(Poll) Who would you start this weekend? The Wolford/Goff Collection Thread

[dieterbrock]

This is the Nick Foles scenario.

It would tickle me no end to win a Super Bowl with John Wolford. I think this team deserves to be the story for once.

And...it has a real Heaven Can Wait vibe which totally works for me.

More Jeff Hostetler than Nick Foles. Now if Blake Bortles were to take us on a run? There's the Nick Foles....

 

[Loyal]

Let's move onto some further analysis of what Wolford brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.

Measurables/Athleticism

Wolford's main problem is his lack of size. He's listed at 6-foot-1 but actually measured in at 5-foot-11½ at his pro day. That's probably the main reason for the lack of NFL interest.

Nevertheless, his athletic numbers are very good. His 40-time was above average, his short shuttle and three cone drill were very good and his broad and vertical jump were about average.

Arm Strength

Wolford doesn't have a cannon for an arm but uses a pump fake to good effect and can get the ball downfield with adequate touch and timing:

He will usually put enough zip on the ball on out-breaking routes, throwing a tight spiral on this pass:


His numbers when throwing downfield last season were solid and a vast improvement on his first three seasons.

Accuracy

Wolford's ball placement seems to be pretty good. He can hit players in stride and has a good understanding of when to lead a receiver and when to put the ball in a spot where only he can make a play on the ball.

He will at times throw slightly behind his man or low on intermediate passes, but did not throw a lot of reckless interceptable passes last year.


His numbers when throwing downfield last season were solid and a vast improvement on his first three seasons.

Accuracy

Wolford's ball placement seems to be pretty good. He can hit players in stride and has a good understanding of when to lead a receiver and when to put the ball in a spot where only he can make a play on the ball.

He will at times throw slightly behind his man or low on intermediate passes, but did not throw a lot of reckless interceptable passes last year.

His numbers when throwing downfield last season were solid and a vast improvement on his first three seasons.

Accuracy

Wolford's ball placement seems to be pretty good. He can hit players in stride and has a good understanding of when to lead a receiver and when to put the ball in a spot where only he can make a play on the ball.

He will at times throw slightly behind his man or low on intermediate passes, but did not throw a lot of reckless interceptable passes last year.


His completion percentage in his final season was much better than in the past and he ended up 20th in the nation.

Under pressure

As noted, Wolford was sacked over 100 times in his first three years, but Wake Forest's offensive line got better and better over the course of his career and he started to trust his protection more and throw from within the pocket with more success.

Wolford shows an ability to anticipate and get rid of the ball quickly, but still holds onto the ball too long at times when waiting for plays to develop. As you'd expect there is a drop-off in his completion percentages when under pressure, but he shows an ability to beat a blitz.

While his pocket presence is generally good, he does sometimes fail to keep the ball adequately protected and can be susceptible to losing fumbles, usually when on the move. On this play, he doesn't anticipate the rush off the edge and isn't able to get his throw off. The fumble was returned for a score:


He seems to be good at moving within the pocket and changing up his arm angle to get passes off cleanly, which is essential for a short quarterback. He only had five passes batted down at the line last year.

Footwork/Technique

Wolford admits that his footwork was not ideal in his first three seasons and his improved play in his senior year is probably in large part due to the hard work he carried out during the offseason.

Wolford's throwing motion is sound and he has a quick, compact release. However, there are times when he will bail out of a throw under pressure. He also has a tendency to throw the ball across his body when rolling out, which is something he doesn't look as comfortable doing as you might expect.

Decision Making

Wolford played in a simplistic offense in college, which often predetermined where the ball was supposed to go based on pre-snap reads. However, he at least showed that he can come off his primary option and check down underneath at times. He shows off his ability to read the field here:


Mobility

Wolford is a good runner, capable of scrambling out past the second level and picking up chunks of yardage on read option looks. In one game last season, he passed for 363 yards and three scores and rushed for another 136 yards and three more scores. Here's how dangerous he can be on designed runs:


Scheme Fit

There might be some level of adjustment required for Wolford to be ready to handle a pro-style system, but he is regarded as smart and has a good command of the huddle, so this is something he might be able to cope with.

Injuries

The diminutive Wolford has dealt with plenty of injuries during his time at Wake Forest, although he showed some toughness by often playing hurt. He ended up starting 47 games.

He was knocked out of a game in his freshman year when he landed on his head at the end of a scramble and missed the Clemson game with a shoulder injury last year. He's also had foot/ankle injuries in the past.

