INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Under heavy duress from the Texans’ pass rushers Friday night, Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback John Wolford kept getting knocked down and getting up while hanging tough in the pocket.
Rams encouraged by reserve quarterbacks
Wolford got a rare start with $160 million man Matthew Stafford given the night off as a precautionary measure due to lingering elbow tendinitis. Head coach Sean McVay predicts the first-team QB is right on track for the season opener.
While Wolford was sacked five times as his blocking was substandard and he’s more of a traditional pocket passer, he displayed poise and accuracy. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 142 yards and no interceptions in one half of play.
When third QB Bryce Perkins got into the game for the second half, he flashed mobility and arm talent. He completed 11 of 13 passes for 123 yards. Perkins showed the kind of athleticism and accuracy to challenge Wolford for the backup quarterback job. The obvious takeaway is that the Rams have two QBs behind Stafford with the kind of skills that could be plugged in by McVay, if needed, and keep the offense moving.
“I felt like (Wolford) had good command, made good decisions, saw the coverages the right way, and then there were some instances where we could help him out a little bit more around him,” McVay said. “But I thought both he and Bryce did a nice job, and for Bryce to be able to kind of lead that scoring drive and make some of those plays, you just kind of have a playmaker — good things happen. He instills that belief with guys around him, so it’s definitely something that we’re continuing to evaluate.”
Two of Wolford’s best throws — a 22-yard completion to wide receiver Lance McCutcheon and a 21-yarder to Landen Akers — led to a field goal to open the game’s scoring in the Texans’ 24-20 win.
“I mean, it’s a play-by-play goal, right?” Wolford said. “To execute the play. Whatever the defensive look is, play in and play out, can you execute the play to the best of your ability? And the rest will take care of itself. So, that’s been my mindset. I try and compartmentalize it into one play at a time and move on to the next play.”
Wolford was facing a lot of the Texans’ first-team defensive players, which was a factor in the pass-blocking breakdowns.
“They’re doing the best they can,” Wolford said. “We knew that going in, and I think they did a good job, all things considered.”
Bryce Perkins’ scrambling is impressive
Perkins led the Rams on a scoring drive capped by a touchdown run by Trey Ragas.
Perkins’ two-point conversion run on a quarterback keeper was nullified by a holding penalty. He had the Rams in position after a 27-yard completion to McCutcheon at the end of the game, but he landed in bounds, and the clock ran out.
“Every time we go out there, it’s a great chance to learn and grow,” Perkins said.
Perkins faced lesser competition against the Texans’ reserve defense, but his mobility was on display. He eluded a pair of sacks, and his footwork was impeccable.
“You have to take into account the people playing around you, the people that you’re playing against,” McVay said. “So there’s a lot of layers to it, but the film, when you’re able to just take a step back, is always the best way to get a clear, clean evaluation. But, overall, I was pleased with the decision-making of both those guys, the overall operation and making good decisions within the framework of each play.”
What happens if Matthew Stafford gets hurt?
The Rams have options if McVay and general manager Les Snead ultimately decide they need a better emergency QB than Wolford or Perkins.
An intriguing possibility referenced by a league source: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo has been cleared to play and is considered more likely to be released than traded because of his contract. The Rams are risk-takers and not afraid to make bold moves. Garoppolo, a former Super Bowl quarterback, would likely be able to plug in well into McVay’s offense.
But because of the way Wolford and Perkins performed, they’ve given the Rams’ leadership team a lot to contemplate.
