Sprint Game Ball of the Week: Sam Bradford

by Ryan Van Bibber on Nov 9, 2010 10:52 AM CST in Sprint Game Ball of the Week

Sam Bradford has the St. Louis Rams looking at a much brighter future.

Last week, Rams fans made their choice for the St. Louis Rams first half MVP, overwhelmingly picking rookie QB Sam Bradford.

It's hard to disagree. Few thought a rookie QB, who just turned 23 yesterday, would have this much of an impact, especially on a team starved for offensive playmakers. The worst part about MVPs and that kind of thing is obscuring the contributions of other players. Turnarounds don't happen just because of quarterbacks, certainly not in the Rams' case anyway. However, it is the game's most important position, and Bradford is reminding fans just how important of a role the passer plays in today's league.

This is supposed to be a Game Ball of the Week post, a stretch to do on a bye week. However, coming at the halfway point of the season, might as well give the first half game ball to King Sam.

Bradford was named the NFL Rookie of the Month for October. And he's got a good line on the Offensive Rookie of the Year award if he continues to play at this pace.

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LONG LIVE THE KING!

We’d still be a garbage team without him!

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 9, 2010 11:25 AM CST reply actions

Not true.

I understand that many people are just watching the Rams for the first time since 2006, so I guess you wouldn’t understand the difference from last year to this year. But even though you might think it was all Marc Bulger’s fault for the team’s struggles recently (and it clearly wasn’t his fault, although he did go downhill after the big contract), the stats don’t lie.

This year, we are averaging 106.1 yards per game on the ground, as compared to 111.5 yards per game last year. So obviously the run game is not the reason for the turnaround.

Last year, we averaged 185.6 yards through the air per game with a 57.5 completion percentage. This year we are averaging 209.3 per game, with a 58.6 completion percentage. We also are getting slightly more TDs than INTs. This may be the reason for a big turnaround, but we are still averaging just 17.5 points a game (just about 6 points up from the 10.9 PPG last year).

However, on defense every single statistic has improved from last year (rushing yards per game is down by about 40 yards, pass yards per game is down about 20 yards). We are much better against both the run and pass, and are only allowing 17.6 points a game (compared to 27.3).

As we can see, the passing offense has been slightly better this year as compared to last, but the defense is drastically improved from last year. The defense is the reason we are 4-4 right now. If they play like they did last year, this team probably only wins the Washington game (but even then, the defense helped to set up the pivotal second TD of the game and sealed the game with a late INT).

by StopSpe on Nov 9, 2010 3:12 PM CST up reply actions

i think the big reason we are doing so much better on defense this year

is firstly scheme familiarity… secondly health and maturity (CL and JL I’m looking at you)
but ALSO

3rd down conversions. I don’t have the numbers in front of me but I’m pretty sure we’ve converted on 3rd down more times this season than the whole of last season lol
this is in part down to how well Sam is playing…

it’s never one thing, but one thing can trigger off several others… such as defensive improvements.
a more rested D = less yards and points given up.
we saw how the Rams D played hard but got tired and gave up…

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Nov 9, 2010 5:24 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the Infemous plug!

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 9, 2010 6:01 PM CST up reply actions

infemous plug? lol

i don’t know what you mean, but you’re welcome? lol

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Nov 9, 2010 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

You generally agreed with me :)

I forgot about the 3rd down conversion stats…nice! I’ve seen KING SAM is great on 3rd downs.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 9, 2010 6:44 PM CST up reply actions

lol yeah

I have always been a BIG Bradford fan, and his arrival has changed the air in our team… of course it’s not ALL him, but he has been a HUGE influence on this upturn.

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Nov 9, 2010 8:49 PM CST up reply actions

I agree, which is why I ain't gonna let anybody bad mouth him or suggest that he's not the reason for the turnaround. LOL!

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 10, 2010 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

Yes true

Like you, I am a Rams fan, and I agree that stats don’t like, people (like you) do, especially when trying to pass off a nebulous arguement that the defensive improvement is greater than the offensive improvement as fact. So, lets also include some more stats, shall we?

