Tavon Austin hopes to show the 'Real Ta' in Green Bay

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Austin spent his first five seasons with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, a stint in which he crossed paths with both current Packers running backs coach Ben Sirmans (2013-15) and Head Coach Matt LaFleur, his offensive coordinator in 2017.


Austin showed a lot of promise in his first three seasons and is regarded as one of several offensive playmakers, including former Packers receiver Randall Cobb, who ushered in a wave of creativity centered on their hybrid attributes.


Now 30, Austin maintains he still has the 4.3 speed that made him the first skill-position player drafted in 2013. He offers his successful workout with the Packers as Exhibit A of his enduring explosiveness.


"It's just about somebody really giving me the chance and really believing in me and letting me get comfortable, and letting Ta do what he do best, how I did my whole life," Austin said. "I can play any position that the coaches draw up for me and put me in the best position to make plays."


As much promise as Austin showed early on, a rash of injuries and coaching changes halted his momentum. Austin missed 11 games the past two years in Dallas.


Stability was one of the driving forces in his decision to sign with Green Bay, and based on LaFleur's success with the 5-foot-10, 192-pound Ervin, it appears the Packers' use of pre-snap motions and bunch formations cater well to Austin's skill set.


Rodgers has long admired Austin's game, recalling how "electric" the receiver was during his time at West Virginia, a record-breaking run that culminated in Austin recording 2,910 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior in 2012.


"I think that had this offense really been going (at the start of Austin's career), I think he really would have found a sticking spot for a long time," Rodgers said. "Being a guy who can do so many things, you know, giving him fly sweeps and getting him in action stuff, getting him on the edge. So it's nice having him."