Tavon Austin retiring

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

HE WITH HORNS

Hall of Fame
Joined
Feb 16, 2013
Messages
4,081
He did get McVay for a brief stint.

McVay didn't use him properly. He kept using him for FAKE jet sweeps, but when he would actually hand him the ball, on rare occasion, he was averaging almost 10 yards per carry.

And you are right about him not being a bust, he was a weapon, and a threat to score every time he touched the ball.
 

WestCoastRam

Legend
Joined
Nov 17, 2014
Messages
6,277
Yes. He was overdrafted.
Yes. He wasn’t physical.
And…Yes. He was a DECENT tool in the toolbox.
Well, he couldn't track a ball over his shoulders to save his life too.

But he definitely was good for some jet sweeps.
 

Corbin

THIS IS MY BOOOOOMSTICK!!
Rams On Demand Sponsor
2023 Sportsbook Champion
Joined
Nov 9, 2014
Messages
12,508
I will say he probably had 5-7 return TD's called back?

It was ridiculous. And usually a penalty that had nothing to do with the TD or long ass return.

Still Dumbfounded Tutu hasn't returned at all.
 

Memento

Your (Somewhat) Friendly Neighborhood Authoress.
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Messages
18,546
Name
Jemma
I have no animosity towards Tavon. He was an exciting player who was hamstrung by a poor offense and special teams. Definitely overdrafted, but he still managed to carve out a long career as a skill position player, which isn't easy.

Best of luck in retirement, Tavon!
 

Tano

Legend
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Messages
10,167
I have no animosity towards Tavon. He was an exciting player who was hamstrung by a poor offense and special teams. Definitely overdrafted, but he still managed to carve out a long career as a skill position player, which isn't easy.

Best of luck in retirement, Tavon!
I was okay with Tavon until he got paid.

After he got paid, he basically never took a hit again.

He always ran out of bounds first.
 

RamsOfCastamere

I drink things, and know nothing
Joined
Aug 10, 2013
Messages
8,155
I think if McVay had Tavon had early on, or if he was with Andy Reid, he could have been used more effectively. When McVay got here, he was already too expensive and needed to be moved revamp the roster.
 

Elmgrovegnome

Legend
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
22,976
A memory that I wish I could forget. But then again there are entire teams that I wish I could forget.
 

JonRam99

Hall of Fame
Joined
Aug 4, 2014
Messages
2,415
Name
Jonathan

When you're done watching this, look up Stedman Bailey's highlights on that same WV team...
I think McVay would've used him much better. Great team player, great hands... as much as Tavon impacted that WV team, Stedman much more so, with so so many TD's in his highlight reel. A Robert Woods clone.
So sad what happened to him.
 

Corbin

THIS IS MY BOOOOOMSTICK!!
Rams On Demand Sponsor
2023 Sportsbook Champion
Joined
Nov 9, 2014
Messages
12,508
When you're done watching this, look up Stedman Bailey's highlights on that same WV team...
I think McVay would've used him much better. Great team player, great hands... as much as Tavon impacted that WV team, Stedman much more so, with so so many TD's in his highlight reel. A Robert Woods clone.
So sad what happened to him.
For sure, Stedman was a beast to! Love watching his highlights to and still watch here and there.
 

DeaconJones

Rookie
Joined
Feb 25, 2016
Messages
155
I was at that Colts game where he broke some records....unreal.

As I recall, he scored 3 TDs totaling 231 yards in a span of 13 minutes. I thought he had finally arrived but he never reached those heights again. So many returns called back as someone else said.
 

jap

Legend
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
6,651
I will say he probably had 5-7 return TD's called back?

It was ridiculous. And usually a penalty that had nothing to do with the TD or long ass return.

Still Dumbfounded Tutu hasn't returned at all.
Didn't Tutu get injured &lost for the year on a return during his rookie season?
 

Merlin

Damn the torpedoes
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2023 TOP Member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
40,371
What an artist the NFL has lost.
 

FrantikRam

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Oct 16, 2013
Messages
4,850
Congratulations.
You saw his ONE impressive game.


That's a bit dramatic. That game was historic....pretty sure he's the only player in league history or one of a few to have three 50 or 60 (can't remember the exact distance)+ yard TDs in a game.

That was also his rookie year - his best year was actually 2015 where he had ten total TDs.

I get he was a bust ultimately, but 2015 he had some good games
 

AZRams

What, we're all thinking it...
Joined
Feb 6, 2019
Messages
3,524
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #37
It is hard to call a guy who lasted that long in the NFL, with that many all purpose TDs and yards, a bust. Countless NFL picks never do anything. Including high ones. And Austin would have had way more if the Jeff Fisher chronically undisciplined Rams didn't negate countless Tavon Austin punt return TDs via penalties. Speaking off the Fisher era, if Austin's best years weren't in a high-school offense led by backup QBs, he would have had better numbers. He did get McVay for a brief stint. But his confidence was shot at that point, as by then he caught a case of the fumbles.

In his prime, Tavon could score from anywhere, and was a threat to take it to the house every time he touched the ball. Opposing defenses had to account for him. He was a very willing blocker for his size too.

Over-drafted for sure. But he was a good player and I enjoyed watching him. I wish him well in retirement.
He COULD score from anywhere but usually didn't.

Couldn't run routes to save his life. Not a very good NFL receiver. What success he had was built on athleticism alone, IMO.
 

AZRams

What, we're all thinking it...
Joined
Feb 6, 2019
Messages
3,524
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #38
That's a bit dramatic. That game was historic....pretty sure he's the only player in league history or one of a few to have three 50 or 60 (can't remember the exact distance)+ yard TDs in a game.

That was also his rookie year - his best year was actually 2015 where he had ten total TDs.

I get he was a bust ultimately, but 2015 he had some good games
That season gave me hope but he was never that good again, even with McVay. And Sean didn't seem to know what to do with him just like Fisher and his 23 OCs...
 

Soul Surfer

Legend
Joined
Mar 22, 2017
Messages
6,886
Name
Charles Mazyck
Tavon was definitely a victim of being on a terrible team with a awful HC
And VERY overdrafted at number 8.

Then that one teaser game against Indianapolis that he never really came close to duplicating really let the air out of our balloon.
 

Jacobarch

Legend
Joined
Mar 28, 2016
Messages
5,507
Name
Jake
And VERY overdrafted at number 8.

Then that one teaser game against Indianapolis that he never really came close to duplicating really let the air out of our balloon.

Eh, I guess. Put Rookie TA on McVay's team in 17' and maybe we're singing a different tune.

It's fun living in a hypothetical universe :p