Tavon Austin has wrist surgery

[…..]

My understanding of leads me to the conclusion that because TA can be "electrifying" he was drafted as the shiny piece misplaced piece on a very dull chess board.

Thats the conclusion I have come up with. Hopefully along the way to Electric status, he finds a way to emerge as an every down player not prone only to gimmeck execution.

 

[badnews]

Something I have always wondered:

What constitutes a "gimmick" and more importantly, why does it even matter? If it's successful, what is the problem?!

Look at Tavon's success with running the ball. Jet sweeps, end arounds, reverses, up the middle... doesn't matter. Tavon breaks big plays and scores TDs.
How is that a negative?

Once upon a time a screen play was a "gimmick". Zone blocking was a "gimmick", the QB draw play, etc..

EVERYTHING begins as a "gimmick" until it becomes standard.

 

[bnw]

Something I have always wondered:

What constitutes a "gimmick" and more importantly, why does it even matter? If it's successful, what is the problem?!

Look at Tavon's success with running the ball. Jet sweeps, end arounds, reverses, up the middle... doesn't matter. Tavon breaks big plays and scores TDs.
How is that a negative?

Once upon a time a screen play was a "gimmick". Zone blocking was a "gimmick", the QB draw play, etc..

EVERYTHING begins as a "gimmick" until it becomes standard.

A good team can afford such a specialist as TA. Rams are not a good team. Rams need starters that can perform all the time. TA does add utility as a returner though for how long?

 

[bubbaramfan]

I guess no one knows when, how, or the extent of TA's writs injury. That it needed surgery is troubling in itself. If occurred during last season, or months ago, it is even more troubling in that he waited til now to have suregery,

 

[badnews]

A good team can afford such a specialist as TA. Rams are not a good team. Rams need starters that can perform all the time. TA does add utility as a returner though for how long?

TA is one of 5 or 6 WRs who will be carried on the active roster. Any of those other guys can be the traditional type we need.
To suggest we don't have room for him is just a ridiculous stretch to justify your opinion.

Btw- I do appreciate the good volleys back and forth on this.

Also, I do hope someone can enlighten me on the subject of "gimmicks" and what the difference is between a gimmick and a unique play that is effective.
It seems like an entirely subjective way to criticize something that works by dismissing something because someday it might be figured out.
To me, that's called creativity and using players unique abilities to force the other side to adapt their game in order to stop it... you know, team sports...

 

[LACHAMP46]

TA has all the ability in the world, I've seen him put the moves on some of the league's best DBs but he's never been consistent enough to make him a legit threat.

I've seen Sam Bradford target TA in a game over 12 times in the first half as a rookie. The guy had mini explosions on almost every pass. His hands are like bricks sometimes. I don't know how you fix that...5 years later.

Not opening a can of worms here as the Wonderlic isn't IQ but it's still a sign we signed some very slow learners under Fisher. Like our #2 pick from App. St. and GRob.

G-Rob scored a 22 on the wonderlic....I'm curious what many of our posters/commenters would do....

Also, I do hope someone can enlighten me on the subject of "gimmicks" and what the difference is between a gimmick and a unique play that is effective.

Sounds like the same thing...just pronounced differently.

 

[RamBall]

After SB went down at carolina, TA has not had a QB capable of making TA a deep threat, last seasons O was designed to win with CK or not win at all, not sure which tbh. With Goff and McVay, TA will now get a chance to show wether or not he is a deep threat.

 

[Warner4Prez]

TA is one of 5 or 6 WRs who will be carried on the active roster. Any of those other guys can be the traditional type we need.
To suggest we don't have room for him is just a ridiculous stretch to justify your opinion.

Btw- I do appreciate the good volleys back and forth on this.

Also, I do hope someone can enlighten me on the subject of "gimmicks" and what the difference is between a gimmick and a unique play that is effective.
It seems like an entirely subjective way to criticize something that works by dismissing something because someday it might be figured out.
To me, that's called creativity and using players unique abilities to force the other side to adapt their game in order to stop it... you know, team sports...

Gimmick is a negative stigma associated with draft position. No one calls Ty Montgomery a gimmick player. No one calls Tyreek Hill a gimmick player. My only guess is because these guys have had success that far exceeds their draft position. If Austin were a 3rd or 4th round pick, I doubt we'd hear much about it.

 

[bnw]

TA is one of 5 or 6 WRs who will be carried on the active roster. Any of those other guys can be the traditional type we need.
To suggest we don't have room for him is just a ridiculous stretch to justify your opinion.

Btw- I do appreciate the good volleys back and forth on this.

Also, I do hope someone can enlighten me on the subject of "gimmicks" and what the difference is between a gimmick and a unique play that is effective.
It seems like an entirely subjective way to criticize something that works by dismissing something because someday it might be figured out.
To me, that's called creativity and using players unique abilities to force the other side to adapt their game in order to stop it... you know, team sports...

