OXNARD, Calif. -- Last month, we used our corner of cyberspace to offer up some realistic best-case projections for what the Los Angeles Rams can reasonably expect to get from quarterback Jared Goff in his rookie season.
If things go well and the Rams protect Goff, statistics in line with what Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did his rookie season (2,621 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 13 regular-season starts) would go a long way toward helping the Rams get over the hump to a winning record for the first time since 2003.
Over at NFL.com, Bucky Brooks recently provided his list of the best- and worst-case scenarios for some top rookies, including Goff.
Brooks wrote that in Goff's best-case scenario, the Rams can lean on running back Todd Gurley to take the pressure off, and when teams load up to stop Gurley, the Rams can allow Goff to use passing concepts that require him to get the ball out quickly and stay upright. The worst case, according to Brooks, would be teams stopping Gurley consistently and forcing Goff to try to carry the offensive load against the stout defenses of the NFC West.
All told, Brooks predicted a season with 3,300 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Those numbers would be comparable to Roethlisberger's rookie season and more than acceptable for a rookie making the transition to the NFL.
I.C.Y.M.I.
A roundup of Tuesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... There are plenty of Rams willing to step into advanced leadership roles to help replace the departed Chris Long and James Laurinaitis. ... The Ram-blings began with a look at Laurinaitis' transition to playing for the New Orleans Saints.
Elsewhere:
Matt Bowen examines five plays all defenses should run, including some Rams coordinator Gregg Williams likes.
In news of the weird, the NFL's Twitter account was hacked, and the commissioner responded to one of the fake tweets.
Yahoo.com has a fun story offering the oral history of the "Ram It" rap song the Rams did in 1985.
At LATimes.com, Gary Klein writes that Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is eager to get back to work.
At OCRegister.com, Mark Whicker writes that Quinton Coples feels more at home in the Rams' 4-3 defense.
NFL.com lists receiver Brian Quick as an honorable mention for a fantasy "deep sleeper" in 2016.