Are the Rams grooming Sean Mannion to replace Case Keenum?

[JKBOGEN]

Are the Rams grooming Sean Mannion to replace Case Keenum?

http://theramswire.usatoday.com/201...grooming-sean-mannion-to-replace-case-keenum/

By: Jake Ellenbogen | 7 hours ago

The NFL is a strange profession. Some players become 10-year veterans, while others find themselves out of the league in a heartbeat.

Case Keenum, who is at the moment the presumed to be the Los Angeles Rams starting quarterback by some, could find himself off the roster next season. How crazy does that sound? While Keenum obviously won’t be out of the league or anything near that, he signed a tender with the Rams, but it was only for one year. This means that the 28-year-old QB will be a free agent come 2017.

Keenum has had a pretty average career overall, and with rookie signal caller Jared Goff vying for his time in the spotlight, Keenum could be pushed into a backup role sooner than later.

While much of the conversation currently is about Keenum vs. Goff, let’s keep in mind that the Rams drafted a guy by the name of Sean Mannion in the third round in 2015. While we aren’t ready to believe that Mannion is a serious threat to start or anything, he’s at least placed himself in the mix for a potential future backup role.

Related:

Sean Mannion just won't go away in the Rams QB race
Mannion is the Pac-12’s all-time leading passer. That is a lofty title, seeing as the Pac-12 has had some illustrious QBs come out of it, including Goff. For what it’s worth, Mannion had a very small sample size of work during his rookie year, completing six of seven passes for 31 yards.

The former Oregon State star isn’t set to become a free agent until 2019. With that said, instead of spending the money on Keenum to keep him as a backup, the Rams should continue to develop Mannion, and after this year make him the No. 2 quarterback. Perhaps down the line if Goff struggles to live up to the lofty expectations, Mannion may potentially be able to step in (which we’re all hoping will never be the case). A far less extreme case than that, would be if Mannion ends up not being needed, and the Rams could trade him in the future, similar to how the Patriots traded Ryan Mallett.

Mannion is a useful and interesting player at this point. He’s only 24 years old and could prove to be a starter, a reliable backup or even trade bait down the road if the Rams play their cards right.

 

[Zaphod]

I don't know why any decision they make regarding the backup quarterback position wouldn't be based on performance, so I can't answer that poll.

What I can say is please remove Nick freaking Foles from that list. I don't care how well he plays in camp or whatever. We've seen backup after backup quarterback throughout the "Sam Bradford era" right? And I correlate his performance with Tony Banks when I reminisce on the 10 car crash (I'll give him the first game) that was Nick Foles last season.

 

[bubbaramfan]

No one can really have an opinion of Mannion. He hasn't been on the filed long enough. I expect him to get plenty of time in pre season games. He has a better arm than Keenum, and might be smarter. Rams are NOT letting Mannion go anywhere until they know what they have.

 

[JKBOGEN]

I don't know why any decision they make regarding the backup quarterback position wouldn't be based on performance, so I can't answer that poll.

What I can say is please remove Nick freaking Foles from that list. I don't care how well he plays in camp or whatever. We've seen backup after backup quarterback throughout the "Sam Bradford era" right? And I correlate his performance with Tony Banks when I reminisce on the 10 car crash (I'll give him the first game) that was Nick Foles last season.

I will say this. Foles was playing well until the Packers game. After that hit early in the game by Clay Mathews he was never the same and that went on as long as he played. It sucks for him cause I think he is better than Keenum but everyone hates him and I think because of that they overrate Keenum who is mediocre at best. I personally believe we should have just kept Austin Davis and developed him more this year. The Rams dropped the ball on him...

 

[DaveFan'51]

I don't know why any decision they make regarding the backup quarterback position wouldn't be based on performance, so I can't answer that poll.

What I can say is please remove Nick freaking Foles from that list.

I completely agree with you, this^ far.
Camp well tell us a lot, but as of right now, I think Keenum should start week #1, and then let's see about what happens in week 2 or 3!

 

[JKBOGEN]

I completely agree with you, this^ far.
Camp well tell us a lot, but as of right now, I think Keenum should start week #1, and then let's see about what happens in week 2 or 3!

I disagree, I think Goff needs to learn hands on. Sitting behind Keenum is a no go for me. Rodgers sat behind one of the greatest to ever do it. Keenum isn't Favre and Goff needs to play opening day in his home town and light up the 49ers.

 

[DaveFan'51]

I disagree, I think Goff needs to learn hands on. Sitting behind Keenum is a no go for me. Rodgers sat behind one of the greatest to ever do it. Keenum isn't Favre and Goff needs to play opening day in his home town and light up the 49ers.

Well Jake, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this point!

 

[dieterbrock]

Goff should play day 1.
Bortles didn't learn anything by watching Chad Henne
I like Keenum, he can extend plays with his feet, didn't throw many picks, pretty conservative with the ball.
None of which are what Goff needs to learn. His assets are pocket prescence, good footwork and looking off primary WR.
Not going to learn any of that from the sideline IMO

Oh yeah, and on Sean Mannion,
I got nuthin...

 

[Zaphod]

I disagree, I think Goff needs to learn hands on. Sitting behind Keenum is a no go for me. Rodgers sat behind one of the greatest to ever do it. Keenum isn't Favre and Goff needs to play opening day in his home town and light up the 49ers.

Yeah, and I second that disagreement. If Goff pushes Keenum as a starter, that's a nice problem to have.

But he's still a rookie, and I do rather wish that people would temper their expectations as such.

