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Los Angeles Rams: Case Keenum Over Jared Goff

By Erik Lambert

Jul 31, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks Case Keenum (17) and Jared Goff (16) throw passes at training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks Case Keenum (17) and Jared Goff (16) throw passes at training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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While fans must be thrilled the Los Angeles Rams are back in town, some of them might not be happy about the start of their current quarterback situation.

After giving up a bounty of draft picks in order to grab local hero Jared Goff with the 1st overall pick, the expectation was the team would try getting him on the field starting right away. There is no substitute for experience right? Well head coach Jeff Fisher doesn’t seem to believe in that approach because word came out of Rams camp almost immediately that the team planned to bring their future franchise QB along slowly.

This actually isn’t something new with Fisher. Even dating back to his earliest days as a head coach with the Houston Oilers he had a reputation for stashing young quarterbacks, refusing to start them until he felt they were ready. Steve McNair was drafted by the Oilers in 1995 but started just six games through his first two seasons. Not until 1997 did he become the full-time guy. Would Fisher actually be willing to do the same with Goff?

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That will depend on what happens with Case Keenum. It’s apparent the coaches like him and have since he was signed last season. There may be a reason why. Over the past two years Keenum has started seven games. He is 5-2 in those starts, throwing for over 1,200 yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions. Not terrible numbers. He was 3-2 in 2015 for the Rams before a bad concussion sidelined him for the year.

If he plays well to start the season, it’s quite possible L.A. will decide to take their time with Goff and let him adapt to the NFL at a more measured, steady pace. Whether the fans are willing to wait that long will be a topic of discussion for the next several months. Goff is expected to bring winning football to the city. Another LeBron James type of homecoming. Not everybody is going to buy into the wait-and-see approach.

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