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Should Austin Davis Still Be the Rams’ Man?
By Brad Thompson
http://www.101sports.com/2014/11/11/austin-davis-still-rams-man/
The Rams suffered another tough loss on Sunday with an epic fourth- quarter collapse against the Arizona Cardinals. Starting quarterback Austin Davis had another rough day, throwing two late picks and coughing up a fumble to lead to a pair of defensive scores for the Cardinals and a quiet flight home for the Rams.
Davis’ performance had some, including myself, wondering if the Rams would contemplate a change at QB for this week’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. Head coach Jeff Fisher was asked that very question on Monday, and he provided a clear response: “No. He’s working real hard, so we’ll see where it goes.”
So, Davis has that going for him. Which is … nice?
Look, there’s no questioning Austin Davis’ work ethic. Or his ability to lead. This guy is a fighter who doesn’t quit. This is a guy who was a walk-on at Southern Mississippi. He tore it up and broke records held by the great Brett Favre. After all that success, it still left Davis undrafted. He signed as a free agent with the Rams in 2012.
He was released. Then he was picked up by the Dolphins’ practice squad … and released again.
Next: a stint as an assistant coach at Westminster Christian Academy before the Rams decided to bring him back for the 2014 campaign. It could’ve been easy for Davis to hang it up, or to not be prepared to take advantage of his second opportunity with St. Louis.
The chances of him even making the roster were, well, dicey. Franchise signal-caller Sam Bradford was coming back healthy, and the team had signed veteran Shaun Hill to be the backup. The Rams also spent a draft pick on another QB, Garrett Gilbert.
We all know what happened next. Two injuries later, Austin’s the starting quarterback for the Rams. He took an opportunity and has run with it, to the best of his ability. The question: Is his ability good enough?
The harsh reality is that Austin Davis, in the future, is probably not projected as an NFL starting quarterback. The Rams need a long-term answer at the position and, after watching Davis for the last 8 1/2, games, I think it’s fair to say that he’s just not the future.
Has the play around him been great? Absolutely not. I know the O-line has been shaky. His receivers haven’t played great. The Rams have failed to establish a great ground game to help him out, and the playcalling has been suspect. I get it.
Most of the time, however, you are what you are.
What is Austin Davis? He’s a hard worker, a great leader and a passionate player (which has been fun to watch). He’s a guy who can give you a chance to win a game, but in my opinion, he’s not an NFL starter. I do think, though, that with his opportunity and performance to this point, Austin Davis has prolonged his NFL career. Without everything that’s happened this season, he may not have gotten another shot in the league. I’d have to think that the Rams or many other teams would be interested in looking at Davis as a great option as a backup in the future. Again, that’s not a shot at Davis. There are thousands and thousands of quarterbacks who would kill to have the skill set and the opportunity that Davis has.
I hope I’m wrong. I hope that Austin Davis keeps his starting gig for the remainder of the year and lights it up. I hope the Rams have a tough decision regarding Davis come the offseason. I love the underdog story. I appreciate his passion and fight.
Davis has great opportunity to brush off his terrible fourth quarter against the Cardinals this past weekend. Peyton Manning and the Broncos are coming to town. A victory here would be quite a feather in the cap of No. 9. The Seahawks, 49ers and the Broncos?! Go get some, young man, and show the world what all the fuss was about just a couple of short months ago.
By Brad Thompson
http://www.101sports.com/2014/11/11/austin-davis-still-rams-man/
The Rams suffered another tough loss on Sunday with an epic fourth- quarter collapse against the Arizona Cardinals. Starting quarterback Austin Davis had another rough day, throwing two late picks and coughing up a fumble to lead to a pair of defensive scores for the Cardinals and a quiet flight home for the Rams.
Davis’ performance had some, including myself, wondering if the Rams would contemplate a change at QB for this week’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. Head coach Jeff Fisher was asked that very question on Monday, and he provided a clear response: “No. He’s working real hard, so we’ll see where it goes.”
So, Davis has that going for him. Which is … nice?
Look, there’s no questioning Austin Davis’ work ethic. Or his ability to lead. This guy is a fighter who doesn’t quit. This is a guy who was a walk-on at Southern Mississippi. He tore it up and broke records held by the great Brett Favre. After all that success, it still left Davis undrafted. He signed as a free agent with the Rams in 2012.
He was released. Then he was picked up by the Dolphins’ practice squad … and released again.
Next: a stint as an assistant coach at Westminster Christian Academy before the Rams decided to bring him back for the 2014 campaign. It could’ve been easy for Davis to hang it up, or to not be prepared to take advantage of his second opportunity with St. Louis.
The chances of him even making the roster were, well, dicey. Franchise signal-caller Sam Bradford was coming back healthy, and the team had signed veteran Shaun Hill to be the backup. The Rams also spent a draft pick on another QB, Garrett Gilbert.
We all know what happened next. Two injuries later, Austin’s the starting quarterback for the Rams. He took an opportunity and has run with it, to the best of his ability. The question: Is his ability good enough?
The harsh reality is that Austin Davis, in the future, is probably not projected as an NFL starting quarterback. The Rams need a long-term answer at the position and, after watching Davis for the last 8 1/2, games, I think it’s fair to say that he’s just not the future.
Has the play around him been great? Absolutely not. I know the O-line has been shaky. His receivers haven’t played great. The Rams have failed to establish a great ground game to help him out, and the playcalling has been suspect. I get it.
Most of the time, however, you are what you are.
What is Austin Davis? He’s a hard worker, a great leader and a passionate player (which has been fun to watch). He’s a guy who can give you a chance to win a game, but in my opinion, he’s not an NFL starter. I do think, though, that with his opportunity and performance to this point, Austin Davis has prolonged his NFL career. Without everything that’s happened this season, he may not have gotten another shot in the league. I’d have to think that the Rams or many other teams would be interested in looking at Davis as a great option as a backup in the future. Again, that’s not a shot at Davis. There are thousands and thousands of quarterbacks who would kill to have the skill set and the opportunity that Davis has.
I hope I’m wrong. I hope that Austin Davis keeps his starting gig for the remainder of the year and lights it up. I hope the Rams have a tough decision regarding Davis come the offseason. I love the underdog story. I appreciate his passion and fight.
Davis has great opportunity to brush off his terrible fourth quarter against the Cardinals this past weekend. Peyton Manning and the Broncos are coming to town. A victory here would be quite a feather in the cap of No. 9. The Seahawks, 49ers and the Broncos?! Go get some, young man, and show the world what all the fuss was about just a couple of short months ago.