Austin's fumbling problem - breakdown

[waldoputty]

apparently, austin's fumbling problem is when he receives punts.
this trend is consistent for his career.

last year, with 72 receptions + carries, he had 1 fumble.
in punt returns, he fumbled 4 times in 12 attempts.
in kickoff returns, 0 fumbles.

so run austin in jet sweeps and other carries.
just dont let him return punts.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...owboys-getting-in-tavon-austin-and-jihad-ward

 

[Billyd]

I missed that abouf him..Its flat skerry..Five years and every year 3-5 fumbles..17 over the span, and the rams reupped him anyway..

Fortunately im sure they are aware and further they traded for his rb skills,and recieving ...They will integrate him into the third down package and the short pass game. They know what they want from him..

LAST i think Rams spc teams must suck bad to keep putting someone there who puts it on the carpet like that..Another player they didnt know how to use!

 

[reddyuta]

I am almost certain he wont be our PR,even the Rams had somebody else do it and one of the reasons they traded him..

 

[Billyd]

Only thing i saw was three tds on pr maybe the first year..lol..His speed is special.

GARRETT will have none of that!

 

[beware_d-ware]

I think they see Austin more as a Dunbar style receiving back and less as a Lucky style return man.

It seems weird that they'd cut Switzer if they weren't going to have Austin return though. Even if Switzer didn't play a single snap on offense, he was signed for like $600K, you're not going to find a cheaper punt returner anywhere. And he was showing some real potential at it aside from some boneheaded decision making.

 

[Melonfeud]

I've got nothing for this, guys!
other than his prior history doesn't equate to the + side in the odds/percentages column,,, but,,,it's anybody's guess at this stage,J.G. might absolutely become giddy at the prospect of him being the p.r. from what he sees in T.C.

 

[speedkilz88]

I think they see Austin more as a Dunbar style receiving back and less as a Lucky style return man.

It seems weird that they'd cut Switzer if they weren't going to have Austin return though. Even if Switzer didn't play a single snap on offense, he was signed for like $600K, you're not going to find a cheaper punt returner anywhere. And he was showing some real potential at it aside from some boneheaded decision making.

They traded Switzer.

 

[beware_d-ware]

They traded Switzer.

Thanks for the catch. It was pretty much just a dump though, Jihad Ward has done nothing through 2 years in his career.

 

[Captain43Crash]

I think they see Austin more as a Dunbar style receiving back and less as a Lucky style return man.

It seems weird that they'd cut Switzer if they weren't going to have Austin return though. Even if Switzer didn't play a single snap on offense, he was signed for like $600K, you're not going to find a cheaper punt returner anywhere. And he was showing some real potential at it aside from some boneheaded decision making.

Switzer miss judged the ball way to often. He cost us 10-15 yards at least half a dozen times or more letting the ball hit the ground on punt returns. Also, I didn’t like when after his stupid play/fumble in the Rams game he rationalized it, and said, “that’s what makes me great”. We don’t need that kind of great. That being said, I don’t want Tavon Austin returning punts this year. I’d rather have Beasley calling fair catches every time.

 

[CWR]

Isnt Thompson a return man as well?

 

[AdamJT13]

Only five of Austin's fumbles on punt returns resulted in turnovers. Three of them came on muffed catches within a few weeks last season, which is why the Rams changed punt returners.

For reference, we've had four lost fumbles on punt returns over the span of Austin's career (2013-2017).

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Only five of Austin's fumbles on punt returns resulted in turnovers. Three of them came on muffed catches within a few weeks last season, which is why the Rams changed punt returners.

For reference, we've had four lost fumbles on punt returns over the span of Austin's career (2013-2017).

I find that encouraging. I was worried that he was taking hits and with his diminutive frame was coughing the ball up. Unless he has the yips we can work on fielding punts.

 

[AdamJT13]

Of his 17 fumbles on punt returns, 13 of them were muffed catches. He recovered eight of those himself, and another went out of bounds. Opponents recovered four of them.

Only four were fumbles during the return. He recovered three of them, and opponents recovered one.

 

[beware_d-ware]

Switzer miss judged the ball way to often. He cost us 10-15 yards at least half a dozen times or more letting the ball hit the ground on punt returns. Also, I didn’t like when after his stupid play/fumble in the Rams game he rationalized it, and said, “that’s what makes me great”. We don’t need that kind of great. That being said, I don’t want Tavon Austin returning punts this year. I’d rather have Beasley calling fair catches every time.

Oh yeah, for sure. He made some really stupid plays. But I was hoping the coaches could work on that. I mean, how hard is it to teach him "if you're 7 yards deep in the end zone, don't take the ball out"?

 

[waldoputty]

I've got nothing for this, guys!
other than his prior history doesn't equate to the + side in the odds/percentages column,,, but,,,it's anybody's guess at this stage,J.G. might absolutely become giddy at the prospect of him being the p.r. from what he sees in T.C.

kickoffs typically are from 35 yard line - so typically defenders typically have to run 65 yards.
average punt distance is significantly less than 65 yards.
that gives the returner more time before the defenders get near.

 

[gmoney112]

Of his 17 fumbles on punt returns, 13 of them were muffed catches. He recovered eight of those himself, and another went out of bounds. Opponents recovered four of them.

Only four were fumbles during the return. He recovered three of them, and opponents recovered one.

Do you have a fumble rate comparison? Ie. % of fumbles per attempted return, or something similar?

 

[Bullflop]

Austin's history of fumbling punt returns is beyond scary. It only takes one to lose a game for you. They'll probably give him some PRs in training camp anyway, though. I'd rather see someone else handle the punt returns and use him for other things. Deonte Thompson has had some experience returning punts. Seems to me like the staff would be wise to try him out for that.

 

[buybuydandavis]

last year, with 72 receptions + carries, he had 1 fumble.
in punt returns, he fumbled 4 times in 12 attempts.
in kickoff returns, 0 fumbles.

Looking at career data:
5 fumbles in 378 offensive touches = 1.32%
17 fumbles in 158 punt returns - ha!

https://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/rushing-fumble-rates/2016/
Zeke was at 1.6% fumbles for runs in 2016
So the offensive touch fumble rate is fine

The punt return rate is a joke. A bad joke.

Is it possible we'll be stupid enough to use him as a punt returner? I wouldn't put it past this crew.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I think they see Austin more as a Dunbar style receiving back and less as a Lucky style return man.

It seems weird that they'd cut Switzer if they weren't going to have Austin return though. Even if Switzer didn't play a single snap on offense, he was signed for like $600K, you're not going to find a cheaper punt returner anywhere.

Austin seems more like a Whitehead than a Dunbar - more of a gimmick WR than a gimmick RB. A much better Whitehead.

Switzer's one fumble was not really his fault. Woods was blocked into interfering with him as the ball came down. They showed Garrett complaining about it to the refs in All or Nothing.

I'm guessing they just didn't see enough to like in Switzer last year as a potential replacement for Beasley.

I do wonder who will return punts, though. I'm not really concerned. Crayton was very good and a converted QB.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

Thanks for the catch. It was pretty much just a dump though, Jihad Ward has done nothing through 2 years in his career.

Still straching my head on this deal. Instead of drafting one and had a lot chances, they trade for this guy.