April 16, 2016
Ben Margot/AP
Jared Goff already wore the Rams' colors in college, which means he wouldn't have to buy new uniform accessories. Which is big, obviously.
When the Rams traded up to the No. 1 overall pick this week, it was originally thought that North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz could be their target. Unfortunately, the Rams are claiming they don't yet know who they will be taking, which is absurd, as surely any team trading six picks for the top spot would know exactly who they want.
There are a number of reporters who say it will indeed be Wentz. There are other reporters saying it's Cal's Jared Goff. I have no inside information on this one, But I would lean toward the Rams taking Goff for two reasons:
1) Goff is widely regarded as the more "pro-ready" quarterback. He had 37 career starts at Cal, and has attempted at least 500 passes in each of the last three years. Wentz, meanwhile, had 23 career starts in college and just 612 total pass attempts. While Wentz may make more sense for a team like the Eagles, as they have a competent short-term option in Sam Bradford and wouldn't need Wentz to play immediately, if the Rams don't find an immediate starter in the draft it's Case Keenum time. In a crucial first season in a new city, it'll be hard generating maximum interest from a new fan base with Keenum as the starter.
2) The biggest knock on Goff is the size of his hands, which are smaller than ideal. However, the climate in Los Angeles, in case you've never been there, is kinda nice. They are also building a domed stadium that should be ready in 2019. Smaller hands are less of a concern in warm, calm climates and domed stadiums.
My friend Tommy Lawlor at IgglesBlitz.com makes a valid point in favor of Wentz going first overall:
Think about Fisher’s past. He had his most success with a big, strong-armed, athletic QB from a small school. Steve McNair helped Fisher get to the Super Bowl. Wentz isn’t exactly like McNair, but there are more than a few similarities. Wentz also makes sense when you think about the Rams offense being based around RB Todd Gurley. Wentz has the arm strength to throw deep and stretch the field, which makes it tough to load the box. Wentz also runs very well, making him dangerous on bootlegs and plays like that.
We'll see soon enough.
Speaking of the Rams, has there ever been a more self-congratulatory team that hasn't done jack? In a 2014 game against the Redskins, Jeff Fisher sent out the players they drafted with the picks they received in return in the RG3 trade as captains.
This past week, they were proud of themselves for having an extra second round pick, which was crucial for moving up to the No. 1 spot.
The Rams' last 12 seasons:
| Year | W | L | T |
| 2004 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2005 | 6 | 10 | 0 |
| 2006 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2007 | 3 | 13 | 0 |
| 2008 | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| 2010 | 7 | 9 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| 2012 | 7 | 8 | 1 |
| 2013 | 7 | 9 | 0 |
| 2014 | 6 | 10 | 0 |
| 2015 | 7 | 9 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 64 | 127 | 1 |
Maybe shut up until you win more games than you lose, Rams.
Appearing on the Eagles Live podcast with Dave Spadaro, King said, "I think if the Eagles have a good draft and they protect (Sam) Bradford and he is what he was drafted to be, the Eagles could win 12. Of course, if that doesn't happen they could also win seven, so that's what this division is."
In another "could" scenario, Scarlett Johansson could show up at my house and ask if I want to be her new boyfriend, but I'm not holding my breath.
Think that there's a high bust percentage for quarterbacks in the first round? It's waaaaaaay worse in every round thereafter.
Dave Mangels of Bleeding Green Nation did a great job showing the success quarterbacks have had since 1994, when the NFL implemented a salary cap that made draft picks much more valuable than ever before.
The Cliff's Notes version is that if you don't draft a quarterback in the first or second round, the overwhelming odds are that you're just wasting your pick. Yes, yes, I know -- Tom Brady and Russell Wilson. Just go read it.