1. This year Bradford has thrown 11 TDs and 8 INTs, including 3 TDs and 4 INTs in the first two games. Since then he has thrown 8 TDs and 4 INTs. In the former two games, we are 0-2 and in the latter six games we are 4-2. When KING SAM plays well (meaning the offense) we win. When he doesn’t, we don’t. Your glorious defense wasn’t able to answer the bell in those games. Kind of like how the defense couldn’t stop the Bucs a couple of weeks ago when we had a lead. Although the OC turtled the offense in the 2nd half so he’s partly to blame too.
2. I agree that the running game isn’t changed much since last year.
3. This year KING SAM has thrown 11 TDs and 8 INTs. One could even say that 2 of the INTs against the Cards were BS because one was on a 4th down in the red zone when he was about to be sacked and so he just threw the ball up for no net loss, and the other was on a hail Mary at the end of the game. That makes 11 and 6…really. So if we extrapolate, that makes 22 TDs and 12 INTs over the year. If we don’t then it’s 22 and 16. Further extrapolation would suggest that KING SAM is only gonna get better, not worse so the difference should be even greater, and he will be up there with the greatest rookie QBs of all time. BUT, you can use either number and compare to last year: 11 TDs 21 INTs. This year is MUCH better! Oh, and by the way, 7 times last year the offense gave up a TD, so in a net sense, you could either say its KING SAM’s numbers compared to 4 TDs and 21 INTs or 11 TDs and 28 INTs.
4. I ain’t sayin’ that the defense isn’t better. It is a lot better. But the offense is LEAPS AND BOUNDS better!!! This has led to situations such as the defense being able to be more agressive, greater time of possession, and a tangible feeling that we can actually win games, a feeling that has been gone for years and years. Guys rally around THE KING and he has made everyone, including the defense a lot better.
5. You and the rest of the Suh-lovers will never get it! That’s why KING SAM had an overwhelming majority of votes for first half MVP. Without him, we’d still be the “same old Rams.”

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 9, 2010 6:00 PM CST up reply actions

I didn't say I was a Suh lover.

I like Sam, I’m glad we drafted him, he will be a great quarterback for years to come. I’m simply stating that the improvement from 2009-2010 was not because of Sam. He has made very little in the difference from last year to this year.

by StopSpe on Nov 9, 2010 7:17 PM CST up reply actions

very little difference?

i don’t want to argue, but there are numerous numbers that prove his impact has been great on this team. the easiest is the TD to INT ratio… hasn’t he got as many passing TD’s through week 8 than we had throughout all of last season? lol

Sam has been HUGE for us, and his play has helped the defense which has helped us win.

Football is the ultimate team sport and to say JUST sam or JUST the defense is pretty ignorant. it’s the perfect harmony of the two. (and more things)

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Nov 9, 2010 8:51 PM CST up reply actions

Certainly some of the improvement over last year comes from Bradford.

He allows us to control the ball longer, he doesn’t turn it over as much, and he gives the offense a real feeling of confidence. There is no question the defense is also playing much better than last year. Part of that is probably some new players, more familiarity with the defense, and not having to spend as much time on the field.

It’s a team game, and the improvements are on both sides of the ball, with offense and defense both helping the other along the way.

by andyhawk on Nov 10, 2010 12:07 AM CST up reply actions

Stop Spe: I’m simply stating that the improvement from 2009-2010 was not because of Sam. He has made very little in the difference from last year to this year.

Sounds like Suh-lovin’ to me!

Some people agree with you about the defense, but most don’t. I don’t. That makes you wrong but not crazy…LOL!

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 10, 2010 11:56 AM CST up reply actions

That is: some people agree with you about the defense being the PRIMARY reason for the turnaround...

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 10, 2010 11:57 AM CST up reply actions

So does he get anything from the TST?

I mean he got a trophy from the NFL Network for being rookie of the week or month or whatever it was…

We should pitch in and go down to the local taxidermist and get a severed rams head. You know that has a board on the back so that you can mount it on your wall.

It is probably much cheaper than the NFL Network trophy AND it is more usefull as home decor! :)

by leadhead on Nov 10, 2010 9:05 AM CST reply actions