Quote
max
We are very close to what's going on with this team, so I wanted to step back and look at the passing game from a reasonable perspective.
Here's the bottom line:
Given the following:
1. 3+ year vets who have never produced at least 800 receiving yds in a season.
2. rookie QB and/or journeyman QB.
3. rookie receivers not taken in the 1st or 2nd round.
How often does that combination produced a decent passing game?
My guess is that the percentage is extremely low. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any. Anyone got an example of a team that has done it in the past 10 years?
Very intriguing thread topic, max. Thanks for posting.
I'll play.
First, how does one define a "decent passing game"? I think an overall 3500+ yards would be "decent". We don't require a 1000 yard WR to get that done, iow.
We seem to now have a fast learner and high ceiling QB. Haven't had that since Bulger.
I see receiving weapons now for Goff everywhere I look.
Britt
Austin
Gurley
Cooper
Thomas
Higbee
And Spruce, Williams, Marquez, and possibly Quick waiting in the wings.
I see an ascending OL that I believe is underrated by most pundits.
I see a world class RB in Gurley that can terrorize D's both on the ground and catching occasional passes from Goff.
When all the above is added up, I see a combustible mixture, indeed. Might not contain a 1000 yard WR, but just might contain 3 to 4K in total passing yardage nonetheless. I think I prefer making the opposing D defend 4-5 dangerous receivers rather than mostly allowing them to focus on one #1 WR.
So, to wrap up...
1. There were reasons why our WR's didn't exceed 800 yards previously. Ranging from QB to OC to OL to TE to WR coach and to maybe the philosophy of the HC.
2. Goff is a rookie, but he ain't no typical rookie QB.
3. WR's don't have to be taken in the 1st or 2nd round to be effective, although Britt and Austin happen to be former 1st rounders.
I believe that our overall O is gonna pleasantly surprise a lot of Ram fans. Especially those that haven't been paying close attention. And stun most of the pundits. Like the Rams did in '73 and '99.