Case Keenum is OK with being out of the spotlight

Case Keenum is OK with being out of the spotlight at Los Angeles Rams camp

By Gary Klein

[www.latimes.com]

It is nearly impossible for starting NFL quarterbacks to remain under the radar during training camp.

Their passes and leadership skills are scrutinized and they’re in constant demand by local and national reporters.

But with backup Jared Goff, the top pick in the NFL draft, commanding attention for the Rams, Case Keenum has largely stayed out of the spotlight so far.

And the fifth-year pro appears comfortable with the situation.

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“Jared’s got people all over him,” Keenum said Monday after practice, adding, “I understand that.

“I’m not sensitive. I’ve got a thick skin and I’m going to be who I am no matter what.”

Keenum initially will be at the forefront Saturday night when the Rams play the Dallas Cowboys at the Coliseum in the first NFL game at the stadium in more than 20 years.

Keenum grew up in Abilene, Texas, and he said he was a Cowboys fan until he went to college at Houston and became a Texans fan.

“It’s really cool to play the Cowboys,” he said. “A lot of my people are from there.”

For the first time in his pro career, Keenum will go into an exhibition opener as a starter.

How long he maintains that status could well be determined by how Goff plays during exhibitions against the Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings.

Coach Jeff Fisher has said that Goff is expected to play about a half against the Cowboys. But Keenum is the starter.

And while Goff has made several passes during camp that appear to validate the Rams’ decision to trade to the top of the draft to select him, Keenum has quietly and efficiently run the offense.

“He knows what to do,” Fisher said of Keenum. “He knows where to go with it.”

The crowds at practice have not screamed his name, as they have for Goff, but Keenum has looked like a quarterback ready to lead the offense if called upon to do so in the Sept. 12 opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

“I’m putting up blinders,” he said. “I’m not worried about anything. I’m in a great spot for myself.

“Whatever happens is going to happen. I understand other people are going to have to do their job but I’m going to go do my job.”

Being the starter has its advantages, some that Keenum never enjoyed during previous training camps with the Texans and Rams.

“Getting a lot more reps now with the ones is really nice to kind of get comfortable with what throws do I feel comfortable making to guys,” he said. “How far can I push the envelope on trying to put things in certain holes or windows.”

Getting prepped

The game against the Cowboys will be the first NFL game at the Coliseum since 1994.


“I’m excited to go out there and give these fans something they haven’t had here for awhile,” defensive tackle Aaron Donald said. “Go out and give them something to watch.”

Fisher said that part of the preparation would include going through the pregame warmup routine, the procedure for the national anthem and other issues.

“We’ll give them a little bit of a head start on the Cowboys,” Fisher said, “probably just a day or so, maybe 20 to 24 reps so they’ll have some familiarity with their systems.”

Moving around

Defensive lineman Quinton Coples signed with the Rams as a free agent after playing linebacker in a 3-4 scheme with the New York Jets and a short stint with the Miami Dolphins.

The 16th pick in the 2012 draft played defensive end through organized team activities and the first week of training camp. On Monday, he also played defensive tackle.

Fisher said the move was made to give Ethan Westbrooks work at end.

“I’ve played inside and I can do both,” Coples said. “Things happen a little faster [at tackle] but overall it was good.”

Coples said that his fellow linemen have embraced him.

“It’s been great,” he said. “I’ve been feeling good and it’s great to be back at D-line.”

Notes

The Rams released an “unofficial” depth chart that included: Keenum at quarterback; running back Todd Gurley; wide receivers Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin; left tackle Greg Robinson; left guard Cody Wichmann; center Tim Barnes; right guard Jamon Brown; right tackle Rodger Saffold; and tight ends Cory Harkey and Lance Kendricks. The defense: ends William Hayes and Robert Quinn; tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers; linebackers Alec Ogletree (middle), Akeem Ayers (strong side) and Mark Barron (weak side); cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Lamarcus Joyner; and safeties Cody Davis and Maurice Alexander…. The Rams practice Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. Defensive linemen will be available for autographs after the workout. Autographs are limited to fans 14 and younger.