I have said in the past I would love to have tavon austin as our slot wr.I know its just the combine but he just ran a 4.25.Imagine wallace on the outside,austin in the slot,and miller in the backfield and we just went from the slowest skill postions to probally the fastest in one off season.The problem is austin might have just snuck into the first round for the ****ing pats to steal after welker leaves.
Polian just described his as "not an everydown player". have to use him judiciously. he did compare him to Desean Jackson IIRC.
Desean jackson is an every down player and I think is austin will be better.As for him being cocky thats the nature of the position. I would not take him at 12 but would be willing to trade up to get him with our 2nd pick.
Anyone who gets elevated due to combine performance scares me. I like to look at the combine only to confirm a rating or move a prospect down. Chad Jackson scares me.
I don't think Austin is being elevated due to his combine performance. He was a very productive player who looks very fast and dynamic on the field. His combine performance just shows that he is every bit as fast as he looks.
Exactly, he is not another one trick pony like ted ginn.Great lateral quickness and vision with the ball in his hands.He is what we currently lack a playmaker!
What was his consensus draft position before the combine? He's always been bottom of first, top of 2nd round from what I've seen. But if he starts sneaking into the middle of the first I'd be weary.
I'ts been 7 years since the Pats drafted a wide receiver in the first 2 rounds Chad Jackson in the second round of the 2006 draft and before that it was the 2nd round of the 2003 draft. I'm thinking that the Pats have and will fix their wide receiver issues either through free agents of late round as history has shown
I would seriously consider him at 12. The man can play. We need speed and play makers. He qualifies.............and yes I know I'm in the vast minority.
Just remember, Miami was watching Pat White in '09 when Austin was a freshman, and now the word is this season Ireland was seen at one or more WVU games. Ireland very easily might've had his eye on Austin for 4 years now b/c it's difficult to not notice Tavon's electrifying KO return TD vs UConn and deep ball TD catch vs Eastern Carolina his freshman year. You see those 2 plays and you make a notation of it, "keep an eye on this Tavon Austin kid next year"....... and if you start tracking Austin it'd be impossible to not take notice of Stedman Bailey, so I could see Ireland thinking Austin is his first choice with Bailey emerging as a desirable fall back option.
I mean, I would take this guy over Wallace... he can do the same thing, go deep and draw the secondary away... and hey he might catch them, who knows?
Where does Philbin fit into this? We've been talking a lot about what he packers like to do with their receivers lately. What can we do with Austin in this offense? Maybe play some RB in the read option (which we may or may not run more of). OK. We could use him as a slot receiver. Then what do we do with Bess? Long term, I think Bess is out. As of now, he's the only legitimate receiver signed to the team. OK, so we have Austin in the slot. He can't play the other receiver positions, limiting what can do on offense as far as giving teams different looks. Austin doesn't really fit. And frankly, I think he's too small @ 5'9" 173lbs. Even if Ireland likes him, I don't see it. Swope is practically a Miami Dolphin. I (and most everyone else) thought this was a possibility with the Philbin-Sherman-Tannehill connection Tanny and Swope are BFF. Swope was a highly productive player at A&M. And after his 4.34 forty, it's all but a guarantee he goes 2a, IMO. 2b at worst. Unless NE finds a way to get a hold of him first, to replace Welker. The question is whether or not we go WR in round 1 too or double up in round 2, or one in the 2nd (Swope) and one in the 3rd. Either scenario leaves Austin, out.
You are forgetting they have the ammunition to move up if they really want him late in the first round.
Feels weird to be in the main forum, I've had a great time in the draft forum for the last four days, been a lotta fun.. Austin is legit man..freaking dude is a football player with absolute dynamite shooting out of his ***...built like a lil tank..all nasty quick twitch fibers going on in that man.
I think I'd be OK w/ drafting Austin at 12, if that's what it takes to get him. That said, if Ireland really wants him, and thinks he can get him late in the first, or early second through a trade up, then fine, do it. But I think I've had it w/ prognosticators knocking the kid for being short, and saying that's why he can't go early in the first. Haven't we already dispensed w/ this whole "too short" BS now after Russel Wilson? Christ, that kid had first-round talent through and through, but his height pushes him back two rounds. Absolutely absurd in retrospect. I think a ton of teams will be kicking themselves when this kid is shown on highlights each week next year. An absolute playmaker in every sense of the word. Why WOULDN'T I want him on my team, and to the original poster's point - why on earth would I want Tom Brady to have this kid as a weapon!
[video=youtube;TxzPryPMB74]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxzPryPMB74[/video] I know this game was insane, and nobody played defense, but this is the type of player we're talking bout here. Two words: "Man" and "Crush".
