So many weapons! What to do with Austin?

[ProGen]

When was the last time we had such a variety of weapons available at our disposal?

It feels SO DAMN GOOD to know that we have choices and good choices at that. Not only do we have solid vets, but we also have good young talent to develop.

Hats off to Kupp! Dude looks legit. He clearly has talent and solid chemistry with Goff.
Watkins will do damage on this offense and be popular with Goff too.

However...Austin with 1 catch. He also seems lost in this offense, for now. He is gonna have to re-structure that contract or he'll be gone. $15m cap hit this year with only TWO WR's getting paid more in the NFL. Cheers Jeff!!!

It's early days and he has missed a lot of time, but we could have a conundrum with Austin. The opportunity-cost just does not weigh up.

 

[Farr Be It]

I agree. That is an awfully expensive punt returner. I think they may feature him enough to be tradable. But who will take on the $15 mil?

There may be some restructuring involved. It's tough to guess. I don't want to lose what he offers. I like Tavon.

 

[Q729]

Cut eeeem loose!

 

[dieterbrock]

lol.
Keep in mind, Austin missed all of pre season so he's got to catch up too.

 

[OC_Ram]

When you're right, you're right!

To many options, good options.

Can't justify the pay, no way.

 

[Soul Surfer]

You can see them setting up all the teams that will be looking at our tape in the future from this game.

That funky little hand off that Tavon ran up the gut that looks like it might be a reverse developing.

That screen that picked up five yards.

A couple of unusual formations with Tavon in the backfield.

The plays that they used Pharoh on.

The teams that will be looking at the tape of this game will be nervous.
So many different formations and all the different players that could be used in that formation.

I almost feel sorry for them.

 

[ProGen]

I like Tavon. I just don't 15mil like Tavon.

 

[Soul Surfer]

I like Tavon. I just don't 15mil like Tavon.

I agree but if I'm Tavon I'm taking the money when they offered it.
It would be downright Un-American to not take the money AND TAVON AIN'T NO COMMUNIST!

We now have two great return guys now in Pharoh and Tavon.
We're loaded at the receiver position.

Which means yeah, Tavon won't be back at that contract next year.

 

[Psycho_X]

It's a long season so don't write him off yet. Once defenses have to start accounting for Watkins, Kupp, Woods, Everett, etc there will be a premium on a player like Tavon who can rip a defense to shreds when they are not watching him. Add in that the running game will improve also. Just keep the normal passing game going week to week and Tavon and Gurley will get their yards and touchdowns eventually. McVay is just starting to set up this killer offense.

Having said that, Tavon will likely be a cap casualty at some point. Depending on the cap room we need to sign people like AD, Tru, Tree, etc.

 

[Rambunctious1]

I find it funny that people keep slamming a guy who has arguably been our most exciting player for the past few years. Yah, his contract sucks, but he's a threat every time he gets the ball.

 

[Legatron4]

I agree about exploring the possibility of trading him. However, it's hard to replace his speed. Those jet sweeps are a huge advantage to this offense.

 

[OldSchool]

Utilize him in the offense as yet another weapon and win games.

 

[rafa]

View: https://twitter.com/PFF_NateJahnke/status/907032572647153664

 

[BonifayRam]

I might advise Snead & McVay to insert TA as a full time starter @ every play making position Just like Fisher did. Fisher brain thrust proved to be prosperous for him. .......Thus, in order attract some NFL teams who may be in serious need for a super quick super fast player..........as to trade TA before the trading period is over. They might also pin a 2nd & 3rd round draft selections to the deal to make it more attractive. Not sure how much could be saved this season in $$$$ might have to turn that part over to @flv .

Problem yesterday TA was not all that good @ his only assigned position ...Punt Returner . Fact is TA is not a decent 3rd down back, not a good slot & not a decent wide out so all you would end up doing is using a less effective talent in place of better more effective talents sitting on the bench & putting TA on the field to make stupid mistakes. Might have to make that draft pick a first rounder to get a few bites.

Back to being serious here it obvious from my above remarks that I would prefer to see TA not used in a major role in this McVay offense. I under stand the desire to get your return or the dividends that was paid out to TA this season...but I believe there are better more effective receivers here now like Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Gerald Everett P.Cooper & J.Reynolds. I see no reason to play TA over these. Now I am open to the use of TA @ RB but not in place of Gurley or Brown.

 

[LACHAMP46]

That's why you don't miss camp when they install an entirely new offense. We need Tavon. We just don't need him vs the Colts.

 

[FrantikRam]

I think Tavon will be used on jet sweeps/screens/handoffs for the whole year.

Doubt we throw to him much downfield, if at all.

 

[bluecoconuts]

Apparently the punt hit the wire and that's why he muffed it. Explains what he was pointing at... But meh.

Wonder if his snap count was based on where he is on the depth char or due to his injury.

 

[~lyser]

I am all for keeping Tavon for as long as they can afford him. He is NOT a #1WR, but he is an effective player as a returner/RB/decoy. He could be deadly underneath as well if McVay chooses to use him that way. He is a WEAPON that must always be accounted for by opposing DCs. I got no problem with Tavon, makes the offense that much more dynamic. Hope they can afford him moving forward.

 

[Dxmissile]

Tavon is going to be fine y'all will see. His talent and speed, the guy knows how to get in the end zone. The coaches are keeping him on a snap count right now but I expect to see more of him every week

 

[WarnerToBruce]

That's why you don't miss camp when they install an entirely new offense. We need Tavon. We just don't need him vs the Colts.

This gets back to a post I made a while back regarding TA's ability to learn things. He wasn't in a coma. It was wrist, then leg/knee/ankle. Coming in and performing in a whole new offense was you're healthy, and when you were able to learn it the entire re-hab time, should be something to expect from a high draft pick that you trade up for.

Sammy Watkins was a similar draft pick. He's in there after only a short time with this offense. Something to consider...