Each of Goffs Plays in the first half against Seattle

[FrantikRam]

Once again it's really not McVay. He's no different than any other OC where he's got routes in combos that the QB chooses. On a general play call (not short yardage situation or redzone) he has a mid to deep option in the route combination. You even see that on boot calls in fact where the entire half is used to give Goff answers at the different secondary levels. Now whether that player who is on the mid to deep route is a threat, or whether he can get open or has a favorable matchup, well, that is where we get into what is really going on here.

The problem lies with the players on the field. And it's across the board too. It is the protections in part. Our OL has been inconsistent and has degraded since we lost Whit but also the TEs have had the same issue.

And beyond the protections it's also the lack of a deep win option at wideout which we knew before the season. Most of us I think recognized that we have two top possession wideouts and a JAG in Reynolds. Sure would have been nice to see Van beast out his rookie season but that's obviously not gonna happen.

And it's also the QB going through a bit of a confidence crisis. He's not been the same guy. You can see it. I am still confident in him to some extent, I don't think he's ever going to be elite however I definitely see his value. But the guy is killing us too.

This is why I keep saying a break might be good for Goff. I know he's pissed to not be able to play through it. I know he's confident he can get back to that guy we saw vs Tampa. And I know he's going to hate seeing Wolford get us into the playoffs. But you know what? That anger might be what he needs to lead us on a playoff run.

I agree that a break might be good for him. I agree with everything you say - but my thing is, I'm not ready to put too much blame on our OL or WRs - and definitely not McVay - until he gets the turnovers under control. With all those other faults, if he just limits the turnovers, we definitely have two more wins, possibly three more.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I am still a fan of Goff and believe he played poorly albeit admirably given the injuries.
Yes, you can be both a fan and critique unobjectively.

JG needs help for sure, personnel help and coaching help. His skillset is top tier his awareness and prescense is at times questionable
A man can continue to learn and develop as long as he remains willing.

 

[Tano]

Once again it's really not McVay. He's no different than any other OC where he's got routes in combos that the QB chooses. On a general play call (not short yardage situation or redzone) he has a mid to deep option in the route combination. You even see that on boot calls in fact where the entire half is used to give Goff answers at the different secondary levels. Now whether that player who is on the mid to deep route is a threat, or whether he can get open or has a favorable matchup, well, that is where we get into what is really going on here.

The problem lies with the players on the field. And it's across the board too. It is the protections in part. Our OL has been inconsistent and has degraded since we lost Whit but also the TEs have had the same issue.

And beyond the protections it's also the lack of a deep win option at wideout which we knew before the season. Most of us I think recognized that we have two top possession wideouts and a JAG in Reynolds. Sure would have been nice to see Van beast out his rookie season but that's obviously not gonna happen.

And it's also the QB going through a bit of a confidence crisis. He's not been the same guy. You can see it. I am still confident in him to some extent, I don't think he's ever going to be elite however I definitely see his value. But the guy is killing us too.

This is why I keep saying a break might be good for Goff. I know he's pissed to not be able to play through it. I know he's confident he can get back to that guy we saw vs Tampa. And I know he's going to hate seeing Wolford get us into the playoffs. But you know what? That anger might be what he needs to lead us on a playoff run.

Thing is though - he only had one player open at most on those roll outs. I looked. He threw to the right guy every time except for the stupid idiotic interception. As Frantic stated, he stops with the turnovers, we win. I agree with it. However, when he isn't doing the turnovers, he is an above average QB. I am hoping that he is just going thru a bad spell with the Yips and he will go back to being an above average QB with the game off to get his head screwed back on straight. Sometimes a player needs to be benched. I see many a baseball player be benched and come back hot after being benched. I am hoping that even though this is not baseball, that Goff will see it that way too and come back with a vengeance.

 

[Ramlock]

Thing is though - he only had one player open at most on those roll outs. I looked. He threw to the right guy every time except for the stupid idiotic interception. As Frantic stated, he stops with the turnovers, we win. I agree with it. However, when he isn't doing the turnovers, he is an above average QB. I am hoping that he is just going thru a bad spell with the Yips and he will go back to being an above average QB with the game off to get his head screwed back on straight.

Agree with most of the above.

