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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman lays a big hit on Rams quarterback Jared Goff, knocking him from the game during the second half Thursday. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)
Bonsignore: From offensive line to receivers, Rams providing little support for rookie QB Jared Goff
By VINCENT BONSIGNORE / STAFF COLUMNIST
SEATTLE – Jared Goff didn't say much as he made his way across the Rams locker room at CenturyLink Field on Thursday night. With a sleepy look on his face and eyes that some would describe as dazed, he offered only a slight smile while giving a thumb’s-up sign.
It was a comforting gesture after Goff had spent much of a cold night in Seattle getting pummeled by a Seahawks defense that overwhelmed the Rams offensive line. The final blow was delivered by Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman as Goff raced down the sideline seeking a first down. It sent Goff slamming to the ground out of bounds, and after he wobbly rose back up to retreat to the huddle, he was immediately ordered off the field by game officials for fear of a possible concussion.
The whole scene was a scary reminder of the fire the Rams are playing with sending their rookie quarterback into meaningless games while operating behind an offensive line ill-equipped to protect him.
On one hand the Rams hope to build a foundation for Goff over the final few weeks of the season, from which he can climb into next year with a body of work under his belt and some clarity about playing quarterback on the NFL level.
Every play, every game, every up or down or good read or bad is a deposit in Goff's development. And with so much of the Rams’ future tied into the first overall pick in last April's draft, expediting that process is paramount.
On the other, it's easy to imagine Rams decision-makers holding their breath every time Goff drops back to pass. Their anxiety is justified, considering the team’s problems protecting its young quarterback. A national TV audience was confronted with that issue upon seeing left tackle Greg Robinson completely whiff on a pass block, leaving Seahawks end Cassius Marsh to easily slide past him unimpeded before thundering into Goff for a violent sack.
The Rams must weigh the development of Goff with the inherent danger of protecting him with one of the worst lines in the league.
Some other observations from a lost night in Seattle.
GOFF IS GETTING NO HELP
It's tough to gauge how far Jared Goff has come over his first four NFL starts, even unfair, as the rookie quarterback from Cal is getting minimal help from his offensive teammates.
Goff was sacked five times Thursday night, and was under pressure the majority of times he dropped back to pass.
When he was given time to throw, he was effective while going 11 of 17. And at least three of those misses where dropped balls. The most glaring one came when Michael Thomas dropped a well-thrown bomb from Goff to wipe out a big play early in the game.
Between constantly playing under duress and a serious like of firepower and competency among the Rams’ playmakers, it's impossible to judge where Goff is in his development schedule.
“Thought pretty sharp,” interim coach John Fassel said when asked his impression of Goff's play. “We were pressing as soon as we got behind by a score or two. We dropped back to throw it. Their defensive line can start rushing the passer. What I have learned about Jared after spending a little more time learning the quarterback position, he is a tough kid. That will take him a really long ways. We have to do more in all three phases to help him out, whether it’s field position or running the football.”
They've been saying that all year, with little progress.
As a result, it's tough to get a read on what the Rams really have in Goff.
MORE TALK, LITTLE CHANGE
Whether it's silly penalties, missed assignments or dropped balls, the Rams notoriously shoot themselves in the foot over and over and over.
They've addressed the coaching end of that equation by firing Jeff Fisher.
Presumably the new coach will bring new vision and sterner leadership and accountability and perhaps put an end to the maddening habits.
But for now, it's the same old same old.
“It’s just one of those things. It just seems like it’s repetitive,” said center Tim Barnes. “In the last couple of weeks, we’ve just got to find a way to keep improving and trying to finish out right, because that’s what we want to do. The guys in this room, we don’t quit. We’re not quitting. We haven’t quit. We’re playing hard. We just have to find a way to execute better and do better.”
And at some point that will result in a mass exodus of players unwilling or unable to make the necessary improvements.
“I’m going to keep fighting for these guys because this is the last time this locker room is going to look like this, let’s just be honest,” said guard Rodger Saffold. “There are a lot of guys who aren’t going to be here next year.”
[www.ocregister.com]
too. But Fisher was gone for this last Thursday night game & we still saw Boudreau run out both GRob & Havenstein as starters???
