Don’t count Jon Gruden among those playing the Jared Goff blame game.
The former NFL coach-turned ESPN analyst said during a conference call that the Los Angeles Rams put their rookie quarterback and 2016 No. 1 overall draft pick in a precarious situation when they inserted them as their starter during the 10th game of the season, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Well, you know, Goff, he came out early, a true junior, I don’t think he’s 100% what he’s going to be physically. I still think he’s going to get stronger, and he’s going to mature physically.
“I do think that he went into a difficult situation. That’s an offensive line that struggled. That is a receiving corps that struggled. And [with] his inexperience, I think that’s a difficult combination for a young quarterback and I think that’s a big reason they were 0-7 when he was the starter.”
The 22-year-old Goff is busy trying to learn new coach Sean McVay’s offense during the Rams’ offseason program. He is in a quarterback-friendly offense that is designed to maximize his strengths without making him hesitate due to overthinking.
Gruden added that the 31-year-old McVay will bring positive energy and a quarterback expertise that may have been lacking under former head coach Jeff Fisher.
“He’s been good with young quarterbacks,” Gruden said. “He’s been good with young receivers and young players, and I just think he’s going to bring a real positive upbeat presence to the offensive side of the ball.”
Depending on how the NFL Draft shakes out next week, the Rams may not yet have all the tools McVay requires to help Goff become a successful quarterback. As a former No. 1 overall pick, Goff will be under pressure to improve significantly from Year 1 to Year 2.
Fortunately for Goff, he left plenty of room for improvement after his rookie season. McVay is working to make sure the Goff blame game dissipates in 2017.
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