GUEST ARTICLE: How Jared Goff Has Done a Complete 180 Under Sean McVay

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JKBOGEN

JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN
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How Jared Goff Has Done a Complete 180 Under Sean McVay

October 26, 2017
Special Guest: Connor Rogers
227364_9a43eb96a13f4ac7aa254a016e579bce~mv2.webp

https://www.downtownrams.com/single...Goff-Has-Done-a-Complete-180-Under-Sean-McVay

It’s hard to be considered a ‘bust’ after just seven NFL games, especially at the quarterback position, but the lack of faith in Jared Goff coming off his rookie season was overwhelming.

He lacked confidence, he turned the ball over nine times while throwing just five touchdowns and worst of all, the Rams did not win in any game he started. This all led to an offseason filled with one question: did the Rams make a mistake after trading up for the number one overall pick?

Enter new head coach Sean McVay. At just 31 years old, McVay would be the youngest head coach in the NFL by far, but he had the resume to warrant the hype. He had just helped quarterback Kirk Cousins to two highly productive and efficient seasons while also getting the best out of the likes of Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder.

The ideology behind the hire was clear: McVay could scheme players open, game plan on the offensive side of the ball as well as anyone, but most importantly develop a quarterback to reach their ceiling. This was the guy to salvage the career of a former number one pick before it was too late, no matter how early things fell apart.

Now, just how would he pull this off so quickly?

Let's break down a few plays that have shown not only Goff's progression this year, but how his coaches and supporting cast have aided him.


View: https://twitter.com/ConnorJRogers/status/922961846834954242


The play above is a perfect example of Sean McVay scheming a player open to make things easier for his quarterback. With a bunch set to the right (the 'field' side, which is the side with more room), Cooper Kupp is the target. The two other receivers on the field side clear out the coverage, leaving plenty of open space for Kupp to work back to for a short catch and longer run.

Kupp doesn't possess high end speed, but he has reliable hands and upside to make something happen after the catch (Goff has a 95.2 quarterback rating when targeting him). The coaching of this design gets the hard part for him out of the way, which is generating separation. It also makes it easy on Goff by turning a one read, short throw into a first down.

Now let's take a look at a not-so-easy throw:


View: https://twitter.com/ConnorJRogers/status/922965575512526848


Goff has options after the play-action on this throw. He first looks at his tight end, who gets by the linebacker and open in the middle of the field, but opts to make a tougher throw with bigger upside. That throw would be to running back Todd Gurley, where the ball leads him right between defenders with room to run after the catch.

This is a good example of Goff quickly seeing the field and making a near perfect throw for what ends up being a huge touchdown. He didn't have the confidence or mindset to make this play as a rookie.

These are the plays where Goff shows why a team was enticed to trade up to the number one overall pick with hopes of him being their franchise quarterback. Here's another one:


View: https://twitter.com/ConnorJRogers/status/922965982716588033


This is a near perfect ball to Cooper Kupp. While the rookie wide receiver has to climb high, the pass is kept away from the defenders and led into a space where only his target can go get it.

Goff’s numbers on play-action passes speak for themselves. According to Pro Football Focus he’s completed 35 of his 56 attempts (62.5%) for 565 yards (10.1 YPA) with a 102.1 quarterback rating. Teams are well aware of the threat that Todd Gurley poses and it’s supplementing the passing game for LA’s young quarterback and his new weapons.

Even mechanically, he looks like a much more confident and consistent thrower.

The biggest question after a 5-2 start and currently sitting in first place is can the Rams keep this up all year? It’s no secret the defense has game changing pieces, whether it’s all-world defensive lineman Aaron Donald, up and coming stud Lamarcus Joyner or their number one corner Trumaine Johnson.

The recipe to stay in first place will be for the offense to keep up their production, which currently has them sixth overall in rushing, 12th overall in passing and most importantly in first in points per game with 30.3. Goff has only thrown four interceptions while his defense has hauled in nine.

The offensive line, with a key new addition in veteran Andrew Whitworth, has only surrendered 10 sacks while their front has tallied 23 (according to Pro Football Focus they rank only 19th in pass blocking efficiency, but have still been a massive upgrade from last year’s disaster).

With the remaining schedule including the Giants, Texans, Vikings, Saints, Cardinals, Eagles, Seahawks, Titans and 49ers, the playoffs are far from a sure thing. With that being said, they’re playing efficient and productive football in nearly every facet of the game, even special teams where they’ve converted on 21 of 22 field goal attempts.

In just his second season, after a disastrous start in his rookie campaign, Jared Goff has done a complete 180 under new head coach Sean McVay. While there is a long road ahead, one that Los Angeles is hoping to include playoff football, the future finally looks bright for the Rams.


Connor Rogers works for Bleacher Report hosting the Stick to Football podcast with Matt Miller and writes for FanRag Sports. You can catch Connor on the Downtown Rams Podcast as well and of course follow him on twitter @ConnorJRogers.
 
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FaulkSF

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Wow good to see BR giving Goff more credit.

Interested, where do they see room for growth?
 

JKBOGEN

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Wow good to see BR giving Goff more credit.

Interested, where do they see room for growth?
Well, Connor has been on our podcast before and has always valued Goff. He also will be on mega podcast talking some more Goff and other stuff as well. We are so happy we were able to have him write a guest article for us on downtownrams.com
 

kurtfaulk

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I refuse to read any article that infers Goff was a bust. I swear it's like the nfl media just starting watching football and think every rookie qb should light it up. Bozos.

