Jared Goff could be promoted in Week 2 -- to backup
By Alden Gonzalez
[
www.espn.com]
Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher was asked on his weekly radio show if Monday's demoralizing loss, specifically the ineffectiveness of starting quarterback Case Keenum, would do anything to alter his methodical development strategy with No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff. Fisher's response, via ESPNLA 710AM on Tuesday afternoon: "That would be no."
The best-case scenario for Goff would come as a backup in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, and even that is uncertain.
The 21 year old began his NFL career as a third-string quarterback and thus was inactive for the opener against the San Francisco 49ers, a team he grew up rooting for. Goff watched in street clothes from the sideline as Keenum completed 17 of 35 passes for 130 yards and two interceptions, leading an offense that amassed only 185 yards from scrimmage in a 28-0 loss.
Goff is currently behind second-year pro Sean Mannion on the depth chart, but the two could flip-flop leading up to the Rams' first regular-season game at Los Angeles Coliseum, a possibility Fisher alluded to last week.
"He's pushing along," Fisher said of Goff during a news conference on Tuesday. "This whole experience for Jared was good -- not good for our team, but good for him to see all this. We'll decide later in the week."
But Fisher is not ready to decide on a starting quarterback.
The Rams will give Keenum longer than a week to figure this all out, which is to be expected. Undrafted in 2012, Keenum replaced an ineffective Nick Foles last season and led the Rams to three victories over their last four games. He then turned in a solid preseason, completing 18 of 24 passes while displaying a firm handle on the offense. But Keenum led a unit that went 3-for-15 on first downs at Levi's Stadium, in front of a Monday Night Football audience. And he doesn't necessarily posses the arm strength to consistently beat teams down the field and open up more running lanes for Todd Gurley.
Fisher was asked after Monday's game what he would do if Keenum's struggles continue.
"Well," Fisher responded, "I'll adjust. But I don't expect it to continue."
