Rams OC not worried about John Wolford's inexperience as QB2

[ROD-BOT]

Rams OC not worried about John Wolford's inexperience as QB2

Kevin O’Connell doesn’t think John Wolford’s inexperience will be an issue behind Jared Goff.

theramswire.usatoday.com

Rams OC not worried about John Wolford's inexperience as QB2

The Rams’ three quarterbacks behind Jared Goff on the depth chart have combined to take exactly zero regular-season snaps in the NFL. They’re all undrafted, two of them being rookies from the 2020 class.

John Wolford was signed as a free agent last year after shining in the AAF, but he spent the entire season on the practice squad. It’s reasonable to be concerned about him being one play away from starting for the Rams, but Kevin O’Connell doesn’t share that sentiment.

The Rams’ new offensive coordinator is pleased with the progress Wolford has made this offseason despite the lack of OTAs and minicamp, making it clear that he’s confident in the young quarterback as Goff’s backup.

“First and foremost, with John, I’m really happy with where he’s at right now,” O’Connell said on a conference call Saturday. “Obviously, coming in not getting the spring, the repetitions we hoped to get for John, it puts a certain amount of importance on everything we do here in training camp, but that’s all the quarterbacks really. You know, all four of them that we have in camp right now, including (QB) Jared, Bryce (Perkins) and Josh (Love), as well as John. But John is going to get a lot of reps, he’s going to get a lot of opportunities to really lead a group in that huddle with him, that maybe some young players, maybe some guys that have been around here that are ready to compete. So, I think he’s going to be in a great situation in that huddle, being able to lead that group.”

Wolford will get second-team reps in practice while Goff works with the starters, but he should get some chances to play with and against first-team contributors when the Rams hold scrimmages at SoFi Stadium.

Up until this point, he’s received high praise from the Rams’ coaches, which should only get better as he continues working this offseason.

“He’s prepared, he’s incredibly smart. I’ve been really happy with how he’s progressed fundamentally and he’s throwing the ball really well,” O’Connell said. “It’s just a matter now of, as we transition to playing real football, competitive full speed reps, how many times can he consistency go out there, do his job, and put our offense in a great position to have success? And you know, I don’t worry too much with John about the experience, just because I’ve seen him work already and just as you get in the meeting rooming with him you know he’s prepared to be a professional quarterback and he operates every single day on that basis. And it’s our job to get him ready to play if he were called upon.”

 

[CGI_Ram]

View: https://youtu.be/C5YMhn7GSZU

Alliance American Football (AAF) Arizona Hotshots, Spring 2019
130-of-206 passing attempts for 1,617 yards, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 95.9 quarterback rating..

 

[Merlin]

His ball floats a bit on the passes you want to drive. The NFL tends to punish guys like that but it's a backup role so it's all good.

I do like his touch on the ball though. This offense doesn't require a strong arm to run it, but it does to be able to maximize the calls due to McVay's love of taking shots deep.

Sucks we don't get the preseason games, that would have been fun to watch the rooks. Ah well.

 

[SeminoleRam]

Rams OC not worried about John Wolford's inexperience as QB2

Kevin O’Connell doesn’t think John Wolford’s inexperience will be an issue behind Jared Goff.

theramswire.usatoday.com

Rams OC not worried about John Wolford's inexperience as QB2

The Rams’ three quarterbacks behind Jared Goff on the depth chart have combined to take exactly zero regular-season snaps in the NFL. They’re all undrafted, two of them being rookies from the 2020 class.

John Wolford was signed as a free agent last year after shining in the AAF, but he spent the entire season on the practice squad. It’s reasonable to be concerned about him being one play away from starting for the Rams, but Kevin O’Connell doesn’t share that sentiment.

The Rams’ new offensive coordinator is pleased with the progress Wolford has made this offseason despite the lack of OTAs and minicamp, making it clear that he’s confident in the young quarterback as Goff’s backup.

