THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano witnessed the proverbial "Year 2 Leap" firsthand with Andrew Luck, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft. The game started to slow down; third-down blitz packages and safety rotations became easier to pick up.

By the end of it, Luck had cut his interceptions in half over the course of his second NFL season, his quarterback rating jumping from 76.5 to 87.0 from 2012 to 2013.

And that brings us to Jared Goff, a downright mystery in the build-up to the 2017 regular season.

Goff should be better as a second-year player, but by how much?

The Los Angeles Rams knew he needed work when they made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, but they probably didn't anticipate him needing that much. Goff wasn't named the starter until Week 11, then lost all seven of his starts and finished with a Total QBR of 22.2, the lowest among quarterbacks who played in at least five games.

But that was under dire circumstances. His offensive line was bad, his running game nonexistent, his receivers inferior and his coaching staff generally lacking in experience with his position. Now Goff is in a system that has proven to get the most out of quarterbacks, while operating behind an improved offensive line and throwing to a deeper, more talented group of receivers. And it's hard to really know what to expect.

Asked in what ways he believes he is better since the end of his rookie season, Goff said: "I think just understanding the intent of stuff that we do and understanding what the defense is trying to do and what the intent of their calls are, and different ways to attack it. With that, the game just begins to slow down a little bit. I think that's what you ultimately feel. I felt it from Year 1 to Year 2. At every level you're at, you get that slowdown effect a little bit from those two years. And I think it continues to slow down as time goes on."

The Rams have done their best not to put too much pressure on Goff, at least publicly. First-year head coach Sean McVay, who worked wonders with Kirk Cousins in Washington, has talked mostly about the need for Goff to limit turnovers and distribute the ball in an effort to open holes for his star running back, Todd Gurley, who didn't see many holes last season.

The expectations remain basic.

"We expect him to make good decisions, throw with accuracy and rhythm," McVay said. "If he does that, then I think he'll give himself a chance to play good football for us."

Goff is at a point in his career where he will frequently flash his potential and also make critical mistakes, reminding you that he is still only 22 years old. He threw six interceptions during a three-day stretch of practices during training camp, then went 16-of-20 for 160 yards and a touchdown during the ensuing game in Oakland.

Against the Chargers in the third preseason game, Goff put together an impressive first drive, expertly navigating the ball to the 8-yard line. Then he got stripped by Joey Bosa, leading directly to an opposing touchdown. Then, early in his next drive, he uncorked a wobbly interception.

McVay consumed a lot of Goff's 2016 game film as he prepared to interview for the Rams' head coaching job earlier this year. He saw what he calls "a natural thrower of the football" and someone who wasn't afraid to take hits in the pocket. When he finally sat down with Goff, he "sensed a guy that was motivated in the right ways." Since then, McVay said, "He's been a joy to coach."

"Very coachable; understands that it's about correction, not criticism, and he takes things in stride really well. One of the things I like the most about him is when things don't go as we planned, he doesn't flinch. I think that's something that you see in a lot of good quarterbacks -- their ability to respond from a bad play."

Goff went 112-of-205 for 1,089 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions for a team that finished the 2016 season with a 4-12 record. The Rams have since replaced the defensive-minded Jeff Fisher with McVay, a gifted offensive coordinator who brought in experienced offensive coaches in Matt LaFleur and Greg Olson.

They signed left tackle Andrew Whitworth and center John Sullivan, giving Goff two veterans on the offensive line. Then they traded for Sammy Watkins, signed Robert Woods and drafted Cooper Kupp, adding three young, talented receivers with different skill sets.

Now it's up to Goff to make it work.

He was asked if he feels the pressure that comes with being the No. 1 overall pick.

"I don't think so," Goff said. "I think I've always just tried to be the best player I can be, day in and day out. Try to be the best teammate I can be, day in and day out. And let the rest speak for itself."