He's a guy for whom I don't think consensus draft position means much. Some people/teams will discard him on the rationale that he is too small and doesn't fit what they do/need and others will be infatuated with his speed, quickness and playmaking ability. If you fall into the latter camp, you grab him if he's available to you in the middle of the first regardless of what others think because he almost certainly won't be there at your next pick and there's not really a great alternative if you want that kind of player. The Percy Harvin comparison is pretty easy to see, although they are certainly not identical, but Austin doesn't have the migraine and character issues (as far as I know). Without those issues, Harvin is worth a mid-first IMO.
There are a lot of WR that have speed. This guy has the quickness WITH the speed that most others dont have. Barring injury, its hard to imagine him not being a nightmare for defenses for years to come. I dont care about his height. We had a couple of really good WR who were around 5'9".
well, Philbin used Cobb as sort of an Xfactor in GB who was a similar type player at Kentucky (WR, RB, KR/PR). Green Bay's slot receivers the past few years (Cobb & Jennings) have led the team in targets, so I think you may be selling short his impact from the slot b/c it could be viewed as a starting position based on how actively the Packers have used the position. If we have Austin who cares what we do with Bess, no? Bess is not a priority IMO. You let Bess walk after next year or trade him this year. I disagree about Austin not being able to play the other receiver positions. There's little difference between him and DeSean Jackson (169 pounds at the Combine) other than Austin has had such a diverse role at WVU that there simply wasn't enough time in the day to develop himself as an outside receiver as well. Not to mention Tavon is much stronger than Jackson and has a better 3 cone and probably a better shuttle. The kid can play all over the field and brings tremendous versatility to the offense IMO, and there are few if any slot guys in the league who can stretch the middle of the field quite like Austin can. He's a strong route runner and just needs some time to develop his route running ability on the outside. I actually think he's a great fit for our offense. Plus we need playmakers.
I do not take him with our first round pick. I do take him later in the first round. If he is around still in the 20's I'd move up for him.... Again, it all depends on free agency. We might enter the draft with our receiving group close to set. If we walk into Draft Day with Jennings (or Wallace or Bowe), Hartline and Bess I would let the draft come to us but I would not even consider a receiver in the first round. This is what I want too happen of course because I want an edge rusher, linebacker, corner or offensive lineman with our first round pick. Oh yah, we need a tight end as well. That is the trade up target in my opinion. I think we end up picking two players in the first round.
I don't think 5'9 is terrible. It's the weight that concerns me. Is he durable enough to play 16 plus change per year at that size? While Swope isn't as dynamic, he's obviously quick, 6' tall, bout 200lbs, and apparently 4.3 straight line speed. With his relationship professionally and personally with Tannehill and Sherman, his ability to fit right in to this offense and play inside or out, I think he's a better choice. It makes too much sense. Swope at 2b and another WR at 3a (Bailey or Patton ideally) is really a home run for us at the wide receiver position. I'm not willing to gamble with Austin. We need bread and butter WR's on this team, yesterday.
Interesting points about GB's use of the slot. I'll concede that point. That being said, Cobb and Jenning's are much bigger WR's who can handle the slot and go outside when needed. Is that Austin? At this point no. In the future? Maybe. Not a gamble I'm willing to take. We need complete WR's at this point. I agree. How do they fit together this season? DeSean Jackson can't stay healthy. He's becoming a concussion case and has had plenty of other nagging injuries as a result of his size. Agreed. We need playmakers. So why not pass on Austin, who at this time is more of a niche player who may develop into more (if he can stay healthy at the NFL level), and draft Swope and Bailey/Patton/etc... All those guys possess play making qualities, are bigger, and more complete WR's right now and possibly in the future? I don't think Austin's value is that great with the depth of this years class.
The two most important factors in minimizing risk to injury is have enough elusiveness to avoid contact, and to have the build and bone density that is strong, he has both.
I didn't bring Jackson into the debate, just commented on another's example. 173 lbs is 173 lbs. It's worrisome, is all I'm saying. Again, there are plenty of great options for us to choose from at WR position from rounds 2-4. These guys are more complete receivers who can play inside and out, right now. While Tavon seems like an awesome kid personally and athletically, he's a niche player at this moment. Maybe could develop into more. If you're a team with a decent base at WR, he's the kind of guy you want to look at. I suspect Seattle, Washington, Carolina, ATL, Denver, and Arizona to be highly interested. Maybe a dark horse team like Miami/NE/NO/Etc... takes a shot. If Miami had two skilled receivers, I think he might be worth the gamble. We don't. He's not. If we do draft him, I'll hope for the best.
