Jeff Fisher: Austin Davis is starter
By Nick Wagoner | ESPN.com
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...arterback-st-louis-rams?ex_cid=espnapi_public
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher officially named Austin Davis his starting quarterback on Wednesday afternoon.
That's not much of a departure from what has taken place in each of the past two games but it does represent a shift in what Fisher has been willing to say publicly.
Since veteran backup Shaun Hill suffered a calf injury in the season opener against Minnesota, Fisher has been adamant that Hill would resume starting duties when healthy.
But Davis played well enough in starts against Tampa Bay and Dallas that Fisher was forced to reconsider.
"We're going to go ahead and start Austin for the remainder of the season," Fisher said. "It's not that Shaun lost the job. It's that Austin earned an opportunity to keep it. Shaun understands. He's a team player. In my parting comments with Austin, I told him not to look over his shoulder. So he's going to take this team and run with it."
Fisher informed Hill and Davis of his decision in his office Wednesday morning. After Davis threw for 235 yards and led the Rams on a game-winning drive against the Buccaneers, Fisher began leaning toward giving him a bigger opportunity.
When Davis followed with a 327-yard, three-touchdown effort in a losing cause against Dallas, Fisher's mind was made up.
"I think it's important that you avoid the questions, you avoid the controversies and things like that," Fisher said. "Yes, I did say that Shaun was our quarterback. My job is to make the right decisions.
"[Davis] deserved it. He deserves an opportunity. He's worked very hard. I think he's proven that with a week's worth of preparation what he can do on the field."
In two starts plus a half of relief behind Hill, Davis has thrown for 754 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions for a passer rating of 93.1 and a QBR of 66.7. His 72.3 percent completion rate is first in the NFL.
Davis said he didn't spend much time thinking about his role over the past few weeks but is pleased to know that he's getting an extended chance at the job.
"Obviously, I'm just excited for the opportunity to have a good chance to go play," Davis said. "Coach Fish was very adamant not to look over your shoulder. He picks a guy and he sticks with him. That vote of confidence is huge. I really appreciate that."
