The case for Rams quarterback Jared Goff

It’s time to make the case for why Jared Goff has what it takes to help the Los Angeles Rams make the playoffs during the 2017 NFL season.

On Thursday we looked at the case against Los Angeles Rams Jared Goff. We considered his stats, his growth, his connection with Sean McVay, and the expected trajectory of growth based on past performance. Admittedly, that was a look at all the negatives. Today, as the second part of a two-part series, I will make the case FOR Goff and his success with the Rams.

There have been discussions about the biggest key for the Rams’ offense this year. Is it signing left tackle Andrew Whitworth? The re-emergence of Todd Gurley at running back? Signing wide receiver Robert Woods? Drafting Cooper Kupp or Gerald Everett to boost the receiving corps?

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No. None of those. The biggest factor for Los Angeles on offense this year was hiring McVay as head coach. McVay came in as the offensive guru. He is the anti-Jeff Fisher: offensive minded, first-time head coach, energetic, a representation of the new NFL. If Goff succeeds, it will be because of that man. McVay (with the help of others) took Kirk Cousins, a fourth-round afterthought out of Michigan State, and turned him into a top-10 quarterback in the league who got his team to the playoffs during the 2015 season. It is reasonable to think that Goff could have a growth curve and a ceiling similar to Cousins.

And consider this: Goff’s completion percentage last season was 54.6 (i.e. not good). However, his receivers had one of the highest drop rates in the league, and he had a number of times where he had to throw it away to keep from getting sacked. Pro Football Focus calculates an “Adjusted Completion Percentage” that takes all of this into account, which brings Goff’s number up to 67.3 percent (Goff’s 12.7 percent was the second highest differential). This makes a bad season look a bit more like it was a failure of the surrounding cast and less on Goff.

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I made the case on Thursday how the Rams need to win now to win over the city of Los Angeles and they simply can’t afford to wait for Goff to develop. And there is some truth in that. But McVay being a new head coach does give him some time. Without absolute catastrophe, he should get three years, which gives Goff four (counting last year under Fisher). Can a player of his caliber start to show his “quality NFL starter” ability by his fourth season in the league? Again, if Goff has what it takes, that seems more than reasonable. Is there a chance Kirk Cousins doesn’t sign a long-term deal with Washington and the Rams sign him next March? Maybe, but that seems like a long shot at this point.

The other thing to consider is the measurables. Let’s not forget why the Rams fell in love with Goff in the first place. He has a good arm and can make all the throws. He has good eyes and pocket awareness. He played for bad teams, and rode it out, and turned them into good teams. He stands tall in the pocket against the rush and makes plays. These traits don’t just go away after seven bad starts.

And don’t forget about his work ethic. Coaches report that the kid works hard. This is not the Vince Young or Johnny Manziel situation of a talented kid who doesn’t put in the work. He puts in the time needed to succeed at this level.

In the end, Goff has the tools to succeed, and it appears that this season he will have some of the parts surrounding him to do so. Will another offseason add more offensive tools and help him take another step forward?  This new offense is designed to move the ball and score points.  He’s going to have his shot.

It will be up to McVay to get it out of him.