Starting from Week 11 of the NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams send a message that the new era is underway. After trading up to the No. 1 pick in the 2016 Draft, the Rams have finally placed quarterback Jared Goff into the limelight.
Goff has shown both signs of progression and digression at times. During his first career start, he was unable to muster any points on the board. During his second start, he threw for three touchdown passes in the first half, but didn’t accomplish anything in the second half.
The learning curve for the rookie quarterback is something that will dissipate with time, but for now Goff has to deal with the reality of NFL opponents. When asked if anything has changed since his emergence, he stated that the game is starting to slow down in pace, via Myles Simmons of TheRams.com:
“I don’t think it’s anything in particular,” Goff said of his progress. “I think it’s just everything’s improved and the game is starting to slow down. It’s starting to feel more comfortable every day out here and every week on Sundays.”
Goff enters Week 13 with a potential season-defining contest. Upon losing six of their last seven games, the Rams travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots. Both matchups will certainly be a pleasure to watch, as the top-ranked defense of the Rams will battle Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense.
On the other hand, Bill Belichick’s scheme designs will certainly involve stopping Todd Gurley and putting the ball in Goff’s hands.
When facing against elite NFL teams, it is important to have a short memory. Whether it is a good play or bad, quarterbacks understand that each snap is completely different from the last.
The mental fortitude required of Goff will certainly be a stepping-stone for the No. 1 overall pick. He enters his second road start with more experience, but also faces his toughest opponent yet.
Goff was asked about dealing with being a quarterback and stated that it is all about having that short memory:
“Throw a touchdown, it’s over immediately. Have a bad play, it’s over immediately,” Goff said. “I think that’s kind of the best way to go about it as a quarterback — not get too high, not get too low. Obviously there are times that you’re going to be excited and there’s going to be times where you’re not very happy, but forget about as soon as you can because the next play is the most important one.”
Sunday’s contest between the Rams and Patriots is slated at 10:00 AM PST, as the Rams once again play in an eastern zone.
While head coach Jeff Fisher continues dealing with the adversity surrounding him, Goff can rest easy knowing that he is the quarterback moving forward for the Rams.
