Keenum vs Stacked box

It's fait accompli. He simply doesn't have the arm to effectively deliver the ball outside the numbers. What is his effective range limitation on an out route? Maybe 3-4 yards? No chance in hell to the wide side of the field... Very simple concept here. So instead of spreading 11 guys on a defense to cover an area(l x w) of field a "regulation NFL QB threatens" a defense now only has to cover "Keenum threat area". Unfortunately for us this isn't rocket science. There are two ways to stretch the area of the field, vertical and horizontal. These are the core concepts that all offenses are made. This is also why the deep out pattern throw is "the benchmark" throw for an NFL arm, especially to the wide side of the field. If a QB can effectively make that throw it opens up the entire field of play and keeps defenses on their heels and most certainly out of a stacked box.It forces defenses to defend both sidelines and off the LoS vertically minimum between the sticks. Problem is Keenum doesn't have the arm, let alone release for that throw at this level. Best case, in ideal conditions if Keenum has, clear line of site, his shortest drop/quickest release ever, ability to step into and throw as hard as he can deliver the ball 7-9 yards on an out to the short side of the field, like he managed once to Tavon Austin. Most of the time he throws a beautiful pick six ball. He's lucky its such a bad pass it even the db jumping the route is like "wtf was that?"

Here's some although dated I believe relevant statistical breakdown of Keenum on these routes. Look at his dropback, release time, average distance, and interception rate. All point to a noodle arm. Goff can already stick that deep out in his sleep. I'll take Goff fumbled snaps and whatever rookie picks he needs to throw over Keenum and half a football field, any day.

Clearly, this isn't the only problem. But its an easy evaluation. Some of us have been saying this for some time. The Rams can't actually trot Keenum back out after that can they? They may get really lucky and pull it off, but we aren't winning many games with Keenum, ever. Bank it. At the bare minimum they need to go with Mannion for a game.


Whatever they do the bar can't be set any lower...








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