Give Tavon Some Love

[OC_Ram]

.

Glance to the other end of the table and coaches Lefluer, Kromer and Olson hold up their Chalices in toast to their new found success.

:cheers:

DILLY DILLY

 

[den-the-coach]

Gurley has had the fumble issues as well you going to 3 strike him?

Again I posted that he has not lost every fumble plus Gurley is getting hit, he's not flat out dropping the ball on a punt return that is setting up the opposition to score and you have to factor in production, but I would like Gurley to do a better job of securing the rock.

 

[bwdenverram]

As soon as he stops turning the ball over I will show him some love, he's fumbled twice against the Colts & 49ers, that's two, three strikes and you're out!

I understand but Gurley has fumbled what, 3-4 times (2 of them luckily he got back)
It happens.

 

[bwdenverram]

Again I posted that he has not lost every fumble plus Gurley is getting hit, he's not flat out dropping the ball on a punt return that is setting up the opposition to score and you have to factor in production, but I would like Gurley to do a better job of securing the rock.

Yes and no. Two of those he's lost have been punched out. That's just ball security.
Not making a big argument just saying it's been happening to our best player(s).

 

[Rams43]

The handwriting has been on the wall re Tavon for months...

I know that some fans refuse to see it, but it's still there for anyone with open eyes..

Ask yourself, honestly, if these are the actions of a team that is happy with Tavon:

Woods signed in FA.

Kupp drafted.

Reynolds drafted.

Watkins acquired via trade.

Are those the actions of a team that's sold on Tavon's long term future as a Ram? Emphasis on the word "actions" as opposed to PR interviews.


Then, Tavon misses virtually all of camp due to two separate injuries.

Tavon reduced to non-starter status.

Tavon only getting a handful of snaps per game.

Tavon with 2 critical muffed punt receptions (almost a third).

Meanwhile, O goes on a tear with new players brought in, largely without Tavon on the field.

Could the message possibly be more clear?

Ummmmm...

Yeah, McVay will try his best to make the best of Tavon for the rest of this season. You know, gadget plays and decoy stuff? But it could scarcely be more obvious that Tavon is not in Ram long term plans. Not unless he agrees to voluntarily slash his salary to about one fifth of it's present size, that is.

Time to just face it. The trade up and the pick, for whatever reason, just didn't work out. Time to move on. I have.

 

[RamFan503]

He's still a Ram so I will hope he turns it on. He is still one of the most exciting players on the field when he has the ball in his hands. It never fails to perk me up.

And nice write up John. That was a very entertaining way to tart a thread. Cheers man.

 

[Loyal]

As soon as he stops turning the ball over I will show him some love, he's fumbled twice against the Colts & 49ers, that's two, three strikes and you're out!

What he was paid doesn't matter to me....All I know is that he is absent in this offense except for Punt Returns, and then he can't hold onto the ball? If you had been in my house during the game after the fumble, you would have distinctly heard "FIRE HIS ASS!"

Not as passionate now, but still am very ambivalent about him

 

[A55VA6]

I like Tavon but he's starting to make me nervous everytime the ball goes to him... which isn't much. Whether it's a muffed punt, no yard gain, fumble, or lined up at RB and almost drops a pitch to him. Idk what to think about Tay right now.

 

[Corbin]

Guys being to hard on Tavon. Believe me I'm as pissed as anybody over the two fumbles but this is his money year or he's gone. Guarantee it. He'll fix it and especially later in the year when teams start keying on the success of the other offensive weapons we have Tavon will start contributing in games breaking one or two.

Plus he's a natural open field runner with the ball so the time he missed in TC will come slowly fade away and he'll get in the zone and bust a few lose. I just pray those dumb shits to bring another TD back for an unneccesary penalty.

 

[OldSchool]

He's still a Ram player and I always want the best from him. I don't expect a lot out of him though especially in punt returns where I've been critical of him for years and it seems he's expanded his fumbling this year. Could be his hand still bugging him? Either way dunno but if he starts doing positive things for the team I'll give him the love just like I would any other player.

 

[Merlin]

I am simply done giving Tavon the benefit of the doubt. I am done making excuses for the guy. As @Rams43 pointed out, the signs have all been there that this guy isn't a fit. Rams nation is slowly but surely coming around, too, as they get exposed to the guys who DO fit this offense and they start to click.

If we were relying on Tavon right now as our deep threat or even for a large number of touches the result would have sucked. He would have let us down. He's a guy who can take over a game once in a while, but outside of that what you get is inconsistent hands, route running, and general execution.

The Rams are who deserve some love. For NOT allowing Tavon to F us over once again with his lack of production by loading this offense with some real weapons who fit what they want to do which is field a real offense.

 

[wolfdogg]

In 2012 I said the only thing worse than drafting tavon was if the rams traded up to draft him, which of course they did. Since then, I have been optimistic and encouraging, and a couple years ago I was happy to have him on the team. I am still for tavon being a ram, but at his current contract? You're outta your damn mind. We do not need a 10 million dollar occasional decoy and mediocre return man, which he has become. Teams used to give him more attention, but if he keeps playing the way he has this year, that's going to change. If he doesn't do a drastic turnabout, then I don't see how the rams justify his contract.

