Bonsignore: Case Keenum, Jeff Fisher just the start of Rams' opening night woesBy VINCENT BONSIGNORE / STAFF COLUMNIST
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SANTA CLARA – Case Keenum took the snap at the end of the Rams’ 28-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, planted a humble knee into the turf at Levi’s Stadium and figuratively screamed: “We give up.”
On an embarrassing night in the Bay Area, it was a fitting, symbolic gesture of the Rams’ ineptness. Sadly, it might have been the only play the Rams perfectly executed from beginning to end.
It was that kind of night in Santa Clara, as the Rams feebly stumbled about offensively in their opening night as the Los Angeles Rams and pretty much surrendered all the positive vibes and momentum of their return to Southern California.
The question is, will it be that kind of season?
This much is certain: The honeymoon is over.
All that heartwarming nostalgia flew right out the window.
If the Rams thought they could float their way through their first season back in L.A. atop a magic carpet ride of sentimentality, reality delivered a vicious right cross.
That’s not going to happen in Los Angeles.
Here is another dose of harsh truth.
It doesn’t get any easier.
The schedule gets tougher, the quality of opponent improves and the travel harsher.
The Rams better get their act together, and in a hurry.
Where to start is the question, because Monday night exposed a litany of issues.
Here are a few observations:
KEENUM GOT EXPOSED
The undrafted quarterback out of Houston has worked hard to play himself into a starting position in the NFL. But as Monday night showed, the Rams might be the only team in the league for which he’d be a starter. Had No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff played better in training camp, Keenum would be right back where he belonged: on the bench as a backup you can trust – somewhat – in short stints as the emergency starter.
Keenum started 16 games over his first four seasons, but never as his team’s opening-day No. 1 and certainly not as a prolonged answer.
He’s essentially keeping the seat warm for Goff, but after looking overwhelmed while throwing for 130 yards and two interceptions on 17-of-35 passing for a putrid 34.2 quarterback rating, his leash just got a whole lot shorter.
Keenum stands barely over 6 feet and has a low release point – which reared its ugly head on a tipped ball that landed in the hands of the 49ers for an interception. He is also limited by a below-average throwing arm, which was exposed when he tried to deliver downfield. On pass attempts 5 yards or longer, Keenum was 5 of 18 for 74 yards and a pair of picks.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher acknowledged afterward he contemplated bringing in backup Sean Mannion, but decided to stick with Keenum.
But if this keeps up?
“Well, I’ll adjust,” Fisher said, “But I don’t expect it to continue.”
Give Keenum credit for accepting responsibility.
“Well, I’m not happy. It’s not something that I’ll go out and think about, but this team deserves better plays from its quarterback and I intend on doing that,” Keenum said.
But it’s hard to have hope he’ll get significantly better anytime soon.
SHORTAGE OF LINEBACKERS
The Rams released veteran starting outside linebacker Akeem Ayers in a money move, and while they hoped to bring him back on a reworked contract, the Buffalo Bills beat them to the punch. The Rams shrugged it off, believing they could get by against the 49ers’ spread offense by operating out of base nickel and dime packages in which only two linebackers were on the field.
That proved to be a big mistake, as the 49ers continually exposed the Rams’ lack of strength in the middle of the field with big-chunk power runs and scrambles by quarterback Blaine Gabbert. On many plays, Rams cornerbacks got overwhelmed at the point of attack by bigger blockers.
Up next is the Seattle Seahawks, who pose a big-time power running threat.
Something has to give at linebacker – and barring adding a newcomer, the Rams must turn to youngsters such as Cory Littleton and Josh Forrest. That doesn’t bode well against the Seahawks.
AUSTIN HAS TO DO BETTER
The Rams rewarded Tavon Austin with a four-year contract extension at $42 million, and spent the entire offseason devising and implementing new ways to get Austin the ball.
Give them credit for following through on the plan, as Austin was targeted a reasonable 12 times Monday night.
The problem is, Austin made little use of the chances, catching four balls for a meager 13 yards and rushing one time for 2 yards.
Austin dropped a few catchable passes, Keenum missed on a few targets, and when the ball was secured, Austin did little with it.
As one of the Rams’ few playmakers, it’s up to Austin to figure out better ways to do more with the opportunities. The 12-target ratio is more than enough. Now Austin needs to back it up with production.
“We’re going to go back to work this week and I guarantee we won’t look like this again.” Austin said.
PENALTIES REMAIN AN ISSUE
The Rams were the ninth-most penalized team last year and vowed to make improvements. If you caught any of training camp, many Tuesday practices ended with wind sprints as Fisher tried to discipline the previous games’ infractions.
A lot of good it did.
The Rams reverted to their old mistakes against the 49ers, getting flagged an excruciating 10 times for 102 yards. In doing so, they sabotaged potential scoring drives and aided touchdown drives by San Francisco.
HORRIBLE START FOR FISHER
Fisher is on the last year of his contract, and while there was talk this offseason about a contract extension, nothing came to fruition. At this point, the Rams might want to let this season play out a little longer before giving him more years and money.
The Rams looked overwhelmed and unprepared Monday behind an offense that couldn’t move the ball and a defense that was bit on the backside by some curious personnel decisions.
They also looked undisciplined with the 10 penalties – culminating in Aaron Donald getting thrown out of the game after pushing off the helmet of a 49ers player.
That goes straight to the head coach, and it’s obvious Fisher didn’t have his team mentally or physically ready to play.
Worse, he went “there” after the game by pointing to the team’s move from St. Louis as a possible excuse for the bad performance.
In fact, he actually threw in an extra “move” by saying the Rams have moved four times over the past eight months, when in reality it’s been three: St. Louis to Oxnard for OTAs, then to Irvine for training camp and onto Thousand Oaks as their home base.
After pretty much resisting the move as a potential crutch through the entire offseason, Fisher conveniently reached for it on opening night.
And that’s unacceptable.