Intangibles

Wolford's teammates and coaches speak in glowing terms about his intangibles, praising his smarts, toughness and team-first mentality. He is regarded as a hard-worker with a high level of competitiveness.

He has no character red flags but had a tangential association to a scandal when it emerged that the team's former announcer had been feeding information about the playbook to other teams and his father suggested that this might have been a factor in him being sacked so much in his first three years.

Scouting John Wolford

Last week, the Jets announced that they had signed rookie quarterback John Wolford. Todd Bowles has already indicated that he's a candidate for the practice squad, but he might play tomorrow night, so we're breaking him down in detail so you know what to expect. The 22-year-old Wolford is listed

www.jetsfix.com

IE, a poor man’s Pat Haden. love me some Haden! ~ @den-the-coach

 

[fearsomefour]

He played a solid game at Pittsburgh, after Marrone put them in stall ball and Pittsurgh charged back he led them to a late TD drive that put that game away. He also lit up New England in the Champ game but Maronne took the air out of the ball and played scared and they lost.
That said, Bortles wont play unless there's an absolute emergency

Every single time I’ve watched Bortles it is the same deal.
If it is third and long (over 6 yards) he is generally helpless.
Passing on first down he was much better.
But, he always had a strong run game in Jacksonville.

 

[Mackeyser]

Either way. I just want us to have a spark.

I really don't care if it comes from the Water Boy...

 

[Mackeyser]

What if Wolford plays great and wins the next game but Goff is healthy for the playoffs, who you think will start?

Depends.

If he has a backup spark, but it's not spectacular? Goff.

If he has a 400yd 5TD game where he looks dominant? Wolford.

That latter scenario is unlikely, so it's probably the former. That said, I'd be THRILLED with the latter scenario.

 

[Mackeyser]

I think that McVay should approach this Cards game as if it were a free roll. IOW, pull out all the stops.

Don’t handcuff Wolford with overly conservative play calling.
Run a trick play or two.
Maybe go for it on 4th down a time or two, also.
Try to tailor the play calls to better fit Wolford’s strengths.
I hope to see a lot of Jones carries. Hell, maybe even a handful of Calais snaps, too.
If Kromer has any bright ideas on how to snap this OL out of their funk, now is the time.
Entertain any asst coaches suggestions that might surprise the Cards D. IOW, break some tendencies, dammit!
Being unpredictable works to Rams advantage, so be unpredictable.

This could work, don’t you think?

I think all we need to break out of this funk on offense is have some success. Honestly, when this OL can get the ball going on the ground, they perk up and everything is better.

 

[…..]

The first time we have 3rd and 9 and Wolford pulls it down and runs for 11 yards, this team is going a pump up and rally.

 

[Tano]

I didnt want JGoof injured, but he needs to sit. Pure and simple.

The “Angry Run” of the week went to Sam Darnold, a quarteback. On the other hand, we have our guy. The pussy run of the year belongs to Goof. If you cant put team first, you’ve lost me. I dont care if I ever see JGoof play another down for us. I remember Jim Everettes phantom sack and what it did to his legacy. Jim Rome certainly remembers. lol This was worse than that to me.

But get well JGoof, no need to be injured.

Walter? Is that you?

 

[den-the-coach]

IE, a poor man’s Pat Haden. love me some Haden! ~ @den-the-coach

Actually been thinking that all along, not that I loved Haden, but they are somewhat similar, although I believe Wolford has a stronger arm.

 

[den-the-coach]

Goff already shredded Arizona a few weeks ago. Wolford would have to be basically perfect for me to give him the start over Goff in the playoffs, assuming Goff's injury doesn't affect him too much.

I honestly don't believe Goff can play after only one week off of thumb surgery.

 

[NJRamsFan]

I’ve whole heartedly convinced myself John Wolford is going to take the NFL by storm and turn Jared Goff into Drew Bledsoe/Trent Green.

Because....why the fuck not. These things happen unexpectedly in the NFL why not here and now.

 

[jrry32]

I honestly don't believe Goff can play after only one week off of thumb surgery.

I believe in JG. The man popped his own thumb back into place and went right about his business on the field lol.

 

[I like Rams]

We should merge this into the John Wolford thread that has the same vid.

 

[Tano]

I don't have time right now but I decided to look at the ALL 22 for Goff's first two passes

On Second and 6, he threw short to Reynolds which went for 4 yards. Better option would have been Higbee who was 10 yards further down the field and mostly open from what I could tell. Would have been a much more difficult pass but I believe Goff can make that throw when doing well.

