Jared Goff Struggles in NFL Preseason Debut, Outshone by Another Rookie

Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff struggled in his first taste of NFL action, while the spotlight was stolen by another rookie quarterback.

Former Cal Bears’ quarterback Jared Goff didn’t start the game for the Los Angeles Rams in front of the largest crowd ever assembled to attend a preseason game (officially 89,140 people in attendance), but after three drives with fifth-year veteran Case Keenum at the helm, it was Goff’s turn.

Goff’s first play was a hand-off to Benny Cunningham, and his first pass attempt came on the next play, which was an incompletion. After that, he quickly learned what it’s like to face an NFL defense. On his second pass attempt as a professional quarterback, Goff dropped back and was blitzed. Linebacker Derek Akunne hit Goff as he attempted to get the pass off, and the floater was picked off by linebacker Mark Nzeocha. That led to a Cowboys’ field goal the other way.

On the next drive, Goff’s first pass was dropped by fellow rookie Mike Thomas, a sixth-round pick. He would finally get his first completion on his fourth attempt, hitting tight end Tyler Higbee over the middle for seven yards. Goff seemed to find a rapport with Higbee, as his next attempt was a 14-yard completion for a first down.

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Goff completed two more passes before the whistle blew for halftime, a three-yard dump-off to running back Malcolm Brown and another 14-yard pass to Higbee on an out route. He overthrew Brian Quick on a deep ball to the right sideline, but came back with a very pretty pass over the middle to Pharoh Cooper, splitting the defense in the process. The catch would have brought the Rams inside the Cowboys’ 10-yard line, but Cooper was hit hard by safety J.J. Wilcox and dropped the ball.

On his final dropback of the half, Goff was sacked by Shaneil Jenkins. That would also turn out to be his last play of the game.

Goff’s debut was cut short by a sore left shoulder (non-throwing shoulder). Though Goff would say “it’s fine” and he has “played through much worse”, he wouldn’t find the field in the second half as a precaution.

The Cal product attempted just nine passes, four of which were complete (two were dropped) for 38 yards. Goff was a bit shaky early, throwing into coverage and making an ill-advised throw with a defender bearing down on him. He did seem to have settled in as he got more snaps. He also worked well with his tight end Higbee, a fourth-round pick from Western Kentucky this season.

Though it was only the first game of the preseason, the quarterback spotlight was stolen by another rookie. The Cowboys are in search of a backup quarterback after going 1-11 last season in games not started by Tony Tomo, and they saw flashes of brilliance from their own rookie on Saturday night. Dak Prescott, Dallas’ fourth-round pick (135th overall) out of Mississippi State, was the star wearing a star.

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Prescott received the start with Romo sitting out, and it took no time at all for him to look comfortable working with the Dallas first-team offense.

After having his first pass attempt dropped by backup tight end Geoff Swaim, Prescott completed 10 of 11 passes for 139 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. He made some very nice throws, including a great back-shoulder sideline throw to Dallas’ number-one receiver Dez Bryant for an 18-yard gain. The Dak N’ Dez Connection would happen again just a few plays later, as Bryant pulled down another jump ball for a 10-yard touchdown just past the midway point in the first quarter.

Prescott continued to make some great throws through the rest of his drives on the field, including a 22-yard bullet pass to an open Brice Butler on the final play of the first quarter, and a beautiful 32-yard touch pass to Terrance Williams for his second touchdown.

All in all, Prescott completed 10 of his 12 pass attempts on the day. Both of his incompletions were drops by Swaim. He also ran twice for 13 yards, including a 14-yarder that got the team within field goal range following the Goff pick.

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If you didn’t know which quarterback, Prescott or Goff, was the number-one overall pick entering this game, you might just think that Prescott, who looked as poised as a 10-year veteran, was that guy. Again, it’s only the first game of preseason, but the Cowboys might have themselves a player in the kid from Louisiana.

Goff, on the other hand, has some kinks that need to be worked out, especially in his rapport with some of his receivers. There’s still plenty of time to figure these things out, as long as this shoulder injury isn’t any more serious than it sounds.