In last week’s match-up versus pregame 1-2 underdog Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff threw two touchdowns. Normally not a particularly big deal except heading into the game Goff — already 8th-ranked in franchise yards and touchdowns — trailed a familiar name in touchdown passes by just one. By game’s end, Jared Goff had surpassed another Rams franchise and Super Bowl-reaching quarterback, Vince Ferragamo, 71-70. Unfortunately, the Rams were upset 55-40, Goff fumbled in his fourth consecutive game, threw three interceptions with an embarrassing quarterback rating of just 40.7 and nobody noticed.
Los Angeles Rams Jared Goff Reaches Milestone
Why No One Noticed: Reason One
When longtime die-hard Los Angeles Rams fans think of the all-time greatest players in the history of their team, it’s a good bet that running backs top the list in terms of both quality and quantity. Defensive linemen have also been a constant. A handful of top-shelf receivers and offensive linemen also make the cut. The quarterback position usually proves to be the most debatable position among fans and understandably so.
Take the actual stats on the Rams franchise quarterbacks career passing list. The numbers boldly announce that Jim Everett leads in most of the major franchise categories. However, when you take part in any such discussion it’s quickly learned that he’s not the consensus top choice. That spot, too, varies but usually between Roman Gabriel and Kurt Warner. As recently as a month ago, I’ve had to defend that Everett belongs among the Rams all-time top 10 quarterbacks. Of course, he does but the simple mention says a lot.
Warner reached two Super Bowls for the then-St. Louis Rams and another with the Arizona Cardinals. He often gets the nod for successfully bringing the franchise its third championship. Gabriel is a fan favorite despite never reaching the ultimate game. Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin led the Rams to their first and second championships, respectively. Hard not to compare their pre-Super Bowl era accomplishments to what quarterbacks must face with today’s bigger, faster and stronger defensive fronts.
Additionally, it’s extremely difficult to get overly excited about a position category that has Tony Banks in its top 12.
Why No One Noticed: Reason Two
Reading on, try and understand that the Rams mostly have a history of playing it safe where quarterbacks are concerned. They’re willing to take risks, within reason, when obtaining talent through high draft selections or free agency. One catch, they must feel confident in what they’re getting. Aiming at the stars while fearing the unknown is not something they make a habit of practicing.
During the 2016 NFL draft season, there was the question of Jared Goff or Carson Wentz as the Rams held the first overall pick. Even recommended by current NFL analyst Kurt Warner, Goff was to be their safe pick. Wentz, the mobile small school prospect most knew little about, had impressive college highlights. But those same highlights also exposed the recklessness that can accompany dual-threat types. Wentz now struggles with remaining healthy.
Seeking out the safe pick or free agent signing has its advantages and disadvantages. One main advantage is that whoever starts for the Rams will likely have an arm and throw accurately enough. A major disadvantage, it’s very hard to be consistently successful without a very good to great offensive line. But isn’t this true of every NFL team?
Excluding Year 1 of course, this is #Rams Jared Goff's stat line each of the last three 1st-quarter seasons. Included is the TFL and QB Hits categories to enhance the significance of how important offensive line play is…and it doesn't simply affect him but RB, in-game adjust.. pic.twitter.com/8OJ8JhtOti
— Mob Times~2021 NFL Champs ★👑𝓛𝓐 𝓡𝓪𝓶𝓼👑★ (@GridDawgs247) October 3, 2019
Here’s the thing. Behind a very good offensive line, the Rams don’t need Goff to be another Wentz. Didn’t 2018 prove that? Blake Bortles appears more fluid in the pocket than Goff and he’s never sniffed championship air.
Keeping opposing defenses out of the Rams backfield is considerably more important in Sean McVay‘s offensive system than having an elusive team-carrying quarterback like Russell Wilson. If Goff has to extend plays the play has already broken down. Would it be great to have a quarterback capable of creating on the fly? Absolutely! Still, it’s much better over the course of a game if he doesn’t have to.
In Sean McVay We Trust
The Rams have a formula in place. Frankly, it’s a good one and proving to be better than most.
McVay is not yet on Bill Belichick‘s teaching level, it’s agreed. But the New England Patriots are more of an industry while the Rams are more ‘team’ and family-oriented. The Rams take care of their core players and surround them with the best talent available. Much like school, the Patriots educate and then send core players (not named Brady) out into the world to fend for themselves. It’s a confidence that’s been built in New England’s conservative world that’s worked well. It’s the Belichick way.
But the Patriots didn’t invent winning. In fact (and excluding the Spygate scandal), if Mike Martz had been the head coach Dick Vermeil was and made the appropriate in-game adjustments, the Super Bowl victory that started the Patriots dynasty would very likely have never happened.
Point being, there are many ways to win in the NFL but not all recycled NFL coaches can adjust to change. Defense alone, no longer wins championships. Offense and the smarter coaches that are the future of the league will win the majority of what lies ahead.
It’s football, not rocket science, and one time-tested entity will always prove true; a mediocre-to-good quarterback behind a very good-to-great offensive line is likely to get farther on average than a good-to-great quarterback behind a bad, mediocre or banged up offensive line. Throw in a potential future Hall of Fame head coach and a great supporting cast of weapons and win or lose such a team might reach (or return to) The Show.
In McVay and company most Rams fans trust. They trust that with improvement — or a move or two before the NFL trade deadline — the Rams will be fine.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
