Brian Quick running out of time for career turnaround

Brian Quick running out of time for career turnaround

By Jack Wang, Los Angeles Daily News

[www.dailynews.com]

LOS ANGELES — Earlier this week, Jeff Fisher summarized the state of the Rams’ receiving corps.

The top three, he said, consisted of Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin and rookie Pharoh Cooper. After that, the depth chart remains “wide open,” with sixth-round pick Michael Thomas and undrafted signees Nelson Spruce and Paul McRoberts all earning mentions from the head coach.

Conspicuously absent from the discussion? Brian Quick.

Take a good look at the 27-year-old, and you can understand what the Rams were thinking four years ago when they drafted him out of Appalachian State at No. 33 overall. Listed at 6-foot-3, 218 pounds — numbers that may be conservative — he is one of the team’s biggest receivers. Despite his small-school pedigree, many draft analysts found him intriguing. Perhaps most effusive was NFL Films’ Greg Cosell, who wrote of Quick in 2012: “With his size and overall skill set, he has a chance to be the best wide receiver in this draft class.”

This year, as Quick heads into his fifth NFL season, that ceiling looks almost completely out of reach.

That Fisher neglected to mention Quick at all when asked about receivers might simply be an oversight; facing reporters day after day in training camp, it can be easy to forget a name. But considering Quick’s tepid career production, the coach’s omission could very well be read as a stern message: Step it up, soon.

Five months ago, the Rams re-signed him to a one-year contract, one that guaranteed him $1.5 million. It was the epitome of a “prove-it” deal.

Over four years, Quick has totaled 64 catches for 935 yards and seven touchdowns. His third season, which saw him reel in 322 yards in his first four games, was cut short when he tore his left shoulder. (“My labrum, my rotator cuff, bicep tendon,” he said. “It was pretty bad.”) Last fall, he pulled down just 10 of his 32 targets, a catch percentage of 31.3. Only seven NFL players were worse.

Saturday’s preseason game against Kansas City provided little hope of a turnaround. When the Rams used a three-receiver formation, Britt, Austin and Cooper were the ones on the field. And although Quick got a healthy amount of reps, he rarely converted. Rookie quarterback Jared Goff threw his way five times, and connected just twice. One drop hit Quick right in the hands.

The South Carolina native could be facing a career crossroads. He expresses appreciation for the opportunity to compete, and seems to have put his injury behind him. But when the Rams make roster cuts in a couple of weeks, would they keep him over, say, a rookie such as Nelson Spruce?

“They’re expecting a lot from me this year,” Quick said recently.

The expectations might be there. He’s just running out of time to meet them.

FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS

Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles, whom the Rams released last month following his ill-fated stint as the starter, is very familiar with the Coliseum.

At Arizona, Foles played in two road games against USC, splitting the visits. During a 21-17 win in 2011, he completed 22 of 40 passes for 239 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. In a 48-41 loss two years later, he went 41 of 53 for 425 yards, four scores, and and two picks.

Facing his old team on Saturday, he entered the game to replace Alex Smith and threw for 133 yards on 18-of-22 passing.

INJURY REPORT

Rams receiver Bradley Marquez, who played mostly special teams as an undrafted rookie last year, left the game in the third quarter after suffering what appeared to a leg or ankle injury. He was unable to put any pressure on his right leg as he was being helped off the field by trainers.

Minutes later, defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks went down on a chop block. He was able to walk to the sideline without assistance, and did not exhibit a significant limp.

The Rams held out safety Mo Alexander, defensive end Robert Quinn, running back Aaron Green, receiver Nelson Spruce, tight end Tyler Higbee and linebacker Mark Barron.

DIGITAL & DRIVEWAY DELIV