 

[Scirca]

Tavon Austin is gone after this season, if we're lucky we trade him before the deadline, but, we are probably going to cut him. There is no reason to keep this bum on the team.

 

[Farr Be It]

Wow. Some of you guys are harsh. I see the same things you see. But I also saw his value the other night in the run game.

I provided all the necessary qualifiers. You didn't have to focus on the salary. You didn't have to focus on the muffed punts.

Yes I see him gone at the end of the season. I think that writing was on the wall BEFORE trading for Sammy. But I also see that our young coach hasn't cast off Tavon quite as thoroughly as most of the guys on this board. Fewer snaps. Yes. But Tavon, and the threat/promise of the jet sweep will pay dividends this year.

As far as those writing off his threat in the punt game. He almost broke one Thursday. We all forget how bad we felt for him over the years with all the called back returns? He'd have some near ledgendary numbers if not for the Ray Rays of the team.

I believe we need to appreciate all 53 guys this year. When he's gone. He's gone. But I look forward to cheering Tavon a handful of times this year. I'm not paying his salary.

 

[Ellard80]

tavon is fast... really fast... he is 5'7" and can't catch a football or run routes..

He is a fast mofo tho...

 

[Rams43]

Wow. Some of you guys are harsh. I see the same things you see. But I also saw his value the other night in the run game.

I provided all the necessary qualifiers. You didn't have to focus on the salary. You didn't have to focus on the muffed punts.

Yes I see him gone at the end of the season. I think that writing was on the wall BEFORE trading for Sammy. But I also see that our young coach hasn't cast off Tavon quite as thoroughly as most of the guys on this board. Fewer snaps. Yes. But Tavon, and the threat/promise of the jet sweep will pay dividends this year.

As far as those writing off his threat in the punt game. He almost broke one Thursday. We all forget how bad we felt for him over the years with all the called back returns? He'd have some near ledgendary numbers if not for the Ray Rays of the team.

I believe we need to appreciate all 53 guys this year. When he's gone. He's gone. But I look forward to cheering Tavon a handful of times this year. I'm not paying his salary.

Well, don't get me wrong, Farr.

I'm pulling for Tavon as long as he's a Ram.

I just don't like his long term chances. Lol.

 

[Ellard80]

Wow. Some of you guys are harsh. I see the same things you see. But I also saw his value the other night in the run game.

I provided all the necessary qualifiers. You didn't have to focus on the salary. You didn't have to focus on the muffed punts.

Yes I see him gone at the end of the season. I think that writing was on the wall BEFORE trading for Sammy. But I also see that our young coach hasn't cast off Tavon quite as thoroughly as most of the guys on this board. Fewer snaps. Yes. But Tavon, and the threat/promise of the jet sweep will pay dividends this year.

As far as those writing off his threat in the punt game. He almost broke one Thursday. We all forget how bad we felt for him over the years with all the called back returns? He'd have some near ledgendary numbers if not for the Ray Rays of the team.

I believe we need to appreciate all 53 guys this year. When he's gone. He's gone. But I look forward to cheering Tavon a handful of times this year. I'm not paying his salary.

He has value.. its just not much value. But he does provide a threat in some areas.

 

[Ramlock]

The handwriting has been on the wall re Tavon for months...

I know that some fans refuse to see it, but it's still there for anyone with open eyes..

Ask yourself, honestly, if these are the actions of a team that is happy with Tavon:

Woods signed in FA.

Kupp drafted.

Reynolds drafted.

Watkins acquired via trade.

Are those the actions of a team that's sold on Tavon's long term future as a Ram? Emphasis on the word "actions" as opposed to PR interviews.


Then, Tavon misses virtually all of camp due to two separate injuries.

Tavon reduced to non-starter status.

Tavon only getting a handful of snaps per game.

Tavon with 2 critical muffed punt receptions (almost a third).

Meanwhile, O goes on a tear with new players brought in, largely without Tavon on the field.

Could the message possibly be more clear?

Ummmmm...

Yeah, McVay will try his best to make the best of Tavon for the rest of this season. You know, gadget plays and decoy stuff? But it could scarcely be more obvious that Tavon is not in Ram long term plans. Not unless he agrees to voluntarily slash his salary to about one fifth of it's present size, that is.

Time to just face it. The trade up and the pick, for whatever reason, just didn't work out. Time to move on. I have.

Lot of constructed narratives in that post

Fans don't necessarily not see what you post that you see...they see nuance and value in run game

As for the acquisition of receivers, all of those players, traded for and drafted, were positives for a well-run football team that saw gaps in personnel and good opportunities to fill those gaps.

All of which, could and should be done independently of Tavon Austin.

My conclusion is that Tavon may not be here next year.

But McVay sees him as a playmaker.

 

[fearsomefour]

Gurley has had the fumble issues as well you going to 3 strike him?

5 fumbles in 3 games is very bad.
But, he has been super productive.
Week 1 I would give him a pass given a lack of a lot of preseason contact.
I don't think Gurley has a history of fumbling problems and I wouldn't expect it to continue.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

The sticking point is the contract. Tavon is very limited. He is paid like a very good receiver, but he doesn't produce like one. With the cap they can't afford to keep him.

It is possible to find a fast RB or WR to run the end around in the draft. It isn't a difficult play to execute.