As long as offense struggles, Jeff Fisher will be confronted with QB questions

As long as offense struggles, Rams coach Jeff Fisher will be confronted with QB questions

By RICH HAMMOND / STAFF WRITER

[www.ocregister.com]

THOUSAND OAKS – In every way measured by statistics, the Rams have the least-successful passing attack in the NFL this season, but Coach Jeff Fisher isn’t happily entertaining Jared Goff-as-starter questions.

“I mean, when he’s under center, you’ll know, OK?” Fisher said during his off-day news conference Monday. “So, keep asking it every week, if you want. Fine. You can ask it again, if you want.”

Fisher’s demeanor couldn’t be described as testy, but certainly it was not jovial, either. Clearly, Fisher would prefer to discuss other matters, particularly in the afterglow of Sunday’s upset victory over Seattle, but Fisher isn’t naive enough to think that Goff and the Rams’ offense will cease to be storylines.

Case Keenum remains on track to start Sunday at Tampa Bay, even though the Rams rank last in the NFL in passing yards, passing yards per attempt and quarterback rating. The Rams also have the worst third-down percentage in the NFL and have entered the red zone once in 24 possessions.

And, by the way, the Rams are the only team in the NFL not to score a touchdown. Not all of that, of course, is Keenum’s fault, and the Rams haven’t run the ball well, either.

Keenum, by all reasonable standards, improved last week. After a dreadful performance against a mediocre San Francisco defense, Keenum had to face a fierce Seattle defense. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 239 yards and didn’t throw an interception.

“Our opener was a team loss,” Fisher said. “I don’t blame it on Case, nor do I give credit to Case for this win here yesterday, although he contributed and made a lot of plays and pushed the ball down field and made plays when he needed to.

“We need more production out of our offense. And all things point to the quarterback position, but I’m expecting Case to continue to get better in this offense, and we’re going to win games and score points.”

Keenum should have a chance to thrive this week against Tampa Bay’s defense. In the first week, Atlanta’s Matt Ryan passed for 334 yards and two touchdowns. On Sunday, Arizona’s Carson Palmer passed for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Neither quarterback threw an interception.

So, Goff will watch again. There’s no indication yet whether Goff or Sean Mannion will back up Keenum. Goff was inactive against San Francisco but backed up against Seattle.

“That was a great experience for him,” Fisher said. “He loved it. I talked to him (Monday) morning. I said, ‘This is going to be your home for a long time.’ He’s excited about that. When that happens, we’ll let you know.”

Other rookie quarterbacks are getting chances. Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz, taken at No. 2 in this year’s draft (one spot after Goff) has started twice, as has fourth-round pick Dak Prescott for Dallas (because of injury). Cleveland’s Cody Kessler and New England’s Jacoby Brissett, two third-round picks, also are expected to start this week due to injuries.

CORNER CHANGE

Fisher indicated that Troy Hill, a former undrafted rookie free agent signed by the Rams last December, will have a chance to take over as a starting cornerback opposite Trumaine Johnson.

Coty Sensabaugh, signed as a free agent, started against the Seahawks but played only 23 of 67 defensive snaps. Hill, who played only special teams in the opener, replaced Hill and played 44 snaps.

Hill got tested early and often by Seattle, and held up fairly well but did get beat on a late 53-yard reception by Tyler Lockett late in the fourth quarter.

Fisher said he had yet to decide whether Hill or Sensabaugh would start against the Buccaneers.

The other factor is cornerback E.J. Gaines, who hasn’t played this season because of a thigh injury. Fisher said Gaines likely will take over the starting job when healthy, but also said Gaines is considered questionable this week.

Fisher said rookie receivers Pharoh Cooper (shoulder) and Nelson Spruce (knee) should participate in some practice this week but called both questionable for the game. On his weekly radio show, Fisher also said nickel cornerback Lamarcus Joyner suffered a broken toe against Seattle but kept playing.

HOT DAY

Nearly 160 people needed medical attention for heat-related issues during Sunday’s game, according to the Associated Press, which added that 14 were taken to a hospital. None was considered critical.

Media reports also indicated that some Coliseum concession stands ran out of bottled water at one point during the game. The official temperature for the game, which kicked off shortly after 1 p.m., was 88 degrees.