The Tavon Austin vibe....

[red desert]

Guy was electric in his system in college but I have vibes, bad vibes about Tavon

Fair enough.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

I started a thread about a month ago stating Austin was the most dynamic player in this years draft. I still believe that. I have tried to stay out of this thread b/c I am a WVU homer and think Smith, Austin, and Bailey should all go 1st round Kidding of course..

And as much as I like TA I dont see the Cards drafting him at #7 and there is now way he is there past #14 or #16 pick. But the kid is special.

What makes him special? Well of course his speed, but that really isnt it, its his wiggle, start and stop, change of direction. I have never, NEVER seen anyone that mkaes people miss like he does. He splits defenders and breaks their ankles. Its pretty amazing. When guys have angles on him he outruns them or cuts back and spins them around. His vision with the ball in his hands borders on legendary.

One thing to keep in mind is he came out of Dunbar HS in MD as a RB (and still holds a ton of RB records for the state) and was not red shirted his first year. He was stuck behind Noel Devine and returned kicks/punts and got some play at RB. By his second year the coaches were smart enough to realize he is so great in space so they moved him to slot receiver. He did drop some balls that year and was told by the WR coach he needs to practice like its a game. He has done that and more ever since. The kid is a gamer and do not let his size fool you. He is tough as nails and outside of a wrist injury his Junior year has played through every nick and cut.

I dont disagree with people who say he is too small but I do disgaree that he will get hurt in the nfl. I have seen him take maybe 1 or 2 solid hits in his college career bc he just doesnt let anyone get a hold of him. There is no reason to think that will change in the NFL. He is still going to be the best 1 or 2 athletes on the field for any given game. He is that good.

He will make an impact in the NFL and you will see his plays on Sportcenter, but with the current state of the Cardinals, drafting him is a luxury they probably cant afford. But we very well could be lamenting the day the Cards passed on him, a la Adrian Peterson.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

You can't, or shouldn't, take a guy that small in the top 10. His athletcism won't be as big a factor at the NFL level and his lack of size will be even a bigger factor. Also, I don't want to take a #3 slot WR in the top 10.

Denard Robinson was as big a playmker in college and he's being talked about as a day 3 draft pick. Granted, he's changing positions but Austin is more of an athlete than a polished NFL type WR. The same can be said for to a greater extent about Robinson.

Glad there is someone who can bring some logic to this group. If you draft a part time player in round 1, you deserve what you get.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Glad there is someone who can bring some logic to this group. If you draft a part time player in round 1, you deserve what you get.

Welker is a slot receiver. Would you say that he is a part time player? I wouldn't considering he was on the field for almost every single offensive play for NE. Being a slot receiver doesn't mean that he won't see plenty of playing time.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Welker is a slot receiver. Would you say that he is a part time player? I wouldn't considering he was on the field for almost every single offensive play for NE. Being a slot receiver doesn't mean that he won't see plenty of playing time.

Yes, if you point to the best slot receiver in the NFL who plays in a pass first offense, he plays about 70% of the snaps. Which is still a part time position.

Drafting Austin in the first round is like drafting a run stopping middle linebacker in the first round. Or a Fullback.

 

[red desert]

I started a thread about a month ago stating Austin was the most dynamic player in this years draft. I still believe that. I have tried to stay out of this thread b/c I am a WVU homer and think Smith, Austin, and Bailey should all go 1st round Kidding of course..

And as much as I like TA I dont see the Cards drafting him at #7 and there is now way he is there past #14 or #16 pick. But the kid is special.

What makes him special? Well of course his speed, but that really isnt it, its his wiggle, start and stop, change of direction. I have never, NEVER seen anyone that mkaes people miss like he does. He splits defenders and breaks their ankles. Its pretty amazing. When guys have angles on him he outruns them or cuts back and spins them around. His vision with the ball in his hands borders on legendary.

