Tavon Austin's open-field juke

[Idgit]

Leaves teammate faking an injury. Even though it was just the punter. Think this guy is the real deal.

Austin, the St. Louis Rams' quick and elusive first-round draft choice, staggered Hekker with a series of moves that unfolded as quickly as the eye could track.

The sequence was comical, and Hekker, left leaning awkwardly toward the sideline as Austin raced past him to the inside, knew he was going to hear it from teammates. There wasn't much Hekker could do at this point, so he dropped to the ground and clutched his hamstring in a lighthearted attempt to invite some sympathy.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/101964/tavon-austins-open-field-juke-other-notes

 

[MonsterD]

People saying he is too short to play on the outside are ridiculous, watch what he does this season.

 

[WV Cowboy]

People saying he is too short to play on the outside are ridiculous, watch what he does this season.

Everyone will love the Sunday highlight shows of Tavon.

 

[Eskimo]

I was really hoping he would fall to us because everyone people think he is too short and too small.

I envisioned him playing slot WR but also sometimes lining up at RB on 3rd and intermediate distances as he could run the ball or pose a huge mismatch as a RB coming out of the backfield vs a LB. You could do this out of a 12 package even so the defense has to stay big but then you can move pieces around to create huge mismatches.

Anyhow, I wish the kid luck and hope he gives them fits in SF and Seattle.

 

[Hardline]

One big shot from a safety and his season will be over.

 

[big dog cowboy]

One big shot from a safety and his season will be over.

Not much to cushion a big hit. He will get singled out for that especially if he proves to be a good one.

 

[17yearsandcounting]

I was really hoping he would fall to us because everyone people think he is too short and too small.

I envisioned him playing slot WR but also sometimes lining up at RB on 3rd and intermediate distances as he could run the ball or pose a huge mismatch as a RB coming out of the backfield vs a LB. You could do this out of a 12 package even so the defense has to stay big but then you can move pieces around to create huge mismatches.

Anyhow, I wish the kid luck and hope he gives them fits in SF and Seattle.

Because we needed to spend another 1st round pick on a WR. Who is small. That will surely fix the running game and redzone issues!

Jerry loves you.

 

[Idgit]

Because we needed to spend another 1st round pick on a WR. Who is small. That will surely fix the running game and redzone issues!

Jerry loves you.

I'd have taken him in a heart beat if he'd fallen, too. Teams are built around special players, and he's going to be one.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'd have taken him in a heart beat if he'd fallen, too. Teams are built around special players, and he's going to be one.

He might be special but I question the longevity of his career at that size.

 

[WV Cowboy]

One big shot from a safety and his season will be over.

Good luck getting that one big shot.

It may take a dirty blindside hit, or a late shot to get him.

 

[Nova]

Good luck getting that one big shot.

It may take a dirty blindside hit, or a late shot to get him.

Or just something like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lExcybB0iuM

I mean, I expect that this kid may be more swift than Jackson, he won't always be put in the best position to not get rocked.

Like someone mentioned above, I too, question his longevity.

 

[Idgit]

He might be special but I question the longevity of his career at that size.

That's fair. I think, if he ends up not being an impact player over his career, that'll be the reason why. But I'd still have taken a chance on him.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Or just something like this...

Like someone mentioned above, I too, question his longevity.

So that's it? You search your archives and find one play where a small guy gets hit hard, and that proves TA's longevity.

I guess.

 

[Hardline]

Good luck getting that one big shot.

It may take a dirty blindside hit, or a late shot to get him.

Every WR will occasionally take a big shot. He won't be an exception.

 

[DFWJC]

Leaves teammate faking an injury. Even though it was just the punter. Think this guy is the real deal.

He got picked 8th overall, so he absolutely must end up being the real deal or it will be a big disappointment.

Should be fun to see how it works out.

As for the Rams in general, al I can say is "look out" because they could be pretty good.

 

[jrumann59]

He will not be seeing a lot of punters looking to tackle him on a normal defensive series.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

He will not be seeing a lot of punters looking to tackle him on a normal defensive series.

He saw plenty of defenders, not punters, trying to tackle him from schools in the Big East, ACC, Big 12 and SEC.

Including some DBs from LSU like Honey Badger, Our own Mo, Peterson and Eric Reid when WVU played them two different years.

He did not miss ONE game during his college career. Nor did he miss a Practice.

You don't gain the number of yards on Returns, in the receiving game and in the run game by only going against punters.

 

[jrumann59]

He saw plenty of defenders, not punters, trying to tackle him from schools in the Big East, ACC, Big 12 and SEC.

Including some DBs from LSU like Honey Badger, Our own Mo, Peterson and Eric Reid when WVU played them two different years.

He did not miss ONE game during his college career. Nor did he miss a Practice.

You don't gain the number of yards on Returns, in the receiving game and in the run game by only going against punters.

I agree but making a story about juking the jock strap off a punter is not that impressive. He will get his yards but he will be going against "professional" tacklers also they will get their hits and tackles on him. NCAA is more about athleticism so technique, angles, and pursuit at the next level wil be a little tougher. I do not doubt his talent I just think crowning him the next Hester is premature. Not to mention with the changes to rules for KR and the fact teams will not punt to him I hope he is more D-Jax as a receiver than Cribbs or Hester as a receiver.

 

[Nova]

So that's it? You search your archives and find one play where a small guy gets hit hard, and that proves TA's longevity.

I guess.

I mean, I could find more examples like the gruesome hit that broke Johnny Knox's back, ending his career, but my goal isn't to shock or relive haunted memories.


It was just an example. Football is still a violent game and small guys still have a rough go of things. The thing about open space in the NFL, it has to be created and often times doesn't exist. Offensive coordinators aren't just going to send this kid streaking up the sidelines, they're going to use him wherever they see fit... bubble screens, slants, maybe even line him up in the backfield and string him out on a swing pass to get rocked by Patrick Willis, ala Sheldon Brown v Reggie Bush.

Anyway, my example doesn't prove anything... I just question his longevity, especially in the rough and tough division the AFCW as become.

 

[WV Cowboy]

He saw plenty of defenders, not punters, trying to tackle him from schools in the Big East, ACC, Big 12 and SEC.

Including some DBs from LSU like Honey Badger, Our own Mo, Peterson and Eric Reid when WVU played them two different years.

He did not miss ONE game during his college career. Nor did he miss a Practice.

You don't gain the number of yards on Returns, in the receiving game and in the run game by only going against punters.

They will see what we have seen.