The Cardinal Countdown: 17 days until kickoff

#17 James Quick

Class: Sophomore

Ht/Wt: 6-1/185

Position: Wide Receiver

Hometown: Louisville, KY (Product of Trinity High School)

Twitter: @Uno1Siete7

Thoughts: For those of you who have read the Countdown for the last three years, you know I try my best to always put a positive spin on every athlete, after all, they are all Cardinals and all guys we want to see succeed. In the case of Quick, I have no issue whatsoever in taking the blame for some of the hype last season  and what we all expected to see form him as a freshman, in a somewhat limited offensive scheme. But, I did try and warn you that his production may not meet some of your crazy expectations. Did Quick have some drops last year? Yes. But so did thousands of other freshman receivers across the country. I think we put some goals out there for #17 that were going to be tough to achieve no matter how well he performed, and that was unfair. Now, as we enter 2014 and we try and reel in the expectations slightly, I think Quick has the opportunity to break out as a big time receiver for this team. I love DeVante, Eli, Michaelee, even De La Cruz, but I think James makes the biggest jump from 2013 and sets himself up to be one of the captains his Junior year. Anybody happen to catch that Spring Game in April? I’ll take 152yds and a TD each game.

Another reason we need some production from Quick, is that he will be one of the lone returning receivers on next year’s team with significant experience. A couple freshman may get some reps this year, but nothing close to the amount of looks I think they’ll give James. We've got a TON of football to play and a lot can happen, but he has all the intangibles to be successful at the next level. A highly potent offense, an excellent position coach in Lamar Thomas, and a couple solid gunslingers in Gardner and Bonnafon are a recipe for success. Things may have got a little hot for Quick in ‘The Oven’ last season, but with fresh offensive ingredients and some more time in the kitchen, I expect James to RISE to the occasion. (That was one too many food puns wasn't it? Should have stopped at kitchen. Dammit. Thought I could sneak in a ‘rise to the occasion’, just came off as a half-baked attempt.)

Sweet Tweet:

Grind now shine later!!

— ACC TAKEOVER 17 (@Uno1Siete7) August 11, 2014

This tweet kind of expands on my comments from above. Quick has all the weapons at his disposal, just needs to put in the work now to make everything pay off down the road. I think he turns the corner this year and becomes a lethal weapon in the Petrino offense moving forward.