Rams finally handing ball to Goff
PUNCHLESS OFFENCE: No. 1 overall pick replaces Keenum as starter in effort to spark L.A.’s woeful attack
TORONTO — And, behold! The first shall be last. But at least Jared Goff, first overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, is finally in the lineup of starting rookie quarterbacks this season.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher reversed his statement of two days ago — when he said Case Keenum would remain L.A.’s starter — by announcing Tuesday that Goff would start Sunday against Miami.
“He’s pushing. He’s ready,” said Fisher. “He’s anxious. And confident.”
Even though Goff was the first overall pick, five other rookie QBs have started at least one game this season: Carson Wentz (Eagles), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Jacoby Brissett (Patriots), Cody Kessler (Browns) and Paxton Lynch (Broncos).
Goff takes over a pathetic offence that hasn’t scored a touchdown in three weeks, including in last Sunday’s 9-6 win over the Jets. With Keenum unable to push the ball downfield — and with a lacklustre ground game even with the hugely talented Todd Gurley in the lineup — fans have been demanding a quarterback change for weeks.
Fisher has resisted, although there were signs Goff could be closer to getting a chance, taking limited reps with the first team offence in practices the past few weeks, including all the first-team reps during the Week 8 bye.
Goff faces a difficult task with a team which ranks 31st in total offence, with a league-low 139 points.
In the Dolphins, he’ll face a front seven that dominated the Chargers at the line of scrimmage, forcing Philip Rivers to throw four interceptions. Keenum will be the backup as the 4-5 Rams attempt to remain in playoff contention.
Bewitching Blair
Minnesota fans won’t have Blair Walsh to kick around anymore.
After missing his fourth extra point of the season Sunday, the Vikings put the boot to their haunted placekicker on Tuesday.
The team hasn’t announced a replacement, saying it would continue to look at kickers, six of whom auditioned last week. USA Today reported Tuesday they’ll sign one of those six — Kai Forbath, who was with New Orleans last season.
Walsh became the brunt of public criticism after missing a kick that cost the Vikings a chance to beat Seattle in the NFC wild card game last season.
This season has been football jeopardy for Walsh.
In addition to Sunday’s flub, he missed an extra point and two field goals in the Vikings’ season-opener, missed another extra point against Carolina — which led coach Mike Zimmer to admit he went for a two-point conversion later in the game because he was worried about the kicker — and missed another field goal in Week 4 against the Giants.
Asked a week ago why the team decided to open auditions, Zimmer said, “You haven’t been watching all year?”
Quick hits
The Bills, reports indicate, are signing veteran safety James Ihedigbo, who spent the past two seasons in Detroit ... Jets receiver Eric Decker, who already had hip surgery, had shoulder surgery Tuesday ... Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward will miss the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle.