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http://m.therams.com/news-and-event...oduction/e47e6a6e-f3b8-4a1a-9627-3561b4f1e5c9
There's no question wide receiver Tavon Austin
took a step forward in his development in 2015, leading the Rams with 52 receptions, racking up 1,187 all-purpose yards, and reaching 10 total touchdowns. But with a revamped offensive system led by coordinator Rob Boras and new passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Mike Groh, there's a good chance Austin may be significantly more productive in 2016.
"This offense has been re-designed to make sure he gets touches of the football," Fisher said after Wednesday's OTA practice. "As a result, there's a lot more for him to do."
So much more that Fisher said on Tuesday the West Virginia product has a chance to double his receptions from last year. The head coach has been saying for a few years the Rams offense needs to find creative ways to keep the ball in Austin's hands. And the wide receiver is completely receptive to the idea.
"I love it. They do a great job of trying to put me in position to make plays," Austin said in an interview with therams.com. "I'm not a selfish person. But the more balls - I definitely appreciate it from coach 'Fish' and all of the coaching staff."
One of the ways Austin will be able to get more touches is through his improvement in running routes. The wideout said he worked hard in the offseason in order to get better in that area. Groh's coaching has helped, too, because he's brought some changes to the types of routes Austin must execute.
"We've got different little steps and stuff - things that he wants in this offense," Austin said. "So just staying true to what he's telling us and things like that."
Austin said Groh has been tough and demanding on the wide receivers so far through the spring. It's easy to see from the types of precision drills the receivers have been doing that Groh places a high priority on running routes exactly the same every single time.
"Oh man, he's strict. He's real strict. He's real precise on what he wants," Austin said Wednesday. "He doesn't care what your name is - if he's going to yell at you, he's going to yell at you.
"That's what I like about him," Austin continued. "He's making sure you know what you're doing. He wants to speak his language. And that's real big in this offense, so he's doing a real good job."
"Tavon is a weapon we're going to utilize," Groh said in a recent interview. "I think he's had a tremendous spring so far."
And it's not just what Austin is doing on the field that counts. Heading into his Year 4, Austin has said he's ready to step into more of a leadership role - and he's applied that both on and off the field.
After the Rams selected Pharoh Cooper in this year's draft, Austin reached out to see if he could help the rookie. That continued through rookie camp, when Cooper said he and Austin chatted about the playbook over FaceTime.
"When I first came in, Austin Pettis kind of grabbed me by the shoulder and told me, 'Come on,'" Austin said. "So it's only right that I do the same thing."
That's even considering that Austin and Cooper have somewhat of an alike skill set.
"I could kind of see what type of player he was. He's a smaller guy. He kind of would do similar things [to] me," Austin said, adding the more talent the Rams acquire, the better off they'll be. "The person who beats you out for the job - they deserve it. But anything I can do to help anybody, I will do it."
Not that Austin has ever been immature, but his mindset is exemplary of a mature, team-first veteran.
"I think Tav's just getting more comfortable with himself and with his leadership," Boras said in a recent interview. "He's been a great role model for these young guys - his preparation, how focused he is in the meetings. And then watching him go out there and just take that leadership role with the rookies - that's hard for a guy to do."
Whether he's leading vocally or simply by example, Austin is clearly making a positive impression on both his teammates and coaches.
"Just to see him stay after and working extra, I think the sky is the limit," Boras said.
"He's doing a great job," Fisher said. "He's going to have a big year this year."
If all goes as planned, Austin's 2016 season will be his best yet.
There's no question wide receiver Tavon Austin
took a step forward in his development in 2015, leading the Rams with 52 receptions, racking up 1,187 all-purpose yards, and reaching 10 total touchdowns. But with a revamped offensive system led by coordinator Rob Boras and new passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Mike Groh, there's a good chance Austin may be significantly more productive in 2016."This offense has been re-designed to make sure he gets touches of the football," Fisher said after Wednesday's OTA practice. "As a result, there's a lot more for him to do."
So much more that Fisher said on Tuesday the West Virginia product has a chance to double his receptions from last year. The head coach has been saying for a few years the Rams offense needs to find creative ways to keep the ball in Austin's hands. And the wide receiver is completely receptive to the idea.
"I love it. They do a great job of trying to put me in position to make plays," Austin said in an interview with therams.com. "I'm not a selfish person. But the more balls - I definitely appreciate it from coach 'Fish' and all of the coaching staff."
One of the ways Austin will be able to get more touches is through his improvement in running routes. The wideout said he worked hard in the offseason in order to get better in that area. Groh's coaching has helped, too, because he's brought some changes to the types of routes Austin must execute.
"We've got different little steps and stuff - things that he wants in this offense," Austin said. "So just staying true to what he's telling us and things like that."
Austin said Groh has been tough and demanding on the wide receivers so far through the spring. It's easy to see from the types of precision drills the receivers have been doing that Groh places a high priority on running routes exactly the same every single time.
"Oh man, he's strict. He's real strict. He's real precise on what he wants," Austin said Wednesday. "He doesn't care what your name is - if he's going to yell at you, he's going to yell at you.
"That's what I like about him," Austin continued. "He's making sure you know what you're doing. He wants to speak his language. And that's real big in this offense, so he's doing a real good job."
"Tavon is a weapon we're going to utilize," Groh said in a recent interview. "I think he's had a tremendous spring so far."
And it's not just what Austin is doing on the field that counts. Heading into his Year 4, Austin has said he's ready to step into more of a leadership role - and he's applied that both on and off the field.
After the Rams selected Pharoh Cooper
in this year's draft, Austin reached out to see if he could help the rookie. That continued through rookie camp, when Cooper said he and Austin chatted about the playbook over FaceTime."When I first came in, Austin Pettis kind of grabbed me by the shoulder and told me, 'Come on,'" Austin said. "So it's only right that I do the same thing."
That's even considering that Austin and Cooper have somewhat of an alike skill set.
"I could kind of see what type of player he was. He's a smaller guy. He kind of would do similar things [to] me," Austin said, adding the more talent the Rams acquire, the better off they'll be. "The person who beats you out for the job - they deserve it. But anything I can do to help anybody, I will do it."
Not that Austin has ever been immature, but his mindset is exemplary of a mature, team-first veteran.
"I think Tav's just getting more comfortable with himself and with his leadership," Boras said in a recent interview. "He's been a great role model for these young guys - his preparation, how focused he is in the meetings. And then watching him go out there and just take that leadership role with the rookies - that's hard for a guy to do."
Whether he's leading vocally or simply by example, Austin is clearly making a positive impression on both his teammates and coaches.
"Just to see him stay after and working extra, I think the sky is the limit," Boras said.
"He's doing a great job," Fisher said. "He's going to have a big year this year."
If all goes as planned, Austin's 2016 season will be his best yet.
