ST. LOUIS — Rookie wide receiver Brian Quick received a challenge from veteran running back Steven Jackson on the first day of the St. Louis Rams' mandatory minincamp.

"Over the next six weeks, he's going to have to work really to prepare for a long season because we are going to lean heavily on him,'' Jackson said. "He's a high draft pick, and we're going to need someone on the outside to make plays. I'm challenging him right now to use these next six weeks to prepare himself to be a standout on this team.''

Upon learning of Jackson's comments, Quick said accepted the challenge.

"Every day I come out here to get better,'' Quick said. "I want to be that guy who helps the team. If that's what it takes, if he wants to challenge me, I'm going to step up to the plate and make plays and do the things I need to do as a player to help the team.''

Quick, taken with the first pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Division I-AA Appalachian State, has the size and speed that the Rams' offense desperately needs.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Quick caught 71 passes for 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

"He's a big receiver, big target,'' Jackson said. "He has a little bit of a ways to go, and what I mean by that is, coming from Appalachian State, nothing against it, but there is a difference on this field, a difference in the mentality of a pro.''

Contact reporter Steve Korte at skorte@bnd.com or 239-2522.