Goff offers Rams hope after forgetful day

Jared Goff offers Rams hope after forgetful day

By Vincent Bonsignore, Los Angeles Daily News

http://www.sgvtribune.com/sports/20161128/jared-goff-offers-rams-hope-after-forgetful-day

NEW ORLEANS — Lost in all the frustration of a blowout loss and a season gone sideways, rookie quarterback Jared Goff flashed in a major way for the Rams on Sunday against the Saints.

It was essentially limited to the first half, as the Saints stormed him in waves upon taking a big lead in the second half. But Goff’s poise and marksmanship were on display and remained the lone bright spot in an otherwise dreary day.

Otherwise, it was a day for the Rams to forget as the Saints embarrassed them by hanging half a hundred on them and refused to take their foots off the gas while sending a message to Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who filled that same role with the Saints from 2009 to 2011 but left New Orleans unceremoniously after the Bountygate affair.

Saints head coach Sean Payton, it seems, is not a fan of Williams, and that was obvious when he called a double-pass gadget play that resulted in a 50-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter with the Saints already leading by 21.

Friends don’t do that to each other in the NFL.

It was that kind of day for the Rams, who got caught in the Payton/Williams crossfire and had nothing to offer in return.

Here are some observations from the Rams’ sixth loss in their past seven games.

GOFF IS THE REAL DEAL

In the spirit of fairness and full disclosure, a lot was said about Goff’s lack of NFL readiness in this space during training camp and preseason games. Simply put, the Goff learning curve going from Cal to the NFL was more demanding than imagined.

And that was pointed out by many.

That said, he’s grown by leaps and bounds since, and that progress was obvious while watching him during practice as the days, weeks and months unfolded.

So it wasn’t a major surprise to see him slinging it Sunday against the Saints, primarily in the first half as he ripped them for 167 yards and three touchdowns — including a gorgeous 24-yard pass to Tavon Austin for a first-quarter touchdown and an expertly handled two-minute drive to finish the half with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Lance Kendricks.

The sample size was small, but there is no doubting what we saw. Goff has an NFL-caliber arm, terrific feet to extend plays, touch, accuracy and a natural feel for the position.

In the big picture, that will turn out to be more important than the final score Sunday or even the Rams’ record to end the season.

“I don’t think there are any moral victories. For me, I felt a lot more comfortable in my second game,” Goff said. “From my experience, I just felt better out there and was just able to see it a lot better. The game slowed down for me a lot more today.

“But at the same time, I just wanna win. I don’t want to be out here saying I’m happy with what we did, or what I did, or anything in between; cause I’m really not if we don’t win. And that’s the bottom line.”

THE RAMS HAVE A LEFT TACKLE ISSUE

It was obvious earlier last week the Rams were putting their foot down with left tackle Greg Robinson, who has been a major disappointment for three seasons after getting drafted second overall in the 2014 draft.

Between his lackluster play and team-high 12 penalties, the Rams had little choice but to bench him. The door to that decision opened Tuesday, when left guard Rodger Saffold moved over and got the majority of the reps in Robinson’s spot, with Jamon Brown stepping in for Saffold.

Considering the declining level of play, the move was long overdue.

But it was surprising when the Rams opted to deactivate Robinson for Sunday’s game, which Rams head coach Jeff Fisher described as giving Robinson a break.

“Because he needed it,” Fisher explained. “There was just a lot going on and too many mental errors and penalties.”

As luck would have it, Saffold suffered a hand injury in the second quarter, forcing Andrew Donnal into action at left tackle for the first time since his high school days. The second-year reserve handled himself well, but it looks like Robinson will be back in the fold sooner rather than later.

“We will just adjust this week depending on how Rodger’s hand is,” Fisher said. “I expect Greg will return back to the lineup. It is kind of one of those things that I’ve dealt with before with young players. He just needed a moment. He needed a break. We will get him back and get him going.”

The Rams have waited three years for Robinson and will undoubtedly go into the offseason looking for a new left tackle. As for Robinson, he’s due a guaranteed $6 million next season in the final year of his contract. It will be interesting to see whether he remains at left tackle or moves to another position while collecting it.

NO RESPONSE FROM DEFENSE

Only a fool would have believed the Rams could limit Drew Brees and the Saints in the same manner they’ve handled the Dolphins and Panthers and Jets. Brees is too good to keep down, even against a defense as good as the sixth-ranked Rams.

Still, it was a bit disturbing to watch Brees and the Saints pile up more than 500 yards and hang 49 points on them. Worse, there was no correlating response to Payton rubbing their face in it while sticking a knife in William’s back.

It’s one thing to lose with pride. It’s another thing to lose disgracefully. The Rams let the Saints — and Payton — have their way with them even as Payton laughed along the sidelines while sticking it to his former assistant.

And they essentially just stood there and let it happen.

There is something wrong with that.