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By R.B. FALLSTROM, AP Sports Writer
Posted Nov. 16, 2013 @ 11:00 am
ST. LOUIS (AP) — After waving teammates away from the ball, Tavon Austin stayed close. He was worried the Indianapolis Colts might down it near the goal line.
The next few seconds were a blur of fearless decision-making, instincts and raw speed. The rookie's long-awaited breakout day was off to the races.
A 98-yard punt return brought the St. Louis Rams' draft-day gadget pick to life in Week 10, the play lasting approximately the same amount of time as his reasoning for taking the risk that propelled his team into the bye week.
"I knew the ball was bouncing my way," Austin said Wednesday. "So, something told me to grab it, and I did. I had a couple blocks and I made a play.
"Coach Jeff Fisher, who typically skimps on the compliments, ranked Austin's show as "close to the top" in all his years in the NFL.
The kid caught the Colts flat-footed three times, treating them like a garden variety opponent from his touchdown-machine days at West Virginia in Sunday's surprising 38-8 road blowout of the AFC South leaders. Thus emboldened, Austin then attempted to outrun his previously pedestrian NFL output prior to the game.
"Confidence is the No. 1 thing," Austin said. "My confidence never went down. My coaches and my family kept telling me to be patient, and when my time comes it's going to come."
The Rams (4-6) traded up eight spots to grab one of the fastest players of the draft with the eighth overall pick. Then, they waited.
Most memorable in the early going, perhaps, were the big plays that didn't count. There were enough punt returns called back by penalties that Fisher applauded him for special teams contributions that did not stick, whether or not the illegal block in question was directly responsible.
Austin avoided post-game questions following a victory over the Jaguars at home and fled the locker room without removing eye black. He had four punt returns for 15 yards that game, another 72 yards wiped out.
Austin couldn't have been on the top of the Colts' defensive game plan, much less a candidate for the infinitely more difficult NFL version of a hockey hat trick: three consecutive touchdowns. Not with NFL-low averages of 6.7 yards per catch and 4.7 yards per punt return.
Even after Sunday's display helped the Rams end a three-game losing streak, there's plenty to tap. Austin has dropped seven passes, tied for the league high according to STATS.
Before rolling up 138 yards on two long scoring catches, Austin peaked at 47 yards in Week 2. His best day on punt returns was 33 yards on three attempts against Tennessee.
Austin kept telling himself, "I can do it."
Posted Nov. 16, 2013 @ 11:00 am
ST. LOUIS (AP) — After waving teammates away from the ball, Tavon Austin stayed close. He was worried the Indianapolis Colts might down it near the goal line.
The next few seconds were a blur of fearless decision-making, instincts and raw speed. The rookie's long-awaited breakout day was off to the races.
A 98-yard punt return brought the St. Louis Rams' draft-day gadget pick to life in Week 10, the play lasting approximately the same amount of time as his reasoning for taking the risk that propelled his team into the bye week.
"I knew the ball was bouncing my way," Austin said Wednesday. "So, something told me to grab it, and I did. I had a couple blocks and I made a play.
"Coach Jeff Fisher, who typically skimps on the compliments, ranked Austin's show as "close to the top" in all his years in the NFL.
The kid caught the Colts flat-footed three times, treating them like a garden variety opponent from his touchdown-machine days at West Virginia in Sunday's surprising 38-8 road blowout of the AFC South leaders. Thus emboldened, Austin then attempted to outrun his previously pedestrian NFL output prior to the game.
"Confidence is the No. 1 thing," Austin said. "My confidence never went down. My coaches and my family kept telling me to be patient, and when my time comes it's going to come."
The Rams (4-6) traded up eight spots to grab one of the fastest players of the draft with the eighth overall pick. Then, they waited.
Most memorable in the early going, perhaps, were the big plays that didn't count. There were enough punt returns called back by penalties that Fisher applauded him for special teams contributions that did not stick, whether or not the illegal block in question was directly responsible.
Austin avoided post-game questions following a victory over the Jaguars at home and fled the locker room without removing eye black. He had four punt returns for 15 yards that game, another 72 yards wiped out.
Austin couldn't have been on the top of the Colts' defensive game plan, much less a candidate for the infinitely more difficult NFL version of a hockey hat trick: three consecutive touchdowns. Not with NFL-low averages of 6.7 yards per catch and 4.7 yards per punt return.
Even after Sunday's display helped the Rams end a three-game losing streak, there's plenty to tap. Austin has dropped seven passes, tied for the league high according to STATS.
Before rolling up 138 yards on two long scoring catches, Austin peaked at 47 yards in Week 2. His best day on punt returns was 33 yards on three attempts against Tennessee.
Austin kept telling himself, "I can do it."
