NFC West Q&A: What are realistic expectations for Jared Goff in Year 2?

NFC West Q&A: What are realistic expectations for Jared Goff in Year 2?

Alden Gonzalez

The Los Angeles Rams traded up last year to take quarterback Jared Goff No. 1 overall, but they weren’t expecting a superstar.

At least not yet.

They simply need him to take care of the football and be enough of a downfield threat that defenses aren’t stacking the box so aggressively to stop running back Todd Gurley.


After a rough start to Jared Goff's NFL career, the Rams have to temper their expectations for his progress in Year 2. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
It’s reasonable to expect improvement from Goff, but those expectations must be tempered. His numbers through seven games -- 54.6 completion percentage, 5.3 yards per attempt, 22.9 Total QBR -- were dreadful. And though a lot of the blame can be directed at an inadequate offensive line and an uninspiring group of receivers, Goff himself showed he has a long way to go. He needs to make better reads, be more accurate and have a better feel in the pocket.

The Rams have turned over their coaching staff, adding Sean McVay and a collection of coaches with a history of helping quarterbacks succeed. So, what are realistic expectations for Goff in Year 2?

Josh Weinfuss, Arizona Cardinals reporter: There’s nowhere to go but up, right? It’s silly not to expect Goff to make significant strides between Years 1 and 2, when most players have their biggest growth. Developing quarterbacks, especially rookies, is tough in this era of the collective bargaining agreement, when interaction with coaches is so limited. And it didn’t help Goff last year that he didn’t start until Week 11. In theory, starting him in Week 1 would’ve given him the chance to get fully baptized by the fire of the NFL. Or he should’ve sat his entire rookie season and learned that way, as Carson Palmer did in 2003. His growth may have been stunted by playing in only seven games. After a full offseason to work on his own game while learning an entirely new scheme -- possibly one he can contribute to molding -- more growth should be expected from him. I’m not projecting him to be a Pro Bowler in Year 2, but I think he’ll show more of why he was the No. 1 pick.

Read Complete Article
[www.espn.com]