It's time for Rams to bench Case Keenum and play rookie Jared Goff
What do the Los Angeles Rams have to lose by giving rookie quarterback Jared Goff a chance?
After the Rams lost their third consecutive game Sunday, this time in London to the New York Giants, the answer is: nothing.
Case Keenum threw four interceptions at Twickenham Stadium and now has 10 picks in seven games, including seven during this three-game losing streak.
While the Rams passing game has shown flashes this season, notably when Keenum threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns last week in a loss to the Detroit Lions, L.A. isn't winning.
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The Rams made the bold move in the spring to move up to the No. 1 spot in the draft to select Goff but have been nothing but conservative with the rookie ever since. If they want to resurrect their season, that might have to change — even if coach Jeff Fisher is reluctant to strip Goff of his redshirt. But while trying to shield him from early failure, the rest of the team is faltering.
But with the Rams reeling as they head into their bye week, Fisher's hand may be forced.
While Goff appeared far from ready to be the starter during preseason, he’s had two months to adapt now. There's a limit to how much he can learn from the sideline, especially behind a mediocre quarterback like Keenum. Now is the chance for Goff to start catching up to fellow rookies Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott, who have excelled this season.
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Of course, a quarterback switch may not magically fix L.A.'s offense, which was supposed to be formidable on the ground with tailback Todd Gurley. But he had just 57 rushing yards on 15 carries in London and has yet to record a 100-yard game in 2016. That has surely hampered Keenum and would do the same to Goff if not fixed quickly.
Goff and Gurley are the future of the Rams’ franchise. It’s time for both to play like it.
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Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones
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