Rams mailbag: Gurley, Goff and the offense are big concerns

The Rams are on the road again.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play host to the Rams on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

The Rams are 1-1 and in a four-way tie in the NFC West.

Now, on to your questions. Keep them coming at @latimesklein or gary.klein@latimes.com

Quantity is not the issue.

Running back Todd Gurley has gained just 98 yards in 36 carries.

There were a few series of plays against the Seahawks when Gurley carried the ball or caught a pass. That seemed to open up some play-action passing opportunities for quarterback Case Keenum.

Not sure those plays helped you accrue many fantasy points, but it helped the Rams.

That’s a funny line.

Offensive coordinator Rob Boras is not off to a rousing start as the full-time offensive coordinator. The Rams rank last in the NFL in scoring at 4.5 points a game and in yards per game (234).

And the Rams are the only NFL team without a touchdown.

If the offense can’t get into the end zone on Sunday against the Buccaneers, it seems there would be little to prevent some shifts in approach.

That struck me as a ridiculous question when I first read it. Then I thought, Hmm, wait a second.

Last season, the Rams rushed for 16 touchdowns and passed for 11.

They have scored zero touchdowns through two games.

Still, I think I’ll go with the over.

Yes. See above.

Let’s not bring another NFL team into this. The Rams are solely responsible for the 19 penalties they have committed.

The Rams were fortunate that linebackers Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron came up big with that forced fumble against the Seahawks.

Otherwise, one of the main story lines would have been how the Rams committed three penalties that kept alive the Seahawks’ first scoring drive. And how penalties stunted several offensive opportunities.

There isn’t much room to shake, let alone for Gurley to run.

This is the same line that helped Gurley rush for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

The only position apparently unsettled at the start of the season was right guard. Jamon Brown and Cody Wichmann alternated at the outset, but now it’s Wichmann.

Wichmann, left tackle Greg Robinson, left guard Rodger Saffold, center Tim Barnes and right tackle Rob Havenstein need a more consistent push to spring Gurley.

You can expect better from Keenum.

Just look at last year’s game against the Buccaneers. Keenum passed for two touchdowns in the victory.

But Keenum came into the season as a career backup. And his performance this season – a 54% completion percentage and 57.8 passer rating – is not inspiring confidence.

Keenum is not going to be Aaron Rodgers, but he is capable of more.

Let’s see what happens Sunday.

Receiver Nelson Spruce has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury during the first exhibition against the Cowboys.

He has returned to practice, but I would not be surprised if he is inactive for Sunday’s game.

Maybe next week against Arizona.

Pharoh Cooper and Nelson Spruce were listed as doubtful, and cornerback E.J. Gaines questionable on the final injury report.

The release of strong-side linebacker Akeem Ayers before the opener created opportunity for rookie Josh Forrest, a sixth-round draft pick.

The Rams are most often playing four linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs. But they do switch into a base defense with three linebackers. Forrest apparently showed defensive coordinator Gregg Williams enough knowledge and skill to be trusted.

Coach Jeff Fisher has been cagey about Goff’s status.

One minute, he’s lauding him as No. 2. The next he’s being mysterious, declining to reveal whether Goff or Sean Mannion will back up Keenum against the Buccaneers.

We won’t know for sure until they announce the inactives 90 minutes before kickoff.

No complaints about the quality of your question. Thanks for sending it along.

There will be no trading of franchises.

The Raiders, of course, could still wind up in Los Angeles if the Chargers pass on the opportunity. But it seems more likely that you’ll be driving or flying to Las Vegas to get your fix of the Commitment to Excellence.

Wish I could say I’m a cap expert, but far from it.

I would direct you to two excellent websites:

Spotrac.com and overthecap.com

Cornerback E.J. Gaines and receivers Pharoh Cooper and Nelson Spruce are on the active roster, so their returns will not necessitate any roster moves.

Cornerback Coty Sensabaugh has struggled playing on the outside, but that’s not really where the Rams envisioned playing him. He’s better in the slot and that’s what makes Gaines’ return so imperative.

Receiver Brian Quick has four catches for 31 yards.

The Rams chose Jared Goff over Carson Wentz, so that decision will be scrutinized throughout both quarterbacks’ careers.

Wentz looked great in his first two starts for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Rams were particularly impressed with Goff’s pocket presence. He did not display too much of that during the exhibition season, so we’ll have to wait and see when he finally gets an opportunity to play.

I’m sure I will be asking Jeff Fisher that question again on Monday, if not Sunday depending on how Keenum and the offense performs against the Buccaneers.

After all, he did tell me to ask again.

Check with me on Sunday evening.

Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Rosie Grier and Lamar Lundy made up the famed “Fearsome Foursome,” a legendary defensive line.

I used to talk about them with my late Uncle Howard when I was growing up. A few years ago, I bought one of my good friends a white and blue No. 75 throwback jersey for his birthday. He loved Deacon Jones.

But I digress.

Those kinds of lines don’t come around very often.

The Rams might have some weak points, but the defensive line is not among them.

Tackle Aaron Donald is one of the best tackles in the NFL and Michael Brockers might be one of the more underappreciated. (Although his recent contract extension reflects his value to the Rams).

If Robert Quinn plays like he did against the Seahawks and William Hayes plays well, the Rams defense will be strong.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATimesklein