More evidence that Bradford is good and getting better

by Ryan Van Bibber on Oct 7, 2010 8:59 AM CDT in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

With a running back like Steven Jackson and a QB like Sam Bradford is it any wonder that the St. Louis Rams are among the league leaders in their use of the play action pass?

Yesterday afternoon, ESPN's Mike Sando had this post on his NFC West blog, looking at passer ratings for NFL QBs on the play action passes. The post was focused on Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck and the addition of RB Marshawn Lynch, but the play action pass info for QBs once again shed some light on just how important Bradford and Jackson have been to the Rams offensive success through the first quarter of the season.

Only two teams and their QBs have attempted more play action passes than the Rams' Bradford who has 35, Denver's Kyle Orton with 45 and Houston's Matt Schaub with 36.

And just how successful has the rookie been on those plays?

Bradford is 22 of 35, a 62.5 percent completion rate. He has 260 yards with 2 TD, 1 INT and 2 sacks. His rating is 92.6, 15th best in the league. Only five QBs have more yards and only one has more touchdowns, though Bradford is one of 12 QBs with 2 TDs.

The thing to remember here is what people have been struggling with all season: Bradford is still just a rookie. His end zone INT to Earl Thomas last week was a perfect reminder of the kinds of things you're not likely to see as the former Oklahoma QB gets more NFL playing time.

As Bernie Miklasz pointed out in the PD the other day, Bradford has room for improvement with his accuracy, with 20.3 percent of his incompletions being the result of inaccuracy. That's encouraging because one of Bradford's top strengths coming into the league was his accuracy, and you still see plenty of that.

As he gets a better feel for the offense and his receivers, that will bet better. And then...imagine the possibilities.

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Bear in mind

A playaction pass depends almost entirely on pass protection. It takes more time to set up a PA, so the offensive line has to make sure the QB doesn’t get blown up while faking the run or immediately after. So much of the credit to the success of those playaction passes should go to the O-line as well. If they continue to stay healthy and our two tackles continue to improve, it could become the most successful option in the Bradford arsenal.

You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.

by 3k on Oct 7, 2010 11:35 AM CDT reply actions

I thought the whole idea of playaction was to neutralise the rush

Giving the QB more time to pick his nose before throwing the ball. A good playaction makes the pass rushers, or better yet the defense, think they are in a running play. With any luck by the time they figure out that the QB has the ball, the receivers are open and he has time to throw.
If run well, its an assist to the OL.
Bradford’s are exceptional. He sells them. I usually think he handed the ball off. That is, until I see him set up to pass. Most QBs you can tell they went through the motions but still have the ball.

by LARams1968 on Oct 7, 2010 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Detroit ?

In each of the Rams first four games I sat with confidence that they were going to win and well two of the four I was right. The Lions game gives me some unsettling feelings. The fact that they have play some stronger opponents with great success ( just not the win) tells me that we are in for a long one in Detroit. I need vSam to play his best game of the year! Go Rams GO!

The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!

by DevsLaRams on Oct 7, 2010 12:30 PM CDT reply actions

Agree

This will take a great game by the Rams to beat Detroit. They have really improved. Offensive line is just OK and secondary is just real average. Otherwise they are very solid. Great skill players on offense. Note to Bradford – go after Wade!

by 2cents on Oct 7, 2010 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I feels ya.

After 2 wins, I didn’t have such a good feeling about a three game winning streak. We’re definitely going to have to execute everything well to win this one.

I'm starting to like Pat Shurmur.

by douchiedude on Oct 7, 2010 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Would agree but I think SJ running at Suh would be a good idea its said he isnt very good against the run.

by chndlr54 on Oct 8, 2010 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Does that mean the other 79.7% of his incompletions are due to dropped passes?

by Rams311 on Oct 7, 2010 3:41 PM CDT reply actions

swatted balls and picks go into the other 79%

by mh39 on Oct 7, 2010 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

hahaha

I'm starting to like Pat Shurmur.

by douchiedude on Oct 7, 2010 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions

at least you got it

by Rams311 on Oct 8, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Also Bear in Mind...

The kid learned he would start just before the first game of the season. Four games = 1 month…Only a month working with the starters. Not bad Sam The Man.

by TLo247 on Oct 7, 2010 9:29 PM CDT reply actions

Seal the Edges

I think this week comes down to O line play against Suh and Vanden Bosch and D line sealing the edge on Jahvid Best. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the screen thrown back at us with Best. We have been stout up the middle but his specialty is screens and outside runs, hopefully we can seal it up and funnel him into our DT’s and Animal Jr. of course. Our secondary has looked good so I think Shaun Hill turns a couple over to us, so let’s hope we can play smart no turnover ball, and I think we can pull it off. By far though, this is the most talented offense even with Hill that we have seen. Go Rams, keep them under 17 and were all good.

by KingSamandI on Oct 7, 2010 11:39 PM CDT reply actions