It is a shame that his own turnovers have lost games and diminished the stretches of really great play...he was 12-12 in the second half against Miami....had a stretch like that coming back against the Bills.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Once again it's really not McVay. He's no different than any other OC where he's got routes in combos that the QB chooses. On a general play call (not short yardage situation or redzone) he has a mid to deep option in the route combination. You even see that on boot calls in fact where the entire half is used to give Goff answers at the different secondary levels. Now whether that player who is on the mid to deep route is a threat, or whether he can get open or has a favorable matchup, well, that is where we get into what is really going on here.

The problem lies with the players on the field. And it's across the board too. It is the protections in part. Our OL has been inconsistent and has degraded since we lost Whit but also the TEs have had the same issue.

And beyond the protections it's also the lack of a deep win option at wideout which we knew before the season. Most of us I think recognized that we have two top possession wideouts and a JAG in Reynolds. Sure would have been nice to see Van beast out his rookie season but that's obviously not gonna happen.

And it's also the QB going through a bit of a confidence crisis. He's not been the same guy. You can see it. I am still confident in him to some extent, I don't think he's ever going to be elite however I definitely see his value. But the guy is killing us too.

This is why I keep saying a break might be good for Goff. I know he's pissed to not be able to play through it. I know he's confident he can get back to that guy we saw vs Tampa. And I know he's going to hate seeing Wolford get us into the playoffs. But you know what? That anger might be what he needs to lead us on a playoff run.

Goff has been Bradfordized. Hopefully it can be undone, but I don't see how without upgrades at Center and a deep threat. A better blocking TE too maybe.

 

[OnceARam]

Why don't the Rams run counter plays?

Why do the Rams abandon the run?

Why do the Rams insist on throwing the ball to WR3?

Why do the Rams run naked bootlegs with a non-running QB?

Why do the Rams slow-release TE's sometimes and other times not?

Why do the Rams run max protect, 2 receiver routes (all the time)?

Why do the Rams run down-tempo with an up-tempo QB?

Why have the Rams abandoned pre-snap movement when they used to lead the league in pre-snap movement?

Why don't the Rams have hot routes?

Why don't the Rams run route combinations over 10 yards?

 

[fearsomefour]

The difference between an average QB and a great QB are probably a handful of plays a game. And to be great you need to be able to consistently do it. Nice thing for Goff is that he's got all the talent you want. Just gotta get that mental side down.

The hard part is which part is lacking mentally?
Is it the mentality of being a gun slinger and attacking?
If that’s it he needs to adopt it post haste because right now we are getting the downside (the turnovers) with none of the benefit.
If it is seeing the field, reads, finding open receivers (I tend to think this is more it) then that is generally a long process.

 

[majrleaged]

Why don't the Rams run counter plays?

Why do the Rams abandon the run?

Why do the Rams insist on throwing the ball to WR3?

Why do the Rams run naked bootlegs with a non-running QB?

Why do the Rams slow-release TE's sometimes and other times not?

Why do the Rams run max protect, 2 receiver routes (all the time)?

Why do the Rams run down-tempo with an up-tempo QB?

Why have the Rams abandoned pre-snap movement when they used to lead the league in pre-snap movement?

Why don't the Rams have hot routes?

Why don't the Rams run route combinations over 10 yards?

Most of the answers are, the line isn't good enough. I think up tempo isn't run like we would like, because they want the D to be fresh.

 

[nighttrain]

" the line isn't good enough"

 

[Giles]

" the line isn't good enough"

This is basically it. Goff is not a dink and dunk passer and never has been and that's what this offense has turned into.
The line isn't good enough to run the offense mcvay/goff wants. This offense is the opposite of what goff does well.

 

[iamme33]

man during the game i felt that goff was having a bad game but after reading that play by play you have to say that mcvay should have more rc going deep and not abandon the run so soon. i just can't figure out what is wrong maybe it is a cmbo of things

 

[Tano]

This is basically it. Goff is not a dink and dunk passer and never has been and that's what this offense has turned into.
The line isn't good enough to run the offense mcvay/goff wants. This offense is the opposite of what goff does well.

I can't agree more

 

[TheTackle]

This is going to be a very long post.

I reviewed each of Goff's plays in the first half to see just how bad or how not so bad he played.

The second half he drove to the 1 yard line and 4 runs couldn't get them in and then he hurt his thumb while driving the Rams to another field goal. After he hurt his thumb, I don't believe he was the same so not going to review any of his second half plays.

