Jared Goff: 'I'll Pick Teddy's Brain'
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is looking forward to veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater joining the roster at some point later this week.
"I've crossed paths with him, just playing against him. And not outside of football," said Goff. "But, I've heard great things, and (I'm) excited to get him here. I've heard nothing but great things and how supportive he is and how much of a good dude he is having in a locker room."
For a veteran starter, having a solid backup can provide an unbiased viewpoint and an additional voice that can share experiences playing against other NFL defenses.
"It's good to have, I guess, like an unbiased point of view that can be honest with you and also be helpful in certain things that they've done. I'll pick Teddy's brain," Goff explained. "He's had a lot of ball under his belt, of things that he's done in the past and ways that he's done Monday's and Tuesday's and different things like that."
Young offensive weapons
Having young offensive weapons has been appealing to the 28-year-old signal-caller, as he is working to learn their strengths and getting them the football in spaces they can succeed.
"He's pretty good. He's pretty good in space. He's really special," Goff said, when asked about running back Jahmry Gibbs. "And, that's always our goal is to get those guys who are special in space, and he's one of them."
Tight end Sam LaPorta has found himself open quite regularly through the first 12 days of training camp.
"He's a great player. I mean, he was a second-round pick for a reason, and understands the game at a pretty high level and has a good feel for space," said Goff. "Plays without thinking and (just) reacting. And, of course, the rookie mistakes are going to happen. He's going to run the wrong thing or do the wrong stuff, but he's been eliminating those. The same ones haven't been happening twice, which is the goal. But, him with the ball in his hands and getting him in space is also a goal of ours."
Offense taking the next step forward
In the second year working in Ben Johnson's offense, Goff has worked to correct mistakes, and is benefitting from the challenge Detroit's defense has presented at camp.
"If last year was 101, we're in 201 now," Goff said. "It's our ability to kind of do things at the next level. And, it's challenging for me, as well. Just making sure every day that I know what my roles are and my checks and all that stuff. But, I know everyone else is doing the same thing, and it's taking the next step these last few weeks and feeling like we're in a good place."