Despite Rams’ slump, Fisher sticking with Keenum over Goff

“We want Goff! We want Goff!” their chants echoed across the stadium, their frustrated voices urging Fisher to finally make the switch from Keenum to Goff at quarterback and salvage a lost season into something worthwhile and productive and meaningful.

“We’re going to lick our wounds here, and it’s still fresh”, Fisher said.

Alas, it was only a contusion.

On the sideline, in a display too flawless to be scripted, the Rams coach flapped his arms, motioning for quiet and, at the same time, symbolically letting it be known that he didn’t care to hear what anyone else thinks of his decisions before the 13-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Keenum went 27 for 46 for the Rams, who hadn’t scored a touchdown in 115 minutes, 41 seconds before Britt’s grab. Keenum’s 11 picks are the second-most in the National Football League, behind the 13 thrown by New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. “I get ready to play and that’s what I do”, Keenum said.

That prompted the natural follow-up: What, specifically, is Goff missing in order to be the better option?

“You definitely don’t like to see fans do that, especially on offense”, linebacker Alec Ogletree said.

You’d assume, with a bad offense and the season slipping away after a four-game losing streak, the Rams would consider playing a rookie quarterback they thought so highly of months ago.

“I would submit that (QB Case Keenum) Case was not the reason we lost this game today”. “It’s an extremely complicated defense”. They can pressure the quarterback, they can do anything they want to do. “They’re very talented. Our focus is this week against the Jets, and Case will be under center”. And then the Rams took over and soon punted.

“Painting a realistic picture, the last two (games) the defense has given up a touchdown to Eli Manning and Cam Newton, and that’s it”, Fisher said, referring to 17-10 setback to the New York Giants two weeks ago in London.

So, urging Fisher and the Rams to make the move from Keenum to Goff is in no way laying the blame for another frustrating season at the feet of Keenum.

That raises other questions, about why other rookie quarterbacks are starting and thriving while Goff sits, and Fisher on Monday declined two chances to discuss where Goff might be having shortcomings.

Unfortunately for both Fisher and Snead, a change to Goff may not be enough to actually keep the Rams in contention. So I’m glad they care because I care as well. “The quarterback position is not easy”. Newton completed 20 of 32 passes to keep the chains moving and the clock ticking as the Panthers ran up over 34 minutes of time possession.

The Rams honored servicemen and women who died while serving in the armed forces or from injuries sustained while serving in the post-9/11 era by having each player on the team wear the initials of one of the soldiers on his helmet.

Yet Goff, the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, will continue to stand and watch from the sideline for now.

But his mistake was also magnified by the offense’s ineptitude as a whole. The lone turnover on Sunday was another Keenum interception. He was inactive for the regular-season opener and has been the backup for the past seven games and counting.

“That’s a tough, physical football team”, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said of the Rams defensive unit. “He gets a better understanding, he recognizes things, he’s prepared, he understands the challenges week-to-week”.

The Rams defense is holding up its end of the bargain.