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Jared Goff
Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press
Rams quarterback Jared Goff passes during practice Tuesday in Oxnard. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
Gary Klein
Most of the passes were short or midrange. The only deep ball, which looked as though it might turn into a touchdown, was dropped by a fellow rookie.
And the most excitement of the day came courtesy of a scuffle between linemen after a pass was batted down.
So went Rams quarterback Jared Goff’s first practice taking most of the first-team snaps against the first-team defense.
“I felt good out there,” Goff said after Tuesday’s workout in Oxnard. “It didn’t feel much different than the last few days.
“It’s just a different group of guys. It’s exciting and I had a good time building that relationship with them.”
Case Keenum entered organized team activities as the No. 1 quarterback, but Goff, the top pick in the NFL draft, has been on course to work with the starters.
He moved from the third team to the second team during the first six workouts. The Rams said Goff took first-team snaps in seven-on-seven drills during Monday’s closed practice, and he was elevated into the main role Tuesday in the team’s second-to-last practice.
Goff, addressing the media for the final time before training camp in late July, said he has made progress. As of late, he said, he was playing rather than thinking.
“Overall,” he said, “I feel a hundred times more comfortable and ready than I was at the beginning.”
Left tackle Greg Robinson said Goff adjusted well to working with starters.
“It was good to get those reps with him, just to see how he conducts the huddle and stuff like that,” Robinson said. “There were a few times he got shook up a little bit and it was a nice chance for us to just pick him up. ... Just to let him know ‘Everything is going to be OK.’ He could take his time and we’re going to do our best to protect him.
“Just helping him keep his confidence up, because you never know what a quarterback is thinking.”
Robinson was attempting to protect Goff on a pass play on which defensive tackle Aaron Donald batted down the ball.
Defensive end Eugene Sims tangled with Robinson on the play, touching off a scuffle that involved multiple players. Coach Jeff Fisher admonished both the offense and defense.
“Just competitive nature,” Robinson said.
“That’s just brotherly love,” Sims said, chuckling. “It’s a contact sport, heat of the moment. … One of those brotherly scuffles.”
Later in practice, Goff appeared to have the highlight-reel moment of the day when he lofted a long pass to receiver Michael Thomas, but the ball slipped through Thomas’ hands.
“He’s a great player,” Goff said. “It just happens sometimes. Just like we throw interceptions all the time, it’s a dropped ball. Not a big deal.”
Goff is expected to continue taking first-team snaps Thursday when the Rams complete workouts.
He said he would take a few days afterward to see family and friends, but will return to Southern California and work with Keenum and Rams receivers during the weeks leading up to the start of training camp in late July at UC Irvine.
The lessons learned during OTAs while working against the Rams’ first-team defense are expected to pay off for Goff as he competes for the starting job. The season opener is Sept. 12 against the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night Football.”
“As a rookie,” he said, “seeing so many [defensive] looks right now, in the long run I think it’s going to be very beneficial and something I’m going to look back on and be like, ‘Wow. I’m thankful I saw all that early on and I’m able to recognize it now.’”
Poised to return
Cornerback E.J. Gaines missed last season after undergoing foot surgery.
He has been limited during OTAs but said he would be ready to compete for a starting spot opposite Trumaine Johnson during training camp. The departure of Janoris Jenkins created an open starting spot.
“I got out there the last couple days a little bit and got some full 100% reps against the offense,” Gaines said. “They’re just kind of reeling me in a little slow so I don’t have any setbacks.”
Gaines, 23, played in college at Missouri and was a sixth-round draft pick in 2014. He started 15 games as a rookie.
“I just want to build on that,” he said.
After Jenkins OKd a free-agent contract with the New York Giants, the Rams signed free agent Coty Sensabaugh. Lamarcus Joyner is also among those competing for a role.
“As soon as [training] camps starts, everyone starts at ground zero,” Gaines said. “I’m going to try and win a spot like everybody else. There’s definitely enough room for everybody.”
Quick hit
Cornerback Johnson, who left the field during practice last week after a collision with a receiver, did not practice. Running back Todd Gurley and receiver Tavon Austin also did not practice.
gary.klein@latimes.com
Twitter: @latimesklein
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-mini-camp-20160614-snap-story.html
