Rams face questions about their quarterback and run game at the bye week
An open date Sunday gave Rams coaches, players and front-office executives a week to ponder where they are — and where they might be going — before they begin preparation for next week’s game against the Carolina Panthers at the Coliseum.
The break also provided time to consider changes in the wake of their 3-4 record and three-game losing streak.
No major moves appear forthcoming as the season approaches the midpoint.
Based on Coach Jeff Fisher’s comments, there won’t be any significant philosophical shifts or personnel overhauls. There might not be any subtle ones either, the Rams seemingly confident that the eventual return of injured starters such as cornerback Trumaine Johnson and defensive lineman Michael Brockers will help them return to their early-season winning ways.
If there is a move, it could come by Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
Two years ago, the Rams acquired safety Mark Barron from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a trade-deadline deal. Barron morphed into a hybrid linebacker four games into the 2015 season and was one of the top playmakers early this season.
Short of an unexpected trade, or a weekend epiphany by Fisher and the Rams brain trust, Case Keenum will remain the Rams’ starting quarterback.
Despite four interceptions in a 17-10 loss to the New York Giants in London, and the inability to convert late drives into points in each of the last three games, Keenum is expected to start against the Panthers.
Rookie Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick in the draft, took first-team snaps last week. But that appeared more developmental exercise than preparation to start.
On Sunday, at least.
If the Rams’ losing streak continues, or if they remain on track for another 7-9 or similar finish, will they keep the 22-year-old Goff sidelined as other NFL rookie quarterbacks flourish?
Keenum, who had his college number retired Saturday by the University of Houston, has passed for eight touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He leads a Rams offense that ranks 30th among 32 teams in the NFL, averaging 307.6 yards per game. The Rams are 25th in passing, 29th in rushing.
Other than the Keenum/Goff issue, the major question surrounding the offense remains Todd Gurley and the running game.
“We have to get the run game going,” Fisher said, “and it all really starts there.”
Gurley has looked nothing like the rookie who rushed for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He is averaging 57.6 yards per game, which ranks 26th in the league. He is averaging only three yards per carry, and his longest gain went for only 16 yards.
A player who amassed at least 128 yards rushing in each of his first four career starts has eclipsed the 100-yard mark only once in his last 15 games.
“Some games I’m hurting myself,” Gurley said after the loss to the Giants. “Some games I feel like I’m doing as much as I can.”
Offensive linemen also say that effort is not the issue stunting the running game.
A line that is essentially the same group that led the way for Gurley last season has encountered defensive schemes designed almost exclusively to stop the running back and force Keenum and his receivers to capitalize.
Left tackle Greg Robinson said he felt that early in the season the line “was on to something, but the opportunities presented themselves and we kind of didn’t get it going.”
Fisher said he had given no consideration to offensive line changes other than working guard Jamon Brown back into the rotation when he returns from a hand injury.
Veteran receiver Kenny Britt, in the final year of his contract, is on pace for a career season with 33 catches for 535 yards. Tavon Austin, who signed a four-year, $42-million extension in August, has a team-best 36 receptions. Brian Quick has provided highlights with a team-best three touchdown catches, but he also cost the Rams by apparently failing to pick up signals from Keenum on the final drive against the Giants.
Rookie receiver Pharoh Cooper has yet to make an impact and rookie receiver Nelson Spruce has not played in the regular season because of a knee injury.
While the Rams rank near the bottom of the league in offense, they have ascended into the top 10 in defense.
The Rams are ranked 10th, giving up 307.6 yards per game. They are 14th against the pass, 15th against the run.
The defense saved the Rams during a three-game win streak, played poorly the next two games and then righted itself against the Giants.
The unit could get stronger if the bye week enabled Brockers and ends Robert Quinn and William Hayes to fully recover from injuries that either sidelined or slowed them the last five games.
Middle linebacker Alec Ogletree has assumed leadership of a defense that initially struggled in the aftermath of an ankle injury that sidelined Johnson for two-plus games.
But cornerbacks E.J. Gaines and Troy Hill played fairly well against the Giants, giving the Rams depth upon Johnson’s return.
That is an encouraging development for a Rams organization that has nine games remaining in its first season in Southern California in more than two decades.
In this season of change, the Rams must decide whether more is warranted.
Follow Gary Klein on Twitter @LATimesklein
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