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Rams can't waste any more time, must start Goff

Kelvin Kuo / USA TODAY Sports

It's time to make a change in Los Angeles.

The Rams entered the season sticking to their guns and set to make this a redshirt year for No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff. As outdated as their strategy may have seemed to some, the move appeared logical given the quarterback's struggles during the preseason.

But as the team now sits 3-4 through seven games, the case to stand by Case Keenum is growing weaker by the day.

In fairness to Keenum, the disastrous performance in Sunday's loss to the New York Giants came on the heels of a game that quite easily stands as the most impressive of his career - a 321-yard, three touchdown showing against the Detroit Lions.

All of his limitations were on full display just one week later in London, though, as he connected on just 32-of-53 pass attempts for 291 yards, one touchdown, four interceptions, and three sacks.

At a certain point, when your more experienced quarterback is squandering opportunities and gifting turnovers to a less-than-impressive pass defense, it's fair to wonder just how far the dropoff is to the rookie.

Goff is raw, that much we know. His transition from a spread system to the NFL was always going to take some significant work, and it may be several years before the Rams start to get a return on the blockbuster deal to move up and take the former Cal star.

But what is he really learning standing on the sidelines and watching Keenum lead the NFL's most underwhelming passing attack? Why continue to delay getting him the reps that will truly allow him to grow?

Despite Jeff Fisher admittedly being hell-bent on ending his long run of mediocre records, the Rams once again seem headed for a finish somewhere in the range of 7-9 or 8-8.

Play the kid and let him get his experience now, rather than essentially having his rookie season begin at some point in 2017.

The Rams will be better for it in the long run, and particularly so when it comes time to move into their new stadium. Perhaps that should be the new target date for a turnaround as yet another Fisher-led team hovers around the .500 mark.

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