THOUSAND OAKS – Tavon Austin has moved from fuzzy to foam, and next month he hopes to show the Rams that he can catch pigskin balls, and that he can do so consistently.
It’s been a frustrating offseason for Austin, who needs to quickly prove to new coach Sean McVay that he can be a big-play threat in the Rams’ offense, and that the team can count on him to live up to the massive contract extension he signed last year. Instead, Austin mostly has been a spectator.
After wrist surgery in April, Austin has been a devoted attendee to all the Rams’ offseason-program meetings and practices, which ended Wednesday at Cal Lutheran, but he hopes to be able to fully participate when training camp opens in July, and not just do hand-eye coordination exercises.
“I graduated from tennis balls to Nerf balls, but I’m hanging in there and I’m definitely putting the time in,” Austin said after Wednesday’s mini-camp practice.
Once he returns to the field, where will Austin fit in the Rams’ offense, or will he fit at all?
The former No. 8 overall draft pick signed a four-year, $42 million contract last August, but in four NFL seasons, Austin had yet to total more than 58 catches, 509 yards or five touchdowns.
That’s extremely cost-inefficient in a salary-cap scenario, and the Rams know it. A year from now, they have the ability to trade Austin with a cap hit of only $1 million, so this is a prove-it season for Austin.
“At the end of the day, it will play itself out,” Austin said. “In OTAs and mini-camp, these (teammates) have been balling. For the most part, it isn’t really about me. If I’m in the rotation, I’m in the rotation. If not, I’ll still support the guys like I am in the rotation. I will get my turn, and I’ll definitely make the best of it.”
Perhaps the Rams simply haven’t been using Austin in the proper way.
Austin’s size (5-foot-8, 176 pounds) seemingly limit his role, but previous coach Jeff Fisher and his long list of offensive coordinators seemed to use Austin as something of a gadget player.
Most of Austin’s touches came on short passes, on slants or screens, or on sweeps out of the backfield. The thought, somewhat reasonable, was that Austin could use his speed to turn small plays into big ones.
It didn’t really work. In 2016, Austin was targeted on 107 of the Rams’ 536 pass plays, but he caught only 58 passes and averaged only 8.8 yards per reception.
McVay and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur have different ideas for Austin. They’ve talked, informally, about using him more as a traditional deep threat, the way McVay, as Washington’s offensive coordinator, used DeSean Jackson.
Or perhaps Austin could emulate Jamison Crowder, a more consistent target who led Washington with seven receiving touchdowns last season. Either way, the onus is on Austin to show the Rams he can thrive in a variety of downfield routes.
“I’m just the type of guy who, I want the ball in my hands any type of way,” Austin said. “I don’t care if you give it to me vertically or jet sweeps or whatever. It doesn’t really matter to me. I just want the ball in my hands, any time I can get it. Whatever they prepare for me, I’ll be ready.”
The process has been slowed. Austin said he couldn’t recall exactly how he hurt his wrist, but he was only able to participate in three offseason practices before surgery.
McVay said he expects all Rams, including Austin, to be able to participate when training camp opens in Irvine on July 29. That means Austin will have approximately six weeks, before the Sept. 10 season opener, to show he deserves a major role in the offense.
“I’ve just got to come in and execute it now, however they’re going to use me,” Austin said. “If they’re going to use me like the old DeSean or the old Crowder, I’m definitely up for the challenge. Whenever I get back out there, I’ll definitely do my thing.”
DONE EARLY
The Rams had been scheduled for a third and final mini-camp practice Thursday, but McVay called it off Wednesday, apparently as a pleasant surprise to players.
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald attended Wednesday’s practice but once again did not join any position or full-team drills. Donald ran with a trainer on the sideline.
Rookie receiver Cooper Kupp, who suffered an apparent back injury while making a catch in Tuesday’s practice, was a full participant Wednesday.
HELPING HAND
Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff will serve as the chairman of the 2017-18 United Way campaign. Elise Buik, the organization’s CEO, announced the appointment Wednesday.
Demoff, who has a long associtation with United Way, said he intends to “use the power of football” and involve the Rams in a number of the charity’s efforts, including work with local schools and shelters and job-training programs. The Rams will hold their annual charity luncheon in August.
