Cap Q and Dead $ if we cut Austin "Help a Bro out"

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Austin has shown he is capable of making big plays here or there, but he hasn't shown an ability to be a consistently productive player.

That's the operative word.

 

[1maGoh]

That's on par for what RBs average. I think if Austin is used like Montgomery in GB, Lewis in NE or Woodhead in SD, he would be a very effective player. Just need the right coaches that know how to maximize our players abilities.

Running backs don't start at wide receiver. That's the problem. When is he going to put up the numbers for the position he plays? And if he won't put up the numbers for the position he plays, can we at least play him at the position he puts up the numbers for?

 

[FRO]

That's the operative word.

And until he develops the route running he won't be a consistent player.

 

[Corbin]

Just to be clear to everyone I'm not a Austin hater, I just expect more out of the guy.

I think this board is too quick to blame the coaching and scheme. With the same coaching and scheme Britt was able to reach 1000 yards. The scheme doesn't make Austin run bad routes. The scheme doesn't limit Austin's ability to make a play on the ball. That's 100% on Austin. Until he improves his game it won't matter what the scheme is. Austin has shown he is capable of making big plays here or there, but he hasn't shown an ability to be a consistently productive player.

And until he develops the route running he won't be a consistent player.

I agree there whole heartedly. This is probably the greatest area he needs to focus on with about the only thing to rival a huge need is his hands/concentration drops he has. By no means is he perfect and if he at least sewed up his route running ability he'd be a damned fine player.

I honestly wonder why some active players to actively engage a former player who was knowmnto excel in the players given struggling areas. It seems there is not enough of this going on anymore.

 

[bwdenverram]

Say what you all want but Austin is the best offensive weapon we have, period. Hard to evaluate him this year when we had the worst offense ever. I mean Gurley didn't even get 900 yards rushing, does he suck ?
I get the $$ discussion and he's never going to be a #1 but if we had an offensive line and TE's that could actually block and an OC that knew how to be inventive he could be pretty amazing. Yet we run the same plays over and over. Not hard to diagnose if you're a defensive player. Look at the play that was called back this Sunday. How many of those and punt returns have we seen called back because of shitty execution or dumb penalties? Just saying..

 

[jrry32]

Just to be clear to everyone I'm not a Austin hater, I just expect more out of the guy.

I think this board is too quick to blame the coaching and scheme. With the same coaching and scheme Britt was able to reach 1000 yards. The scheme doesn't make Austin run bad routes. The scheme doesn't limit Austin's ability to make a play on the ball. That's 100% on Austin. Until he improves his game it won't matter what the scheme is. Austin has shown he is capable of making big plays here or there, but he hasn't shown an ability to be a consistently productive player.

I expect more out of him too. He needs to become a more consistent route runner and pass catcher. However, Austin's size limits his ability to make a play on the ball.

Britt was able to reach 1000 yards. But Britt is also a 6'3" 225 pound WR who can win jump balls and use his body to box out CBs in close quarters.

It 100% matters what the scheme is for Austin, even if he improves. Austin will never be a WR who will thrive in traffic. Austin will never be a WR who wins jump balls with any sort of consistency. Austin will never be a WR who will outmuscle defenders to get the ball.

That's not who he is. Austin will thrive in an offense that schemes him open. Austin will thrive in an offense that gets him the ball in space. Austin will thrive in an offense that can force the defense into man coverage against him.

Austin needs a scheme that plays to his strengths. When you have a scheme that led to congested passing windows and no real space, you're not going to see success from Austin. Austin is too small for that sort of scheme. You're making things hard on the QB because of Austin's small catch radius. And you're making things hard on Austin because you're negating his strengths.

What I love about Kyle Shanahan is that he's been able to get the most out of pint-sized WRs like Taylor Gabriel and Andrew Hawkins. I think he's a guy who will be able to scheme the sort of space and match-ups that Austin needs to thrive. At that point, it will be on Austin to win those match-ups.