Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff doesn't need to know entire scheme

Quarterback Jared Goff doesn't have to be a Los Angeles Rams offensive scheme know-it-all

To eschew that "bust" moniker hovering over him, quarterback Jared Goff better master the new Los Angeles Rams offensive scheme. That's the prevailing sentiment from most pundits about the top overall draft pick in 2016. Goff's rookie season was such a colossal failure. Subsequently, he better master new coach Sean McVay's offense right away.

Otherwise, McVay — who shoulders no responsibility for Goff because he wasn't involved in the decision to draft Goff — could find his own quarterback after 2017 without repercussion. McVay, however, revealed to the media Tuesday that Goff doesn't necessarily have to grasp all of the Rams offensive scheme.

At least, right away.

"I think there's a lot of challenges," McVay said in a video news conference that TheRams.com posted on its site. "I think there's always things he can continue to improve on… But we want to do a good job as coaches figuring out our players, and then we'll adjust the system accordingly.

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"It's about figuring out what these guys do best and having an identity and making sure you have some complements off that identity."

In other words, the coaches want to find out what areas Goff excels in and then tailor the Rams offensive scheme around his strengths. Learning the Rams offensive scheme also requires sack-avoidance That's what made Kirk Cousins put up the numbers he has for the Washington Redskins the last two seasons (4,166 passing yards in 2015, 4,917 passing yards in 2016).

Goff, who started L.A.'s final seven games of last season, threw for only 1,089 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He had a 22.2 passer rating. Opponents combined to sack Goff 26 times during 2015.

"When you look at sacks, I think it's a combination of things," McVay said, again via TheRams.com. "I think the quarterback has the responsibility of getting the ball out, the timing , the rhythm, the line, the backs and the receivers. So I think sacks are on all 11.

"…But to be able withstand those hits is something that's important."

Goff has added weight in the offseason to withstand defensive pressure. But he's not under pressure to learn the entire Rams offensive scheme in 2017. That may be a key to the Rams improvement in the fall.