Rams' new starter Goff in for rude welcome to NFL
The Los Angeles Rams finally took the plunge Tuesday, installing first overall pick Jared Goff as starting quarterback.
While the Rams will say they made a change because it gives them the best chance to win, it's clearly a move made with eyes toward the future. It's highly unlikely a rookie who couldn't pass Case Keenum on the depth chart until now will lead the 4-5 Rams to many more wins - if any.
Just look at the Rams' upcoming schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Saints, at Patriots, vs. Falcons, at Seahawks, vs. 49ers, vs. Cardinals.
Have fun with that, Jared.
Winners of their last four, the Dolphins are one of the NFL's hottest teams. Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake could make life hell for Goff in his first start.
Then comes a three-game stretch against teams that rank Nos. 2, 6, and 1 in scoring. Goff stands little chance of matching Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Matt Ryan point for point. Heck, no quarterback does with the Rams' roster. Outside of the increasingly disappointing Todd Gurley, they're bereft of talent on offense.
After that, Goff heads north to Seattle for a date with the NFL's most ferocious defense. He might not escape alive.
Then there's a glimmer of hope in a home game against the 49ers - a team that might actually be worse than the Rams. If Goff is to notch a win this season, it will probably have to come in this contest.
The Rams close out their season at home against the Cardinals in a game Arizona will likely have to win to make the playoffs. It also might be the last game of the Jeff Fisher regime - hardly a motivating factor for the Rams' players.
Fans have no choice but to close their eyes, grit their teeth, and hope for the best with Goff. Considering what the team traded to acquire him, he simply has to be the future of the franchise.
Though the start to his career will probably be rocky, picking up wins shouldn't rank in his top 10 goals. Far more important for the rookie is proving he can competently take a snap from under center, avoid pressure inside the pocket, make multiple reads downfield, and deliver the ball on time to the correct receiver - all remedial stuff, but stuff that legitimately may be beyond his current level of development.
As the Rams' losses pile up - which they almost certainly will - there will be one team celebrating every moment: the Tennessee Titans, who own the Rams' first-round pick in 2017 because of the Goff trade.
The four wins the Rams already have should provide a buffer from the embarrassment of sending the Titans 2017's first overall pick, but unless Goff can string together a few wins, it's possible the Titans will receive the gift of a top-five draft pick.