Jared Goff
Enter Jared Goff. Quarterback. Los Angeles Rams.
On Tuesday morning, November 15, Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher pulled the trigger and announced that the NFL's 2016 #1 draft choice was going to replace Case Keenum as the team's starting quarterback.
"I was excited, very excited. It's been a long time, it feels like, since I've gotten out there and played. I'm excited to get back out there and play," began Goff. "He (Fisher) sat me and Case down and just told us, just straight up. Again, I was excited."
"I'll say it now, I can't stress enough how awesome Case has been before this, in training camp, in OTAs, now this has happened after. On and off the field, I can't stress enough how good of a teammate and how awesome he's been with it."
Goff will make his pro debut against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday at the Coliseum. Keenum, who started the first nine games of the season for the Rams, will become the team's number two quarterback with Sean Mannion listed third on the depth chart.
"First I want to say, Case was voted a captain when the preseason was over and he's still a captain," said Fisher. "His leadership, and his enthusiasm, and his commitment, and everything. You can't ask for anything more out of somebody.
"It's time to move on. I felt in my heart. I was getting closer and closer over the last couple of weeks. I felt like this was the best time to go ahead and turn the keys over to Jared. We're excited for him... he's our starter, we're moving forward."
The pressure was growing over the past five weeks for a quarterback change as the Rams' offense was stuck in neutral during the better part of their four-game losing streak that ended with last Sunday's 9-6 win over the New York Jets. The team has failed to score a touchdown in three of nine games this season.
It was the L.A. defense to the rescue once again at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. For the fourth time this season the defense came up with the crucial stop on the last drive of the game. Linebacker Alec preserved the victory with the key interception as the Jets were marching near midfield inside the two-minute mark.
Ram kicker Greg Zuerlein accounted for the team's entire offensive output with three field goals to counter the Jets' lone touchdown score in the second quarter. N.Y. quarterback Bryce Petty threw to receiver Brandon Marshall who lateralled to running back Bilal Powell who ran it in for the only touchdown of the game. The Jets failed to kick the extra-point.
Zuerlein connected on a 20-yard field goal to cap-off the game's opening drive. He tied the score for the Rams at 6-6 with a field goal at the end of the third quarter and kicked the game-winning 34-yard field goal with 6:52 on the clock in the fourth quarter.
Zuerlein also kicked three field goals to beat Seattle 9-3 during the team's season home opener in September.
Fisher made it clear during the preseason that he expected his team to make the playoffs. Playing it close to the vest and still in the playoff picture with a 4-5 record, the Rams' coaching staff expect Goff to execute the offense throughout the remainder of the season.
"We didn't do what we did this offseason and trade for Jared to come in and just spot-play him over the next five or six weeks... He hasn't started an NFL game yet. It's going to take some time," said Fisher.
"We don't have to reduce anything and we talked as a staff last night about that. There are some things that we will expand because of the arm talent... I'm excited to watch him play, I'm excited to watch him go through and finish up his first week of preparation as our starter."
The Rams will attempt to win their second game of the season at the Coliseum against the hot 5-4 Miami Dolphins, currently riding a four-game winning streak. The Rams' all-time record versus the Dolphins is an abysmal 2-10. Miami has won the last three games played between the two teams including their last matchup in 2012, 17-14.
Ryan Tennehill leads the Miami offense, completing 173 of 265 attempts for 2,117 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Jay Ayayi leads in rushing with 725 yards gained on 127 carries and six touchdowns. Jarvis Landry leads in receptions with 658 yards on 55 catches and one touchdown.
Keenum's stats through nine games: 191 pass completions in 313 attempts for 2,169 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Todd Gurley leads the Rams in rushing with 515 yards on 167 carries and three touchdowns. Kenny Britt leads in receptions with 693 yards on 44 catches and three touchdowns.
With Goff making his debut just as the playoff picture begins to heat up, a full-house is certainly expected in what is easily the most anticipated start this NFL season. To date, seven rookie quarterbacks have played in 2016 with Dak Prescott, Carson Wentz, Cody Kessler, Jacoby Brissett and Paxton Lynch seeing starts.
"I go into games having expectations, and the expectation is he's going to run the offense. We're not scaling the offense down. We've game planned... I don't have any concerns about Jared. I just have high expectations for him... we're expecting him to play well and win games for us," said Fisher.
"It's going to take experience, snaps practice reps, game reps, and different situations. But he's had an opportunity to observe things and that experience is extremely valuable.
Goff: "I saw a lot of stuff from the sidelines, as much as you can see during the games. I learned from a lot of the things Case did, good and bad. It's been a long process, I guess, trying to pick up everything and get ready for it. I think I have and I think I've been ready for a little while. I feel good and I feel excited."
Regardless of Sunday's outcome the Los Angeles Rams fans will get their first real glance at the future of their franchise, essentially christening the fast-growing relationship between themselves, the players and the organization. The Goff era is officially upon us.
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