Rookie Jared Goff struggles, but Rams win in return to L.A.
By Steve Dilbeck
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www.espn.com]
LOS ANGELES -- Everything seemed new for the Los Angeles Rams as they returned home Saturday night. But as they quickly learned, that doesn't mean it will all be immediately better.
They gave up a 101-yard touchdown on the opening kickoff, then saw the man they've designated as their franchise quarterback, No. 1 pick Jared Goff, struggle his first time out before their reserves pulled out a 28-24 win Saturday over the Dallas Cowboys, their first home game at the Coliseum in 36 years.
QB depth chart: All eyes may be on Goff, but for now, Case Keenum remains the Rams' starting quarterback. He looked the part Saturday. Keenum played the first three series, completing six of seven passes for 58 yards, and led the Rams to one touchdown.
Goff played the next two series, completing four of nine passes for 38 yards. He had two passes dropped and threw one interception when hit by Cowboys linebacker Derek Akunne on his release. He was also sacked and never looked comfortable.
Third-stringer Sean Mannion had the best day, completing 18 of 25 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns in the second half.
Maybe that player could start: He may not be exactly ready to start, but rookie tight end Tyler Higbee continued his impressive camp play in the exhibition opener. The fourth-round pick led all receivers in the first half with five receptions and 49 yards. He did, however, do one thing he hasn't done in camp: fail to pull in one pass.
Who got hurt? There was apparently good news here for the Rams, who appeared to escape injury free. Injuries are not officially announced in preseason games.
A surprise player who impressed: Rookie wide receiver Nelson Spruce went undrafted out of Colorado, despite becoming the Pac-12's all-time leading receiver. He led all receivers with six receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown.
When it was starters vs. starters, the Rams looked ... like they need more practice. This being the preseason opener, if you blinked, you could have missed the starters going up against one another. Plus, the Rams elected not to play star running back Todd Gurley, and the Cowboys kept quarterback Tony Romo on the sideline.
The Rams began substituting defensive players on their second series. In the first offensive series, they went three-and-out. In their first defensive series, they allowed the Cowboys to march 80 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown.
One reason to be concerned: The Rams had the lowest-rated passing attack in the NFL last season, and in the first half, when their top two quarterbacks played, there was little to indicate things would be different this year.
Of the 10 passes they completed in the first half, only two went to wide receivers. Six went to tight ends and two to running backs.
About those uniforms: The Rams announced they were going to wear the classic white uniforms from their Fearsome Foursome days at home this season, but that was apparently not a full representation.
The Deacon Jones-led Rams of the '60s were blue and white, including a blue-and-white helmet design.
The uniforms the Rams played in Saturday, and will in all but two home games (when they'll wear the blue and yellow from the '80s), were white but with a darker blue accent in their number and name. There was a gold stripe down the pant legs, and they continued to wear the same gold-and-blue helmets from St. Louis.
The Los Angeles return: The Rams announced a crowd of 89,140 for the first preseason game at the Coliseum. Many remained outside the gates when the game began, struggling to get through NFL security, which requires clear bags.