“First and foremost, with John, I’m really happy with where he’s at right now,” O’Connell said on a conference call Saturday. “Obviously, coming in not getting the spring, the repetitions we hoped to get for John, it puts a certain amount of importance on everything we do here in training camp, but that’s all the quarterbacks really. You know, all four of them that we have in camp right now, including (QB) Jared, Bryce (Perkins) and Josh (Love), as well as John. But John is going to get a lot of reps, he’s going to get a lot of opportunities to really lead a group in that huddle with him, that maybe some young players, maybe some guys that have been around here that are ready to compete. So, I think he’s going to be in a great situation in that huddle, being able to lead that group.”

Wolford will get second-team reps in practice while Goff works with the starters, but he should get some chances to play with and against first-team contributors when the Rams hold scrimmages at SoFi Stadium.

Up until this point, he’s received high praise from the Rams’ coaches, which should only get better as he continues working this offseason.

“He’s prepared, he’s incredibly smart. I’ve been really happy with how he’s progressed fundamentally and he’s throwing the ball really well,” O’Connell said. “It’s just a matter now of, as we transition to playing real football, competitive full speed reps, how many times can he consistency go out there, do his job, and put our offense in a great position to have success? And you know, I don’t worry too much with John about the experience, just because I’ve seen him work already and just as you get in the meeting rooming with him you know he’s prepared to be a professional quarterback and he operates every single day on that basis. And it’s our job to get him ready to play if he were called upon.”

I will admit that I keep hoping to see that the Rams have re-signed Blake Bortles but I guess if the Rams OC isn’t concerned I shouldn’t be either!!!

 

[VegasRam]

I’m not either.

 

[Corbin]

I’m excited to see what Wolford has if the worst happens. Obviously, I hope to never see him play except in the 4th qtr! Lol This offseason could have meant the world for him, hope he can get some work to be ready if needed.

 

[JonRam99]

He had good pocket awareness in the highlights. Good skill to have 4 a backup QB.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I’d sure feel a lot better about Wolford with 4 preseason games... But we don’t have that.

Yeah... This is a big decision. We need someone who can win in Goff’s absence for a few games, at least. Playoff teams need that depth at QB.

 

[den-the-coach]

It appears that if Wolford can't get it done, Blake Bortles is still available. We have to trust Kevin O'Connell & McVay on this, but I'm in the @CGI_Ram camp, I would feel much better if there were a couple of preseason games for evaluaiton.

 

[dieterbrock]

I'll believe it when I see it, although if Bortles was coming back ya'd think it woulda happened already. My guess is that he's playing the market in the event a starter goes down and knows he can join the Rams when he needs to

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

He had good pocket awareness in the highlights. Good skill to have 4 a backup QB.

Yep, because the starter going down is a good sign you're not going to get clean pockets.

I agree, and the video also shows quick decision-making.

 

[dieterbrock]

Yup, those highlight films really tell a lot about a player, this guy must have been real good too

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6rrAU5SbM4

 

[RamFan503]

I liked what I saw of him in his AAF play but what I've seen from pre-season... No likey. Hope it's just a small sampling and he doesn't float many balls into double coverage.

 

[fearsomefour]

His ball floats a bit on the passes you want to drive. The NFL tends to punish guys like that but it's a backup role so it's all good.

I do like his touch on the ball though. This offense doesn't require a strong arm to run it, but it does to be able to maximize the calls due to McVay's love of taking shots deep.

Sucks we don't get the preseason games, that would have been fun to watch the rooks. Ah well.

Usually lack of arm strength or dropping the elbow causes the ball to float.

 

[fearsomefour]

Side note......the OC also has no other choice.

 

[Memento]

Backup quarterback should be interesting. Wolford has the experience and looked good last preseason, but Love and Perkins are solid prospects, better than most young UDFA rookie quarterbacks. Perkins intrigues me; his throwing mechanics are scary, but he's a legit threat to run and pass, and accounted for over half of Virginia's offense both years he played for them. Love was the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and played well as a senior.

It makes me think that we don't need Bortles.

 

[Zaphod]

Hope we don’t need him, or that our rushing attack is top notch. Dude will throw his share of interceptions I fear.