THE HERD | Eric Dickerson tells Colin if the Rams beat the Seahawks

[Merlin]

I am pretty shocked at how this has morphed into Warner v Buger II.

I like Wolford but the dude is no starting QB in this league. Is Goff? Goff has his faults, no doubt, but his ceiling is ten times as high as Wolfy's. Some of you seem to think you can temporarily dump a medically cleared Jared Goff for "the hot hand." It doesn't work that way because trust will be broken forever between Goff and McVay and really the whole organization. You don't sit a healthy starter unless you are ready to get rid of him. Make no mistake, if a healthy enough Goff is bypassed, we will find the warts of John Wolford that every back up has. We will be in the situation prior to Jared Goff,...Looking for retreads and hoping on guys like Case Keenum to get us to the promised land...

It's not that bad. I think the conversations for the most part have been good. There's a small group who have so much wrapped up into Goff that they can't see we just had a huge windfall with our backup QB showing he can ball. And there's a small group who dislike Goff so much that they can't see he's still the guy with the upside that the team hooked its wagon to. IMO most of us are seeing things pretty clearly.

But right here and now what we have is a playoff environment that is going to tell us something about our QB situation. Because when Goff gets the start he's going to need to be the good Goff or he's going to get the hook. That's never been a risk for him under McVay before but it is now. Same goes for Wolford if he gets the nod (which is possible if they want to not risk Goff's thumb). If Wolford throws an early INT this time around he's getting the hook too.

I'm telling you man... If this OL opens holes for Akers the Rams are going DEEP in this year's playoffs. Because that defense. And I think they are going to open holes for Akers. So unlike some around here I am fucking PUMPED about this game regardless of who plays for us at QB and feel like we might be sitting on a situation where the stars are aligning for us.

 

[Loyal]

It's not that bad. I think the conversations for the most part have been good. There's a small group who have so much wrapped up into Goff that they can't see we just had a huge windfall with our backup QB showing he can ball. And there's a small group who dislike Goff so much that they can't see he's still the guy with the upside that the team hooked its wagon to. IMO most of us are seeing things pretty clearly.

But right here and now what we have is a playoff environment that is going to tell us something about our QB situation. Because when Goff gets the start he's going to need to be the good Goff or he's going to get the hook. That's never been a risk for him under McVay before but it is now. Same goes for Wolford if he gets the nod (which is possible if they want to not risk Goff's thumb). If Wolford throws an early INT this time around he's getting the hook too.

I'm telling you man... If this OL opens holes for Akers the Rams are going DEEP in this year's playoffs. Because that defense. And I think they are going to open holes for Akers. So unlike some around here I am fucking PUMPED about this game regardless of who plays for us at QB and feel like we might be sitting on a situation where the stars are aligning for us.

The simple answer is if Goff's thumb isn't good enough to let him start and if the Rams doc says Goff can't go, that's one thing and we'll all support Wolfy without reservation. If the doctor says that he's cleared to play, that's totally different. Likely if McVay doesn't want Goff to start, they will have the doctor not clear him to avoid controversary. I'm just saying is that McVay says straight up to a ready Jared Goff to to sit on the bench and Wolfy starts, that is creating rift that won't heal. I've read cavalier posts that says pretty much "screw what Goff thinks, go with the hot hand." Sorry, but that's not very smart.

 

[dieterbrock]

also comparing a guy who has played one game with a guy who played 70 and then dropping the mic on their stats.

is silly... just beyond silly....

Except it isnt, because the only thing that matters is the next game. And even without fans, the intensity of a playoff game will be infinitely higher than last week's game. There's no free pass for playing with an injured thumb or having jitters from having no experience. Its win or go home and a mistake or two made in the 1st Q could be the difference in the outcome.
We saw how Wolford started last week, and if he plays again, and makes those same mistakes, missed those passes, I dont know how you could feel confident he could bring them back. At least with Goff, we've seen him come back. Saw it in New Orleans in the NFC champ game, saw it this year in Buffalo

There's a small group who have so much wrapped up into Goff that they can't see we just had a huge windfall with our backup QB showing he can ball.