One thing to keep in mind is he came out of Dunbar HS in MD as a RB (and still holds a ton of RB records for the state) and was not red shirted his first year. He was stuck behind Noel Devine and returned kicks/punts and got some play at RB. By his second year the coaches were smart enough to realize he is so great in space so they moved him to slot receiver. He did drop some balls that year and was told by the WR coach he needs to practice like its a game. He has done that and more ever since. The kid is a gamer and do not let his size fool you. He is tough as nails and outside of a wrist injury his Junior year has played through every nick and cut.

I dont disagree with people who say he is too small but I do disgaree that he will get hurt in the nfl. I have seen him take maybe 1 or 2 solid hits in his college career bc he just doesnt let anyone get a hold of him. There is no reason to think that will change in the NFL. He is still going to be the best 1 or 2 athletes on the field for any given game. He is that good.

He will make an impact in the NFL and you will see his plays on Sportcenter, but with the current state of the Cardinals, drafting him is a luxury they probably cant afford. But we very well could be lamenting the day the Cards passed on him, a la Adrian Peterson.

Thank you! Ok, you're in the club. Dues requirements and rules will be sent via email. Mitch is President, I'm Vice, you can be Secretary.

As to you last point that TA is a luxury Cards probably can't afford, I reply with, "How can ANY team not afford to draft such a talent?"

 

[red desert]

Yes, if you point to the best slot receiver in the NFL who plays in a pass first offense, he plays about 70% of the snaps. Which is still a part time position.

Drafting Austin in the first round is like drafting a run stopping middle linebacker in the first round. Or a Fullback.

Breathe.... relax... and think about what you just posted. Austin is the same as drafting a Fullback? Really?

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Yes, if you point to the best slot receiver in the NFL who plays in a pass first offense, he plays about 70% of the snaps. Which is still a part time position.

Drafting Austin in the first round is like drafting a run stopping middle linebacker in the first round. Or a Fullback.

Even if he only plays in 70% of the plays he would still likely put up full time numbers out of those plays. What makes him different especially than a FB is the fact that he is a big time play maker and there are only so many of those in the NFL.

 

[Buckybird]

Breathe.... relax... and think about what you just posted. Austin is the same as drafting a Fullback? Really?

Haters are gonna hate

It's gonna be hilarious when we draft Lane Johnson & he turns out to be a mediocre player because we drafted for need just like good ol Levi Brown or possibly Dion Jordan.

 

[red desert]

Haters are gonna hate

It's gonna be hilarious when we draft Lane Johnson & he turns out to be a mediocre player because we drafted for need just like good ol Levi Brown or possibly Dion Jordan.

Especially to Shane.

He'll finally be able to get the Levi Brown monkey off his back -- NOT!

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

Thank you! Ok, you're in the club. Dues requirements and rules will be sent via email. Mitch is President, I'm Vice, you can be Secretary.

As to you last point that TA is a luxury Cards probably can't afford, I reply with, "How can ANY team not afford to draft such a talent?"

How did I get bunked down to Secretary? Ive been watching this kid for 4 years!~

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Breathe.... relax... and think about what you just posted. Austin is the same as drafting a Fullback? Really?

I am just saying that I would never draft a part time player in the first round...especially on a team that needs every down players.

Obviously any skill position is going to outproduce a Fullback.

 

[kerouac9]

I am just saying that I would never draft a part time player in the first round...especially on a team that needs every down players.

Obviously any skill position is going to outproduce a Fullback.

I don't know about the first round. I'm at loggerheads with Chopper about this, but I'd be fine with drafting a nose tackle or 3rd corner in the first round.

But I wouldn't draft a part-time player with a Top 10 pick. That's insanity. If you just needed to get 40% better on 70% of your plays, you wouldn't be picking in the top 10.

 

[Chopper0080]

I don't know about the first round. I'm at loggerheads with Chopper about this, but I'd be fine with drafting a nose tackle or 3rd corner in the first round.

But I wouldn't draft a part-time player with a Top 10 pick. That's insanity. If you just needed to get 40% better on 70% of your plays, you wouldn't be picking in the top 10.

This is true.

But, I think we agree that Tavon Austin tops out closer to Desean Jackson than Steve Smith.

 

[jf-08]

...

