Who should start at QB for the Rams?

Who should start at QB for the Rams?
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RICH HAMMOND and VINCENT BONSIGNORE

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/goff-733745-rams-time.html

It’s been more than six months since Jared Goff strode across the stage and became the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, and Goff has yet to take a regular-season snap for the Rams.

Is it time for that to end? After being inactive for the season opener, Goff has backed up Case Keenum for the past six games and even though the Rams (3-4) have dropped three consecutive games, Coach Jeff Fisher said it’s not yet time for Goff to start.

The debate is lively, so beat writer Rich Hammond and columnist Vincent Bonsignore decided to tackle it.

RH: Let’s get into this, because there’s only one question Rams fans want answered. Who should start at quarterback next week against Carolina, and going forward?

VB: Nothing against Case Keenum, who has played his heart out and isn’t solely to blame for the Rams’ record, but I just think it’s time for the Rams to make the switch to Jared Goff in order to expedite his development process.

RH: I’m not ready to take the leap on this one just yet. The Goff talk is heating up because the Rams have lost three in a row. I’m not convinced Keenum is the primary reason. The offensive line has been average at best, the receivers are making mental errors and the running game is … let’s be honest here, what running game? Plus, the Rams are 3-4 and they’ve got some winnable games coming up over the next month. Let’s see how this plays out against the Panthers and Jets.

VB: I totally understand the Rams’ rationale for holding off. Jeff Fisher firmly believes the Rams are still in the playoff hunt, and mathematically they are. But the reality is, in order to seriously contend for the playoffs the Rams have to go at least 6-3 down the stretch and probably 7-2. How realistic is that? And if it’s a low probability, maybe it’s time to get Goff on the field, even if it means taking some short-term losses, in order to get him developed. The Rams should be thinking long-term, not short range.

RH: Are you sure this would really be best for Goff’s development? Putting him on the field with a left tackle who had three holding penalties during one possession last week? This team needs improvements. I’m fine with giving Goff some fourth-quarter series in a lopsided game in order to get his feet wet, but if he starts and struggles, everyone is going to yell “bust,” and that’s not fair. Plus, don’t forget that Goff just turned 22. He’s a year younger than all other rookie quarterbacks except Paxton Lynch, who didn’t look all that impressive in his two games. Goff’s time will come. There’s no reason to rush it.

VB: I think Fisher is professional enough to put his personal situation aside for the good of the franchise. So I don’t want to believe he is making decisions with his contract status in mind rather than what’s good for the team. That said, on some level, the fact he’s in the last year of his contract and likely has to reach a certain win total to keep his job has to be playing into this somehow.

RH: What message are you sending to the rest of the team, though? If you really think Goff is the better quarterback, fine. But I’m not convinced that Goff would have beaten the 49ers, Bills, Lions or Giants. So if the move is just about the future, then you’re telling everyone in the locker room that this season is basically over. No reason to try, defense, because this is all about 2017 and beyond. I don’t like that. Fisher owes it to his players to start the quarterback who can win games. We can debate whether that’s Goff or Keenum, but if Goff isn’t ready to thrive, then don’t put him or the team in a bad spot.

VB: The message from the Rams since training camp is Jared is making steady progress. And just from the time we see him in practice he looks bigger, stronger, more sure of himself and is making some big-time throws. The skill set is there. I get it he isn’t 100 percent ready to take over the job. But who is? And isn’t actually playing better for development than standing on the sideline?

RH: Maybe, maybe not. The one thing Fisher and Les Snead said from the beginning is that Goff would play when he was ready. They’ve been unbending on this. It’s not about Keenum doing well or struggling. It’s about Goff’s development. I know Rams fans will scoff at this, but you just have to trust that Fisher and Snead haven’t yet seen what they need to see. Perhaps the better question is, why haven’t they? Wasn’t this guy supposed to be ready on day one? Why hasn’t that “light bulb” moment happened yet?

VB: Obviously Fisher isn’t ready to make the move. I understand that. But let’s just hope he is open to making the switch at the appropriate time. If the Rams lose against the Panthers after the break, there is no reason holding off. You went with Keenum because you believed he’s a game manager. Well, if the Rams are 3-5 after the Panthers game, that doesn’t say much for his ability to game manage. If you’re going to lose, might as well be setting up your future better and make those losses at least somewhat worth the trouble.

RH: If Keenum can’t get the job done, then put Sean Mannion in there. Don’t rush Goff. I’m as curious as anyone to see how he would do in live action, and I agree it would benefit him in some ways. If you’re going to make the move, though, do it because you think he’s ready, not simply because of others’ shortcomings.