I'm not "wrapped up in to Goff", his performance down the stretch has my confidence in him waning. But I also think saying Wolford's play is a huge windfall, and that he can ball? Makes me shake my head.
The offense scored 9 points.
9
9 points against a lousy defense that had been giving up 27 points per game in their last 8 games, had given up over 30 in 4 of those games. Had 4 3 and outs and a 2 and pick.
What makes me shake my head is talking about Wolford's game like he created some kind of comeback. If Murray isnt knocked out of the game, and the Rams hold him to 10-13 points, the Cards score 20 in that game.

 

[Merlin]

The simple answer is if Goff's thumb isn't good enough to let him start and if the Rams doc says Goff can't go, that's one thing and we'll all support Wolfy without reservation. If the doctor says that he's cleared to play, that's totally different. Likely if McVay doesn't want Goff to start, they will have the doctor not clear him to avoid controversary. I'm just saying is that McVay says straight up to a ready Jared Goff to to sit on the bench and Wolfy starts, that is creating rift that won't heal. I've read cavalier posts that says pretty much "screw what Goff thinks, go with the hot hand." Sorry, but that's not very smart.

Agreed. Only way Goff doesn't start is if he's medically not ready OR if McVay has lost faith in him. From there we'll probably never know which it was. As you alluded to it does sound like something an NFL team would do, to hide behind the medical side but it's also crazy to say that his thumb is 100% when he just had surgery.

But I think we can win with either QB. I think it's more about the OL and the run game simply because we don't have overwhelming speed and weaponry in the pass game. And I think our QB situation right now is way better than what it was before Goff got injured. Because now we know our backup can play.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Start Goff. Use Wolford.

 

[…..]

Yeah... listening to him gladly sharing his hatred for the cowgirls made my day. LOL

Haha hell ya. Epecially this part

“Never liked that Americas Team thing. Americas team? They aint my team”

 

[Ellard80]

Except it isnt, because the only thing that matters is the next game. And even without fans, the intensity of a playoff game will be infinitely higher than last week's game. There's no free pass for playing with an injured thumb or having jitters from having no experience. Its win or go home and a mistake or two made in the 1st Q could be the difference in the outcome.
We saw how Wolford started last week, and if he plays again, and makes those same mistakes, missed those passes, I dont know how you could feel confident he could bring them back. At least with Goff, we've seen him come back. Saw it in New Orleans in the NFC champ game, saw it this year in Buffalo


I'm not "wrapped up in to Goff", his performance down the stretch has my confidence in him waning. But I also think saying Wolford's play is a huge windfall, and that he can ball? Makes me shake my head.
The offense scored 9 points.
9
9 points against a lousy defense that had been giving up 27 points per game in their last 8 games, had given up over 30 in 4 of those games. Had 4 3 and outs and a 2 and pick.
What makes me shake my head is talking about Wolford's game like he created some kind of comeback. If Murray isnt knocked out of the game, and the Rams hold him to 10-13 points, the Cards score 20 in that game.

nah my point and I've seen you post this a little bit also - his the "Well if Goff did this" refering to wolfords interception, that they'd want his head on a spike, but wolford gets a pass.

Sorry thats crazy.. goff has been turning the ball over for 2 years.. this dude has made one nfl start. It's not the same thing, wolford has no body of work in nfl games to evaluate as to if he turnover prone.

Very few people think wolford should start -like hardly anyone, that had nothing to do with my point.

Mcvay has said goff is the starter if healthy.

 

[Merlin]

I'm not "wrapped up in to Goff", his performance down the stretch has my confidence in him waning. But I also think saying Wolford's play is a huge windfall, and that he can ball? Makes me shake my head.
The offense scored 9 points.

You're focused on the points. That's understandable and I'm not gonna say you're wrong because football's a bottom line business.

But yeah I think his play is a huge windfall. I think he can ball. He's a different type of QB who brings a different set of threats. But he can play at this level IMO. He sees the field quite well. He moves the chains. He also does a good job of giving some of our so-so targets a chance with contested throws.

Also the same things that have worked against Goff this season worked against Wolford in that start. He had to rush some throws. He had some guys not properly adjust to the ball in flight. He had guys drop well placed throws.

