Philly site: should the Eagles trade for Tavon?

[Fatbot]

Should the Eagles trade for Tavon Austin?
By Brandon Lee Gowton  @BrandonGowton on Mar 29, 2015, 8:00a 101
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/...agles-trade-rams-nfl-rumors-wide-receiver-wvu

Should the Eagles make another trade with the Rams?

The Around The NFL folks over at NFL.com recently put an interesting list together of six potential trades they would love to see happen ...

The second trade proposed involves yet another deal between the Eagles and theSt. Louis Rams. These two teams obviously made a big swap earlier this offseason by exchanging Sam Bradfordand Nick Foles (along with draft picks). This time Gregg Rosthenal is suggesting the Eagles trade for a St. Louis wide receiver:

"Tavon Austin to the Eagles - We know Chip Kelly is not afraid to make bold moves with draft picks moving away. We know the Rams have no idea how to use Tavon Austin. We know these two squads aren't afraid to make a deal. No coach is better at getting the primary receiver open than Chip Kelly, and Austin would be a perfect "space" player in the Eagles' offense who could make plays after the catch."

There's no question Austin has been a big bust in the NFL to this point. Since being taken No. 8 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, he's managed to record just 71 receptions for 660 yards (9.3 average) and four touchdowns in 28 games played. Meanwhile, his nine fumbles indicate he's turnover prone.

So why would the Eagles have any interest? Well, one could argue that he wasn't exactly put in the best position to succeed under former Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. It's not exactly like he got to work with the best quarterbacks ever either, especially in 2014 when Bradford missed the whole year.

While the struggles are most noticeable, it's not all bad. One area where Austin has shined is on special teams. He's returned 68 punts in two seasons for a total of 671 yards (9.9 average) and two touchdowns. Austin has also made positive contributions in limited touches as a rusher. He's carried the ball 45 times for 375 yards (8.3 average) and three touchdowns.

The Eagles should be in no rush to give up a valuable asset for Austin, especially with a 2015 NFL Draft class loaded at wide receiver, but it could be an interesting buy-low situation for Philadelphia. The thinking is that Chip Kelly would be able to get the most out of Austin. As an added bonus, the deal would reunite Austin with Bradford. The Rams might not be willing to give up on Austin, especially because trading him would actually cost them ~$350K in cap space, but if he's not in their future plans they might as well get something for him while they still can.

Ultimately, I don't think this deal happens. Just a fun scenario to think about.

 

[Rynie]

They should just keep doing whatever makes them a more shitty team. That's obviously what Chip Kelly is going for.

 

[Barrison]

Wow... I did not realize Austin has fumbled the ball 9 times already in his career.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Blaming the OC for Austins subpar development is foolish. Austin has a similar skill set to A. Brown. The fact that Austin hasn't matured into that type of player falls on Austin himself.
However. He's young. His 3rd year should enlighten us on the type of player he will be in the league.
Will he developed into a guy that can play the outside consistently, or will he remain a gadget player?

 

[T-Hawks]

Trade Tavon Austin for Lane Johnson!!

 

[RamzFanz]

"There's no question Austin has been a big bust in the NFL to this point."

Uhhhhhh, WAT?

TA was 5th in the NFL among qualified punt returners and had a 6.2 YPC as a rusher. Lord knows how many yards and TD's he's lost to penalties. As a receiver he has had some really big plays and huge games but he had the dropsies early in his career and a backup quarterback and bad O line most of his career.

Nobody can brag about him YET, and maybe he'll prove to be a bust this season, but "big bust" is a huge leap right now.

 

[JackDRams]

Trade Tavon Austin for Lane Johnson!!

Don't know if the eagles would go for that.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

Big Bust is over exaggerating. Not living up to your potential is not being a bust. A bust can't play football in this league. Tavon can.

 

[mr.stlouis]

Blaming the OC for Austins subpar development is foolish. Austin has a similar skill set to A. Brown. The fact that Austin hasn't matured into that type of player falls on Austin himself.
However. He's young. His 3rd year should enlighten us on the type of player he will be in the league.
Will he developed into a guy that can play the outside consistently, or will he remain a gadget player?

We said very similiar things about Quick going into last year. If he can get his routes down then we're good.

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

Wow... I did not realize Austin has fumbled the ball 9 times already in his career.

I assume most of those were on punt returns, where he drops it while catching it and then grabs it back up really fast. I don't think he's lost many at all.

 

[lockdnram21]

Blaming the OC for Austins subpar development is foolish. Austin has a similar skill set to A. Brown. The fact that Austin hasn't matured into that type of player falls on Austin himself.
However. He's young. His 3rd year should enlighten us on the type of player he will be in the league.
Will he developed into a guy that can play the outside consistently, or will he remain a gadget player?

Outside consistently? That was never what he was brought here for . He came to play the slot. He has to improve his route running or he might be better suited as a change of pace RB

 

[jjab360]

Wow... I did not realize Austin has fumbled the ball 9 times already in his career.

That's because even though he's fumbled 9 times, he's only lost 1 fumble. Nobody remembers or cares about the ones that aren't recovered by the other team..

 

[kurtfaulk]

That's because even though he's fumbled 9 times, he's only lost 1 fumble. Nobody remembers or cares about the ones that aren't recovered by the other team..

except bozos like the person who wrote this article. probably never seen him play, only looked at the stats and came up with his conclusion. apparently austin is a turnover machine. bozo.

.

 

[Legatron4]

The fumble was against Carolina. And it was on a catch. Not a punt return. The only reason Austin wouldn't put up big numbers this year is because of the mental side. He should be an insane route runner with his agility.

 

[Ramhusker]

They should just keep doing whatever makes them a more crappy team. That's obviously what Chip Kelly is going for. View attachment 5815

The DUDE abides!

 

[BonifayRam]

Outside consistently? That was never what he was brought here for . He came to play the slot. He has to improve his route running or he might be better suited as a change of pace RB

I sure have no issues with TA running the ball more but please keep those runs up the gut down some. Not sure why they could not do seek to try more screens & runs outside the tackles with TA.

When you use a #8 overall in the draft on a fancy play toy like TA and he signed a 4 yr contract ...Tavon Austin signed a 4 year, $12,751,002 contract with the St. Louis Rams, including a $7,653,456 signing bonus, $12,751,002 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,187,751. In 2015, Austin will earn a base salary of $1,564,182. Austin has a cap hit of $3,477,546 while his dead money value is $7,534,683.

.....& TA is already half way through his original contract already & we are still waiting on him to produce close to what he cost the Rams in the team investments.....not good but we are a hopeful cadre are we not.

 

[jjab360]

I sure have no issues with TA running the ball more but please keep those runs up the gut down some. Not sure why they could not do seek to try more screens & runs outside the tackles with TA.

TA had 6 runs all year long between the tackles, why do people complain about that so much?

 

[Mackeyser]

Tavon to the Eagles?

 

[Dodgersrf]

We said very similiar things about Quick going into last year. If he can get his routes down then we're good.

He is fun to watch when he has the ball in his hands. Dangerous.