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

[Merlin]

Wolford isn't a starting caliber QB. Perkins is a UDFA who has spent the year on the practice squad.

I think there are two separate issues here, those being who leads us through this playoff game and then who is our QB of the future.

QB of the future is Goff. He fits this offense, knows the offense, needs to get better too but the Rams need to get him better protections. That has not changed and is not gonna change.

But as to who leads us through the playoffs let's start with what the QB will be doing for us: handing off to Akers and making the occasional throw to complement the ground game. Also considering that the backup QB neutralizes the poor nature of the pass protection, AND that Goff is not going to be himself with a thumb that is healing, AND that Goff can't be trusted to be the good Goff behind that fucking OL... Well I can see where he might favor Wolford in what is best for the team.

And I can see why Goff might not agree. So none of this surprises me.

 

[jrry32]

I think there are two separate issues here, those being who leads us through this playoff game and then who is our QB of the future.

QB of the future is Goff. He fits this offense, knows the offense, needs to get better too but the Rams need to get him better protections. That has not changed and is not gonna change.

But as to who leads us through the playoffs let's start with what the QB will be doing for us: handing off to Akers and making the occasional throw to complement the ground game. Also considering that the backup QB neutralizes the poor nature of the pass protection, AND that Goff is not going to be himself with a thumb that is healing, AND that Goff can't be trusted to be the good Goff behind that fucking OL... Well I can see where he might favor Wolford in what is best for the team.

And I can see why Goff might not agree. So none of this surprises me.

I'm not addressing the playoffs, to make that clear. I'm talking about the future. Wolford may well be our best option this week if Goff still doesn't have the consistent ability to grip the ball. We'll have to wait and see where Goff's health is this week.

 

[Ramhusker]

I'm telling ya, start Wolford, bring Goff in by design. Watch the magic happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[payote75]

Well than boys what will it be like if coach goes with wolf man this week? Goff won't react well either. I also hope mcvay doesn't feel pressured because this has been put out in the media. Making throws (if he even can) is a lot different than in real game in a stadium where normally you can't feel your hands.

Can anyone say Watson??? I think the rams will try every possible way to explore this amongst other avenues. Poster above mentioned gurley and cooks this has a similar field. A lot more will be apparent right before the game and of course after it.

 

[LA_vision]

Cant say Id be surprised. Goff is probably seeing his cave starting to cave in. The last part of the season, the playcalling was insanely restrictive, especially in the RZ, it was basically McVay calling plays that screamed "please dont fuck up, please dont fuck. Then factor in Wolf comes in game 1 and was launching deep routes from the start. There is obviously different playcalls/trust being called differently depending on qb, and thats disturbing.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I'm not addressing the playoffs, to make that clear. I'm talking about the future. Wolford may well be our best option this week if Goff still doesn't have the consistent ability to grip the ball. We'll have to wait and see where Goff's health is this week.

25 degree air may aggravate his thumb/throwing. I don’t see how it wouldn’t. Harder ball, more difficult to grip, stiffer joints, muscles and connective tissue. It seems like a recipe for disaster. Especially with grip.

 

[jrry32]

Well than boys what will it be like if coach goes with wolf man this week? Goff won't react well either. I also hope mcvay doesn't feel pressured because this has been put out in the media. Making throws (if he even can) is a lot different than in real game in a stadium where normally you can't feel your hands.

Can anyone say Watson??? I think the rams will try every possible way to explore this amongst other avenues. Poster above mentioned gurley and cooks this has a similar field. A lot more will be apparent right before the game and of course after it.

I can say there's zero chance we can trade for Watson.

 

[Merlin]

Cant say Id be surprised. Goff is probably seeing his cave starting to cave in. The last part of the season, the playcalling was insanely restrictive, especially in the RZ, it was basically McVay calling plays that screamed "please dont fuck up, please dont fuck. Then factor in Wolf comes in game 1 and was launching deep routes from the start. There is obviously different playcalls/trust being called differently depending on qb, and thats disturbing.

The signs have been there. But it's important to remember that McVay knows they didn't give Goff a good enough OL this year. That's going to factor in. So you ask yourself from that business perspective what is easier finding a new QB who is better (which might come with growing pains) and all the moves that are required to accomplish that, or simply improving the OL.

This is why I say it's two separate issues and that Goff will remain our QB of the future. Because it's the easiest and most logical path to just improve the OL.

 

[Angry Ram]

How can someone talk for 90 seconds straight yet say nothing at all?

 

[FarNorth]

I read that Silver article and that's not the impression I came away with at all. Goff said not starting the playoff game was one of the hardest things he had to accept but he also handled it with poise and maturity.

McVay and Goff are not Pederson and Wentz.

This is a real concern. I had a post about Goff being pissed off, and McVay risking blowing up their relationship, last night before I saw or heard anything from Silver.

"Goff is already pissed off about the deal from last week and having to play games with the press. Goff being somewhat pissed off will concentrate his attention, but imo a full scale conflict with McVay would not be a good thing on any level. If you don't trust your high paid starting qb in the playoffs, you better be prepared for the consequences."

