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Austin looking to make impact with Rams
By Nate Latsch
http://www.scout.com/nfl/rams/story/1555292-austin-looking-to-make-impact-with-rams
ST. LOUIS — Tavon Austin has heard that people think he is a bust.
The Rams’ diminutive speedster, the No. 8 overall pick of the 2013 Draft, is determined to write a different story in his third NFL season.
“Just because of how all the media say I’m a bust and all that stuff,” Austin said during a Rams’ OTA session last week. “I really don’t pay too much attention, but for the most part I know one thing about it — when I’m focused, I’m focused. It’s going to be a different story this year.”
The 24-year-old said it used to bug him a lot when he heard the negative commentary regarding his play, but now he tries not to pay attention to it. He did offer that it serves as a source of motivation.
“For the most part I let my family motivate me,” he said. “I don’t pay much (attention) to the outside world. They don’t really know what’s going on. They’ve got something to say about everything, but at the end of the day the Rams know what’s going on and I know what’s going on so that’s all that matters.”
Austin established himself as one of the most dynamic players in college football during his senior season at West Virginia in 2012 when he caught 114 passes and racked up 1,932 yards from scrimmage (1,289 receiving, 643 rushing) and 17 total touchdowns (12 receiving, three rushing and two on kick and punt returns).
The Rams, seeking to add a playmaker to the offense for quarterback Sam Bradford, made a draft day deal with the Buffalo Bills to move up to pick Austin. St. Louis traded its picks in the first, second, third and seventh rounds to Buffalo for the Bills’ first and third rounders.
The Rams took Austin at No. 8 overall and then safety T.J. McDonald with the third-round pick. The Bills selected quarterback E.J. Manuel in the first, linebacker Kiko Alonso in the second, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin in the third and then tight end Chris Gragg in the seventh.
Austin has flashed his playmaking potential in his first two seasons but failed to find a role as a consistent contributor in a Rams offense still searching for success. Which has led onlookers to wonder and theorize why he hasn’t made more of an impact.
Is it because of the scheme and play-calling of former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer led to fewer opportunities? Is it because of the unsettled situation at quarterback, where Bradford’s devastating knee injuries led to Kellen Clemens, Shaun Hill and Austin Davis leading the offense? Or is it that Austin just isn’t good enough?
In 13 games as a rookie, Austin had 569 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns — he caught 40 passes for 418 yards and four touchdowns, ran nine times for 151 yards and a touchdown and added a 98-yard punt return touchdown.
In his second season, in 15 games, Austin accumulated 466 yards from scrimmage and three total touchdowns — he had 31 receptions for 242 yards, ran 36 times for 224 yards and two scores and returned a punt 78 yards for another score.
Now, the Rams have a new quarterback in Nick Foles and a new offensive coordinator in Frank Cignetti. Austin is hoping that he’ll have more chances to make more plays.
“Basically it depends on opportunities,” he said. “Last year I didn’t have too many opportunities out there. Different offensive coordinator. Different quarterback. I’m just thankful. Things are working out in my favor right now. Hopefully everything just keeps going my way and I’ll make some good plays.”
Austin said Cignetti, who was previously the Rams’ quarterbacks coach, has been talking to him about what the speedy wide receiver sees out on the practice field and what he likes.
“He’s trying to get me a little more involved in the offense, so I’m definitely happy with that,” Austin said. “Hopefully we just keep rolling over into camp and keep going from there.”
Austin was asked if he wasn’t as involved with the offense in the past.
“I wouldn’t say that,” he explained. “When it’s your time, it’s your time. I just felt like it wasn’t my time back then, but I feel like now might be my time, so I have to step up to the plate and take advantage of it.”
Austin then described his first two seasons as a learning experience.
“Right now I feel like I’m ready,” he said. “Not saying I wasn’t ready the other two years, but I feel I’m a little more confident. I’m just taking it day by day and getting better.”
By Nate Latsch
http://www.scout.com/nfl/rams/story/1555292-austin-looking-to-make-impact-with-rams
ST. LOUIS — Tavon Austin has heard that people think he is a bust.
The Rams’ diminutive speedster, the No. 8 overall pick of the 2013 Draft, is determined to write a different story in his third NFL season.
“Just because of how all the media say I’m a bust and all that stuff,” Austin said during a Rams’ OTA session last week. “I really don’t pay too much attention, but for the most part I know one thing about it — when I’m focused, I’m focused. It’s going to be a different story this year.”
The 24-year-old said it used to bug him a lot when he heard the negative commentary regarding his play, but now he tries not to pay attention to it. He did offer that it serves as a source of motivation.
“For the most part I let my family motivate me,” he said. “I don’t pay much (attention) to the outside world. They don’t really know what’s going on. They’ve got something to say about everything, but at the end of the day the Rams know what’s going on and I know what’s going on so that’s all that matters.”
Austin established himself as one of the most dynamic players in college football during his senior season at West Virginia in 2012 when he caught 114 passes and racked up 1,932 yards from scrimmage (1,289 receiving, 643 rushing) and 17 total touchdowns (12 receiving, three rushing and two on kick and punt returns).
The Rams, seeking to add a playmaker to the offense for quarterback Sam Bradford, made a draft day deal with the Buffalo Bills to move up to pick Austin. St. Louis traded its picks in the first, second, third and seventh rounds to Buffalo for the Bills’ first and third rounders.
The Rams took Austin at No. 8 overall and then safety T.J. McDonald with the third-round pick. The Bills selected quarterback E.J. Manuel in the first, linebacker Kiko Alonso in the second, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin in the third and then tight end Chris Gragg in the seventh.
Austin has flashed his playmaking potential in his first two seasons but failed to find a role as a consistent contributor in a Rams offense still searching for success. Which has led onlookers to wonder and theorize why he hasn’t made more of an impact.
Is it because of the scheme and play-calling of former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer led to fewer opportunities? Is it because of the unsettled situation at quarterback, where Bradford’s devastating knee injuries led to Kellen Clemens, Shaun Hill and Austin Davis leading the offense? Or is it that Austin just isn’t good enough?
In 13 games as a rookie, Austin had 569 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns — he caught 40 passes for 418 yards and four touchdowns, ran nine times for 151 yards and a touchdown and added a 98-yard punt return touchdown.
In his second season, in 15 games, Austin accumulated 466 yards from scrimmage and three total touchdowns — he had 31 receptions for 242 yards, ran 36 times for 224 yards and two scores and returned a punt 78 yards for another score.
Now, the Rams have a new quarterback in Nick Foles and a new offensive coordinator in Frank Cignetti. Austin is hoping that he’ll have more chances to make more plays.
“Basically it depends on opportunities,” he said. “Last year I didn’t have too many opportunities out there. Different offensive coordinator. Different quarterback. I’m just thankful. Things are working out in my favor right now. Hopefully everything just keeps going my way and I’ll make some good plays.”
Austin said Cignetti, who was previously the Rams’ quarterbacks coach, has been talking to him about what the speedy wide receiver sees out on the practice field and what he likes.
“He’s trying to get me a little more involved in the offense, so I’m definitely happy with that,” Austin said. “Hopefully we just keep rolling over into camp and keep going from there.”
Austin was asked if he wasn’t as involved with the offense in the past.
“I wouldn’t say that,” he explained. “When it’s your time, it’s your time. I just felt like it wasn’t my time back then, but I feel like now might be my time, so I have to step up to the plate and take advantage of it.”
Austin then described his first two seasons as a learning experience.
“Right now I feel like I’m ready,” he said. “Not saying I wasn’t ready the other two years, but I feel I’m a little more confident. I’m just taking it day by day and getting better.”
