Keeping it interesting on top: Reacting to Bradford's workout
by Ryan Van Bibber on Mar 29, 2010 2:14 PM CDT
in 2010 NFL Draft
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PrintSt. Louis Rams GM Billy Devaney and head coach Steve Spagnuolo were on the scene to watch Sam Bradford's pro day, along with lots of other big names from around the NFL. By all accounts Bradford wowed those in attendance, at worst, he did nothing to diminish his status a potential first overall pick in the draft.
Here's some more reaction from pundits and draftniks on the scene...and possible implications for the top of the draft.
Gil Brandt of NFL.com compared Bradford's workout to that of Troy Aikman, whom the Cowboys drafted first overall in 1989, Brandt's last year as VP of player personnel, and generally gushed about him.
Sam Bradford just finished his workout, and let me tell you, it was near flawless. I’m not saying he solidified his spot at the top of the draft, but he sure didn’t hurt himself. It was one of the best individual workouts I’ve seen in a long time. A real Picasso.
Here's the Aikman comparison...
It really was a treat to watch, and I think everyone here was in awe of Bradford’s performance. In fact, he put on the best quarterback workout by a draft prospect that I’ve seen since I watched a private workout Troy Aikman put on for us with the Cowboys in California.
New Seahawks coach Pete Carroll came away impressed, via Twitter:
Sam Bradford had a great workout at his pro day … He lit it up!
Chad Reuter of CBS and NFLDraftScout.com said this:
Bradford did nothing today to hurt his chances of being a top five pick. He completed 62 of 63 passes on the day, first warming up with his receivers before running through a 50-pass scripted session. The routes to be run were passed out to teams before the event started so they knew exactly what to expect. Bradford was crisp and accurate, with no signs of any problems with the shoulder injury that knocked him out for most of the 2009 season. He did not run or perform any other drills during the workout.
Some heavy hitters in attendance today, besides Pete Carroll, included Mike Holmgren, Washington GM Bruce Allen, Bills GM Buddy Nix, 49ers director of player personnel Trent Baalke and others.
Obviously, today's performance firms up the possibility of Bradford's status as a top pick in this year's draft. Though the Rams will have another private workout with him prior to the draft and bring him in for a visit next month, it seems more and more like the OU quarterback is a viable option for the Rams with the first overall pick in the draft.
There's another thing to consider here. If other teams think Bradford is a viable future face of the franchise, it just might give them more motivation to swing a trade, or at least consider that option. All in all, Bradford's effort today will at least keep things interesting atop the draft.
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Bradfords Work Out
Not wanting to get into the hype but at least he looked good given the benefit of the doubt nobody was pass rushing him. Hopefully he sold himself to every other team that way a trade can be made in order to fill in the many holes we need to fill.
I agree with the trade idea and how this really puts alot of value in the #1 overall pick...
But I mean if 32 NFL teams say they would take him then the rams have to give considerable thought not to let this one get away and grow a longer list of “the guy” quarterbacks that we have passed on.
Why is patience a virtue and procrastination a sin...I mean whats wrong with patiently procrastionating?
Ohh and I was a huge Suh fan
But I also don’t expect Spags to put his head on the chopping block and take a DT over a QB
Why is patience a virtue and procrastination a sin...I mean whats wrong with patiently procrastionating?
A trade may (read: should) now cost a kings ransom
While not wishing to get too carried away with the hype, in return for a pick that may provide the next Troy Aikman or Peyton Manning I would want substantial compensation.
This appears best possible result for the FO, and BD and Spags must make sure off what they eventually do with the pick. Whether they use or trade the pick, I’m not sure BD’s career could take another Ryan Leaf scale debacle, and I like this FO.
While we have a pile of needs, I’d love the investment to be put into this kid. I now want far more, for example, than the Redskins #4 overall pick and Jason Campbell.
Self-Righteousness and consceded
thats the look Bradford has in the above picture. Kinda Ryan Leafish – ouch!
I don't see that at all
you’ve been saying some pretty stupid stuff lately
Per fas et nefas - Latin translation="By Any Means Necessary"
Like ????
Dude, look again at his facial expression – it is like pffft, why am I here!
As far as stupid stuff, like you are all high and mighty with your jibberish.
I agree with Habte.
You continue to post nonsense and expect everyone to take it seriously. I’m not sure of your entire agenda, but two parts of it are clearly 1) to try to tear down Bradford and 2) to see how much attention you can attract to yourself, much like some of the desperate draftniks. Give it a rest.
Agenda, if that is what you want to receive it as
Is this:
I don’t support drafting a qb in the first round regardless of who it is this year. I see no franchise qb’s for the Rams. In life, some players excel in certain situations. A qb in the midst of ownership change, not to mention the fact that the Rams OL needs a season to gel and PROVE it can protect any qb. So, hopefully, Part #1 was answered.
As far as Part #2, in America, Freedom of Speech is a beautiful thing. I am a long time fan who will criticize as you obviously read. So, that is just it – why torture yourself by doing opposite of what you imply. I expect to know you’ll never read any comment of mine again – cool, I feel soooo much better knowing that, lol.
Looks like he's standing there with nothing to do
Because he didn’t have anything to do except watch the other QBs.
Looking somewhere else doesn't make him conceited
Maybe they’re getting instructions for a drill he doesn’t have to do so he doesn’t care.
I don't go off making ridiculous statements that can not backed up with facts. And I don't go off dissing a guy because I don't like him
So while I’m not trying to take away your right to freedom of speech I’m just saying do it a little less if you want to keep spewing garbage
Per fas et nefas - Latin translation="By Any Means Necessary"
Just a thought...
