MCVAY STICKS TO BLAMING QB GOFF
The Rams offense and quarterback Jared Goff are performing inconsistently, but coach Sean McVay demonstrated Monday that he could stand by a message two days in row.
McVay made no apologies for calling out Goff for his turnover-plagued performance in the Rams’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
“I wouldn’t say things if I didn’t know there was broad shoulders to be able to handle it,” McVay said during a videoconference with reporters. “I know he can handle it, and I know he can acknowledge it, and we can all be honest about the expectations.
“And I’m not going to apologize for the high expectations that I have in him.”
The loss to the 49ers dropped the Rams to 7-4 heading into Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals (6-5) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
The Rams are in second place behind the Seahawks in the NFC West. The Seahawks (8-3) defeated the Eagles (3-7-1) on “Monday Night Football.”
After their game against the Cardinals, the Rams play home games against the Patriots (5-6) and the Jets (0-11), a road game against the Seahawks and a finale at home against the Cardinals.
“We’re not naive to where we are — and that was not obviously the result we were looking for,” McVay said of the 23-20 loss to the 49ers. “But based on the schedule we do have left, it really doesn’t change in terms of having control of your destiny specific to the division.”
While the defense has been solid, the Rams need improved play from Goff and the offense to contend for the division title.
“The overall level of expectation in production, I don’t think has been consistently where we expect it to be,” McVay said of the offense.
“It has not been up to our standards.”
Goff has passed for 16 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. He has fumbled seven times.
In the last four games —.a loss to the Dolphins, A victories over the Sea hawk sand Buccaneers the for six fumbles. lost passes ing Against four one 49ers interceptions a fumble intercepted, that touchdowns, — the and he was and has 49ers, the returned and had includ- passed loss with Goff two five to for uncharacteristically put After “Our a the touchdown. blame quarterback’s the game, on himself. did McVay not got to football,” Asked take better he if said. he care considered of the replacing losses to the Goff Dolphins during the or 49ers, “Jared McVay knows said that he did I sup- not. port him,” McVay said. “Jared knows that our staff, our players, our coaches are going to work as hard as we can to be able to respond, and I think we all know he’s wired the right way to be able to handle it and move on as well.” Eliminating turnovers, offensive lineman Austin Corbett said, starts with the line’s ability to open holes for running backs and protect Goff. “He’s able to see things and he’s one of the best in the world at dicing up defenses when he has that time,” Corbett said during a videoconference with reporters. Corbett said “you can see the hurt” in every competitor when mistakes are made. “You’re not a robot,” Corbett said. “You know you messed up. ... When he’s on the sideline, he’s always coming over to the offensive line, ‘Hey boys, that’s on me. We can do this. We’re going to be fine.’ “It’s the same thing (for linemen), it’s ‘ Hey Jared, don’t worry about that. We’re going to move on. You’re going to make plays. That’s what you do. That’s who you are. We’re going to do our jobs so you can do yours.’ ”