Tavon Austin

[BigSyke]

^^ That's nice to hear. Do you have any in depth tape on Austin? I just keep finding highlights.I really want play by play tape so I can really get a good feel for his strengths and weaknesses.

[Bronn]

^^ That's nice to hear. Do you have any in depth tape on Austin? I just keep finding highlights.I really want play by play tape so I can really get a good feel for his strengths and weaknesses.

This is part of the problem.

There are a lot of WVU homers here telling you that he's an all around weapon... They've seen most, if not all, of his games...

But as soon as one of them wants to argue the value Tavon has, it is somehow their fault and burden to prove something to you (someone who obviously hasn't watched all those plays)...

Basically, this topic has now become as polarizing as religion in the Tinderbox... Either people think Austin will be a star, or people think he's not worth the hype...

It is pretty pointless to keep arguing it until he's in the league and someone can come back and say "told you so"... so I don't get why you have to go all bold and CAPS LOCK when you want to defend your point...

[Woodie]

^^ That's nice to hear. Do you have any in depth tape on Austin? I just keep finding highlights.I really want play by play tape so I can really get a good feel for his strengths and weaknesses.

Not really. I've just seen his highlights and have read up on him. That's why I am only cautiosly optimistic about him. If I had 1st hand experience watching him I might be more certain.

Really, it's the same way with all the likely prospects for us though. Since I didn't know who we might be looking at for the draft, I didn't know to pay special attention to them during the college season, so now have to rely on highlights, reports, and other people that actually did pay more attention than me. Usually ESPNU replays some college football games leading up to the draft, so I am hoping they play some games from our key targets (at least the ones we fans perceive to be key targets).

[BigSyke]

Tavon has a 32 inch vertical leap.

Smith has a 38 inch vertical leap.

[BigSyke]

This is part of the problem.

There are a lot of WVU homers here telling you that he's an all around weapon... They've seen most, if not all, of his games...

But as soon as one of them wants to argue the value Tavon has, it is somehow their fault and burden to prove something to you (someone who obviously hasn't watched all those plays)...

Basically, this topic has now become as polarizing as religion in the Tinderbox... Either people think Austin will be a star, or people think he's not worth the hype...

It is pretty pointless to keep arguing it until he's in the league and someone can come back and say "told you so"... so I don't get why you have to go all bold and CAPS LOCK when you want to defend your point...

Fair enough. But all I'm asking for NOW is in depth tape so I can see for MYSELF.

[Woodie]

Tavon has a 32 inch vertical leap.

Smith has a 38 inch vertical leap.

That's the biggest issue I have with him on the outside, he won't be winning any jump balls. But on the other hand, he is quicker and faster than Smitty, so he would still be dangerous. That's why ultimately I think he'll be a guy that plays everywhere and will be hell for the defense to match up with.

[jungleking]

LOL. No one passes by a guy with 4.3 that is 6'3-6'6.....yeah I would understand you guys then. I would look crazy LOL...

Remember Percy went into the late 20's, D-Jack went into the 2nd round and Smitty went into the 3rd round. Look at Mike Wallace and guys like TY Hilton, they all went in lower rounds. I just feel like a lot of you guys are over hyping Tavon's round selection.

But Tavon is not that big man. How much does he weigh? And Percy benched 225 19 times if I recall right.

Also NFL safeties hit way harder man. I still question Tavon's ability to hold up in this league. Just because you stayed healthy in college does not mean you will stay healthy in the NFL.....I mean there are a lot of examples.

Percy slipped into the late 20s with less speed, injury concerns, and the revelation that he used marijuana to deal with a chronic migraine problem. He failed three drug tests at Florida if I'm remembering right. He does weigh about twenty pounds more, but injuries were already a concern.

Tavon was the most productive guy in the nation last year. He's versatile, and his style perfectly matches the NFL rule changes. He's essentially a faster Darren Sproles.

His size does bother me, though. Sproles, Harvin, and the other 'little' guys in the NFL still all went about 190 around draft time. If Gettleman, Rivera, and the training staff trust him, I'm okay with it. But yes, I'm concerned about that. I just know he can produce if he can stay on the field.

[Squirrel]

There is tape of complete WVU games on youtube, as far as brakdown tape just of Austin I havent seen any.

I will agree his size scares me. I've seen him take some good hit and popup back up. But nothing that was extremely hard.

[Squirrel]

Right now he is in the reggie bush model except as a wr. Versastile but needs a coach to use him properly.

[Bronn]

Right now he is in the reggie bush model except as a wr. Versastile but needs a coach to use him properly.

This is a more comparable player. The biggest difference being that Bush was a college RB that was asked to be a slot WR in the pros, while Austin was a RB that was asked to primarily be a WR+++ in college (to his benefit.)

Honestly, a fair assessment Austin is a faster/quicker Reggie Bush type player, that has an exceptional advantage at running routes and catching the ball.

We can sit here and argue about being able to jump 6 inches higher or run an agility drill in a quarter of a second less. But you can't measure heart, character, and work ethic... all of which Austin scores off the chart in my book. I think that can translate more to success in the NFL than combine measurables. I haven't seen anything that leads me to believe that Austin has any cares for the "fame" aspect either, whereas some guys like Bush are seemingly all about that.

[Who Said What?]

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[rayzor]

thought this was interesting...from greg cossell interview re: WRs

On West Virginia’s Tavon Austin

COSELL: He may be one of my favorite players in this draft. I would draft this kid in the top 10 or 12 of the draft. I think this is where the league is going. It’s now become a passing-space league. The old, conventional concepts of how to use receivers – he’s an X, he’s Z, he’s a slot – I think that’s a little old school. I think Austin fits where this league is going. You don’t just line him up in one place. A lot of people are saying he’s going to have trouble getting off press coverage. Of course he will. He’s small. But that’s not how you use him. There’s no more explosive, dynamic player in this draft than Austin. Look at the Seahawks and Percy Harvin. They wouldn’t have given up what they did just for a receiver. I think they’ve got a plan, and I think that’s the way you’ve got to deal with Austin.

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/2013/03/inside-the-49ers/cosell-breaks-down-the-best-wrs-in-the-draft/

[BigSyke]

Yeah, but I think Newton needs a intermediate target to deep threat, that is kinda of tall. Patton is 6'2 with his uniform on and also can play x,y or slot. Newton is still having trouble with short passes. He's not as surgical as Brady in the middle of the field yet, but he can definitely get there.

I wish he would have said how Tavon would hold up in this league when it comes to him constantly getting hit.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

I wish he would have said how Tavon would hold up in this league when it comes to him constantly getting hit in the butt...however I am supportive to all lifestyles.

How has Percey Harvin held up? Or Smitty, Emmanual Sanders, D Jax...Tavon never missed a practice in college and played with numerous injuries so his toughness is one of his best attributes.

Im pretty sure Andre Johnson, Roddy White, Colston have missed a few games...what does it have to do with anything? No one is immune from injury..Austin has no history of them either.