McVay said he had full trust in Wolford before the game. I laughed when he said that. But now I think he was being honest. This guy can play man and again it's a good thing for the Rams.

 

[dieterbrock]

Sorry thats crazy.. goff has been turning the ball over for 2 years.. this dude has made one nfl start. It's not the same thing, wolford has no body of work in nfl games to evaluate as to if he turnover prone.

The NFL has a long history, and playoff football is harder than reg season. Turnovers are more costly. INT rate goes up, even the greats like Rodgers and Brady see that happen. But Wolford will be less turnover prone?
Goff has 17 turnovers this season in 15 games. How about Russell Wilson? How many he got?
Wolford does have a body of work, and he threw a terrible pick when he played. How many TD passes/drives did he have after? Yes, he has a body of work, as limited as it may be. Somehow we're supposed to forget the bad plays, and embellish his good plays because he never played before. The scoreboard doesnt really care about that

 

[dieterbrock]

You're focused on the points. That's understandable and I'm not gonna say you're wrong because football's a bottom line business.

But yeah I think his play is a huge windfall. I think he can ball. He's a different type of QB who brings a different set of threats. But he can play at this level IMO. He sees the field quite well. He moves the chains. He also does a good job of giving some of our so-so targets a chance with contested throws.

Also the same things that have worked against Goff this season worked against Wolford in that start. He had to rush some throws. He had some guys not properly adjust to the ball in flight. He had guys drop well placed throws.

McVay said he had full trust in Wolford before the game. I laughed when he said that. But now I think he was being honest. This guy can play man and again it's a good thing for the Rams.

McVay is supposed to say he doesnt have confidence in him? Come on....
His play was a windfall in that he didnt throw 3 more INT. Scoring 9 points is not balling man, no way now how. Balling is Ryan Fitzpatrick against Houston as a rook.
Some of these comments and superlatives being given to him, my goodness, you'd think he was replacing Shawn Hill or Kyle Boller.
Arizona has Murray in the game, all game and they put up 20 while the D doesnt score 9, and how we can think we win that game is beyond me

 

[Corbin]

It's ironic as Goff's dad was one of the better sliding catchers (imo) back in the day,

No shit? Didn’t know his dad played anything.

 

[Loyal]

No shit? Didn’t know his dad played anything.

Yep, he played MLB. He was just JAG, but he made it to the big leagues...

 

[Dxmissile]

One of us

View attachment 42601

My favorite movie

 

[Merlin]

McVay is supposed to say he doesnt have confidence in him? Come on....
His play was a windfall in that he didnt throw 3 more INT. Scoring 9 points is not balling man, no way now how. Balling is Ryan Fitzpatrick against Houston as a rook.
Some of these comments and superlatives being given to him, my goodness, you'd think he was replacing Shawn Hill or Kyle Boller.
Arizona has Murray in the game, all game and they put up 20 while the D doesnt score 9, and how we can think we win that game is beyond me

So in summary here you don't think Wolford can play. At a starting NFL QB level. Is that accurate?

If so let's disagree. And I don't know what superlatives you're talking about. When I say he can ball I mean he executes the offense and can give us a lift. Which he did. We're in the playoffs.

This is starting to remind me of the Jefferson thread. Can't be excited about a guy who stepped up a bit for us because folks want to analyze comments looking for too much happiness or something. I really like Wolford's game and think it's a windfall for us to have a backup who can actually play.

 

[majrleaged]

I will be really surprised if Goff is medically ready to play in the weather in Seattle and not confident in Wolford. I am confident that if Whit comes back the Rams go 2 TEs most the game we can win. Can't have a turnover and the D has to play better than ever.

The thing about Seattle's D is they never take out their LB, so spreading them out with empty back field won't work even if it is a simpler O for Wolford. So everyone knows we have to run anyway. Go 2 TE, they are versatile receivers. Throw a ball up high to our tall guys in the endzone and win the fucking game.

