http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ing-with-more-confidence-more-aggressiveness/
49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio: Brian Quick “playing with more confidence”
Posted by Mike Wilkening on October 10, 2014
AP
Though the Rams have gotten off to a 1-3 start, they have shown some promise. For one thing, quarterback
Austin Davis has handled the transition from backup-to-starter in stride, playing like he belongs.
And then there’s the play of third-year wide receiver
Brian Quick. The first pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Quick has stepped up his game this season. Entering Monday night’s game vs. San Francisco, Quick leads the Rams in catches (21), yards (322) and touchdowns (three).
The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Quick has shown he can operate down the field. Per NFL statistics, he’s 11th among qualifying players in average length of reception (12.1), or the point at which the ball is caught. He’s also doing well with his opportunities, catching 67.7 percent of the passes thrown his way (31 targets).
Asked how Quick had improved this season, 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio offered a positive assessment Friday of the third-year pro from Appalachian State.
“Well, he’s a size receiver, No. 1. He’s got 4.5 speed. And to me, he’s just playing with a lot more confidence and knowledge of the game,” Fangio said, according to a transcript from the 49ers. “Just playing with more confidence, more aggressiveness. Going to get the ball, feeling comfortable knowing the routes he’s running, being in the same system now since he’s been there.”
In just four games, Quick has set season career-bests in catches, yards and touchdowns. And indeed, it’s his third season in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense.
Sometimes, it takes time for young receivers to reach their potential. And at 25, Quick appears to have reached a new level of performance.
http://sfo.scout.com/story/1462347-quick-becoming-a-factor-for-rams-passing-game?s=69
QUICK BECOMING A FACTOR FOR RAMS PASSING GAME
Chris Biderman Niners Digest
Believe it or not, the Rams have the league's sixth-ranked passing offense with third-string quarterback Austin Davis at the helm. A big reason has been the development of receiver Brian Quick.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - One of the criticisms of the Rams in recent seasons has been their inability to draft and develop receivers.
Much of that criticism was pointed at wideout
Brian Quick, who was taken with the first pick in the second round in 2012 and had just 29 receptions in his first two seasons. But that criticism might be taking a sharp turn given Quick's play over his last two games.
Quick combined for three touchdown catches in losses to the Eagles and Cowboys, setting a new career high after having two in each of his first two seasons. His yardage is also up significantly, averaging 80.5 per game after posting 18.9 in 2013.
"To me, he’s just playing with a lot more confidence and knowledge of the game," 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "More aggressiveness, going to get the ball, feeling comfortable knowing the routes he’s running. Being in the same system now since he’s been there. I see a damn good receiver."
The Rams invested seven draft picks in receivers since 2010 and await their first 700-yard season since Torry Holt in 2008. Last year, tight end
Jared Cook led the team with 671 yards and five touchdowns.
Of course, the main problem in St. Louis has been the Rams' quarterback situation. For the second straight season former No.1-overall pick
Sam Bradford suffered a torn ACL ending his year prematurely. Last year it happened in Week 7, this year in the preseason.
But being forced to play with reserve QB
Austin Davis hasn't prevented Quick taking steps toward realizing his potential St. Louis saw when drafting him. Davis has excelled at throwing the ball down field, compiling a 122 passer rating on passes longer than 10 yards. Quick has been a recipient of 12 of those 26 completions.
But it isn't just Quick who stands out to Fangio in St. Louis passing game.
"The whole receiving corps is very impressive and a versatile group," he said. "They’ve got two really fast guys in (Chris) Givens and (Tavon) Austin. And then you’ve got Quick and (Kenny) Britt, who are size guys. They’ve got good receiving tight ends. It’s a good receiving group.”
Even with Davis, who came into the season as third on the QB depth chart, the Rams have the league's sixth-ranked passing attack, averaging 284 yards per game.
"He understands the offense, this is his third year in the system now," Rams coach
Jeff Fisher said on a conference call this week. "This is his first opportunity this year to play with the supporting cast. He's trusting them, they're making plays for him, and he's got a good feel for what he's doing. He's got some mobility, he can extend plays, move around the pocket, you need to be able to do that these days."
The last time the 49ers faced a backup quarterback, the Cardinals
Drew Stantonburned them in a loss Week 3 with a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes.
Facing a backup quarterback can be a disadvantage for a defense without a strong sample of game tape to pull information from.
"Fortunately, he’s played the last three games for them. And he came in the first game, too, at some point," Fangio said. "So, really we’ve got as much tape on him as we would have if the other guy had still been the quarterback."
San Francisco has strung together a pair of strong defensive efforts since that game against the Eagles and Chiefs, allowing just one touchdown pass - a bubble screen to Kansas City tight end
Travis Kelce (De'Anthony Thomas' touchdown in the third quarter last week has since been ruled a rushing touchdown).
Quick has done the majority of his damage in the middle of the field, where he could line up against rookie nickel corner
Jimmie Ward. At 6'4", quick shares a similar stature to
Brandon Marshall, who beat Ward for three touchdown's in Week 2's loss to the Bears.
But Ward has shown incremental improvement since that game, his second in the NFL.
"(Ward) took ownership of those plays. They were tough plays," Fangio said. "He’s not the first guy that’s given up a play to that guy in particular, especially in that part of the field. And he learned from it and moved on."
