The St. Louis Rams are hoping Nick Foles can bring some much needed stability to the quarterback position and, with it, some improvement to the wide receiving corps. Specifically, the time has come for wide receiver Tavon Austin to make a significant stride in his development.
Austin, 2013's No. 8 overall pick, has failed to live up to expectations during his first two seasons. In that time, Austin has caught just 71 passes for 660 yards and four touchdowns while carrying the ball 45 times for 375 yards (8.3 YPC) and three more scores. He has also been one of St. Louis' primary punt returners over that stretch. While there's no denying Austin's versatility, his production has not matched his talent level.
But Foles' presence has assuaged any concerns head coach Jeff Fisher has with him telling SI.com's Don Banks that Austin is headed for a breakout year and that his "production level should increase."
"There's no doubt in my mind that his production level should increase," Fisher said. "I think one of the key things for us as we move forward is Nick and the fact that he's 6'5" and can see Tavon and get the ball to him. That was the plan with Sam [Bradford is 6'4"], but it didn't happen. He didn't really have Sam throwing him the ball for two years.
"This has nothing to do with Tavon. It's not a reflection on what he's done. Tavon has done everything he possibly can. He's in great shape, and he's highly talented and a passionate teammate. This has been more about the circumstances of our situation. This potentially could be a breakout year for him. Because he's got the potential to win outside and inside."
It seems strange to completely absolve Austin of any responsibility for his lack of production through two seasons. Fisher appears to be placing the blame on the quarterback situation which, to be fair, has been unstable at best. But even Austin will admit that the buck starts and stops with him.
"It can kind of get to you," he said of the bust talk that surrounds him. "But anybody who really knows football, they kind of know what's going on. I've been through four or five quarterbacks in the past two years, and that's not making excuses. But I've had my glimpses, and had my times when I came on. And I had my times when I wasn't playing too much. For the most part, it's out of my hands. All I can do is come in and work hard and hope my number is called."
