Les Snead explains why Tavon Austin struggled in Sean McVay's offense

Les Snead explains why Tavon Austin struggled in Sean McVay's offense

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By: Cameron DaSilva | April 29, 2018 2:00 pm ET

video: [theramswire.usatoday.com]

After a few months of uncertainty, contract restructuring and discussing his role, the Los Angeles Rams traded Tavon Austin on Saturday during the NFL Draft. It came one month after he reworked his contract, eliminating the final years of his deal and converting $3 million into incentives for 2018.

The Rams recouped a sixth-round pick and saved about $1 million in guaranteed money, ending a disappointing era in Los Angeles. Les Snead and Sean McVay had nothing but good things to say about Austin during Saturday’s post-draft press conference, but it had become clear that he wasn’t a fit in L.A. anymore.

“If I were to say anything about one of my favorite human beings on the planet – one of the most competitive, mentally tough, glad I was a part of his life,” Snead said. “Tough to make those decisions.”

So why exactly did Austin fall out of favor with McVay and the coaching staff just two seasons after signing a massive $42 million contract? Well, it wasn’t entirely his fault, given how difficult it was for him to get on the field last offseason.

Wrist surgery in May sidelined him for the better part of the offseason, which was crucial with a new head coach coming in. After that, and after the Rams added Sammy Watkins, Austin couldn’t carve out a role.

“Tavon, unfortunately, when Sean got here, he had the wrist injury and couldn’t get on the field and fell behind,” Snead added. “Unfortunately for him, we kind of moved on in terms of adding people to the roster and by the time he was able to get back, was never really able to get into the rotation. So, we did feel like Tavon deserved a chance to go try to be Tavon.”

Austin played just 228 snaps on offense last season, which was just 22.1 percent. That ranked behind guys like Josh Reynolds and Tyler Higbee, while playing only slightly more than Pharoh Cooper.

McVay said Austin is “clearly an incredible talent” with explosiveness and athleticism. On paper, he seems like he’d be a good fit in just about any offense, but he regressed as a true receiver and was relegated to a backup running back role.

The Cowboys believe they can get him a dozen touches per game, which would make him very happy after seeing just 72 all of last season. Snead said he had received calls about Austin all offseason to see if the Rams were actually going to release him, so the interest was obviously there.

It remains to be seen what his role with the Cowboys will be, but the Rams believe they’re doing right by him with this trade.

“We felt like that opportunity and all things being considered it was the right thing and to do right by him, as well. With the way that he’s handled this last year, because you have so much respect for the human being,” Snead said. “I think that is a credit to Tavon and I think he’ll do good things for the Cowboys under Coach (Jason) Garrett’s and Coach (Scott) Linehan’s leadership.”

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#HelmetHornsMatter

“Well, the color is good, I like the metallic blue,” Youngblood recently said while laughing, via NFL Journal. “The horn is terrible. It looks like a ‘C.’ When I first saw it on the logo I honestly thought it was a Charger logo.

“Now when I see it on the helmet, it just isn’t a ram horn. There is no distinct curl like a mature ram horn. I don’t know how the Rams could get that wrong. That is your symbol and it has been for what? Seventy years or more? Longer than I have been alive? It’s just not us, it’s not the Rams.”---Mr. Ram Jack Youngblood