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Rams Q&A recap: Vinny Bonsignore on Jared Goff’s critics, red-zone troubles and MIA TEs

Rams beat writer Vinny Bonsignore answered your questions on Tuesday, Sept. 11, one day after Sean McVay’s team opened the 2018 season with a 33-13 victory in Oakland that was punctuated by Marcus Peters’ pick-six.

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Luke H.Why do people (read: bloggers) think Jared Goff had a bad game when he had a QBR of 97.2?

Vince Bonsignore @Luke H. Not sure. Maybe trying to create clicks with a hit take. A bad game to me is turning the ball over. Consistently missing open wide receivers. Putting your team in a bad position. Jared did none of that.

Tony S.I know that “every game counts” and you have to play hard every game, but do you see the Rams possibly playing next week safe if they jump out to an early lead? Say up by two touchdowns at the half?

Vince Bonsignore@Tony S. One of the things I really like about McVay is, if the chance to put a foot on someone’s throat is there, he’ll take it. But he’ll be smart about it too

Rahim A.Littleton got ate up last night what’s the word on Barron?

Vince Bonsignore@Rahim A. Littleton had 13 tackles.

Vince BonsignoreHe had a bad couple of plays early. After that, he was a machine

Craig E.Great article today. How do you foresee future contract extension conversations for Peters to go?

Vince Bonsignore@Craig E. In talking to my sources he has absolutely been identified as a core piece they want here long term. And Marcus loves it here and loves being home in Cali and part of this organization. It will come down to money but there is sincere mutual interest

Vince BonsignoreAnd thank you

Brandon M.Is Goff a QB you want to invest a ton of cap space in? I know it’s still early but I have my doubts. We don’t want a Derek Carr situation here.

Vince Bonsignore@Brandon M. Yes.

Derrin H.That celebration following the Peters picks 6 spoke volumes about the camaraderie on this team. It seems like they really like each other… and play hard for each other. Could you say the same about the Jeff Fisher Rams? Does McVay deserve the credit for creating that kind of environment?

Vince Bonsignore@Derrin H. Good observation. Not sure, I was only around Jeff one year. YES

Tony S.AND to keep things positive: what was one surprising positive take away you saw?

Vince Bonsignore@Tony S. Loved Goff’s game-management. He played winning football last night, on a night things didn’t come easy early on.

Chris R.Goff needs to work on long ball IMO, any thoughts on this?

Vince Bonsignore@Chris R. I just think it’s a little bit of timing. I mean. he was inches away. Think about that for a second. He wasn’t underthrowing. He wasn’t throwing wide or long or in another area code. It was just off guys fingertips for the most part.

Gerald S.Sorry if you responded but I would say skipping pre season proved to be prescient, correct ?

Vince Bonsignore@Gerald S. It wasn’t intentional. Had Raiders regular season game been in second half of season they would have practiced together and played starters against one another. Obviously that changed when regular-season game was opener. They wanted to get Goff time in game three. but Havenstein got hurt. No way they were going to let him play against Texans with two backup tackles. But, yes, I agree in the final analysis it was right decision

Scott R.What is going on with the TE situation? Seems a weak area for sure.

Vince Bonsignore@Scott R. Gerald still working his way back into it off the shoulder injury. He missed a lot of preparation time for this game. Also, Rams are a huge 11 personnel team. Hard to get 30/12/17/18 off the field

Tony S.Aside from the sluggish first half offense, did you see anything that concerned you?

Vince Bonsignore@Tony S. Nothing that jumps out as an “oh my gosh they have to fix this!!!!” It’s just being more efficient. Gelling. It’s all “cliché” stuff but in this case real. The Rams have one of the best rosters in the NFL. It’s really and simply just on them to execute consistently. And stay healthy.

Patrick T.I agree with Tony S. I greatly appreciate your work for The Athletic and all your previous work, too. The Athletic is a great site for sports fans, especially since local TV coverage has diminished so rapidly.

Vince Bonsignore@Patrick T. I appreciate that brother

Gerald S.Gruden saying they have to find a way to get to the qb was priceless

Gerald S.I do agree that rams could have run the ball a bit more but mcvay gets so excited I think he gets swept up in the moment.

Vince Bonsignore@Gerald S. The Raiders opening TD drive changed dynamics a bit. But I felt he got a way too soon as a result from who there really are. He self corrected ion second half

Patrick T.With Cooper out for the next few weeks, do you know if KhaDarel Hodge has had any return experience in his background? Only reason I ask, is that he seemed to have tremendous hands during the preseason.

Vince Bonsignore@Patrick T. All depends on how long Cooper might be out. In order to bring back Hodge you’d have to cut someone. Or put someone on IR. It’s a long season. If it’s just a matter of weeks, best might might be to stand pat and let Kupp handle it

Mark P.Hey Vinny, Minor thing, but do you think Gruden knew Carr was close to 300 yards and called a play that could get him over the top? Do some teams update stats on the spot for the players? Maybe that fast kid (#19) for KR? Don’t want Kupp hurt on special teams. Thanks! Mark

Vince Bonsignore@Mark P. No on Gruden. Kupp can handle it. Might be some fair catches though!

