Tavons role going forward

[Checkmate]

I would like to state off the topic that this is not a Austin bashing post. I actually really like Tavon, but last game was really his oppurtunity to prove his worth with Woods, Dunbar and Brown out and atleast to me he failed to make an impact as a runner or reciever.

Now with the chance of both dunbar and brown both being active on Sunday, Reynolds shining this past Sunday and Austin losing his PR job to Cooper. Is there a chance that Austin wont even be active on Sunday?

We have never had both Brown and Dunbar healthy and active in the same game as Tavon (still might not with Dunbars health). My question is, if both backup rbs are healthy and active what exactly is Austin's role?

 

[HeiseNBerg]

My gut says that if Malcolm Brown is back this weekend, he gets the nod and Dunbar will be inactive (even if he's healthy). Brown has already proven himself in McVay's offense, even if a good chunk of his workload has been on blitz pickup.

If Tavon isn't injured, he suits up. Tavon Austin is its own unique position -- it ain't really a WR, and it ain't really a RB. And there's only one guy on the roster with the attributes to play that position.

 

[Merlin]

Brown needs to be active. He's played well for us and adds enormous value spelling TG and gaining positive yards.

Dunbar meh. Dude can't stay healthy, so between him and Tavon it's flip a coin IMO. Not sure it really matters which way they go, other than to say that Tavon being inactive means Pharoh gets more involved which is probably a good thing.

 

[Rmfnlt]

I don't see Austin being placed on inactive at any point in the season.

I think McVay will continue to try to get him touches in the hopes he'll give the Rams some cause to hang onto him after the season.

 

[Adi]

Austin will suite up , even if he doesn't touch the ball he is a threat.

Gosh I wish he would learn how to separate from coverage down field. Doesn't seem like that will ever happen , tyreke hill and brandon cooks are similar in size and bring in alot of balls.

He is a good back up at RB and that's all right now

 

[A55VA6]

Nothing seems to work with Austin. Idk if he has much of a role going forward honestly.

 

[MadGoat]

I like Tavon as well. I still think he got the shaft from a coaching standpoint the last few years. If you watch his play from his rookie year, he was a better WR. Maybe he just bulked up too much to handle the wear and tear of the NFL, but he certainly has regressed.

That being said, he provides one positive contribution for sure. When he runs that jet sweep action, teams over-react to it like nobody else. That by itself may be enough to ensure he's part of the offense.

 

[Boston Ram]

Nothing seems to work with Austin. Idk if he has much of a role going forward honestly.

I kind of feel the same way....It seems like they want to get him involved but nothing is really working. Sometimes a player just dont fit. I wouldnt mind seeing a screen pass to him out of the backfield.

 

[Jacobarch]

Nothing seems to work with Austin. Idk if he has much of a role going forward honestly.

I totally disagree, he's had his moments in games where he's messed up or let people down. But for the most part when they go to him he gets positive yards or is a very very effective decoy. Watch the replays and watch how hard LBs and DBs bite on his fakes. It really does open things for Gurley and company.

Speaking of tavons blunders. He's had his ups and downs this season and so have others on this team.
Sammy Watkins giving up on routes
Woods starting a fight against the skins that might have single handedly cost us the game.
Kupp dropping a game winning pass in Seattle and biffing it in Minnesota.
Higher dropping multiple passes in critical moments.

Point is all of these players have fucked up multiple times this season but they all contribute to our offense being the highest scoring in the league. If TA goes away maybe that changes some.

I think next season the Rams approach TA and have him adjust his contract. I also think he gets labled as a RB and put on ten lbs of muscle. I dunno i see him more of a Daren sproles roll. He's got the perfect frame and body type for it.

 

[TheBunk]

After this season all of responsibilities can be turned over to Cooper but right now he still has some use. If any defense we play slips just a little, one time he's going to get a TD on some of those plays. That may be needed in the playoffs.

 

[HeiseNBerg]

I totally disagree, he's had his moments in games where he's messed up or let people down. But for the most part when they go to him he gets positive yards or is a very very effective decoy. Watch the replays and watch how hard LBs and DBs bite on his fakes. It really does open things for Gurley and company.

Exactly. Just having him on the field forces the opposing D to account for the potential of TA with the ball in his hands. It's a good wrinkle to have in the playbook.

 

[Merlin]

Exactly. Just having him on the field forces the opposing D to account for the potential of TA with the ball in his hands. It's a good wrinkle to have in the playbook.