I merely comparing the difference in body composition between two players that weigh the same and how that related to injury or lack thereof.
I had been following him here and there when I could catch WVU games, but this performance ultimately sealed the deal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxzPryPMB74 Look at the way he quickly and effortlessly makes cuts from side to side. Essentially he is a Percy Harvin type player: can line up at RB, slot receiver, and return kicks/punts. Draft stock was, if I am not mistaken, always early round 2 because of the deep receiver class and more specifically Patterson, Hunter, etc. Reason he was not a "1st WR off the board" type of prospect is his height; he is the prototypical slot receiver. The other thing I love about this guy is his intelligence. Check out the OK game for instance: he picks his holes well against a good defense coming into that game and seemingly always switches the ball from one hand to the other depending on what side of the field he is on to avoid turnovers. Smart football player from the looks of it. Edit: My bad, DolfanTom posted the video above.
Tavon's has great highlight reels. They're fun and impressive to watch. The holes and space he's running in don't exist in the NFL. Go watch Reggie Bush at USC for example. While I like Reggie (and want him resigned), he's never replicated those highlight reels in the NFL. Not his fault, he's just playing in a much faster and stronger league. Still a very good player. Just not USC good.
Than Cordarelle Pattersons ability to run after the catch diminishes, which then diminishes his biggest strength..
With his speed and elusiveness, interesting to see what we can do with him as a HB as seen in that Oklahoma video.
I'd pick up Swope and Austin in this draft and go right to lunch without an ounce of guilt. I'd even order the 22 oz. Ribeye.
^^ Real talk...About having a ribeye... I'll say this man, Austin looks to me like he's the most explosive receiver in this draft class. I know size is an issue but players like Austin never absorb a full knock out hit or rarely do I should say. He's amazing in the open field in the mold of Eric Metcalf and I would roll the dice on him at 12. Thing is Cordarelle Patterson looks like he's going to be pretty good too. Davone Bess is already a great slot receiver and Tavon Austin would have to play that spot. Patterson on the other hand is a bona fide potentially number one target. Big, strong, fast in the open field and has drawn comparison to Julio Jones. Julio Jones may be the second best receiver in football next season behind Calvin Johnson. For me it's Patterson at 12 without a doubt if he's there. Austin is someone I look at in the second round but i'm afraid he's going in the first at this point. Houston, New England...I don't think he gets by those teams. Stedman Bailey is our ace in the hole or should be for that matter. Lets be real we aren't signing Greg Jennings, Mike Wallace, or both (BS), however if we walk away from this draft with Patterson/Austin or Patterson/Bailey it will be every bit as good imo as signing Mike Wallace or Greg Jennings by themselves. Austin no doubt is my favorite player in this draft class, but we may be better served to draft Patterson who has Julio Jones type upside.
Of course....This is how it will go...With the 12th pick we draft an offensive tackle to play opposite Jon Martin (had to have that Jake Long replacement) thus passing on Patterson who was available along with Jarvis Jones! Jets make a trade and end up stealing Patterson. In the second round what do you know? Holy crap! Tavon Austin is still on the board! We are picking! Pick is in!....And it's a Defensive Tackle..William Gholston from Michigan State...I can hear Philbin now "We were excited to get him with this pick, he benches a lot of weight" Well....We aren't dead yet....Still got that other second rounder.......Bengals are a pick ahead of us...Trade is made...Buffalo swoops in and drafts Stedman Bailey...Damn....Our pick is up......Still got Robert Woods, Justin Hunter, and Zach Ertz, and electric running back Giovanni Bernard still available along with a bunch of skill corners and secondary players...WE CANT GO WRONG! Pick is in................ Jon Bostic LB from Floride...Philbin "He had a great workout and ran really fast, we feel he can be a glue guy for us" Well not all hope is lost.....Mike Wallace is still a free agent. He goes public on ESPN and says "I wanna be a Miami Dolphin yo" "I'll play for cheap yo". We all get super pumped about this and it looks like Mike Wallace might come here after all...... Ireland: So Joe, should we go ahead and do this? The man wants to be a Miami Dolphin, whats not to like? He's fast, can catch, physical...I've got the checkbook ready just say the word Joe. Philbin: Nah, I don't like his attitude. Besides he's got a tattoo and that just turns me off. Besides I told you before that you don't need top flight receivers in my offense. I mean look at Hartline! He got 1000 yards last year....Lets pass. Ireland: Are you sure Joe cuz it looks to me like we need all the help we can get Philbin: Yeah we are good Irish....Rishard Matthews is ready.