Patrick T.The whole story of Rams moving back to LA after no one thought it was possible would make an excellent book. Have you thought about writing such a book? I’m sure there are tons of insider moves that would make for fascinating reading. I can’t imagine anyone closer to situation as you.

Vince Bonsignore@Patrick T. It’s funny. I honestly don’t know if I want to go back down that road in that format. One day we can have a beer and I’ll tell you what I know!!!

leslie C.Is there still some concern on the lack of pressure from the outside. It seems the raiders were able to control the interior pretty well although they held Donald on almost every play. Some were blatant.

Vince Bonsignore@leslie C. They were getting to Carr in the second half. That’s a pretty big, physical, talented offensive line, too. One of the best the Rams will face.

leslie C.Thanks, yeah the interior line is there strongest part of the line.

Joe A.Pharoh Cooper? What’s the backup plan?

Vince Bonsignore@Joe A. Cooper Kupp I’d imagine.

Derrin H.Vin, been loving you coverage on the Athletic… you surprised Cooks didn’t have a bigger impact on the game. Especially considering the contract he signed?

Vince Bonsignore@Derrin H. I thought he played well actually. Production wise and by forcing the Raiders into two PI’s. He fits like a glove in this offense

Vince BonsignoreHe averaged 17 yards per catch, and that doesn’t include the PI’s

Rick P.When will they announce the naming rights for the new stadium? Any possibilities you can share?

Vince Bonsignore@Rick P. A lot of interest, from what I’m told. Could happen at any moment. But they still have time to maximize a deal.

Patrick T.Hey Vinny, I’m still flying high after that win. Do you think the slow start was a result of not playing starters in preseason? I’d rather have a slow first half than an injured playmaker, or two or three lost for the season.

Vince Bonsignore@Patrick T. I think every team in the NFL has to deal with that. The preseason is not the regular season. Practice isn’t either of those things. It just takes time. The key is the Rams kept getting better. And I expect that to continue.

Luke H.Any idea on how Kahlil Mack would’ve fit under this years cap? Just curious.

Vince Bonsignore@Luke H. That would have been tough. Rams would have been open to a 1 and done on the last year of his rookie deal ($14m) then revisit at end of the season

Gerald S.I wasn’t shocked to see that the rams special teams were the most penalized in the league last year. That continued last night. Do they view it as a cost of doing business and worth the benefits, or do they want to improve there ?

Vince Bonsignore@Gerald S. definitely want to improve

leslie C.Red zone offense still has some of the same issues as last year. Why didn’t the rams use the tight ends? They were invisible

Vince Bonsignore@leslie C. Gerald missed a lot of time during camp. Not sure he’s 100 percent yet. Red Zone remains a work in progress.

Matt M.It looks like Easley might be the other starting OLB with Longacre in the rotation instead of the other way around. Do you think the Rams see more upside with Easley there?

Vince Bonsignore@Matt M. Not sure about upside. More like who can give us the most right now. That OLB spot is definitely on the to-do list long range. For now, they are trying to make the most of the situation.

Casey M.How is the storyline surrounding Aaron Donald in this week 1 game that he didn’t have a big impact but PFF had him as the highest rated defender for the Rams that game? Did you see visual evidence that supports the narrative or the PFF stats?

Vince Bonsignore@Casey M. Aaron Donald will be the best defensive player on the field pretty much every time he steps on the field

Kevin C.I’m relocating from NY to LA and looking to get into the Rams. What would you say will be the 3 most interesting story lines to follow this year?

Vince Bonsignore@Kevin C. Hey Kevin hope all is well. Great question!! 1: How good can Jared Goff be. Can this defense be as good as advertised. Can the Rams improve in Red Zone

Patrick T.Beers are on me. I had a feeling something might be in the works from the moment Stan gained controlling interest of the team. I still have E-mail’s to Sam Farmer back then inquiring about such a move.

Vince Bonsignore@Patrick T. I’m holding you to that! Ha

Patrick T.Did Kelly 47 man game day roster?

Vince Bonsignore@Patrick T. No

Patrick T.Oops. Did Kelly MAKE the 47 man game day roster.

Vince Bonsignore@Patrick T. No

Matt M.How worried are the Rams about Barron? I think we were lucky he made it through the season last year. Any more details on why his Achilles is slow to heal?

Vince Bonsignore@Matt M. Definitely concerned.

Patrick T.My apologies for the typos. I swear I haven’t touched a drink this evening.

Vince Bonsignore@Patrick T. All good brother

Patrick T.Do you think as the season progresses that Kelly will surpass Brown on the depth chart and back the primary back up to Gurley?

Vince Bonsignore@Patrick T. That’s hard to say. I think more likely, as the season progresses and barring injury, a niche role is created for him. But don’t rule out this being a bit of a redshirt season for him. They like him. That’s obvious. But short of an injury his time might be down the road.

Daniel R.What’s on the horizon now that the Rams have extra cap space after restructuring Barron and Longacre?

Vince Bonsignore@Daniel R. Goff and Gurley are the big targets moving forward. But Joyner comes into play. Believe it or not, a guy like Littleton. It’s a never-ending process