.
 

JKBOGEN

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I refuse to read any article that infers Goff was a bust. I swear it's like the nfl media just starting watching football and think every rookie qb should light it up. Bozos.

.
This didn't? It was in favor of.Goff..
 

bubbaramfan

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The article proves Goff wasn't the mistake. The mistake was Fisher. Talking heads made another mistake.:thinking:
 

Flint

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It kinda turned into groupthink that Goff was a bust and The rams made a misa last
 

LACHAMP46

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It started that way. The first two paragraphs was enough for me.
you're like a ...premature....article-evaluator.....way too soon...his face was so far up Goff's ass...you woulda loved the stuff about play action passing accuracy...

but alas


you pulled out...way too soon


Nice read Jake, thanks for posting....now who is this BR dude you look up to????? See if you can find that dude Jeff Schwartz....talk about our line now....both sides...
 

LesBaker

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It’s hard to be considered a ‘bust’ after just seven NFL games, especially at the quarterback position, but the lack of faith in Jared Goff coming off his rookie season was overwhelming.

This is how the media, especially sports media operaets in the age of the internet. Everyone is in a constant race to be "first" on social media or to say the most outrageous thing to garner the most attention. Goff was a sitting duck target last year and a lot of knuckleheads, fans included, were all over the internet and on talk shows (which should be called shriek shows considering the format) taking shot after shot after each loss.

Now where are they?

Gurley got it to a lesser degree, and where are those guys now?

Where is the "I was wrong I should have kept my big fat mouth shut" from MeShawn?

I refuse to read any article that infers Goff was a bust. I swear it's like the nfl media just starting watching football and think every rookie qb should light it up. Bozos.

It's worth a read, the opening was simply pointing out the knuckleheads that were making proclamations after 7 games in the HS offense as Gurley called it.

It kinda turned into groupthink that Goff was a bust and The rams made a misa last

I think it was just the same loudmouths not shutting up because each week as Goff played badly they got to beat their chest and point a finger at themselves and say they were right.
 

bubbaramfan

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I hate making comparisons. Especially the one between Goff and Wentz. Their college careers doesn't compare. Their style of play doesn't compare. Wentz is 2 years older than Goff.

To make a fair comparison, we need to wait another 2 or 3 years when they've both had signifiigant playing time in the NFL.
 

Loyal

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you're like a ...premature....article-evaluator.....way too soon...his face was so far up Goff's ass...you woulda loved the stuff about play action passing accuracy...

but alas


you pulled out...way too soon


Nice read Jake, thanks for posting....now who is this BR dude you look up to????? See if you can find that dude Jeff Schwartz....talk about our line now....both sides...
Lol...I think if we just had our boy Goff wear an old GRob or Quick jersey, you’ give him more slack in development and believe only the best about him....:fighting:
 

Dieter the Brock

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Shame...Literally the rest of the article is in favor of Goff.

Yeah but i gotta agree with @kurtfaulk

Technically the article title makes the statement the author thinks he was a bust last year - please reread title:

"How Jared Goff made a complete 180 under McVay"

By saying he made a 180 he is agreeing with those that sthought he was a bust. Otherwise why say 180. I mean, the author is saying he's doing really well under McVay -- which makes it implicit hat a 180 from that is being a total bust under Fisher
 

OldSchool

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Lol...I think if we just had our boy Goff wear an old GRob or Quick jersey, you’ give him more slack in development and believe only the best about him....:fighting:
Or died his hair red and called himself Jared Wentz man he'd be in love.
 

RhodyRams

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Nice write up.

Let's hope this doesn't turn into another Goff v. Wentz thread
 

shovelpass

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Interested, where do they see room for growth?
I'd say consistency and completion percentage. He's playing really good, but he's up against bad defenses and down against good ones. He's lauded as a very accurate QB, but he currently has a 59.9% percent completion percentage which is 28th among "qualified QBs". I know he's young and is still very early into his career, he's playing around where I expected him to be at, but going forward into next season and beyond.
 

leoram

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I'd say consistency and completion percentage. He's playing really good, but he's up against bad defenses and down against good ones. He's lauded as a very accurate QB, but he currently has a 59.9% percent completion percentage which is 28th among "qualified QBs". I know he's young and is still very early into his career, he's playing around where I expected him to be at, but going forward into next season and beyond.

How refreshing! A fan but a reasonable homer.

You’re 100% correct. Goff is developing. It simply takes time. He’s a hero because we have won...but that’s a product of the rest of the team and just enough of him. He deserves two or three more interceptions that were dropped but credit for some terrific plays too.

Honestly, Jacksonville beat us on offense but our special teams and defense bailed us out. The Cards OLine never had a chance. I’m actually more impressed by his 9’ers game and the final drive v the Seahawks.

Jared is a good QB. McVay is a great coach. I will take Cousin’s-like production any day...but that’s all we can get this year. Goff has a better arm than Cousins but we don’t yet know if Jared can process quite as well.

However, if Sean can keep Jared progressing. Brady like performance is possible, though highly unlikely. Jared has the physical and cognitive tools...but we will find out how mentally tough he really is. I vote yes...but other teams and fans will need to see it happen over time to believe.

The arrow points north...let’s see if the compass is accurate or flawed.