It's not a breakdown yet but McVay needs to handle this better. Sending Goff out to lie to the press, for tactical advantage, and when McVay had already decided to start Wolford, was stupid and demeaning. His omission to state that Goff would start as soon as his thumb was really ok was equally notable. McVay is better than this.

As for running Goff out of town, imo it would blow up the renewed chance of a championship and send the Rams back into quarterback hell. It's like kickers-- it's much, much easier to get rid of a good qb than to find a capable replacement.

 

[NJRamsFan]

He may already be on the roster. I bet he's hoping it's Wolford. Or perhaps even Bryce Perkins.

The reason the Warner story is so amazing is because it is EXTREMELY rare like... never ever happens

 

[Boston Ram]

If Donald said I’m healthy, he would start. If Ramsey said I’m healthy he would start. If Akers says he is healthy he starts, if Kupp says he is healthy he starts. Goff says he is healthy, and Wolford starts.

would not surprise me if there is tension. I think they should start Wolford but not sure he is the long term answer.

is there another 20M per year QB who if they said they were healthy and wanted to start would not get the start?

Goff basically rushed himself back to play and McVay still said no. Does feel a little if there is more to this story then some may want to believe

 

[NJRamsFan]

If Donald said I’m healthy, he would start. If Ramsey said I’m healthy he would start. If Akers says he is healthy he starts, if Kupp says he is healthy he starts. Goff says he is healthy, and Wolford starts.

Coming off of surgery?

 

[UKram]

Let’s not forget .. Gurley was fine all year according to mcvay .. he was 100 % fit and ready to play ... he has always played lose and fast with who is fit and healthy ..I want goff pissed off he ain’t starting ... even if he thinks he can go and mcvay doesn’t ..every player wants to play sometimes they need protecting from themselves .. it’s a rough year for Jared but he will be here next year and it’ll be a prove it year

 

[Boston Ram]

Coming off of surgery?

Why dress him? Healthy enough to back up but not start? I don’t know the answer, but it does make me wonder a little.

 

[Memphis Ram]

The reason the Warner story is so amazing is because it is EXTREMELY rare like... never ever happens

Not to the extent of Kurt Warner's success. But, a Jake Delhomme, Jeff Garcia, Tony Romo type of story with a strong defense might win as many titles if the ball bounces the team's way.

A defense that may be able to be kept together if they can move Goff's contract.

 

[Florida_Ram]

If the Wolf's stinger is ahead of Goff's thumb, it seems McVay might lean towards starting the Wolf again or might not.

To be clear... If the stinger was only a 48 hour issue and Wolf looks back to his normal self, it's going to be difficult for McVay to start Goff in 25 degree weather unless Jared is throwing a much better ball the next time or two they hit the practice field.

Of course other intangibles we are not privy to will also be in the decision process.

It appears another game of "keep them guessing" will be played by our HC for the entirety of the week unless something gets leaked.

I'm hoping McVay does what's best for the team regardless of fans or player opinions.

Coach does not want to crap away this Super Bowl winning caliber defense.

He knows you hardly ever get a defense like this as a head coach in the NFL and the wrong decision could cost him a Lombardi.

 

[jrry32]

If Donald said I’m healthy, he would start. If Ramsey said I’m healthy he would start. If Akers says he is healthy he starts, if Kupp says he is healthy he starts. Goff says he is healthy, and Wolford starts.

would not surprise me if there is tension. I think they should start Wolford but not sure he is the long term answer.

is there another 20M per year QB who if they said they were healthy and wanted to start would not get the start?

Goff basically rushed himself back to play and McVay still said no. Does feel a little if there is more to this story then some may want to believe

I disagree, Boston. They're not going to rely on the players saying they're healthy. Both Akers and Ramsey missed games this year. Kupp has been held out of games in the past. The team doesn't care what a player says. Goff was injured. We could all see it against the Seahawks. It's the team's job to look out for the players, not take their word for it.

And yes, there are plenty of other QBs who would be sitting in Goff's circumstances. Drew Brees is the perfect example of that. Drew Brees hit his hand on Aaron Donald's helmet last year, had thumb surgery, and then missed five games. I don't doubt that Drew was lobbying to play before the Saints let him return. That's what competitors do.

EDIT: Just to make a point, do you remember Cooper Kupp hobbling around against Denver with a knee injury in 2018 trying to play? We ended up sitting him down and forcing him to miss the next two games. Do you remember Cam running against the Jets on his bum ankle? We forced him to sit out the Seahawks game the next week.

 

[jrry32]

Not to the extent of Kurt Warner's success. But, a Jake Delhomme, Jeff Garcia, Tony Romo type of story with a strong defense might win as many titles if the ball bounces the team's way.

Those stories are also rare. If we want a guy who can push Goff, our best option looks to be Gardner Minshew via a trade (which is an option I actually like).

 

[jrry32]

Why dress him? Healthy enough to back up but not start? I don’t know the answer, but it does make me wonder a little.

McVay clearly felt Goff with his busted thumb was a better option than Bortles. I guess we'll never know, but based on the results, he looks to be right about that.