BALZER'S NFL BLOG

Balzer’s NFL Blog: Have Rams found a QB?

Howard Balzer

October 24, 2014 at 11:25 am.

Austin Davis (9) has played well as the Rams starting QB. (Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)

When the St. Louis Rams began OTAs this past spring, the organization showed how much they thought of quarterback Austin Davis that they placed his locker across the room from Sam Bradford, Shaun Hill and rookie sixth-round pick Garrett Gilbert, who were all together. Davis’ locker was in between the team’s offensive linemen and linebackers.

Davis figured correctly he was in a battle with Gilbert for the third quarterback spot, if the Rams even kept that many. Davis earned a roster spot as an undrafted free agent in 2012, but didn’t play any games although the Rams liked what they saw. In fact, head coach Jeff Fisher believed Davis would compete for the backup job to Bradford in 2013.

He had an average, at best, training camp, and was cut, leaving the Rams with just Bradford and Kellen Clemens on the roster. They didn’t even sign Davis to the practice squad. He spent a few days on Miami’s practice squad, and after being released returned to St. Louis where he volunteered as an assistant football coach at a high school.

Fate intervened when Bradford suffered a torn ACL in Week 7, and Davis was re-signed, mostly because he knew the offense.

Now, Davis has been starting because Bradford suffered another torn ACL and Hill injured his quad in the season opener, giving Davis a chance to play. And, at least for now, Davis’ locker has remained in the same spot.

He joked, “I like where I’m at. I’m around the O-line, which is good. I butter them up a bit. I get to talk to some linebackers over there so I get a little bit of everything.”

There is no joking with the level Davis has played. That has caught the attention of former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, whose records Davis broke at Southern Mississippi.

Favre said, “Austin can definitely play at this level.” That appears to be true.

But then Favre might have gone a tad overboard, comparing Davis to other unheralded quarterbacks at one time, saying, “Not to sound off my rocker, but (he) — in my mind — can be the next Tom Brady or Kurt Warner. (Brian) Hoyer as well. Austin, like those mentioned, just needed a legit opportunity.”

Asked about Favre’s comments, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said, “That’s certainly a compliment coming from Brett, considering what Brett accomplished. So I’m sure Austin would appreciate that.”

Davis appeared unphased by Favre’s words. He said prior to the Rams’ Week 8 game against Kansas City, “I don’t really want to be the next anybody. I just want to be the first Austin Davis and just keep doing what we’re doing and try to go on a winning streak here. It felt good to get one this past week; I think it was much needed for our football team. We’re just going to try to keep it going.”

Davis did say Favre is often in communication with him, as the Rams were losing while Davis was playing surprisingly well. Said Davis, “He sent some text messages and just some encouragement. He knows it can be tough when you’re not getting wins. We’ve kind of stayed the course, keep working. He has encouraged me a little bit.”

Davis did say he spent some time with Favre in preparing for the draft in 2012. Davis said, “I got a chance to throw with him and meet him. Couldn’t quite throw it like he could. I don’t know if any of his pointers helped me.”

Asked if he had the radar gun put on him while throwing with Favre, Davis laughed and said, “No, they didn’t want to embarrass me.”

He has been anything but embarrassing this season.

Jerry’s World

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones usually has a unique way of seeing things. So it was that Jones was asked last week, prior to his team’s Monday night game against Washington, what his thoughts are on the team’s nickname.

Said Jones on his radio show, “I don’t have an issue with it. I know it’s not meant in any way to denigrate. It’s like Cowboys to me. We should all feel that way about it. It’s a great part of the tradition of the league. If (Redskins owner Dan) Snyder wants to keep it they should keep it. It’s been pretty pointed out that this name is one of pride. This name is one of competition. This name is one of a lot of great things that have happened with that franchise and should be looked at that way.”

A Soft World

NFL players don’t particularly like it when opponents say they are soft. Whether it’s true or not. So it was that Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy raised some eyebrows when he talked about a team’s defense being soft. What was notable is that McCoy was talking about his own team.

He said, “If you look out there on tape and you see a bunch of guys sitting on blocks, are you not earning the title of being soft? I mean, guys get so sensitive around the league but we have to be men. This is a man’s league. We’re professionals and guys have issues with criticisms. I’ve been getting criticized since I’ve been in the NFL. I don’t even feel it anymore. We have to accept what happened like I did last week.”

Those are MeUndies

Perhaps there is no more bizarre story in the NFL this year than the case of Cowboys running back Joseph Randle, who was arrested for shoplifting about $125 worth of underwear and cologne from a Dillard’s story in Dallas recently.

The Cowboys fined him a game check of more than $29,000 (his salary is $495,000). The publicity then resulted in him striking a deal with MeUndies for an unknown sum. In addition, he will receive underwear and $15,000 worth of underwear and other clothes will be donated to children in need.

He said, “There is no excuse for my mistake, and I take full responsibility for my actions. I let down my coaches, teammates, and family. My agent and I have spent a lot of time looking for ways I can turn my situation into a learning experience for young people. Partnering with MeUndies allows me the opportunity to give back to others less fortunate than myself, and spread a positive message of not making the same mistake twice.”

 

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