Torry Holt: Tavon Austin’s Biggest Impact Will be on Special Teams

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Amitar

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If the Rams would have not traded up for Austin and taken Kyle Long in the 1st and Larry Warford in the 2nd they would have had 2 very good OL and then would have drafted Watkins this past year. Instead we have Austin and Robinson. Just saying.
 
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Amitar

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I said this earlier, but if Quick, Britt, and Austin excel the first four games, Bailey may not see the field as much as you guys think.
and that would be a crime because Bailey is better then any of the three you mentioned. For some reason people just won't believe it yet. If he would have been drafted Austin's place people would be talking him up all over the place.
The Rams are lucky. This year I am thinking Bayer is that good too. I just need to see a few more games. But so far I think the guy is for real. If I had to make a choice right now I would take him over Kendricks without blinking.
 

RamsOfCastamere

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If the Rams would have not traded up for Austin and taken Kyle Long in the 1st and Larry Warford in the 2nd they would have had 2 very good OL and then would have drafted Watkins this past year. Instead we have Austin and Robinson.

You can't change 2 picks and expect the rest of the draft, season, and the following years draft to remain the same.

Don't sleep on Austin. He's going to the Pro Bowl this year if he doesn't get hurt.
 

RamsOfCastamere

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and that would be a crime because Bailey is better then any of the three you mentioned. For some reason people just won't believe it yet. If he would have been drafted Austin's place people would be talking him up all over the place.
The Rams are lucky. This year I am thinking Bayer is that good too. I just need to see a few more games. But so far I think the guy is for real. If I had to make a choice right now I would take him over Kendricks without blinking.

I think it's a bit unfair to say he's better than all 3. I like him a lot, but he played in a limited amount of snaps last year as well. I wouldn't say his ceiling is higher than Austin's.
 

RamsOfCastamere

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and that would be a crime because Bailey is better then any of the three you mentioned. For some reason people just won't believe it yet. If he would have been drafted Austin's place people would be talking him up all over the place.
The Rams are lucky. This year I am thinking Bayer is that good too. I just need to see a few more games. But so far I think the guy is for real. If I had to make a choice right now I would take him over Kendricks without blinking.

Also, I would say there is a SLIM chance that Bayer passes Cook, Harkey, and Kendricks on the depth chart.
 

Tweed335

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Where did Bayer come from?

I don't remember him being drafted, was he a UDFA?

If so, WOW! Well at least for the first preseason game against 2 or 3's, still for any rook he made some great plays. Forgive me if I'm a little reserver but that would be awesome @RamsOfCastamere
 

RamsOfCastamere

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Where did Bayer come from?

I don't remember him being drafted, was he a UDFA?

If so, WOW! Well at least for the first preseason game against 2 or 3's, still for any rook he made some great plays. Forgive me if I'm a little reserver but that would be awesome @RamsOfCastamere

Don't get wrong, he made some great plays, and I support and hope for the best for all Rams, but if an UDFA is good enough now to surpass all above him, then something is wrong.
 

Boston Ram

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I agree with Holt, He still cant get off the line he is limited where he can line up. The best way to utilize him is in motion and you cant do that on every play. Even in the slot last year he was getting held up.
I think Holt is right, he is dynamic on ST but I haven't seen anything that suggest yet he is going to have a huge impact on offense. Defenses are not game planning to stop or contain Austin. This could still change and there might be better ways to utilize his unique talents.

Its seems Holt is referring to him as a pure WR which I don't think he really is right now. Austin is a nice talent and has unique skills but I don't think its unfair to question giving up real assets to move up to get him.
 

Irish

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Brandin Cooks and Tavon Austin's career paths should be compared to closely to one another. The problem people have with Tavon isn't that we drafted him, its where he was drafted and what the Rams potentially gave up to get him. Austin was drafted 8th overall, and had picks traded for him, you expect him to be a difference maker immediately a la AJ Green, Julio Jones, Sammy Watkins (jury still out on him). Add to that the fact that the Rams were all too willing to abandon the passing attack and become a smash mouth, run first offense not 4 weeks into the season makes the pick that much more baffling.