On third and 2 - McVay calls this. I just can't believe this play call. I really hate it when every receiver is within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage - makes for an extremely difficult throw since the DBs are within a couple yards of each receiver. Plus Goff had time on this throw as well for receivers to go further down the field.. This went incomplete to Reynolds due to the tight window. This play reminded me of Bora's plays when he was OC for the Rams under Fisher.

I will admit that Kupp or Woods would have been a better choice but Reynolds was the first read on this play.

 

[jrry32]

I didnt want JGoof injured, but he needs to sit. Pure and simple.

The “Angry Run” of the week went to Sam Darnold, a quarteback. On the other hand, we have our guy. The pussy run of the year belongs to Goof. If you cant put team first, you’ve lost me. I dont care if I ever see JGoof play another down for us. I remember Jim Everettes phantom sack and what it did to his legacy. Jim Rome certainly remembers. lol This was worse than that to me.

But get well JGoof, no need to be injured.

I'd say the guy who popped his dislocated, broken thumb back into place so that he could finish the game is putting the team first. The slide was stupid, but Goff more than proved his toughness. And don't start with the "Goof" bullshit. I come to this forum so I don't have to see crap like that. We're Rams fans.

 

[jrry32]

I don't have time right now but I decided to look at the ALL 22 for Goff's first two passes

On Second and 6, he threw short to Reynolds which went for 4 yards. Better option would have been Higbee who was 10 yards further down the field and mostly open from what I could tell. Would have been a much more difficult pass but I believe Goff can make that throw when doing well.

On third and 2 - McVay calls this. I just can't believe this play call. I really hate it when every receiver is within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage - makes for an extremely difficult throw since the DBs are within a couple yards of each receiver. Plus Goff had time on this throw as well for receivers to go further down the field.. This went incomplete to Reynolds due to the tight window. This play reminded me of Bora's plays when he was OC for the Rams under Fisher.

I will admit that Kupp or Woods would have been a better choice but Reynolds was the first read on this play.

View attachment 42347

The throw to Higbee would have been the sort of pass we've been begging Goff not to make. He has five easy yards to Reynolds. The Seattle DB is hanging underneath Higbee. Goff would have had to squeeze a ball in there while towards the DB underneath the route. That's a tough throw. If he's just a little off, it's a pick. On 3rd down, the read was right. I can't tell if Goff missed the throw or if Reynolds wasn't where he was supposed to be.

 

[den-the-coach]

I believe in JG. The man popped his own thumb back into place and went right about his business on the field lol.

Albeit very impressive, what I would like to see is Goff to commit to more weight training in the offseason. IMO, again, JMHO, some of his apprehension to take off and run is due to the fact, he doesn't feel good about his size and is somewhat concerned taking big hit. Get him working on his legs and have his father (former professional baseball player) work with him on his sliding. Overall, he might improve his overall speed and feel more confident to take what the defense is giving him.

 

[RentonRamsFan]

I have no idea if Wolford is going to be the answer, but I think there's a blessing in disguise here. Wolford at least gives McVay the option of mobility to extend plays, and hopefully design some passes longer than 5 yards. I think that the Niners showed how to stop the Rams offence by sitting on those short passes, and making sure to clamp down on the YAC. The Jets and Hawks executed that plan perfectly. If McVay is willing to add plays that play to Wolford's abilities, maybe some RPO action (assuming we have some kind of credible RB threat lol), and may be roll out and throw down field. The long throws are definitely low percentage, but the league wants to encourage the exciting passing game. Long throws loosen up the defence, and there's always the chance we get at least a PI call out of it. At this point, our best hope for the season is to do something out of the box. Right now, I'm not sure if McVay or Goff is the problem (probably a bit of both), and if he calls the same kind of game for Wolford, it might say something about that

Side note: the Packers vs Bears game has been flexed to the same time as the Rams game, so the Rams will have to play to win

 

[Angry Ram]

Not sure if it’s a typo or not but people calling him goof get not credit at all with the low intelligence attempt at an insult, so incredibly childish.

That's some walterfootball level of bullshit.

 

[Tano]

The throw to Higbee would have been the sort of pass we've been begging Goff not to make. He has five easy yards to Reynolds. The Seattle DB is hanging underneath Higbee. Goff would have had to squeeze a ball in there while towards the DB underneath the route. That's a tough throw. If he's just a little off, it's a pick. On 3rd down, the read was right. I can't tell if Goff missed the throw or if Reynolds wasn't where he was supposed to be.

The read was right - I just hate those types of play calls where every receiver is within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. Puts too many people in that area and then Goff has to make a tough throw.