 

[red desert]

How did I get bunked down to Secretary? Ive been watching this kid for 4 years!~

Secretary/Treasurer. How's that?

 

[red desert]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...tavon-austin-headlines-wide-receiver-rankings

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664558

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...tavon-austin-headlines-wide-receiver-rankings

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664558

I dont know why you keep jocking on a Desean Jackson clone....give it a rest already

 

[Mitch]

I dont know why you keep jocking on a Desean Jackson clone....give it a rest already

First of all, every talks about DeSean Jackson like he's a bust.

He's put up some very good numbers...and he stretched the field which makes it easier to complete passes underneath...a stat that gets little recognition.

As a rookie he burned us deep twice in the NFC Championship game and would have a third time if the ball wasn't under-thrown.

He beat the Giants on that infamous late game punt return.

He's a bit of a head case---and he's had some injury issues...but his speed needs to be accounted for every time he's on the field.

There is no doubt in my mind that Tavon Austin is better player than Jackson. He's a team-first player, for one. For two, he has much better moves in the open field.

Plus---think of what DeSean Jackson would look like at RB---not so good, right?

You can't say the same about TA---TA is a tougher player and will do whatever it takes to get the ball in his hands.

Not sure if you were being serious because of the funny face, but comparing TA to DSJ is not right.

 

[JeffGollin]

Whatever happens, I don't think Austin gets past Tampa Bay at #13.

 

[red desert]

Mitch, you reference the head case aspect of DeSean's game. Good point.

One big upside with TA that is not talked about enough is his grounded nature and apparent lack of prima donna mindset. THAT ALONE makes him arguably a better draft prospect than say, Patterson this year, or DeSean when he came out. Not saying Patterson is going to get arrested when he gets into the league but one year removed from JC ball, has he proven enough? I think so, but just saying. How much production has Dez, or Brandon Marshall left rotting on the sideline by their topsy turvy mental shenanigans? We all know that the list of wideouts with this sort of hovering danger is long...

Anquan is already referring to TA and mini me.

 

[Mitch]

Mitch, you reference the head case aspect of DeSean's game. Good point.

One big upside with TA that is not talked about enough is his grounded nature and apparent lack of prima donna mindset. THAT ALONE makes him arguably a better draft prospect than say, Patterson this year, or DeSean when he came out. Not saying Patterson is going to get arrested when he gets into the league but one year removed from JC ball, has he proven enough? I think so, but just saying. How much production has Dez, or Brandon Marshall left rotting on the sideline by their topsy turvy mental shenanigans? We all know that the list of wideouts with this sort of hovering danger is long...

Anquan is already referring to TA and mini me.

One thing that's evident when you watch TA score TDs he's just like Fitz---he acts like he's been there before. He simply flips the ball to the refs and greets his teammates. TA's quiet swag is refreshing---he lets his play do the talking.

 

[red desert]

Another thought on TA, and why his lack of prototypical stature is overplayed.

If we can get 4 or 5 years of game changing brilliance, I'm good. As a first round pick, you get that, you hit a home run. Not a grand slam maybe (see: Fitz, AP, Farve, etc...) but a home run.

Sure beats a "solid" starter for 8 years. Just my opinion. And no, Levi Brown does not even sniff the "solid" starter category.

For the record, I think TA can be great for 6-8 years.

 

[Mitch]

Another thought on TA, and why his lack of prototypical stature is overplayed.

If we can get 4 or 5 years of game changing brilliance, I'm good. As a first round pick, you get that, you hit a home run. Not a grand slam maybe (see: Fitz, AP, Farve, etc...) but a home run.

Sure beats a "solid" starter for 8 years. Just my opinion. And no, Levi Brown does not even sniff the "solid" starter category.

For the record, I think TA can be great for 6-8 years.

If we take him in the first we have him for at least 5 years.

As for his stature---it's a speed game now, the number that matters most is 4.3...and it sure is a nice bonus to know that while running at 4.3 he is so quick on side steps that you have little chance to tackle him, no matter how good a tackler you are.

 

[jf-08]

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?