When asked about Pettis, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said, “He does a great job of coaching these young guys and he’s a professional,” Schottenheimer said. “And quite honestly, he’s probably having the best camp of all the skill players. He’s a tireless worker, very competitive, can play all the spots which helps and he’s having a tremendous spring.” Pettis came into camp as sort of the forgotten guy who would be lucky to get any playing time with guys like Chris Givens who looks to have a breakout sophomore year, Brian Quick who is expected to show more of his potential this year, and the rookies Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey. If Pettis continues his great play into the preseason, He may just get an expanded role in the offense.

Last season Pettis had 30 receptions for 267 yards and led the team with 4 touchdowns. Pettis seemed to work himself into the game more and more toward the end of last season making big catches in big moments. Pettis could very well be the reason why the Rams tied against the 49ers and then later on, beat the Buffalo Bills. Pettis caught a key touchdown at San Francisco in November which gave the Rams a late lead and then came up with a huge fourth-down conversion on a ball thrown behind him to set up the game-winning score against Buffalo on Dec. 9. Not to mention Pettis also had a career high 55 yards receiving against the Minnesota Vikings.

Pettis and Sam also share a connection and chemistry that none of the other receivers have with Sam. Bradford and Pettis have been in St. Louis since day one together and have been through everything. While the other receivers are still learning and developing, Pettis knows what Sam wants on certain plays an visa versa. Having that connection between quarterback and receiver is very important and it’s what made duos like Manning and Harrison, Unitas and Berry, and even Ryan and White so great. They no what to expect from each other. That’s not saying that Pettis and Bradford are Manning and Harrison by any means. Pettis just has that connection with Bradford and has that advantage over the other guys.

It looks as if Pettis in his third year is finally ready to take the next step and be a major part of the Rams offense. People forget that not only is this Sam Bradford’s second year in the same system, but Austin Pettis’ as well. This offense is ready to take huge steps this season and it looks like they will have more weapons than the defense will be able to account for. Now it’s time to see how to incorporate all the weapons in the offense and make it work, and if Pettis continues to show his skills, he may just be one of many Rams players set for a career year.

May 10, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; As seen from right to left St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Auston (11), wide receiver CJ Akins (19), wide receiver Stedman Baily (12) and wide receiver Emory Blake (16) take a short break during rookie minicamp at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Am I going out on a limb here by saying the Rams’ young, inexperienced but talented group of pass-catches will be under a microscope during training camp?

Maybe just a little, right?

With hopes to add a spark to the offense, St. Louis drafted one of the most gifted playmakers in years. That spark is none other than the lightning in a bottle himself, Tavon Austin. The Rams will deploy him in a multitude of ways: inside, outside, in the backfield, and probably on special teams as well. The plan is to get him the ball “as much as possible.”

Although the Rams are smitten with their new target, who is a smooth blend of DeSean Jackson and Percy Harvin, the mixture of talent of the Rams’ receiving core will be jockeying for position for the duration of the offseason.

Besides Austin, St. Louis also drafted the other WR from West Virginia who is a star in his own right. Stedman Bailey finished his season with the Mountaineers totaling 114 receptions, 1,622 yards (3rd in the nation), with a monstrous 25 touchdown receptions. Bailey was the other receiver wearing blue and old gold. 

It’s never easy trying to get a read on someone’s thoughts, but you can read between the lines on certain comments. Jeff Fisher and Les Snead both have said how rewarding it is to watch a player progress from year one to year two. As I absorb that comment, I can’t help but to think they are referring to Brian Quick. Blessed with raw athleticism, strong hands to pluck the ball out the air, and the size and leaping ability to out jump defenders, the development of Quick will play a pivotal part in Bradford’s ascent.

Without a doubt, speedster and last year’s standout rookie Chris Givens is penciled in as the starter and conventional wisdom points to Quick to starting alongside Givens.  Throughout training camp last season as well as during the season, Snead and Fisher both said they have “envisioned Quick and Givens staring opposite of each other.” As much as Austin Pettis improved late in the season, he is a byproduct of the old regime. The arrival of Bailey, Austin and, a developing Quick will reduce Pettis’ production and time on the field, and not to mention the addition of TE Jared Cook who also will be split out wide a times.