 

[Corbin]

I disagree, I think Goff needs to learn hands on. Sitting behind Keenum is a no go for me. Rodgers sat behind one of the greatest to ever do it. Keenum isn't Favre and Goff needs to play opening day in his home town and light up the 49ers.

It's funny you should mention the Rodgers and Favre situation. If I'm not mistaken Rodgers sat two maybe three seasons on the bench waiting to start. I don't see how you use that Keenum isn't Favee to justify just throwing him out there to get Bulgeritis that Bradford caught as well.

As with Gurley, Donald, and Quinn give the kid some games to adjust and learn while licking his chops creating a desire to start and perform. A few games missed won't mean a damn thing if this allows him to lead our offense where we all think he will take it.

 

[woofwoofmo]

If we're talking this season and for back-up, then I think you're definitely looking at Keenum as ahead of Mannion. There's no way the Rams go into the season with a rookie starting and another QB with no NFL regular season snaps as a back-up. There has to be some experience at 1 or 2. Next season, that could be a whole different story.

As for starting Goff on opening day, if he's ready then let him, but if the coaching staff thinks he would really benefit from sitting, watching and learning for a few games, then I'm all for that. The worse thing that could be done to Goff is push him in before he's ready, that's a recipe for short & long-term disaster. Shatter the confidence early and he may never get it back.

 

[Rams43]

The poll question was "What do I WANT"? I'm assuming that it's for this year, btw.

If Goff is ready, I want him to start on opening day. But only if he seems ready.

I want Keenum to be the experienced backup.

I want Mannion to look like a promising development QB as our 3rd.

Having said that, it wouldn't surprise or disappoint me in the least if Keenum starts for the first few games. And if he's winning, Fisher can leave him in there indefinitely, faic. Lol.

I'm all about winning games, anymore. Everything else is secondary.

 

[fearsomefour]

I will say this. Foles was playing well until the Packers game. After that hit early in the game by Clay Mathews he was never the same and that went on as long as he played. It sucks for him cause I think he is better than Keenum but everyone hates him and I think because of that they overrate Keenum who is mediocre at best. I personally believe we should have just kept Austin Davis and developed him more this year. The Rams dropped the ball on him...

Keenum is better than Foles in a couple of key non physical parts of QB play. He can anticipate better, get the ball out on time better. Foles is what you want physically in a QB....a big guy with a pretty big arm.
But, he has always been slow. He did not play well for long periods in Philly....slow to read, slow to find secondary guys, late getting rid of the ball. He was somewhat protected in Chip's offense. A decent amount of their throws were predetermined throws, no reading ect.
Keenum is not great, but, he is not terrible. He is a middle of the road vet guy who has to make up for some physical short comings by having a good mental game. If he is confused by a D it will be ugly because he does not really have the physical gifts (elite runner, cannon arm) to make up for it. As for the starter, that is to be determined.
To me, Keenum is the kind of guy coaches love for a back up. Knows how to prep and do his work (from all we have heard), not entitled and not demanding huge salary because of past glory. He may be nothing more than a solid veteran back up, but, coaches love those kind of guys and they generally have very long careers. I have no opinion on Mannion. Haven't seen enough of him. He is another guy who there is a lot to like about physically. The other parts of the game, are they developing? Who knows?

 

[Picked4td]

I for one really hope Goff starts week 1, simply because if Keenum starts week 1 chances are they wont let him go on a 5 game win streak and say, well thats it time to play Goff. If he starts week 1 he will likely play til he does bad and costs the team some wins, which may be the difference between playoffs and no playoffs.

 

[RamzFanz]

I for one really hope Goff starts week 1, simply because if Keenum starts week 1 chances are they wont let him go on a 5 game win streak and say, well thats it time to play Goff. If he starts week 1 he will likely play til he does bad and costs the team some wins, which may be the difference between playoffs and no playoffs.

It's a conundrum. If you start Goff, he fails and gets pulled, it could make a permanent impact on him. If you start CK and he racks up wins, you can't really pull him.

If you go with CK though, I'd leave him in for the first 4 games if he splits them or better. Week 5 against the Bills seems like a good entry point unless CK is just tanking.

 

[blackbart]

I really don't care who is the starter or back ups I want the best team possible on the field each week. I would rather have Keenum in there the whole year and have a record that makes the playoffs than have Goff or Mannion in there and miss the playoffs.

 

[Dieter the Brock]

i like our depth
Goff
Keenum
Mannion

 

[Todd59]

They better be grooming him to take over the back-up spot. If they aren't, they wasted a relatively high draft pick on a QB that they are never going to give a chance. I have never been a fan of taking a QB in the middle rounds. Either take one in the 1st, or take one in the 6th or later to develop over 2 years.

 

[SierraRam]

What I can say is please remove Nick freaking Foles from that list.

 

[Picked4td]

It's a conundrum. If you start Goff, he fails and gets pulled, it could make a permanent impact on him. If you start CK and he racks up wins, you can't really pull him.

If you go with CK though, I'd leave him in for the first 4 games if he splits them or better. Week 5 against the Bills seems like a good entry point unless CK is just tanking.

Once Goff starts (unless its due to injury) theres a small chance he ever gets pulled. When you decide to start him you understand the growing pains that will go with it and like you said pulling him could hurt him long term. Imo theres 2 ways to go about this that helps this team. 1, Goff starts week 1 and the whole season, barring injury or 2, Keenum starts the whole season, barring injury. For there to be a change in QBs mid season (not counting injury) theres only one reason why and thats because the team is on a losing streak due to poor QB play, which really doesnt help the Rams' chances at making the playoffs