Rams looking for top pick Jared Goff to take the ‘next step’ against the Denver Broncos

Jared Goff watched the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl last February and got a long look at one of the best defenses in NFL history.

At the time, Goff was in Orange County preparing for the draft. He did not know then that the Rams would trade up for the top pick, or that he would be facing Von Miller and Co. in the third exhibition of his young career.

“I was probably just sitting down there enjoying it,” Goff said Thursday of the Broncos’ dominating victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Goff will get a close-up look at the Broncos on Saturday night at Denver.

The rookie quarterback said he was looking forward to the challenge.

“It will be cool to go out there and run out there knowing they won the Super Bowl,” he said.

Goff has completed 12 of 21 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. He also had a pass intercepted and has fumbled twice.

He played two series against the Dallas Cowboys, eight last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. His workload against the Broncos could fall somewhere in between if starter Case Keenum plays deeper into the first half as expected.

Keenum played two series against the Chiefs, and Coach Jeff Fisher said Thursday that the veteran might play three or four against the Broncos.

Goff has not yet demonstrated that he is ready to start the Sept. 12 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

Saturday’s exhibition is perhaps his last real opportunity because starters traditionally are held out of final exhibitions to avoid injury. The Rams play the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 1.

Fisher said he was looking for Goff to take “that next step” against the Super Bowl champions.

“Getting rid of the football, being decisive, making adjustments on the line of scrimmage — all those little subtle things,” Fisher said, adding that the Broncos will “create some situations that Jared is going to have to be decisive with to say the least.”

Among Goff’s goals Saturday: eliminating the early mistakes that plagued the first series in each of his appearances. Both ended with turnovers.

“I’d love to get out there and go down and score a touchdown — that’s what we’re supposed to do,” he said. “Come out and be ready to go and, hopefully, everyone else is and we can go down there and move the ball down the field.”

Goff appeared to make progress during practices this week as he worked to eliminate hesitation. Cornerback Lamarcus Joyner intercepted a pass during a goal-line drill Thursday, but Goff otherwise performed fairly well.

“Just understanding everything and just knowing where I want to go and when I want to go,” he said. “Making my decisions quicker, being faster with everything.”

Goff said he got into a rhythm after his first two series against the Chiefs. He connected with running back Malcolm Brown for a touchdown.

“I just want to build off what I was able to feel last game,” he said. “It started to feel much more like it has in the past.”

Running back Todd Gurley played with Keenum in his only series in last week’s exhibition. He is not expected to be on the field against the Broncos when Goff gets his opportunity.

But Gurley has worked with Goff when the rookie has taken reps with the first-team offense during practice.

“He’s come a long way,” Gurley said, “He’s going to be good.”

Asked if he would be disappointed if he did not start the season opener, Goff deflected the question.

“It’s something I’d love to do but it’s not my decision,” he said. “That’s what they pay the coaches for.”

He said he was “trying to get as ready as I can, as fast as I can, and whenever that is is up to them.”

Quick hits

Gurley, who played one series against the Chiefs, is not expected to play much against the Broncos. “He’s getting a lot of great practice reps,” Fisher said. “When we kick off against the 49ers, his reps in the preseason are meaningless.”… Defensive end Robert Quinn will play for the first time since off-season back surgery. “A few snaps, hopefully, and break that ice,” he said. Quinn played in eight games in 2015. He was held out of the first exhibition and missed the second to watch his sister compete in the Olympics …. Rookie receivers Michael Thomas and Pharoh Cooper made several impressive catches… Thursday’s workout was the final open practice at UC Irvine.

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