After the Rams started off their 2016 campaign on a terrible note following a 28-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, is it time to hand the keys to quarterback Jared Goff for the rest of the season?
Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) on his sidelines during the second half of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Rams 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Rams know that Case Keenum is not the quarterback of their future. They made that abundantly clear this offseason when they decided to take Jared Goff with the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. But after a roller coaster of a training camp and preseason, Goff was named the third string quarterback for Week 1.
This is not out of the ordinary in the NFL. Teams would rather have their young quarterbacks sit and observe for a year rather than be thrown into the fire. It worked for guys like Aaron Rodgers and Carson Palmer, so there’s no reason why this strategy can’t work on Goff, right?
On the Monday Night Football to open the season, the Rams took a serious beating on the road from their division rival, the San Francisco 49ers. Keenum was wildly ineffective, and the 49ers did everything in their power to prevent sophomore phenom Todd Gurley from going off. The night ended in a 28-0 romp, and left the Rams with a tough decision going forward.
On Friday, Rams coach Jeff Fisher announced that Goff would be the team’s backup quarterback on Sunday against the Seahawks. Though Fisher did not come out and say it, it seems the leash has shortened on their current starter Keenum. The door is now cracked open for Goff to make a run at becoming the starter sooner than we thought. Here are three reasons why the Rams need to make Goff the starting quarterback going forward.
Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) in the first half of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Rams won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
3. Case Keenum is not the answer at quarterback for an NFL team
Case Keenum started his career in Houston after replacing Matt Schaub for the Texans in the 2013 season. The Texans looked like a cellar dweller team that was on their way to a number one selection the next year. When Keenum replaced Schaub, he became somewhat of a fan favorite in Houston. After going to school at the University of Houston, Keenum would have a chance to play professionally in the city of Houston.
But shortly after replacing Schaub, it became apparent that Keenum was not the answer in Houston. In eight total games that season, Keenum posted a 78.2 QB Rating and had 12 total turnovers. After the season, the Rams and Houston Texans played hot potato with Keenum until he finally landed with the Rams in a backup role in 2015. After being thrusted into the role earlier than expected, Keenum struggled to produce in a starting role and eventually lost the job due to injury.
After being named the starter for this season, Keenum had a debut to forget. Keenum went 17-for-35 for 130 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. The 49ers recognized the deficiency, and forced Keenum to beat them all night. He proved time and time again that he wasn’t going to be able to make the throws necessary to put the Rams over the top.
With an already light list of weapons to work with other than Gurley, the Rams can’t afford to have a quarterback who can’t make the NFL throws. If Goff can hit the open receivers that Keenum can’t, he would be worth the risk right off the bat.
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) rushes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2. The Rams can’t afford to waste anymore time with Todd Gurley
The Rams selected Todd Gurley with the 10th overall pick in last year’s draft, hoping he could be the running back who can put their offense over the top. The Rams ended up rolling the dice on the former Georgia Bulldog after he tore his ACL to end his college career. Even after selecting Tre Mason the year before, the Rams knew Gurley could be a difference maker in this league.
After missing three games to start the season, Gurley picked up right where he left off in college. After the Rams eased him into the role, Gurley broke out soon thereafter. He showed elite vision and elusiveness even as a rookie, and finished his season with 1,106 yards and 10 TDs. Despite missing time early in the season, Gurley looked ready to handle the workload after a few games.
Coming into the season, the Rams were very optimistic about their offense. Part of that had to do with Gurley’s role as the lead carrier, and best offensive asset. Even though Gurley ended last season with less production on the field, his upside was through the roof. Part of the reason for his lack of production to end last season was the Rams’ poor quarterback play. Teams seemed committed to stopping Gurley, and making another Rams weapon beat them.
After Monday night’s loss against the 49ers, the trend from last season continued. San Francisco stacked the line of scrimmage and were determined to stop Gurley. That usually means that a team doesn’t respect the opposing quarterback enough, and essentially is challenging that quarterback to beat them. Keenum proved he isn’t that quarterback. With the ability to make teams pay with his arm and accuracy, Goff could open more holes for Gurley himself.
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher reacts during a NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
1. Jeff Fisher may not have enough time to wait on Goff
After success as a player and an assistant in the NFL, Jeff Fisher took over as the head coach for the first time in 1994. Fisher showed upside as a young coach for Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, and went on to spend 15 years in Nashville. Fisher was let go and moved on to coach the St. Louis Rams in 2012.
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With the Rams, Fisher took over a young team and improved the defense immensely in his first few years. In his first year, he posted an optimistic 7-8-1 record, a five-win improvement from the previous year. The Rams were competitive in every game but one, and Rams management and fans alike expected a winning season in 2013.
In 2013, the team looked almost the same as it had in the year before. The defense was blossoming heavily under Fisher, but the offense remained stagnant. The Rams finished 7-9 which was good for last place in the NFC West. Fisher went on to post a very disappointing 6-10 season with the team in 2014, and many Rams fans grew weary of Fisher and his coaching ability.
Then after yet another mediocre 7-9 season last season, many critics were calling for the head of Fisher in the offseason. Fisher had just six winning teams in 20 seasons coaching in the NFL to that point. What was even worse was Fisher’s teams lack of discipline on the field. The Rams were full of young draft picks, and although many of them looked to be budding stars, Fisher didn’t seem to have full control of the reins.
This is undoubtedly a make or break season for Fisher, who finds himself in a warm seat just one game into the season. If the Rams aren’t able to show substantial progress this season, Fisher could be out of a job. That is even more incentive to promote Goff and see what he can do for the team in 2016. With a retooled defense, Fisher hopes to get back to his formula for winning in the NFL.
Ideally, Fisher would have Goff hand the ball off as many times as possible and give his rookie quarterback a chance to manage the game. With a strong defensive front seven, Fisher can capitalize on having two young playmakers on offense to keep his team in games. With a terrible performance in their opener, the Rams need to pick things up as soon as they can. That probably means Goff needs a shot at starting sooner rather than later.
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