them. In anticipation of one counterpoint, I respond with our O-line being in better shape than most think.


http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...iefs-geno-smith-jaguars?modid=recommended_4_5

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ginia-wr-tavon-austin-should-be-a-top-10-pick

I do not question his ability but think he is to much of a risk for injury because of his size. NFL football is very much a game for big men and not little men. One big hit on this diminutive receiver could put him out of the game for good. I love his speed and moves and courage but he remains a small man in a big mans game. Even the big deep backs like Adrian Wilson could put a hit on him that would knock him out of the game for a long time.