You don't draft an undersized, atypical wide receiver/punt returner 8th overall if you don't plan on throwing the ball the majority of the time. Period. Austin made (more) sense in the Oklahoma spread offense, but the fact that the team has all but abandoned that style of play raises even more questions about the pick in general. The Rams do not have the luxury to miss on impact, top of the draft talent as their roster is starving for talent. It will be up to Tavon, with limited targets week after week, to justify his draft position, otherwise it is more than fair to scrutinize Snead and Fisher over the pick.
 

RhodyRams

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I dont know what has happened to Torry Holt. I remember when he used to do the Draft he was pretty well spoken and very insightful. However I do think he may be half right here when he states that Austins biggest impact wont be a a WR this year, Not with the signing of Britt and (hopefully) the emergence of Brian Quick.

Austin may have some good games and be the leading receiver 2-3 games this year, but I think as a PR or KR he could change a game in an instant, giving the Rams great field position before the 2:00 drill or taking one to the house in a tight game.
 

DCH

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Well, Devin Hester was a legit game-changer as a return man only. If we can get close to that with Austin, that's something.

I still think he's going to be all over the field as an offensive weapon, though... king of the "combined yards" stat.
 

Athos

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Austin is a beast. He WILL be our best slot receiver this season. I said this earlier, but if Quick, Britt, and Austin excel the first four games, Bailey may not see the field as much as you guys think.

And wtf is a true WR? If he lines up in the slot and catches passes, then that's a true WR in my books.

Well, your traditional WR doesn't take reps out of the backfield. Austin was meant to be a multi-dimensional weapon the Rams have lacked for years. He'll see caries, targets, and return areas.

He may never reach 1000 yards receiving in a season, or put them up consistently, but his total yardage and TDs scored will be up there. Already posted I expect around 10 total TDs out of him this year. High of 12.
 

SteveBrown

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I really hope not (based on title), I'd like him to become that slot WR who can also still play outside at times. His quickness on offense can be very challenging for defenses to stop if we want to have a quick passing game. To me, that would be ideal. I need to listen to what Holt has to say tho, I'm just too lazy at the moment lol.
1000% agree. What he did against Colts, Carolina (called back TD pass) and Bears is a good start...!
 

lockdnram21

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and that would be a crime because Bailey is better then any of the three you mentioned. For some reason people just won't believe it yet. If he would have been drafted Austin's place people would be talking him up all over the place.
The Rams are lucky. This year I am thinking Bayer is that good too. I just need to see a few more games. But so far I think the guy is for real. If I had to make a choice right now I would take him over Kendricks without blinking.

how is that criminal? If they play up to there potential then that's Baileys fault for getting suspended and giving them the chance. I want to see Bailey up against teams #1 cb before we anoint him a great receiver. He has potential to be a good #2 if Quick or Britt reach they potential they could be #1's
 

CodeMonkey

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It's been one year! A pretty good year too. It's true that his return skills are phenomenal. If not for a number of penalties he'd have taken it to the house a few more times too. That has value for sure. TD's aside, if even if just for averaging better starting field position.

As a wideout, I hope too much is being made of his size and that he's much more than just a "slot" guy. Steve Smith (carolina) was a short guy and also one of the best. He was Carolina's return guy as well and I have to wonder if a similar discussion transpired wrt him early in his career. Smitty was able to dominate underneath as well as deep downfield. I recall games where the guy was absolutely unstoppable.
 

junkman

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Have you thought about doing a Jack Lucas Fisher King thing for your avatar, a break from being "the dude", in honor of Robin Williams? Fisher King is on NETFLIX in case you haven't seen it or don't remember it. 84% on Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.flixster.com/movie/the-fisher-king/
thefisherking03.jpg
 
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I'll always be of the opinion that if you draft a WR in the top 10 and he doesn't turn into a 1,000+ yard per year guy then that pick should be seen as a failure.