Defenses would react similarly to Pharoh executing his responsibilities. And Pharoh would also give us a little yards after contact or be able to run a normal pattern out of the formation.

When Tavon lines up everyone knows he's gonna run one of a limited group of plays. Not so with Pharoh. IMO he would upgrade us in terms of how defenses gameplan McVay's offense. And you could also have a guy like Reynolds run those jet sweeps too btw, he's bigger and rangier but has some wheels and can threaten the edge.

People are confusing scheme and the player. This scheme, believe it or not, will still function just fine without Tavon.

 

[Farr Be It]

McVay really has the ability to know his players, and treat them with dignity when things are going well, (Whitworth, Gurley, Goff, Woods, Brockers) when things are not going well, (Tavon, Sammy, Quinn) And when there are off field contract issues, (Donald, Tru).

McVay the Millenial has more maturity and gets it more that many other coaches around the league. (See how the Eli Manning situation is being handled, for example).

I get the impression these players feel that respect. No matter what is happening. They want to play hard. They feel respected. They will want to re-sign to be part of this show.

This will be the foundation people will point to when the Rams win the Super Bowl.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

Tavon's role in this team is to pretend to be apart of it until we cut him in the offseason.

 

[Psycho_X]

I don't really know but it's obvious that McVay has no trust in Tavon in the passing game beyond the line of scrimmage compared to even our rookie WRs. So his value beyond this year has to be questioned. Having said that and with the way Pharoh Cooper is playing in the return game I would love to start trying him out in the screen and behind line of scrimmage game that Tavon eats up currently. Pharoh has instincts for holes that you can't teach and he goes forward and doesn't dance. Would love to get him more time in the offense to see what he can do.

 

[Jacobarch]

Defenses would react similarly to Pharoh executing his responsibilities. And Pharoh would also give us a little yards after contact or be able to run a normal pattern out of the formation.

When Tavon lines up everyone knows he's gonna run one of a limited group of plays. Not so with Pharoh. IMO he would upgrade us in terms of how defenses gameplan McVay's offense. And you could also have a guy like Reynolds run those jet sweeps too btw, he's bigger and rangier but has some wheels and can threaten the edge.

People are confusing scheme and the player. This scheme, believe it or not, will still function just fine without Tavon.

Disagree,

Give TA some room and he's more explosive than Cooper. I've seen TA hit punt returns for TD's plenty of times and he doesnt get the score because some knuckle head holds or blocks in the back. Not TA's doing, they have cleaned that up tho sense then. I'm not gonna argue who's a better player TA or Coop but I think TA serves his purpose.

I've also seen other teams run the end around or gadget plays and it's not nearly as effective as it is for the Rams. I'm gonna give it until the end of the season and see where he is. I also think if McVay keeps him around next year he has a reason and I'll trust his decision over any of ours.

 

[Jacobarch]

PS, Isn't there like 20 other threads about this same exact subject???

 

[SteezyEndo]

Just saw on another thread PC might make it to pro bowl?You know he is going to strive harder now to be even better. Wow, TAs role may become smaller and smaller. Think about it PC has the physicality, he will treat those sweeps as if he is fielding a return, you know he is going to run full force at all times.

 

[Merlin]

I've also seen other teams run the end around or gadget plays and it's not nearly as effective as it is for the Rams. I'm gonna give it until the end of the season and see where he is. I also think if McVay keeps him around next year he has a reason and I'll trust his decision over any of ours.

Tavon's as good as gone, it's going to be a football/money decision. I don't hate the dude, he's just not a fit nor a good player in this particular scheme and makes way too much money for what he provides. That isn't gonna change, so don't expect McVay to keep him around.

Right now I guarantee you Sean's thinking about his scheme with someone like Pharoh running those sweeps, and considering that whoever that is can also run actual patterns and catch the ball meaning that DB on him can't focus in on the limited tree you see with Tavon. IMO we are going to see a cutback on Tavon focus as we get nearer and nearer the playoffs. I am certain of that, because McVay isn't willing to sacrifice the team's potency for one guy.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Tavon seems like a great teammate, but he has not been getting it done on the field. Are defenses keying on him so he can't beat them with his speed in space? Are they really that worried about him still? I don't think so.

The best use for Tavon right now is to try to get him in space. The run plays are going nowhere. The Saints ran a great play where they got Kamara wide open just passed the line. As I watched I thought to myself that I hope McVay can work that in for Tavon.