The time for Case Keenum is now

Aug 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum throws a pass during the preseason NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday evening, St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher named back up quarterback Case Keenum the new starting quarterback in place of the unproductive Nick Foles. Foles, just nine games into his tenure in St. Louis, has struggled all season long and his poor outing against the Chicago Bears was enough for the coaching staff to make a change.

More from Rams News

• Look for 49ers players to follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans
• Broncos mimic LA Rams, go All-In pairing Payton with Russell
• Championship Sunday shows me Rams need secondary help
• Can the LA Rams count on 17 games from QB Matthew Stafford?
• NFL salary cap skyrockets, but will it help LA Rams this offseason?

Both Foles and Keenum were offseason acquisitions for the Rams. Foles deal coming a bit of a higher price, but nevertheless St. Louis felt that Keenum was worth a seventh-round draft selection in exchange for his services. Now Keenum will get his second shot with the team and for St. Louis, it’s now or never.

The Rams, 4-5 on the season, have been a floundering fish for the better part of the last decade. There have been many factors attributing to the teams struggles, but inconsistent quarterback play tops the list. This year, Foles has thrown for the least amount of passing yards and has the lowest QBR of all starting quarterbacks. While his poor numbers can be rooted back to a sub-par offensive line and shaky receivers, ultimately it is on Foles to produce. He has not done so.

Enter, Case Keenum. Let’s not get crazy about this, or look to far into it. Fisher is simply looking for the spark to light the fire under this team that it so desperately needs. Keenum can provide that in ways Foles couldn’t. Keenum is much more the mobile threat than Foles. He can keep plays alive with his feet and buy his below-average receivers more time to get open. Foles was finding himself in a bad habit of leaving the pocket too soon, and on plays when the pocket had yet to even break down.

The offensive line has lost three starters on the year, two just this week. Guard Rodger Saffold was lost to a shoulder injury and both rookies Jamon Brown (leg) and Darrell Williams (wrist) were lost for the season against Chicago. You couldn’t expect Tom Brady to perform well back there, but were not. We’re expecting Case Keenum to not only perform well, but too excel.

Next: Are there too many losses up front to be successful?