While I don't necessarily agree, the general definition around this Board is that whatever a player is "worth" is defined by the size of his contract.
So if Tavon gets $12 mil, he's worth $12 mil is the logic. I don't think so, but then again I often run against the grain, here.

Here's the thing: Tavon Austin is a very unique player. He may be the best combination of pure speed and quickness in the NFL. If he catches a ball in a moderately open space, it's over. It's a TD. So why not more yards and more TD's?

I point directly to Fisher. He drafts a non-conventional game changing pinball-smurf like Austin, and then uses him like a 210 lb. possession receiver, a run of the mill slot receiver who runs sit-down zones in front of LBs, and a tailback who runs between the Tackles. Fisher sticks to his ultra-conservative Offense with all the imagination of Roger Goodell.

My tiny (and I mean TINY) glimmer of hope is that Stan has perhaps made it clear that he needs an exciting winning team in LA in order to be successful. And that we did see better more imaginative use of Austin when Boros became OC. And the addition of a passing game co-ordinator/WR coach that did NOT come out of the Friends of Fisher coaching tree. A younger guy (Groh) who had some upbringing under coaches known for more creative, pass-oriented offenses. And the all-in move to draft one of the most prolific young passing QBs in recent years.

My belief is that despite all the rhetoric from Fisher about Gurley, in fact you don't mortgage two drafts and take a guy based on his gaudy passing expertise, and then turn him into a Trent Dilfer game manager/super hander-offer. And with what few draft picks you have you pick up 2 WRs and 2 TEs. On the other hand, that is exactly what Fisher did when he spent a high first and second rounder to get Austin. Perhaps he's learned from it.....or at least been taken to the woodshed about it.

The problem remains: do we really have the coaches who can develop these guys? And do we have an HC that will allow the O to be run as aggressively and somewhat independently (from him) as the D is run by GW? The evidence to this point is largely NO. However recent happenings at least imply a possible tweaking of the O towards 21st Century football.

We'll see. But if indeed change is afoot on O, I want Tavon Austin in my offense. So one year at $12 mil with no long term commitment doesn't bother me.