Goff becoming a handful as 2nd-year QB
O’Brien credits Rams’ new coach for improvement
It was a textbook display from Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff on how to play the position when he delivered a spiral along with a snapshot of why he was drafted first overall a year ago.
There was a convincing play-action fake from the former Cal star to freeze the defense. There was fluid footwork as he quickly read the coverage schemes.
Having clearly identified a speed mismatch against the New York Giants’ secondary last Sunday, Goff launched a beautiful bomb for a touchdown to wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
One year after experiencing the predictable struggles as a rookie and raising doubts as to whether the Rams had made the right choice, Goff has erased those concerns.
Kudos by corners
Suddenly, Goff has become one of the NFL’s rising stars and a leader for the Rams heading into Sunday’s game against Texans at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.
“Goff’s definitely in a groove,” Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson said. “So, we’ve definitely got to lock in on defense and in the back end to try to limit all that stuff.”
The Rams (6-2) are in first place in the NFC West following a 51-17 blowout over the Giants in which Goff passed for four touchdowns, no interceptions and 302 yards.
“He’s off to a great start,” Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph said. “People talk about his rookie year, but I didn’t watch his rookie year. All I see now on the film is a guy making the right reads, getting the ball out, not taking sacks, not turning the ball over and seems like he has a pretty good command of the offense.”
The maturation of Goff at age 23 and his collaboration with creative 31-year-old Sean McVay, the youngest head coach in NFL history, has become a major storyline.
A year ago under Jeff Fisher, Goff started seven games and passed for 1,089 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions for a woeful 63.6 passer rating. He looked lost on the field.
Midway through this season, Goff has passed for 2,030 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions for a 97.9 passer rating in his eight starts.
“He’s doing a really good job,” McVay said in a conference call. “He’s making good decisions, commanding the huddle.”
‘Match made in heaven’
The Rams are averaging 32.9 points per game, 19 more than they did in 2016, the largest increase in the NFL since the 1970 season.
“Sean’s doing a good job with him,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He can make all the throws, which you knew that coming out of college. That’s why he was drafted No. 1, but he’s in a good rhythm. He’s got a good mix of three-step and intermediate routes, down-the-field routes, short routes.
“I do think it’s tough. I do think playing as a rookie is not easy, although (injured Texans rookie quarterback) Deshaun (Watson) went out there and proved that theory kind of wrong. Sean’s made a big difference. When you have a great play-caller matched with a really good quarterback, you’ve got a match made in heaven.”
As impressive as the statistical improvements are for Goff, it’s the type of plays he makes, his accuracy and poise along with his demeanor and an unflappable confidence after a shaky rookie campaign that have stood out to McVay.
“I had not met Jared before (coming here). But even in the seven games when things didn’t go the way that we wanted, you could still see the traits and the characteristics that you’re looking for,” McVay said. “That’s the toughness to stand in there, that’s the ability to be able to make all the throws, change your arm angle, throw from different platforms, not watch the rush.
“I got a chance to spend a little bit of time with him when I was actually interviewing for the job and you come away confident just with his demeanor, his disposition, the fact that he doesn’t make any excuses for what happened that rookie year, takes full accountability. I think those are good traits you’re looking for from your leader.”
Secondary woes
The Texans ranked second in total pass defense last season. They currently rank 20th in total defense and 21st against the pass. Their pass rush is languishing, putting more pressure on the secondary, which misses A.J. Bouye, who signed with Jacksonville in the offseason.
There’s been a troubling pattern of not being competitive against elite quarterbacks, allowing a total of a dozen touchdown passes in losses to Tom Brady, Alex Smith and Russell Wilson.
The Texans’ latest chance to reverse the trend comes Sunday against Goff, whose budding confidence and skills are a major threat against a shorthanded unit that misses injured stars J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus.
“He’s got a great understanding of what we’re trying to get done offensively, in the run and the pass game,” McVay said. “He’s doing a lot of good things and taking steps in the right direction for us.”