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by Lawrence Pereira
Much of the talk around the St Louis Rams this week has surrounded newly-appointed offensive co-ordinator, Frank Cignetti and his starting quarterback, Sam Bradford. The question of whether Bradford can recover to full fitness and stay there is clearly key to Rams chances of success in 2015. However, it is worth remembering that the 2010 number one draft pick is not the only member of the offense to have promising, if not career-defining form cut short by injury in recent times.
In 2014, wide receiver Brian Quick was on course to reach 1000 yards prior to the injury sustained against Kansas City in week 8. Last year, Quick’s season tallies were 19 first downs, 3 touchdowns, 25 receptions and 375 yards – all higher figures in just seven games than he accumulated through 16 games in 2013 and 15 games in his rookie season the year before. Despite a third-string quarterback in Austin Davis throwing passes his way, all the signs pointed to great things for the former Appalachian State man. All that ended three minutes into the second quarter against the Chiefs when Quick hit the turf making a 10-yard catch.
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The torn rotator cuff complicated by other factors – “He did just about everything you possibly can to a shoulder,” as Jeff Fisher put it last November – is, like Bradford’s ACL tear, a huge event to come back from. However, while clearly no two players or injuries are the same, Rams fans can draw some comfort from the fact that other NFL stars have suffered serious shoulder injuries and come back to perform well. In March 2013 Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks suffered a torn rotator cuff. Following an offseason recovery, the 2013 regular season saw Bennett accumulate 8.5 sacks and finish as the league’s 9th highest graded defensive end on Pro Football Focus at +22.5. In 2011 guard Matt Slauson, then of the New York Jets, played through every game with a catalogue of significant shoulder injuries and still managed a positive PFF grading of +4.6 on the season. Going back to 2010, the former New England Patriot Wes Welker also suffered the rotator cuff injury in his right shoulder. In the five seasons that have followed, Welker has receiving 5666 yards and 37 touchdowns in regular and postseason football.
So while a return to form is by no means a certainty, there are precedents to provide hope that Brian Quick can be a force for the Rams offense as he was in the early stages of the 2014 season. Understandably, as the 2015 year approaches the spotlight will be well and truly on Sam Bradford. What should not be lost amid the focus on the quarterback himself is that, if Bradford is to shine, he will also need his supporting cast to perform. With (hopefully) Kenny Britt resigned, Tavon Austin put to far better use than he ever was under Brian Schottenheimer and Brian Quick back to full fitness, Bradford will have a trio receivers all of whom clearly have the potential to hit that now almost mythical 1000-yard mark. One thing that was clear from the moment Quick was drafted was that he had all the natural physical attributes to be a top tier receiver in the NFL. Time will tell if he can pick up where he left off last year.
Next: Is It Possible For Sam Bradford To Come Back?
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