With regards to Austin not being used on deep throws, I think that's just one of the many examples of why a sizable group of fans question whether Schotty knows how to use Austin. Route running is one of Austin's biggest weaknesses and fly/go routes would be the easiest route for him to run. I don't get it either. Even if Austin didn't get thrown to, it would clear out the shorter stuff for Cook, et al.
I completely agree with this and have wondered why he didn't get used more as a flanker than slot receiver. If height really is the only disadvantage against Austin, then to me he's already better than Givens who'm I haven't seen any kind of fight from when it comes to going up for the ball. But to me this kid has the ability to make a move to lose his receiver and the speed to keep his timing on the route.
Here's why I think they haven't, first it's experience. They gave him a lot of attempts as a slot receiver and quite a few end around attempts, all stuff he was familiar with already from college right? So, just in the same light that they gave Richardson the rush attempts at the beginning of the season, Givens just got those routes because it was his second year, especially after seeing so much success last year.
Second, the defensive backs have more time to get to the ball on deep routes, so in that regard the 4 inches he has on Tavon may be a bigger deal? I don't know myself, just guessing.
Third is simple, Clemens vs. Bradford. Clemens is just not a deep ball quarterback.
There's not much doubt that he's not a flanker that you'd want to throw to in double coverage, so it depends on what the defense is doing. But I could see him lining up as a flanker with some success next year, especially with something like a
curl route. I really think he can have some success on a curl route as a flanker, against both corners and safties and even in double coverage, where it may help with the height difference.