Anyway I tried to be non-biased as possible in these reviews. I said the good and the bad.

Take it anyway you want. This is how I viewed them.

Ist Series
Pass # 1
2nd & 6 – Rollout 5 yard safe pass to Reynolds to the left. Myself and another person believe Higbee was open further down the field but there was a defender in the direct line between Goff and Higbee and I think Goff decided to play it safe. This one falls under the Goff is not completely confident of his passes category.
Pass # 2
3rd & 1 – Incomplete to Reynolds to his left – stupid play imo since all 4 receivers within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage – reminds me of Boras consistently doing that – Goff was forced to throw it further left than he wanted to because a defensive player was almost between Goff and Reynolds – not a horrible pass – just a bad play design
Punt

Second Series
Pass # 3
2nd & 7 – Rollout right – pass knocked down by defender (50) – Reynolds should have gotten in way for a split second of 50 but since he didn’t 50 had a free shot at Goff. Woods and Kupp were both open down the right sideline – Goff had no chance on that one
Pass # 4
3rd & 7 – Goff drills a 9 yard completion to Kupp on the left sideline – no one else was open – very good pass
Pass # 5
1st & 10 – Goff scrambles to the left for 4 yards – no one was open – not a bad play by Goff
Pass # 6
2nd & 6 – Goff throws incomplete to Woods on right sideline – no one was open and basically threw it where only Woods had a chance to catch it – not a bad play by Goff
Pass # 7A
3rd & 6 – delay of game penalty – not a good play by Goff
Pass # 7B
3rd & 11 – Goff passes 12 yards to Cooper Kupp – very good pass since Kupp was barely open
Pass 8
1st & 10 – Goff passes 19 yards to Woods down right sideline to Seattle 45 – very good pass
Pass # 9
2nd & 7 – Goff scrambles 3 yards to Seattle 39 after deciding to not take a chance on a somewhat open Jefferson at around the 20 to 15 yard line. Plus Jefferson should not have slowed down and kept going to the left sideline at a 45 degree angle. Personally, I think he makes that throw in 2018 and completes it. Not a horrible play by Goff but not a good one either. However, I am putting this in the questioning Goff’s decision category.
Pass #10
3rd & 4 – Goff makes a very good to great throw to Woods for 11 yards to Seattle 28. Very tight window.
Pass # 11
1st & 10 – Jrry’s favorite Blythe play. Blythe is not blocking anyone and decides to help Edwards out and defender knocks Blythe right into Goff as Goff is about to throw a possible TD pass to Woods who got open free down the right side of the field. This one is on Blythe 100%.
Pass # 12
2nd & 10 – Goff scrambles left for 3 yards. For some reason, Goff was looking to the left the entire time when Brown was his check down to the right. Not one person was within 15 yards of Brown. This one is on Goff for not looking for his check down when no one was open. Bad play on Goff.
Pass # 13
3rd & 7 – Goff throws behind Jefferson at 20 yard line 2 yards short of 1st down who drops the ball. No one else was open and Goff had to get rid of the ball since 43 came in untouched to pressure Goff. Tough pass to catch but I think Jefferson still should have caught it since it hit his hands. However, it probably would not have been a first down. Not a good play by Goff but not a bad play either.
Field Goal

Careful, you might upset people by being reasonable . Great post and thanks for putting in the time! I was annoyed with the play calling, it was too conservative when it needed to be creative, and reversely, too creative when it needed to be smash mouth.

I usually credit the opposition, but Seattle really were not at all good and I hope we play them again real soon!

 

[Angry Ram]

1st & 10 – Goff underthrows Higbee on a deep pass down the right side of the field. Higbee was open. Goff missed him for a TD. Bad pass by Goff.

1st & 10 at the Seattle 29 after Henderson gains 15 yards. Okay all – you can yell all you want at Goff for this one because I was yelling with you. Goff rolls out to his right and only Higbee is possibly open. Higbee is behind a CB but it would have been a tough throw to make but I have seen Goff do it. In addition, Goff had an easy scramble for at least 5 to 10 yards. However, Goff tries to lob the ball to a covered Woods about 10 yards in front of Goff and the ball must have completely gotten away from Goff because it went over Woods head by 10 yards and even worst was 5 yards to the left of Woods who was running right. No one was within 10 to 15 yards of the ball except for a Seattle player who intercepted it. It was just a horrible horrible horrible decision by Goff
Interception

3rd & 8 – No one is open and Goff slides one yard short of the first down marker. This is one where Goff should have dived. Not a good play by Goff.

