Full article: http://nflspinzone.com/2015/07/09/st-louis-rams-roster-preview-wide-receivers/
Stedman Bailey, the former third-round pick of the Rams, showed great strides in his game in 2014. Bailey played in 14 games, grabbing a career-high 30 passes for 435 yards and his first career touchdown. His 14.5 yards per reception proved that he was coming into the deep threat mold that the Rams expected him to be when they drafted him.
While Bailey appeared to take steps forward in 2014, his former college teammate Tavon Austin appeared to go the other way as a receiver. Austin, the former number-eight overall pick, managed just 31 receptions in 15 games – this after grabbing 40 receptions in his rookie season. Austin’s 31 rec3eptions managed just 242 yards and no touchdowns. His 7.8 yards per catch was down drastically from his 10.5 yards per catch in his rookie season. Austin also went from four receiving touchdowns to zero.
It was not a lost year for Austin. He did become better with the ball in his hands. He carried the ball a career-high 36 times for 224 yards and two touchdowns. While he did not have any big-yardage runs, like his 65-yard run in his rookie season, Austin had a solid 6.2 yards per carry average.
Austin’s punt return game also blossomed in 2014. He relinquished his role as the primary kick returner, helping him set career-highs in punt return yardage. He had 35 punt returns for 391 yards and a touchdown. His 11.2 yards per return average was good for fifth in the NFL. Despite his regression as a receiver in 2014, Austin believes he can improve in 2015.
“Last year, I didn’t have too many opportunities out there,” Austin said to Elisabeth Meinecke of Fox Sports Midwest. “Different offensive coordinator, different quarterback. I’m just thankful — things are working out in my favor right now and hopefully, everything just keeps going my way.
Stedman Bailey, the former third-round pick of the Rams, showed great strides in his game in 2014. Bailey played in 14 games, grabbing a career-high 30 passes for 435 yards and his first career touchdown. His 14.5 yards per reception proved that he was coming into the deep threat mold that the Rams expected him to be when they drafted him.
While Bailey appeared to take steps forward in 2014, his former college teammate Tavon Austin appeared to go the other way as a receiver. Austin, the former number-eight overall pick, managed just 31 receptions in 15 games – this after grabbing 40 receptions in his rookie season. Austin’s 31 rec3eptions managed just 242 yards and no touchdowns. His 7.8 yards per catch was down drastically from his 10.5 yards per catch in his rookie season. Austin also went from four receiving touchdowns to zero.
It was not a lost year for Austin. He did become better with the ball in his hands. He carried the ball a career-high 36 times for 224 yards and two touchdowns. While he did not have any big-yardage runs, like his 65-yard run in his rookie season, Austin had a solid 6.2 yards per carry average.
Austin’s punt return game also blossomed in 2014. He relinquished his role as the primary kick returner, helping him set career-highs in punt return yardage. He had 35 punt returns for 391 yards and a touchdown. His 11.2 yards per return average was good for fifth in the NFL. Despite his regression as a receiver in 2014, Austin believes he can improve in 2015.
“Last year, I didn’t have too many opportunities out there,” Austin said to Elisabeth Meinecke of Fox Sports Midwest. “Different offensive coordinator, different quarterback. I’m just thankful — things are working out in my favor right now and hopefully, everything just keeps going my way.