The Super Bowl is a daunting occasion for any young QB, but even more so when your opposite number is the greatest player to have ever graced the gridiron.
The Ram's No.1 2016 draft pick has played just 41 games so far in his blossoming NFL career. In contrast, Tom Brady has played 39 post-season games alone, winning (an outstanding) five super bowls.
So we are left wondering, will Goff thrive under the pressure or will he buckle up against one of the most daunting dynasties in NFL history?
Big stages
The 24 year-old of course is no stranger to tense atmospheres, already this season playing The Seattle Seahawks in Centurylink Field in a crucial NFC West division clash. While in the NFC Conference Final, Goff pulled his side through the notoriously rowdy Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Jared Goff has thrived under young head coach Sean McVay, 33, and it’s not outrageous to think that The Rams’ whole season has hinged on McVay’s ability to call the right play at the right time.
Jan 20, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints fan cheers against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter in the NFC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USAMike Carlson highlighted his impact, speaking to OTB AM this morning:
“He(Mcvay) tends to keep talking (to Goff) right to the moment they cut that microphone off, so Goff gets a little help.”
Goff's been mollycoddled through out his NFL run. The 2016 prospect was selected with the No.1 overall pick in the draft and was hotly tipped to become a huge success in the NFL.
So far so good
But his introduction into the sport was not what you'd expect for a No.1 overall pick. The Rams’ chose not to start Goff in the opening games of his first season in the NFL, even when the struggling franchise was in need of a star quarterback.
The young California native played just 7 times in his debut season, making his first start in The Rams’ 10th game of the 16 game season.
The franchise was open about how they were ‘integrating’ Goff into the pro game and wanted him to be ready to hit the ground running and to not falter in the opening round of games as we see so many young top draft prospects do.
Sam Darnold of the NY Jets being a prime example, he threw a Pick 6 in his opening play of his career in week one.
While on the other hand, we have seen Lamar jackson of The Baltimore Ravens replace Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco towards the end of their regular season and the unlikely quarterback thrived. Just as a certain Jard Goff did in 2016.
So will his slow, developing integration into the NFL prove the correct decision this Sunday? Will other franchises be reluctant to start rookie QBs week one? It seems as if The Rams’ entire process has proved successful thus far, but D-Day is almost here
The Super Bowl kicks-off at 11:30pm on Sunday night.
Words Iarla Muldoon
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