Here's the issue with me. I can live with him making a dumb throw or decision every now and then, happens to all of them. These 3 plays though happened on back to back to back series. All the good plays end up for nothing when he makes that brain fart play. This is what making him unreliable for me, going forward until he proves other wise.

I appreciate you pointing out all the good plays, and I agree he definitely moved the ball up and down the 20, all the more encouraging they are almost always at or inside their own 20. The bad decisions though costs the team points/games, and they are occurring waaay too much.

 

[FaulkSF]

@Tano excellent post! The only one I disagree on is the deep throw to Higbee. There was over coverage deep and he would have been blown up had the pass been a little deeper. It really was a narrow window or maybe Goff threw it a half second late.

 

[Ramlock]

Why don't the Rams run counter plays?

Why do the Rams abandon the run?

Why do the Rams insist on throwing the ball to WR3?

Why do the Rams run naked bootlegs with a non-running QB?

Why do the Rams slow-release TE's sometimes and other times not?

Why do the Rams run max protect, 2 receiver routes (all the time)?

Why do the Rams run down-tempo with an up-tempo QB?

Why have the Rams abandoned pre-snap movement when they used to lead the league in pre-snap movement?

Why don't the Rams have hot routes?

Why don't the Rams run route combinations over 10 yards?

All the great questions that someone needs to ask.

 

[CoachAllred]

Pass # 7A
3rd & 6 – delay of game penalty – not a good play by Goff

Excellent work Tano.
I'm not sure we should put these delay of game calls all on Goff.
Just cause we don't know how long it took to get the play in or if McVay changed the call late.
Maybe these should be on McGoff.

 

[Merlin]

Goff has been Bradfordized. Hopefully it can be undone, but I don't see how without upgrades at Center and a deep threat. A better blocking TE too maybe.

The one thing I'll say here is Goff is a thousand times mentally tougher than Bradford. In fact and in spite of his nerdy appearance I think he's extremely tough in general. He does tend to bounce back. So the last thing I'm gonna do with him is write him off in any fashion whatsoever in fact I expect he'll win a QB competition vs someone like Minshew (of that level range) and will probably have a strong 2021 with a better OL and weapons.

But he's definitely going to need help around him so he can get his shit straight.

The hard part is which part is lacking mentally?
Is it the mentality of being a gun slinger and attacking?
If that’s it he needs to adopt it post haste because right now we are getting the downside (the turnovers) with none of the benefit.
If it is seeing the field, reads, finding open receivers (I tend to think this is more it) then that is generally a long process.

The area I think he's struggled most is vision and processing speed. It's like those two things go to shit when he gets enough pressure on him. But it's not every time. He has shown an ability to speed it up and see shit like he did vs Tampa so it's a mental thing IMO.

I feel like McVay is going to make him a strong QB or he's gonna break him. Basically. IMO he's hard on his offensive players with very high expectations in terms of pushing what they can do (adjusting at the line and whatnot that can make it hard on them). I think Goff probably feels a bit ground down at this point. But he'll go work those mechanics with T House and if the Rams reload the offense just a bit they're going to be back to a top unit next year.

 

[Tano]

Excellent work Tano.
I'm not sure we should put these delay of game calls all on Goff.
Just cause we don't know how long it took to get the play in or if McVay changed the call late.
Maybe these should be on McGoff.

After looking at it again, this one might have been on both Brown & Goff.

Goff called Brown back in to block and then moved Brown up front to the right of him and then Brown moved in front of Goff to the Left

Goff & Brown took way to too long to get settled on this one.

That's why I called it on Goff.

I agree the wasted timeouts are mostly on McVay but this one I think was on both Goff and Brown

 

[Tano]

@Tano excellent post! The only one I disagree on is the deep throw to Higbee. There was over coverage deep and he would have been blown up had the pass been a little deeper. It really was a narrow window or maybe Goff threw it a half second late.

I looked at this one again and you might be right but I think if Goff would have thrown it one to two yards longer that the Safety would have been a split second late.