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Is the decision by Rams coach Jeff Fisher, left, to stick with Case Keenum at quarterback a sign that he'll be back as coach in 2017? (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Fisher sticking with Case Keenum – and Rams appear to be sticking with Fisher
By VINCENT BONSIGNORE / STAFF COLUMNIST
Give Jeff Fisher this much at least.
When he sticks to his guns, he really sticks to his guns.
The Rams coach firmly believes in the plan he has in place for rookie quarterback Jared Goff. It’s built on a foundation of patience and prudence and follows a blueprint he drew up 21 years ago as the head coach of the Houston Oilers to bring along then-rookie quarterback Steve McNair.
The gist being: Goff – like McNair – will not see the field until Fisher thinks he’s ready to handle the job.
That’s why Fisher is sticking for now with Case Keenum, who hasn’t exactly distinguished himself while guiding the Rams to a 3-5 record and four straight losses.
Despite the losing streak and fringe spot in the division and playoff race, Fisher not only believes the Rams can still turn things around, he’s convinced Keenum – not Goff – gives the Rams the best chance to win each week.
It’s a simple formula Fisher makes no bones about adhering to.
And it provides a legitimate glimpse into just how comfortable he is about his future as the head coach of the Rams.
Which is to say, pretty damned comfortable despite being in the final year of his contract and no official word yet on a new deal
“I’m not uncomfortable at all,” he said. “I’m uncomfortable because I didn’t expect to be three-and-whatever we are, OK, but I’m not uncomfortable at all. I never look over my shoulder, we’re moving on. (Rams owner) Stan (Kroenke) and I are on the same page, he understands what we’ve been through, he’s as disappointed as I am at the losses – two three-points and a seven-point in the last three games. He understands that we’re competitive and we’re doing everything we possibly can to get this turned around.”
My thoughts?
Fisher and the Rams have an agreement on the parameters of a two- or three-year deal. While the 30-40-1 overall record over the past four-plus years might not be worthy of it, the Rams appreciate what Fisher has done in rebuilding a morbid roster and navigating the Rams across their 1,600-mile relocation from St. Louis to Los Angeles in as seamless a fashion as possible.
And barring a complete face plant over the past eight games, the Rams will renew their vows with Fisher at the end of the season. Whether he sticks around through the length of the deal will largely depend on what happens in 2017, with the Rams more than a year removed from relocation madness.
Point being, he’ll be on as short a leash as possible.
If that doesn’t sit well with fans, consider this: Upon canvassing some NFL people, the consensus seems to be short of complete disaster the rest of 2016, it would be unfair to let Fisher go after everything the Rams put him through during their quest to get back to L.A.
That said, if he doesn’t pull them out of mediocrity in 2017, the plug would have to be pulled with Kroenke simply swallowing whatever remaining money is owed Fisher.
All of which makes sense based on the decisions being made.
If Fisher truly thought his contract could expire at the end of the season without hope of a new deal, he could have easily bought himself some time by rolling with Goff, and the inevitable ups and downs that come with it, and played the rookie quarterback card with his bosses to convince them he deserves more time.
That he hasn’t is probably a good indication Fisher knows he’ll be back in 2017.
From that confidence, Fisher can make the calls he feels are best for the team short- and long-term, without concern to how it might play on his job status.
That includes Goff, who Fisher is obviously looking out for by not playing him until he thinks he’s ready.
You can debate for days the merit of development through actual playing time – and how it might expedite Goff’s growth process by getting him on the field sooner rather than later. For every David Carr, who was destroyed by getting rushed onto the field by the Houston Texans before he or the Texans were ready, there is a Troy Aikman, who took a beating as a rookie on a really bad Dallas Cowboys team but not only lived to tell about it, was probably better off for the experience.
Fisher believes in a different tact. It’s called the long play. And he believes Goff and the Rams will be stronger because of it.
“We’re taking our time, we’re being patient,” Fisher said. “And when we feel it’s the right time, he’ll be under center.”
It’s important to understand Fisher doesn’t appear to be a lone wolf in making the call. While the Rams believe the head coach – whoever he is – has the right to make decisions he feels are best for the club, there also is support in the building for how Fisher is handling things.
There is confidence Fisher and General Manager Les Snead made the right call in selecting Goff over North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, who started from Day One with the Eagles. And there is agreement in the way Fisher is preceding and Goff’s long-range future as an NFL star.
No matter how it might look from the outside, the Rams appear unified inside the building.
It’s further proof parameters of a contract extension are likely in place.
As for Keenum, as long as Fisher believes he gives the Rams the best chance to win, the job is his. It will be Keenum lining up behind center against the New York Jets on Sunday, and until further notice.
“Case is starting,” Fisher said.
But he also left a huge door wide open for Goff to take the job at any moment.
“He’s going to play,” Fisher said of Goff. “Whether it’s the following week, or the following week, or what have you, it’s eventually going to happen.”
If that doesn’t sound imminent, not sure what does.
And while everyone else pines for the Rams to pull the plug on Keenum and hand the keys to Goff, Fisher is sticking to his guns.
Sure sounds like someone confident he’ll be around for awhile.
[www.ocregister.com]
