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3 reasons why Jared Goff needs to start for the Rams

By Maher Ayoub

Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) on his sidelines during the second half of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Rams 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) on his sidelines during the second half of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Rams 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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After the Rams started off their 2016 campaign on a terrible note following a 28-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, is it time to hand the keys to quarterback Jared Goff for the rest of the season?

Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) on his sidelines during the second half of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Rams 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) on his sidelines during the second half of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Rams 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Los Angeles Rams know that Case Keenum is not the quarterback of their future. They made that abundantly clear this offseason when they decided to take Jared Goff with the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. But after a roller coaster of a training camp and preseason, Goff was named the third string quarterback for Week 1.

This is not out of the ordinary in the NFL. Teams would rather have their young quarterbacks sit and observe for a year rather than be thrown into the fire. It worked for guys like Aaron Rodgers and Carson Palmer, so there’s no reason why this strategy can’t work on Goff, right?

On the Monday Night Football to open the season, the Rams took a serious beating on the road from their division rival, the San Francisco 49ers. Keenum was wildly ineffective, and the 49ers did everything in their power to prevent sophomore phenom Todd Gurley from going off. The night ended in a 28-0 romp, and left the Rams with a tough decision going forward.

On Friday, Rams coach Jeff Fisher announced that Goff would be the team’s backup quarterback on Sunday against the Seahawks. Though Fisher did not come out and say it, it seems the leash has shortened on their current starter Keenum. The door is now cracked open for Goff to make a run at becoming the starter sooner than we thought. Here are three reasons why the Rams need to make Goff the starting quarterback going forward.

Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) in the first half of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Rams won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) in the first half of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Rams won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Case Keenum is not the answer at quarterback for an NFL team

Case Keenum started his career in Houston after replacing Matt Schaub for the Texans in the 2013 season. The Texans looked like a cellar dweller team that was on their way to a number one selection the next year. When Keenum replaced Schaub, he became somewhat of a fan favorite in Houston. After going to school at the University of Houston, Keenum would have a chance to play professionally in the city of Houston.

But shortly after replacing Schaub, it became apparent that Keenum was not the answer in Houston. In eight total games that season, Keenum posted a 78.2 QB Rating and had 12 total turnovers. After the season, the Rams and Houston Texans played hot potato with Keenum until he finally landed with the Rams in a backup role in 2015. After being thrusted into the role earlier than expected, Keenum struggled to produce in a starting role and eventually lost the job due to injury.

After being named the starter for this season, Keenum had a debut to forget. Keenum went 17-for-35 for 130 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. The 49ers recognized the deficiency, and forced Keenum to beat them all night. He proved time and time again that he wasn’t going to be able to make the throws necessary to put the Rams over the top.

With an already light list of weapons to work with other than Gurley, the Rams can’t afford to have a quarterback who can’t make the NFL throws. If Goff can hit the open receivers that Keenum can’t, he would be worth the risk right off the bat.

Next: No. 2

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