Quarterbacks for the Rams have ranked last in pass yards, touchdowns, and total quarterback rating since the start of last season. Here is a sample of Case Keenum’s contributions this season to that fun fact. Keenum has thrown for 2,169 yards, good for 19th in the league.
Those yards have been acquired over a span of 9 games. That equates to 241 yards per game, 22nd among passers. Keenum has 9 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Keenum’s 9 touchdowns lands him 25th in the NFL. Keenum’s 11 interceptions places him 2nd overall. So, as you can see, not too impressive.
Insert Jared Goff. The number one overall pick this year is going to get his first NFL start, week 11 against the Miami Dolphins, at the Coliseum.
To acquire the first overall pick, which led to Goff, the Rams traded draft picks galore. Let me rattle them off for you. The Rams gave up their first-round pick, along with both of their second-round picks this year, and their first-round pick, and third-round pick next year. That is a lot of eggs to put in one basket. Hopefully the basket is reliable, durable, and capable of carrying a whole team of eggs to great success.
Goff is not inheriting a starting job filled with luxury. Goff will be at the helm of an offense that ranks 25th in the league. He will be targeting receivers that are susceptible to drops; 13 drops out of 310 targets. A 4.2 drop percentage, ranking them 13th in the league.
Headlined by Kenny Britt, the receiving corps is far from impressive. In all fairness to Britt, he is having one of his best seasons of his career. Goff will be trying to bring the Rams’ record back to an even 5-5 against a stout Miami defensive line.
The Dolphins have tallied 22 sacks on the season and are tied for 11th in the league. It will be important for the Rams’ offensive line, ranking 10th in sacks allowed with 23, to provide Goff with protection and time. Unfortunately, any reliance on the run game may prove hopeless based on Gurley’s performance to this point.
Since the only stats we have on Goff in the NFL come from his preseason appearances, we’ll have to use those as a reference. Goff completed 44.9% of his passes.
Two of those completions went for touchdowns. Goff’s second TD of the preseason was an impressive strike to Britt, that found a nice window between the defender and sideline of the end zone. Goff threw two interceptions to match his two TDs. The first interception was due to Goff’s arm being hit upon release, while the second interception occurred after the pass was deflected at the line.
Goff also fumbled the ball a couple of times. Goff’s QBR came out to an abysmal 55.8. These stats do not showcase great talent. The sample size is small however, and highlights of Goff’s preseason play do hint at potential. Hope for the future and signs of potential are all Ram’s fans should be asking for.
With the season entering the eleventh week, and matchups with the Saints, Patriots, Falcons, and Seahawks all looming, hope for the playoffs is minimal. With that being said, the rest of the season should be geared toward building rapport between Goff and his offensive weapons.
To expect Goff to save this season, or end the season with a winning record is overly optimist/borderline crazy. The Rams have won two games this season without scoring a touchdown. I’m not sure if that is impressive, or pathetic, but it is a fact. Goff can be labeled a success if he can bring a fresh new look to the offense that leads to more touchdowns at the end of drives.
Can Goff outscore the likes of the Falcons or Saints? No, I don’t think so. Can Goff show poise in the pocket, make smart decisions with the football, and find open receivers? Yes, I really hope that is the case. If Goff can bounce back from the mistakes he is going to make, improve each game, and show signs of leadership and control, then there might be hope.
Goff’s growth is going to be greatly influenced by the players around him. It has already been stated how shaky the offensive line is, how unsure the receivers can be, and how unproductive the run game has been. It would be a huge boost for Goff’s decision making if his offensive line can provide a safe pocket for him to assess the field. Sacks, quarterback hits and knockdowns, and forced quarterback scrambles could all lead to rash decisions and turnovers for Goff.
Help from the receivers would pad both Goff’s stats and confidence. Dropped passes not only kill the momentum of a drive, but could also kill any momentum for Goff. Drops and incomplete passes can harass the mental state of a quarterback. The Rams’ receivers need to catch the balls they are supposed to catch. In order to lighten Goff’s load and make his job a bit easier, Todd Gurley needs to find the holes in the defensive line and break off a few runs. Making defenses respect the run will open up more play calling and hopefully lead to breakdowns in the secondary.
Help from the surrounding players should begin with the two so-called ‘stars’ of the offense. With Keenum behind center, Gurley has greatly underperformed thus far. Gurley has rushed for 515 yards on 167 attempts. A lowly 3.1 yards per carry is all Gurley has been able to muster up.
There were high expectations for Gurley going into the season. Gurley’s current numbers barely warrant a starting job. How Gurley’s play is affected by Goff’s insertion into the starting lineup is one of many things to monitor. The play of Tavon Austin, the Rams’ receiver who enjoyed a nice contract extension at the beginning of the season, has not been worthy of the money or the extension thus far.
Will Goff taking control of the offense change this? Will the play calling begin to utilize the talents of Austin? The curiosities and affect Goff will have on this offense are abundant.
Sunday’s battle with a surging Miami Dolphins should see an offense that is rejuvenated and excited to play. With so much buzz about Goff hovering over the Rams’ season, players should be eager to protect the future of the franchise and help him succeed and grow.
Goff will be a new reason for the offense to produce and perform. The future of the Rams is unfolding as we speak and a glimpse into that future will be provided with the play of Goff and the rest of the Rams for the remainder of the season. Please, let us see Goff step up into the pocket and fire a strike. Please, let us see Goff follow a mistake with poise and unshaken confidence.
Please, let us see Goff read the coverage and make adjustments. Please, let us see Goff utilize the check down receiver, instead of forcing a throw into double coverage. Smart decisions, poise, confidence, and awareness of the game. The little things, the fundamentals, a foundation to build upon. Please, let us see hope for winning records in the future.
To part, I will leave you with the mention of Sean Mannion. The quarterback who saw success for the Rams during the preseason. Mannion led a 21-7 comeback against the Dallas Cowboys. Mannion threw three touchdowns including the game winner with 1:54 left on the clock. During the preseason, Mannion completed 65% of his passes, threw four touchdowns, one interception, and had a QBR of 94.1. At one point, Mannion was named the second-string quarterback for the preseason.
The name Sean Mannion, does not sell tickets, the name Sean Mannion is not making headlines, Sean Mannion was not announced as the number one overall pick in the 2016 draft. For these reasons Sean Mannion will not start this season. But, I just wanted to show the guy some love and give him an honorable mention.
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