Well we disagree about having "room" for TA since its been more than a decade since the Rams have drafted a true #1 WR and a competent #2 WR. I don't consider Amendola a #1 or #2 WR. Amendola is a #3 WR who became a de facto #1 WR on the Rams due to the abysmal WR corps at that time. So yeah whether as trade bait or having another slot to try to find a competent #1 or #2 WR I don't think the Rams can be competitive while retaining the always spied upon TA.

A gimmick play is one that is successful due to it being a surprise. It can't be a normal play run every game. Think the punt return against Seattle where TA faked catching the punt while Bailey ran it back unmolested for the TD. End around reverse is a gimmick play for most teams but with the Rams and TA it is now expected when TA is on the field and thus not very successful. Halfback pass option is another gimmick play. Modern wildcat is another gimmick play. On defense at one time decades ago (Larry Wilson) running the safety blitz was a gimmick play on defense whereas today the blitz can come from anywhere and often during a game.

 

[WvuIN02]

Your definition of gimmick with regard to how TA was used is completely wrong. The jet sweep was run enough where it a) was not a surprise and b) still left defenders guessing who was going to get the ball. If they played the sweep, Gurley took advantage up the middle, and vice versa. The Rams simply stopped running it under Boras, even though it was one of the most effective plays they had.

But people need to realize for the first time in how many years the Rams actually have a bright offensive mind running the show, and let things take their course.

 

[kurtfaulk]

But people need to realize for the first time in how many years the Rams actually have a bright offensive mind running the show, and let things take their course.

yeah, i don't get all the negativity. how can we possibly judge any offensive player after 5 years of jeff fisher and his offensive coordinators? doesn't make sense to me.

i couldn't have more hope than i have right now that the offense will finally get fixed. players included. and that's the way i'll think until it's been proved otherwise.

.

 

[~lyser]

Don't let this distract you from the fact that in 1966, Al Bundy scored four touchdowns in a single game while playing for the Polk High School Panthers in the 1966 city championship game versus Andrew Johnson High School, including the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds against his old nemesis, Bubba "Spare Tire" Dixon.

 

[DaveFan'51]

Something I have always wondered:

What constitutes a "gimmick" and more importantly, why does it even matter? If it's successful, what is the problem?!

Look at Tavon's success with running the ball. Jet sweeps, end arounds, reverses, up the middle... doesn't matter. Tavon breaks big plays and scores TDs.
How is that a negative?

Once upon a time a screen play was a "gimmick". Zone blocking was a "gimmick", the QB draw play, etc..

EVERYTHING begins as a "gimmick" until it becomes standard.

The "Forward Pass" was also once a "Gimmick Play"! True!!:mrburnsevil:

 

[A.J. Hicks]

Just saw now that he's out of his cast already

 

[StealYoGurley]

Ive pointed out in other threads Tavon's historical inefficiency as WR and little proof of deep receiving skills so no need to elaborate on those points any further. Love or hate Tavon no one can say he has been anything close to a complete receiver. Even McVay pointed out several times that he wants Tavon to become a more complete receiver.

With that said a more realistic goal for Tavon's usage IMO is Taylor Gabriel not DeSean Jackson. Towards the end of the year Gabriel became the Falcons number 2 receiver and did many things Tavon does like Quick screens, jet sweeps, and end arounds. Gabriel was far superior to Tavon as a downfield threat, but he is still no DeSean Jackson. Even in McVays scheme expecting Tavon to go from one of the worst deep threats to arguably the best in DeSean Jackson is very unrealistic. IMO Gabriel who played for our new OC Matt LaFleur is a much more realistic projection because they have similar speed, stature, and open field ability. If the coaching staff can get Gabriel like deep threat usage to add to Tavon's skillset that is a win IMO. Is it in a win worth his salary? No, but its progress and way more than he's shown as a receiver in the past.

 

[VegasRam]

TA's definitely not your traditional WR, but he's not Mr. Gimmick either. He's flat electric, and while I understand the frustrated points of view,
I think that his BIGGEST problem was he is the ONLY Ram other teams were afraid of, and has been for the for the last five years.
His hands aren't bricks, he's not dumb, and anyone suggesting he lacks courage has never returned a punt, with over two tons of angry testosterone coming at you trying to take your head off.

(And no, I've never returned punts).

 

[A.J. Hicks]

Like many of our young players. I think this is the first year that Tavon is going to have NFL level offensive coaching.

Having Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp in the receiving room is going to help a ton. Tavon is going to have an opportunity to really learn and develop his receiving skills.

That's what I'm most excited about this coaching staff. They are focused on coaching these kids to their best.

 

[LACHAMP46]

Just saw now that he's out of his cast already

I'd imagine that the more guys they sign that run a 4.3 is making him take that cast off....ASAP! ahahahahahah:mrburnsevil:

 

[SteezyEndo]

I'd imagine that the more guys they sign that run a 4.3 is making him take that cast off....ASAP! ahahahahahah:mrburnsevil:

Makes you wonder. I am no physician but wrist injuries or wrist surgery recoveries shouldn't be taken lightly. Due to the nerves and bone structure in that area it can take months, possibly years of feeling some sort of discomforts, and catching footballs will only cause more discomfort let alone field contact. If that is true he must of thought he was irreplaceable and was safe. Maybe not the case after all.