Eric Dickerson Keeps Fanning the Sean Mannion Flames
By Erik Lambert
A lot of people were surprised when initial word out of Los Angeles Rams practices was the new coaching staff really liked Sean Mannion.
Almost to the point that they might give him an extended look in competition to Jared Goff. Keep in mind Goff wasn’t the #1 overall pick to these coaches. He’s another talent to them. Someone who needs to earn the job if he wants it. Mannion has steadily built himself up the past couple years as a former 3rd round pick. Given the arrival of a QB guru in Sean McVay, this could be his opportunity to ascend. All he needs is a chance.
It seems those whispers have since changed to outright shouts. Eric Dickerson has always stayed close to the Rams organization, especially since they returned to L.A. The Hall of Fame running back wasn’t on the best terms with former head coach Jeff Fisher though. Now that he’s gone, Dickerson has chosen to speak his mind on what the team should do. His biggest recommendation?
Start Mannion.
"“For me, my guy that I would start the season with is Sean Mannion,” Dickerson said Friday on The Herd. “I’ve been saying that since last year. Give him a shot. You drafted him. He was great at — where’d he go to school? — Oregon State, playing in a pro-style offense. He’s a big guy, got a great arm.”Dickerson later added: “Look when you win, that [Fisher] situation would have never been there. I think you had a better chance of winning with Sean Mannion. I think even this year they start with Sean Mannion.”"
Goff has done nothing to dissuade the idea
It’s easy to say that Dickerson is causing an unnecessary distraction by doing this. At the same time there is at least some truth to his words. Aside from being a #1 overall pick, Goff hasn’t done much to show he deserves to be handed the starting job. At least not without a fight. He completed less than 55% of his passed with five touchdowns and seven interceptions in seven games last season. He also went 0-7.
Can Mannion honestly do any worse than that? The Rams won’t know until they give him at least the nod that the job is up for grabs. Who knows. He might just surprise them.