 

[madrid311]

The simple answer is if Goff's thumb isn't good enough to let him start and if the Rams doc says Goff can't go, that's one thing and we'll all support Wolfy without reservation. If the doctor says that he's cleared to play, that's totally different. Likely if McVay doesn't want Goff to start, they will have the doctor not clear him to avoid controversary. I'm just saying is that McVay says straight up to a ready Jared Goff to to sit on the bench and Wolfy starts, that is creating rift that won't heal. I've read cavalier posts that says pretty much "screw what Goff thinks, go with the hot hand." Sorry, but that's not very smart.

May be coach knows something we don't about his qb. ( goff) may be he's gone sour. He needs to sweeten but that's up to Jared.

 

[Loyal]

May be coach knows something we don't about his qb. ( goff) may be he's gone sour. He needs to sweeten but that's up to Jared.

Then we're screwed for the long haul. Wolfy is not the answer to anything long term. No first round picks on the horizon, so unless we get lucky somehow, 8-8 is in our future in coming seasons.

 

[Ellard80]

The NFL has a long history, and playoff football is harder than reg season. Turnovers are more costly. INT rate goes up, even the greats like Rodgers and Brady see that happen. But Wolford will be less turnover prone?
Goff has 17 turnovers this season in 15 games. How about Russell Wilson? How many he got?
Wolford does have a body of work, and he threw a terrible pick when he played. How many TD passes/drives did he have after? Yes, he has a body of work, as limited as it may be. Somehow we're supposed to forget the bad plays, and embellish his good plays because he never played before. The scoreboard doesnt really care about that

Bro - one game is not "a body of work"

Wolf may be just as or more turnover prone than Goff... or maybe not... we don't really know. That not a hard point to understand.

You are just proving my point by brining up rodgers or russel wilson - historically in their "body of work" which is many seasons and post seasons. Wilson is 1.9% career int rate.. which is #6 all time... Rodgers has the best int % of all time he is number 1... so not sure what your point is by bringing them up.

This isn't even a real thing - hardly anyone is out there saying wolford is better or that he will turn the ball over less or anything. It's not even an argument 98% are making.. hence the false narrative.

the dude played 1 game.. and made 1 turnover lol...

is that a trend... would he make more. or less.? we don't know.

That is all im saying.

 

[dieterbrock]

Bro - one game is not "a body of work"

In Wolford's case, yes it certainly is. The game on Saturday doesnt care about the rest of his career after that. The next time he plays, will add to his "body of work"
Why do you think he can run for a first down? Because he did it on Sunday.
Why do we think he can scramble and buy time? Because he did that on Sunday
Why do I fear he'll make a mistake due to nerves and excitement? Because he did that on Sunday

You are just proving my point by brining up rodgers or russel wilson - historically in their "body of work" which is many seasons and post seasons. Wilson is 1.9% career int rate.. which is #6 all time... Rodgers has the best int % of all time he is number 1... so not sure what your point is by bringing them up.

Maybe reading what I wrote would help.
What is Rodgers post season INT rate compared to reg season? Is it higher or lower?

 

[dang]

It's not that bad. I think the conversations for the most part have been good. There's a small group who have so much wrapped up into Goff that they can't see we just had a huge windfall with our backup QB showing he can ball. And there's a small group who dislike Goff so much that they can't see he's still the guy with the upside that the team hooked its wagon to. IMO most of us are seeing things pretty clearly.

But right here and now what we have is a playoff environment that is going to tell us something about our QB situation. Because when Goff gets the start he's going to need to be the good Goff or he's going to get the hook. That's never been a risk for him under McVay before but it is now. Same goes for Wolford if he gets the nod (which is possible if they want to not risk Goff's thumb). If Wolford throws an early INT this time around he's getting the hook too.

I'm telling you man... If this OL opens holes for Akers the Rams are going DEEP in this year's playoffs. Because that defense. And I think they are going to open holes for Akers. So unlike some around here I am fucking PUMPED about this game regardless of who plays for us at QB and feel like we might be sitting on a situation where the stars are aligning for us.

I think Akers was at about 70% vs the Cards. He needs to be close to 90+% to make a significant impact in the run game. Note: he did contribute to the passing game which was a pleasant surprise.