As it stands, here is my prediction for the Rams final WR dept chart:

1. Brian Quick
2. Chris Givens
3. Tavon Austin 
4. Stedman Bailey
5. Austin Pettis
6. Emory Blake

Dec 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Stedman Bailey (3) runs with the ball while avoiding the tackle attempt of Syracuse Orange safety Jeremi Wilkes (28) during the third quarter at the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Every since Bruce and Holt left Saint Louis the Rams haven’t had a number one wide receiver come through town. In fact they haven’t had a 1,000 yard receiver come through town. Donnie Avery showed promise, but after tearing his ACL in a preseason game, he was never the same player. Brandon Lloyd came through and made some plays, but only signed a one year deal and didn’t return to the team. The Rams finally have a group that has a lot of potential. The group includes Tavon Austin, Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey, Brian Quick, and Austin Pettis.

Tavon Austin

NFC West watch out because this kid is going to make plays. Whether it’s running the football, catching the football, or returning kicks, this kid will find his way to the end zone which is what the Rams are desperate for, points. If you didn’t know by now, Tavon Austin will take over Danny Amendola’s position in the slot. Austin is small, but what people don’t know or forget is that Austin has never missed a game, college or high school. Granted there will be bigger and stronger players hitting him in the NFL, but the thing that Austin does is avoid unnecessary contact by stepping out of bounds. Austin could very well become a better Amendola. He has proven that he is more durable, but he will still have to prove it at the next level, he is faster, more agile,  and he is younger. Tavon Austin was the most electrifying player in the draft, and he will prove that this season. Austin was a great pickup in the draft. He was worth trading up to get.

Chris Givens

Chris Givens  receiving for 698 yards last season is the closest the Rams have gotten to a 1,000 yard receiver since the departure of Torry Holt. The Rams have missed a wide receiver that can make plays down the field, and Chris Givens can do exactly that, and he proved it last season. Last year Givens had a stretch of five games where he made one reception of 50 yards  or  more and two of those went for touchdowns. One of which was against Seattle’s Richard Sherman, who is one of the top CB’s in the NFL. Givens will probably continue his role on the outside this season as he excelled in it last year and Tavon Austin will be limited to the slot. With more snaps this season and a year under his belt, don’t be surprised if Givens becomes the first Rams receiver since Holt to have 1,000 yards receiving.

Stedman Bailey 

Stedman Bailey was a great pickup by the Rams in the third round. It’s amazing that he made it that far. Bailey actually had more yards than Austin at WVU  with 1,622 yards as well as scoring more touchdowns with 25.  Bailey had 6 games last season where he had over 100 yards receiving, 2 of those he had over 200, and one where he had over 300 yards receiving. Geno Smith and Tavon Austin may have gotten the majority of the attention at WVU, but Bailey certainly played a large role in arguably the most electrifying offense in the country. Bailey is a reliable receiver that has great hands and runs precise routes. He will be able to replace Brandon Gibson and has potential to be a lot better.

Brian Quick

It is hard to predict what Brian Quick is going to do this year. He has been working hard to get better this offseason, which proves that he is committed to the team. Whether or not he is going to produce is another question. The guy is a physical, athletic monster and if he can play to his potential, he will be able to do great things. There were times last season where he showed that potential, if he can do what he did against San Francisco and Minnesota more often, Quick will be a great player for the Rams.

Austin Pettis

Don’t forget about Austin Pettis. Pettis may not get a lot of stats, but he played an important role in the receiving corps last season. Pettis scored four touchdowns which was one of the leaders on the team. He was also clutch in crunch time, he made a huge fourth down catch against the Buffalo Bills. Nobody should take Austin Pettis for granted. He may not have the stats that fans love, but he comes up big when it matters.

Fans have been comparing this group to becoming the next Greatest Show on Turf. Im not going to say that’s not possible, but that kind of offense comes around once every blue moon. It’s like the fearsome foursome, that kind of production doesn’t happen very often. This offense is definitely going to be better than it was last year strongly due to the upgrade at wide receiver. The Rams may just be on their way to taking the next step.