If Jared Goff can’t keep defenses honest, then he isn’t the answer
By Robert Jones
Jared Goff’s best chance for success starts on the ground
We’ve all analyzed what it will take for Jared Goff to have success in Detroit and, of course, that whole conversation has started and ended with the ground game.
In Los Angeles, Goff’s biggest success occurred when the Rams were able to run the ball well. When the offensive line struggled and the backfield became inconsistent, so did Goff.
This was all very evident. There really isn’t much that can be debated about how important the ground game is to Goff’s success. The transition to Detroit does bring the perk that it appears the Lions are finally capable of resurrecting their long-lost ground game that hasn’t done anything since the great Barry Sanders retired over 20 years ago.
Provided that all the signs that point to a much-improved rushing attack come to fruition, then that would be a big first obstacle to overcome and create an opportunity to employ a convincing play-action passing game to combine with the ability to run the ball.
Together with a line that appears ready to give Goff time to throw, that sets up an opportunity for Jared to have more success.
Of course, the other side of that equation is the underwhelming receiving corps. Someone has to catch the ball and the receiver position is a big old ball of question marks.
We are all waiting to see if anyone steps up and becomes a weapon for Goff. Obviously, multiple receivers stepping up would be huge, but if at least one can step up and stay healthy, that would be a big help.
Because as we sit right now tight end T.J. Hockenson, as well as running backs D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, would appear to be his best targets. Quite frankly, what Goff does best is throw the short to intermediate passes and the trio of Hockenson, Swift and Williams will give him accomplished targets underneath.
Piggybacking off the success of the ground game should help Goff, however, the one thing we should also consider is that if Goff and the offense can’t stretch the defense to keep them honest, then as defenses creep up to take away the run and short passing game, it will become difficult to have consistent offensive success.