I keep hearing some very smart football people swear that the Rams have no choice but to draft...

I keep hearing some very smart football people swear that the Rams have no choice but to draft Bradford because they failed to take Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez the last two seasons.

Really?

That scares me because that sort of misguided logic violates one of the most sacred rules of smart drafting. As Giants general manager Jerry Reece said Saturday, "You should always try to avoid reaching for your needs in the draft."

Please don't do this because it's a matter of need, or worse yet, it's a business decision based on some silliness that you can't invest $12 million on a defensive tackle. It has to be because everyone is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Bradford is in fact a better player than Suh.

Here's what I rarely heard from the NFL folks who touted Bradford over the past few days: I never heard one of them say they were absolutely, positively certain that you draft Bradford because he's a can't-miss stud passer who will become the next Dan Marino, Joe Montana or Peyton Manning. Most of them said he was going to be a "good" quarterback. Some of them said he was going to be a "very good" quarterback.

Well, I don't want "good" or even "very good" with the first overall pick in the draft.

Comments

Very well said.

by RamsFan1979 on Mar 1, 2010 10:48 AM CST reply actions

Bryan... you... complete... me

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi

by VTramsFan on Mar 1, 2010 10:52 AM CST reply actions

Rarely does everyone on a staff 100% agree on the player they choose. There’s just too many people with varying degrees of input. This usually doesn’t get talked about though, as they like to portray team unity, but I have read of it happening many, many times. Not bickering and disunity, but a simple difference of opinion over who they should take.

I’d be surprised after the Ryan Leaf debacle if they didn’t learn its never an absolutely guaranteed, sure thing. So I doubt you will hear them say that, at least about QB’s. That being said, I get the feeling Devaney believes in himself. And he should. Dude is smart.

by CoachConnors on Mar 1, 2010 11:03 AM CST reply actions

I listened to Burwell this morning.

It’s a real chore for me because he is such a hypocrite and has such an ego, but I did while I was driving. They were talking to an ESPN draft guy. The ESPN guy made the point that no first round defensive tackle in recent drafts has stepped right in and been a star in his first year in the NFL. He feels there is no reason to believe Suh or McCoy will be any different. He was leaning toward the Rams taking Bradford if everything checks out okay medically and with his pro day, since there is at least as good a chance he will be solid in his first year as either DT (in his opinion). Burwell started coming around and agreeing that may be true. Burwell is not as sold on drafting a DT as you may think. It all depends upon which day you hear him.

by andyrose on Mar 1, 2010 12:29 PM CST reply actions

Bradford has "at least as good a chance he will be solid in his first year as either DT"? - No

Burwell is wrong about that. No way a spread offense QB steps right in and is as effective as a DT that can play anywhere on the line like Suh. Long term maybe more effective, but not in year 1.

by CoachConnors on Mar 1, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions