What if Sean McVay is really an asshole?

[kurtfaulk]

Not sure if this was posted yet, but....

Bummed out to hear Goff is feeling bitter about how it ended. Yeah, I tended to minimize the drama at the end, but after reading this article, I honestly wish McVay had done more to smooth things over.

Maybe there really is something we don’t know about?

Really looking forward to when McVay comes forward with something conciliatory about Goff. Yeah, there are tampering rules, but there’s no rule about just saying a few appreciative things about a player... right?

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Thanks for posting that article. It was nice to get Goff's perspective on what happened and how he felt about everything. Also nice to see he didn't take any shots at the Rams.

.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Not sure if this was posted yet, but....

Bummed out to hear Goff is feeling bitter about how it ended. Yeah, I tended to minimize the drama at the end, but after reading this article, I honestly wish McVay had done more to smooth things over.

Maybe there really is something we don’t know about?

Really looking forward to when McVay comes forward with something conciliatory about Goff. Yeah, there are tampering rules, but there’s no rule about just saying a few appreciative things about a player... right?

Redirect Notice

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Exclusive: Jared Goff unsure why he became wrong for Rams, but 'the feeling’s mutual'

Former Rams quarterback Jared Goff talked to The Times' Sam Farmer about the feelings surrounding his exit from L.A. and his new Detroit Lions team.

www.latimes.com

Exclusive: Jared Goff unsure why he became wrong for Rams, but 'the feeling’s mutual'

Competing emotions have come at quarterback Jared Goff like an all-out blitz from every angle — sadness, confusion, frustration, hope, elation and gratitude — and his head is still spinning, a few days after the Rams traded him to the Detroit Lions.

The deal that ended his time in Los Angeles surprised Goff, and the reality is only starting to sink in.

For the record:

11:56 PM, Feb. 02, 2021A previous version of this story misstated when Rams general manager Les Snead spoke and quarterback Jared Goff was traded following comments by coach Sean McVay. Snead spoke nine days, not two, after McVay’s comments, and Goff was traded four days thereafter, not five.

“Ultimately, they wanted to go in a different direction,” Goff, part of a blockbuster quarterback swap that sent Matthew Stafford to the Rams, said Tuesday. “As the quarterback, as the guy that’s at arguably the most important position on the field, if you’re in a place that you’re not wanted and they want to move on from you, the feeling’s mutual.

“You don’t want to be in the wrong place. It became increasingly clear that was the case. [The trade] is something that I’m hopeful is going to be so good for my career.”

In a half-hour phone interview with The Times, Goff said he learned of the trade immediately after it happened Saturday night, two weeks after the Rams were eliminated from the NFL playoffs in the divisional round by the Green Bay Packers.

It was an abrupt end for the first pick in the 2016 draft, who twice made the Pro Bowl, and two years earlier helped the Rams to their first Super Bowl in 17 years.

“I really enjoyed my time here,” said Goff, 26, “I want to leave this on a positive note. Obviously, the ending wasn’t favorable and wasn’t fun. But them drafting me No. 1 overall and bringing me to a city that hasn’t had a football team in a long time, being a part of that rebuild after 2016, being able to help bring L.A. football back to prominence, all that stuff I take extreme pride in. It’s something that I’ll always remember.”

Between 2005 and 2016, the Rams failed to make the playoffs. In four years with Goff as their starter, they reached the wild-card round, Super Bowl and divisional round.

The Rams declined comment for this story, because they are prohibited from doing so until the trade becomes official in March at the start of the new league year. The Lions sent them Stafford in exchange for Goff, a third-round pick this year and two first-rounders in the following two years.

Goff, who before the 2019 season signed an extension that included a then-record $110 million in guarantees, isn’t sure when the tide turned against him.

“That’s the tough part right now is trying to figure that out, when did that happen?” he said. “Those are all conversations that I may or may not have, and try to figure it out. That’s the conversation to have.”

Asked if it is strange that he has yet to have that talk with the Rams, he said: “A little bit, yeah.”

This season Goff passed for 20 touchdowns, the fewest since his rookie year, with 13 interceptions. He also fumbled seven times, losing four.

After a Nov. 29 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, in which Goff had two interceptions and a fumble, Rams coach Sean McVay abandoned his familiar self-blaming and called out Goff publicly for the first time, saying the quarterback needed to take better care of the football.

Down the stretch, the tension mounted as Goff missed several opportunities in a loss to the winless New York Jets.

But a pivotal moment occurred after he suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand in the second-to-last game at Seattle. Although Goff gritted through the pain and finished the game, he underwent thumb surgery the following day.

“The next day, my thumb was swollen to the point where I wouldn’t be able to move it,” Goff said. “It was as big as you can get your thumb. Enormous. It was either hope that swelling goes down by this week, or get surgery, miss a week and move forward. That was clearly the best way to do it.”

In the finale against the Arizona Cardinals, backup John Wolford, playing in his first NFL game, helped the Rams to victory and a spot in the playoffs.

Heading into a postseason opener at Seattle, Goff still was recovering from surgery but felt he was ready to play. McVay chose to start Wolford, and relegated Goff to backup. But Wolford suffered a neck injury in the first quarter, and Goff came off the bench, passed for a touchdown and led the Rams to victory.

With Wolford ruled out, Goff started the divisional game at Green Bay, and despite a still-healing thumb, passed for a touchdown and didn’t make any major mistakes.

After the game, McVay was asked if Goff was his quarterback. The coach qualified his response by saying Goff was the quarterback “right now.” In a news conference the next day, McVay said there would be competition at every position, including quarterback.

Nine days later, general manager Les Snead echoed McVay by saying that Goff was the quarterback “in this moment.” Four days after that, the Rams traded Goff.

“Regardless of how it ended, me and Sean had a great relationship and did so many great things together,” Goff said. “Won a bunch of big games. Won a bunch of playoff games. Won two divisions together. Having so much success on the offense, so many good times and memories.

“Unfortunately it ended sourly, but it still doesn’t take away from all those times we had.”

Goff still has lingering questions.

“When you first hear it, it’s difficult, it’s disappointing,” he said. “But you get so excited that you get a fresh start. You get to be somewhere you’re believed in. That clearly wasn’t the case here anymore, and when that happened, I don’t know.

“There’s still some conversations to be had. Those will shed some light, obviously, and I’ll be able to understand things a little bit more. But at today’s given time, I want my message to be a thankful one to the city of L.A. and the Kroenke family [who owns the team], and to the Rams organization for my time with them.

“It’s disappointing and unfortunate the way it ended, but there were so many great times and so many great wins, so many great memories in practice, the locker room, in meetings. That stuff will last me forever.”

The son of a firefighter, Goff had been involved in California Strong, a movement providing relief for families that lost their homes in recent years to wildfires. Last spring, Goff donated $250,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank — along with a matching donation from Rams teammate Andrew Whitworth — upon learning the coronavirus outbreak would impact students dependent on free lunches. He had been working with the Inglewood School District on initiatives involving elementary schools, including providing funds for a remodeled library at Warren Lane Elementary, a project that is currently underway.

“L.A. became home for me,” said Goff, a Bay Area native. “It’s a place where I put my roots in the ground. Being able to affect the community in Inglewood over the past year or two has been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life.

“One thing I said to them this year is, ‘this isn’t a one-year thing. This isn’t just right now. This isn’t a PR move. I’m going to be here a long time, and I’m going to be with you guys a long time.’

“Unfortunately, obviously, things changed quickly. But that doesn’t mean I’m leaving them, or no longer involved in their community or helping those children out of tough situations and raising them up. That will continue.”

Goff said he was “extremely disappointed and upset” upon learning of the trade, but his mood brightened within 30 minutes after speaking to the Lions, whose new general manager, Brad Holmes, was director of college scouting for the Rams, and whose new offensive coordinator is former Chargers coach Anthony Lynn.

Talking to the Lions, Goff said, “is what made me go, ‘oh my God, this is how it’s supposed to feel. This makes me feel great,’ how excited they were, how fired up they were.”

He added: “As time has gone on over the last few days, and even the end of that night, it becomes a positive and you start to feel really good about yourself again. You start to feel, I don’t want to say relief is the word, but you start to feel happy, grateful, ready for a new opportunity. That’s the biggest feeling that I was overcome with that night, and even in the days following.

“Of course you go back and forth, and your emotions go all over the place. But for the most part it’s been this feeling of gratefulness for what I was able to do here and accomplish in L.A., and at the same time excitement for the city I’m coming to, the city I’m going to bring a whole lot of passion to, and a whole lot of hopefully success for a long time.

“I’m not going to sit here and beat my own drum, but I have a lot of pride in being able to be resilient, to have that as a part of my makeup. We had so many great times here, and then there were times that I did have to dig deep, be a man about it, and handle things the right way. I think I did that.”

Times staff writer Gary Klein contributed to this story.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Exclusive: Jared Goff unsure why he became wrong for Rams, but 'the feeling’s mutual'

Former Rams quarterback Jared Goff talked to The Times' Sam Farmer about the feelings surrounding his exit from L.A. and his new Detroit Lions team.

www.latimes.com

Exclusive: Jared Goff unsure why he became wrong for Rams, but 'the feeling’s mutual'

“That’s the tough part right now is trying to figure that out, when did that happen?” he said. “Those are all conversations that I may or may not have, and try to figure it out. That’s the conversation to have.”

Asked if it is strange that he has yet to have that talk with the Rams, he said: “A little bit, yeah.”

This sorta shows a lack of self awareness doesn't it? He wasn't made the highest paid player on the team to be 2nd in the NFL in turnovers (38) since 2019. How did he not see that a change was not only possible, but likely?

 

[FrantikRam]

Well, I think I see why he was traded. Not one time in that article did be say something like "I know I didn't play up to my standard the last two years but I'm confident in my abilities".

Not once did he take accountability there.

You wonder when things went wrong? One of the many little tidbits that have come out - that we will probably never know if true or not - is that Goff didn't ever say to his teammates "hey guys today's loss was on me"

 

[LARams_1963]

Well, I think I see why he was traded. Not one time in that article did be say something like "I know I didn't play up to my standard the last two years but I'm confident in my abilities".

Not once did he take accountability there.

You wonder when things went wrong? One of the many little tidbits that have come out - that we will probably never know if true or not - is that Goff didn't ever say to his teammates "hey guys today's loss was on me"

True he didn't mention anything in the article. Although, I recall a LOT of games where in the pressers he was very self critical and shouldered the blame. He never struck me as one who shirked the responsibility for his poor play.

 

[dang]

Goff demonstrated he was a We Not Me player and was self aware of when he did not perform well. With that said NFL football is a team sport and QBs are inherently the leaders on offense so the We Not Me position should be the rule not the exception. What I did not see from Goff was his ability to consistently carry the offense on his back and clutch victory from the hands of defeat. Especially this year. So one could conclude that while Goff is talented he does not the ability to be an excellent to elite NFL QB. Not sure if Saffold will provide that but the Rams determined it was an option worth exploring.

 

[CGI_Ram]

This sorta shows a lack of self awareness doesn't it? He wasn't made the highest paid player on the team to be 2nd in the NFL in turnovers (38) since 2019. How did he not see that a change was not only possible, but likely?

I see some contradictions.

Sounds like the communication could have been a lot better between QB and coach. Goff's self awareness? or... Has McVay completely shared where his head has been at with Goff?

The following quote is Goff's perspective, but I never like hearing what appears some things unsaid between coach and player.

The optics sort of support Goff (i.e. not a great look on the Rams), if he hasn't heard from the Rams since the trade, IMO.

“That’s the tough part right now is trying to figure that out, when did that happen?” he said. “Those are all conversations that I may or may not have, and try to figure it out. That’s the conversation to have.”

Asked if it is strange that he has yet to have that talk with the Rams, he said: “A little bit, yeah.”

Then the following quotes indicate the friction was evident. I don't exactly know what the last comment means (this is how its supposed to feel). But, again, things were clearly weird toward the end.

So... I dunno Memphis... you gravitated to Goff's self awareness... I gravitated to "where is the communication at"?

I say that, because the same sort of weirdness happened when Gurley left. The Rams don't want to build a reputation of bad breakups, this sort of looks like two now.

“You don’t want to be in the wrong place. It became increasingly clear that was the case. [The trade] is something that I’m hopeful is going to be so good for my career.”

Talking to the Lions, Goff said, “is what made me go, ‘oh my God, this is how it’s supposed to feel. This makes me feel great,’

 

[Deac]

One thing these articles do not light on is the hours long discussion they had before the Cards game, when Jared was informed he was not going to start. I believe Jared, when he says the trade was something he wasn't privy too. Wyche reported some very hard conversations took place at this time, in which Sean and Jared did not see eye to eye. This is more than likely when the decision was ultimately made, a difference in vision that could not be corrected. I think this was McVays last shot at a total buy in from Jared in McVaysvision. After this it was stated both parties needed "marriage counseling."

I do believe Jared when he says he found out about the trade after it was already done, I do not believe that he did not see the storm coming, in marriage talk it would seem to be "irreconcilable differences". No bad parties, just 2 different visions.

 

[WarnerToBruce]

I do believe Jared when he says he found out about the trade after it was already done, I do not believe that he did not see the storm coming, in marriage talk it would seem to be "irreconcilable differences". No bad parties, just 2 different visions.

I'm in the self-awareness camp at the moment.

If Goff had a 4 hour contentious meeting with his coach where it ends up getting reported that marriage counseling is required, and came out of it like nothing was wrong, how does that translate into grasping the nuances of McVay's offense?

And then years of McVay tweaking the offense to compensate, and STILL mistakes are made? To me, this is the most likely course of events to cause his frustration and desire to move on.

If you don't know where the Sun sets, living in THE BAY AREA where that thing kinda happens EVERY EVENING, well...where there is smoke, there is fire.

 

[Faceplant]

I am kind of thinking that McVay IS an asshole. Belly fat has also been called "less than a players coach", lol. However, Bellyfat has the rings to get away with that. I also don't see messy breakups with the Putriots or other stellar franchises. McVay would be wise to check some of that ego and arrogance IMO.

I hate that we are starting to get a reputation for shitting on players. Of course, if we go on to win championships, I shall give nary a fuck.

 

[ottoman89]

I am kind of thinking that McVay IS an asshole. Belly fat has also been called "less than a players coach", lol. However, Bellyfat has the rings to get away with that. I also don't see messy breakups with the Putriots or other stellar franchises. McVay would be wise to check some of that ego and arrogance IMO.

I hate that we are starting to get a reputation for shitting on players. Of course, if we go on to win championships, I shall give nary a fuck.

How are we shitting on players? We've paid them Early, and then each of there own circumstances came up and caused the split. But we did them all a favor and paid them.

 

[Faceplant]

How are we shitting on players? We've paid them Early, and then each of there own circumstances came up and caused the split. But we did them all a favor and paid them.

I know that and you know that, but the optics are crap. Maybe it's just me....

 

[ottoman89]

I know that and you know that, but the optics are crap. Maybe it's just me....

I kind of get what you're saying too.. but to me it's not like they've ran them into the dirt with a measly contract and then booted them and they couldn't get get paid because they were road hard and threw away.

 

[Tano]

Thanks for posting that article. It was nice to get Goff's perspective on what happened and how he felt about everything. Also nice to see he didn't take any shots at the Rams.

.

I wonder if Goff loses his GF because moving to Detroit - damn

 

[ottoman89]

I see some contradictions.

Sounds like the communication could have been a lot better between QB and coach. Goff's self awareness? or... Has McVay completely shared where his head has been at with Goff?

The following quote is Goff's perspective, but I never like hearing what appears some things unsaid between coach and player.

The optics sort of support Goff (i.e. not a great look on the Rams), if he hasn't heard from the Rams since the trade, IMO.

“That’s the tough part right now is trying to figure that out, when did that happen?” he said. “Those are all conversations that I may or may not have, and try to figure it out. That’s the conversation to have.”

Asked if it is strange that he has yet to have that talk with the Rams, he said: “A little bit, yeah.”

Then the following quotes indicate the friction was evident. I don't exactly know what the last comment means (this is how its supposed to feel). But, again, things were clearly weird toward the end.

So... I dunno Memphis... you gravitated to Goff's self awareness... I gravitated to "where is the communication at"?

I say that, because the same sort of weirdness happened when Gurley left. The Rams don't want to build a reputation of bad breakups, this sort of looks like two now.

“You don’t want to be in the wrong place. It became increasingly clear that was the case. [The trade] is something that I’m hopeful is going to be so good for my career.”

Talking to the Lions, Goff said, “is what made me go, ‘oh my God, this is how it’s supposed to feel. This makes me feel great,’

Yeah, that last line is incredibly odd. I don't know, with the NFL players wanting to come play for McVay, you'd think they would've found out from current or other former Rams that he was an ass.. and yet, players want to play here.

 

[RamDino]

I wonder if Goff loses his GF because moving to Detroit - damn

Nah.. his money and his girlfriend will follow him wherever he goes. Besides, he seems like a very decent and respectable man.

 

[Psycho_X]

Well, is what it is now. But the season unfolded fairly transparently in my mind. It began with the first Whiners game where he didn't play bad but didn't play well. A couple of weeks later the debacle at Miami happened which I think was the point McVay's view of the future started to change. It was set in cement a few weeks later when Goff was a turnover machine against the Whiners. You followed that up later with the Jets game and that really bad interception against the Seahawks. I think it was hard for McVay to look past those games.

Overall, I think his inability to beat a depleted Whiners team both tries followed by the Miami and Jets embarrassments were what sealed his fate. You could see the frustration mounting with McVay as the year went on. If it's one thing McVay has shown, he will not sit idly by while a player doesn't perform up to his expectations. That rubs some people the wrong way and I understand it. But so far it hasn't effected his winning percentage and I'm ok with that. Looking forward to see what Stafford brings to this offense.

 

[Tano]

Nah.. his money and his girlfriend will follow him wherever he goes. Besides, he seems like a very decent and respectable man.

Yeah but her modeling career is in LA. Detroit I think that is the last city I would move to in the US

 

[Faceplant]

I kind of get what you're saying too.. but to me it's not like they've ran them into the dirt with a measly contract and then booted them and they couldn't get get paid because they were road hard and threw away.

Yeah, as I stated in another thread, if anything players should love us as we back up the brinks truck before cutting them.... I'm all over the place, haha...

 

[Faceplant]

I wonder if Goff loses his GF because moving to Detroit - damn

If so, then she wasn't worth having to begin with. Fake ass "influencer". Dime a dozen to an NFL QB....