Back in July, St. Louis Rams receiver Tavon Austin admitted that the playbook looked like "Spanish" to him as a rookie.
Now, the second-year pro says it's "exactly what I speak."
"Toward the middle and the end (of the season) I probably started picking up on it," Austin said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "That's when I started having some big games. But for the most part, it's all about the mental game, getting comfortable. I believe I'm comfortable now."
Austin believes being more comfortable and not having to think too much about his routes or the play calls will positively impact on his ability to make big plays.
While his teammates have talked up the 2013 No. 8 overall pick, not everyone has been impressed with his camp so far.
Legendary Rams receiver Torry Holt told The Edmonds and McKernan Show on CBS Radio earlier this week he hasn't seen much from the second-year pass-catcher.
"Tavon Austin has been very quiet this camp," Holt said. "He was quiet the other night, and for a guy picked eighth overall, it's bothering me that he's been so quiet."
Coach Jeff Fisher admitted the Rams need to get Austin the ball in space more -- just don't expect to see that during the preseason.
"We just have to give him the ball," Fisher said. "Give him the ball in space, because we all know what he can do with it. And so we're doing some different things. Probably won't show a whole lot in the preseason, but I've (sic) very pleased with where he's at right now."
Whether Fisher is trying to keep plans under wraps or covering for a player who hasn't yet proven worthy of his draft status, only he and his staff know. However, if Austin remains "quiet" when the regular season starts, it will become obvious it doesn't matter what language the playbook is in.
*The latest "Around the League Podcast" broke down the biggest position battles and ranked the best backup QBs in the league. *
