Bonsignore: Sloppy Rams still need to clean up a few issues
Aug. 28, 2016 Updated 8:43 p.m.

[www.ocregister.com]

By VINCENT BONSIGNORE / STAFF COLUMNIST

DENVER – For everything the Rams got corrected Saturday against the Denver Broncos in their third preseason game – and we’re primarily talking about the first-string defense cleaning up its act and playing dominantly after getting pushed around the first two weeks – a few other issues bubbled to the surface.

The offensive line had its hands full against the dynamic Broncos defensive line. The wide receivers dropped a handful of catchable passes, turning what could have been a good night for rookie quarterback Jared Goff into an uneven one. And after playing two games of relatively clean football, the Rams sabotaged themselves with 10 costly penalties.

All of which contributed to a 17-9 loss in the Mile High City in what’s expected to be the final dress rehearsal for starters and key players before the opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 12.

Here are some observations from Saturday night in Denver:

DROPPED BALLS

Among other factors, the 2015 Rams point to two key negatives that led to their 7-9 record: Missed field goals at the end of three winnable games and dropped passes – specifically tight end Jared Cook.

The latter reared it’s ugly head big time Saturday night.

The good news is, veteran Brian Quick held onto the ball in his three targets. The bad news is, Duke Williams and Mike Thomas each dropped two balls to ruin the night for Goff, who finished with 4-of-12 passing for 45 yards but could have had a much better line save for the misplays.

Williams and Thomas figure to be fringe players – if both even make the final roster – at the outset of their rookie seasons, so neither are expected to see the field much in the immediate future. But with the Rams needing reliable playmakers to lift their offense out of the doldrums, they can’t afford to leave as many catches on the turf as they did Saturday. Rookies or otherwise.

QUINN MAKES IMPACT

After missing the second half of 2015 after undergoing back surgery then sitting out the first two preseason games for precautionary purposes, veteran defensive end Robert Quinn was champing at the bit to finally get back on the field Saturday.

He made good use of his first game back while playing most of the first quarter, teaming with fellow starters Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers and William Hayes to build a brick wall at the line of scrimmage and completely shut down the Broncos running game – which averaged just 1.9 yards per carry on seven attempts.

Getting Quinn back completes a defensive front as good as any in the NFL.

“You’ve got one of the best edge rushers in the National Football League, and we just added back that kind of playmaker,” Donald said. “It’s one more guy who can fly around and make plays out there, so that’s huge.”

O-LINE HAD SOME ISSUES

The offensive line was eager to play against the Broncos’ heralded 3-4 defensive front, arguably the best in the NFL. After playing effectively the first two preseason games against the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs, the Rams wanted to carry that momentum into Denver in what they considered a bit of a litmus test.

The Broncos won the battle, especially in the pass game as Von Miller and Co. sacked quarterbacks six times and delivered nine hits in all.

And in the first team vs. first team matchup, the Rams had trouble protecting Case Keenum and Jared Goff, who were continually flushed out of the pocket or dropped for sacks.

Two things worth noting, though.

Rob Havenstein, the Rams starting right tackle, is still out because of a foot injury and the Rams moved starting left guard Rodger Saffold to tackle to replace him. So it’s tough to gauge the line play until the complete unit is intact. Saffold, in particular, struggled in pass blocking against Miller.

Additionally, the Broncos defensive front is the gold standard in the NFL and torments even the best lines in the league.

The Rams offensive line has played well throughout camp and through the first two weeks of preseason games, so while Saturday was disappointing it wasn’t entirely unexpected given the big missing piece at right tackle and the nominal game planning beforehand.

GOFF GETS LITTLE HELP

Rams coach Jeff Fisher hasn’t officially named Case Keenum the starting quarterback, but he also said Saturday Keenum hasn’t done anything to lose his grip on the job either.

So read between the lines as you wish.

Goff had a chance to close the gap on Keenum – and tighten his hold on the No. 2 job – with a good performance against the Broncos but he was victimized by a handful of dropped passes and shaky pass protection to struggle to 4-of-12 passing for 45 yards and a 45.5 quarterback ranking.

And that doesn’t account for the should-have-been Pick-6 interception Goff delivered into the hands of Broncos safety Darian Stewart – only for Stewart to drop it.

It’s obvious by now Keenum gives the Rams the best chance to win football games right now. So expect that announcement to come soon.

The question is, do the Rams believe Goff can be the next man up if Keenum falters or gets hurt?

Or is Sean Mannion the No. 2 for now?