Are Tavon Austin’s Expectations Being Set Too High?

Back in April the Rams took somewhat of a risk going up to go get Tavon Austin at number eight overall.

The Rams have not had a 1,000 yard wide receiver, let alone a decent receiver in what seems like forever. There has been a lot of talk about how Austin could end the 1,000 yard receiver drought for the Rams.Austin has zero NFL experience, and is small for a wide receiver.  Austin could become a great player, or turn out to be a bust, you just dont know, but then again you never do. One thing that Austin does have going for him however, is his huge play-making ability, and a huge upside. With Austin being the most exciting player that the Rams have had in quite some time, the bar is already being set high for him to do great things in his rookie season, whether or not he achieves them however, is another story.

This very well could be possible, especially with how I think the offense is going to look. As possible as it may be, it is also highly doubtful, as there have been only seven rookie wide receivers to receive for over 1,000 yards in NFL history. Austin may reach 1,00o yards many times in his career, it may just not be in his rookie season.

Another reason why 1,000 yards may be out of reach is because of the Rams track record and the Rams young wide receiver corps. The Rams havent had a 1,000 yard receiver since Torry Holt, it’s very unlikely that a rookie is going to end the drought. It’s also difficult when the Rams dont really have a veteran receiver on the roster and all the wide receivers are young and still learning. It would be harsh to say the Rams dont have a guy that knows how to receive for over 1,000 yards, but the Rams dont have anybody on the roster who has been there and knows what it takes to receive for over 1,000 yards. A lot of what the Rams receivers do will be a first time for all of them and there will be a lot of figuring things out on their own.

One thing that people forget is that Austin is only a rookie and there will be bumps along the way, every rookie has them and Austin will be no different. Even the RGIII’s and Andrew Luck’s of the world had their rookie moments. There will be moments this season when Tavon Austin will leave you amazed and jumping up and down, but be ready for the moments that will leave you shaking your head and throwing things at the T.V. set.

There has also been a lot of talk that Austin will win rookie of the year. I am also one of those people, and there really isnt any reason not to believe it. Austin was the best offensive player in the draft and should be favored to show why, and be the offensive rookie of the year. The only thing keeping Austin from award would have to be inconsistent play from Sam Bradford or if a quarterback were to win the award. There werent any real big name rookie quarterbacks drafted that will win the award, but with the media worshiping the quarterback position, it’s not something to rule out.

At the end of the season I think 1,000 all-purpose yards is more likely for Austin than 1,000 receiving yards, if anybody is to receive for over 1,000 yards Givens or Cook might be the ones to do it instead. For Austin, if he has between 600 and 850 yards receiving and 6 touchdowns, it should be considered a suc

cess even if he fails to receive the rookie of the year award.  They may or may not be rookie of the year numbers, but they are solid numbers and they would set him up for a good career. Dont be too hard and set this kid up for failure too early Rams fans. As much as we would like him to be an elite player right away, it may take some time, and fans may just have to be patient. Either way Tavon Austin will be an exciting player to watch in 2013

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