…coach Carroll might be suckering us into taking him because he’s in the division now. It’s funny how some Mocks have Suh falling to the Hawks at #6. That’d be sad.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
I don't think Caroll saying he was impressed would influence us at all.
I doubt the majority of our coaches even know he said that.
Same thought
At first I thought “WOW” Carroll liked him and he’s a good judge. Then I quickly remembered that he is the enemy now. I have not been impressed by the QBs comming out this year but maybe he IS the real deal. If he does have Aikman or comparable ability we would be stupid to pass on him. I don’t care how good Suh is. Its just hard to guess. Billy Cannon or Joe Montana.
Bradfords the pick
Now what to do in the second round
Can closed
by CanofRamz on Mar 29, 2010 5:17 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
What about the 'baby' factor?
First time poster here.
I keep hearing about how coddled Bradford has been. I know many top level athletes are, but are we looking at another Brett Favre without knowing his upside?
I’m glad he looked good. My greatest hope for the Rams is to trade down to 4 or 7 and grab Clausen or Okung and gain more picks … or even trade down to 10ish and grab Morgan for a pass rush.
Even if Bradford is a 15 year starter and considered good (but not great) isn’t the first overall pick a better value gaining more picks in this (a deep) draft? Sure, if he ends up being the second coming of Peyton Manning, he needs to be picked, but for a simple good QB, I’d rather drop down and grab Clausen or somebody next year.
There are too many holes on this team and Bradford has too many question marks for us to take him first overall. Period.
If we are stuck with the first overall, we need Suh or Clausen (both with higher floors, even if they potential have lower ceilings).
Welcome to TST.
And “Friends of Suh.” :D
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
A trade to get more picks is still the best route
as long as they are still able to get one of the top 2 QB IMHO (as long as the FO has as much confidence in Clausen that they are at least representing they have in Bradford). I just don’t think anyone will pay the requied price to move up…but you never know.
Free Brandon Wood!
Woah woah woah
Steven Jackson’s still the face of the franchise. Let’s not get carried away. Steven Jackson will be the face years after he’s retired. He’s just that good.
Comparisons to Aikman are foolishly premature
Come on. Really, come on. So someone thinks he looked like Aikman when Troy was a college kid. Maybe he looks like Leaf too. What does it matter? The chances of any QB turning out to be Aikman-ish are rediculously small and comparisons to HoF’ers are just as useless as comparisonss to busts.
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
But with people like Carrol and Brandt saying that it helps
if another FO buys into it and trades up for him. Long may it continue IMO.
As long as the FO make their own mind up on whether he provides more benefit to the team on our roster or as a trade chip, it can only improve our position should they want to use it as bargaining leverage, surely?
He's not saying Bradford=Aikman
He’s saying it was the best pre-draft workout since Aikman, which means Aikman’s was better.
And you know this how?
Are you an NFL GM or paid NFL scout? What gives you the magical ability to know more about QBs than guys who have worked their entire life in pro football?
I have. Were you old enough to watch Aikman play?
His arm was twice as strong as McCoy’s.
Well
If we draft Suh, he obviously improves our defense. If we draft Bradford, he will improve both our offense and defense. I think our main weakness last season was our inability to sustain drives and too many three n outs. I think our defense last year was good in stretches but they were and couldn’t keep it up cause our offense couldn’t score or keep the ball. Anyway I’m fine either way with who we draft.
Steve Nash plays D!!
correction
I think our defense last year was good in stretches but they got tired and couldn’t keep it up cause our offense couldn’t score or keep the ball.
Steve Nash plays D!!
poor play calling, penalties and lack of talent
this was greatest problem for Rams over past 4 seasons.
lack of talent – partly due to injuries.
and no QB to throw it
man u are so freaking against bradford, u don’t even look at the facts right
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
by stlcardsfan4 on Mar 30, 2010 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Same thing the pro-Bradford people are doing ...
Yes, I actually wore a watermelon on my head during the Rams SuperBowl victory in 2000.
I think part of the playcalling was they didn't feel confident in the personnel they had to throw to
IMHO, I think the TE’s were woefully inadequate recievers, from routes to hands. The Wides were inexperienced and then had injury problems. Then an injury to Bulger.
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 31, 2010 12:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Chicken or the egg?
Our offense ‘improves’ if we improve our defense and force more three and outs. So …
Yes, I actually wore a watermelon on my head during the Rams SuperBowl victory in 2000.
Our offense doesn't improve if we only improve the defense
They just fail more. The offense improving does help the D though because they get more breaks.
a better D should result in
the O having a shorter field in more ocassions, which in theory would mean more opportunities for points.
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 31, 2010 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions
rams
the offense was an awful debacle. IN a dt you get a run stuffer or a pass rusher or both that could help a lot on defense. In a quarterback you get a franchise face, lone revenue generator, leader on offense, channel through which all offense flows, more rest for the defense. There are other good option at DT in this draft. Can’t say the same for QB’s. Bradford is by and large the ebst guy on the board.
Bradford is the guy and lets just let the darn Suh/Mccoy talk die down…its not going to happen..
Bradford is the 3rd best option in my opinion if we can't trade down ...
… which makes him the 4th best option overall.
Show me where you’ve seen that he has ANY leadership qualities.
His shoulder is not nearly my biggest concern. I suppose someone in the NFL can TRAIN him to fall properly. I hope so if we are stuck with him.
Clausen is not quite the physical specimen, but he’s a leader (with a quick release) and has confidence.
Suh is … well, we are just beating this to death.
Give me a trade down.
Give me Suh.
Give me Clausen
Give me Okung.
Please, please, please … I’ll start going to church … anything … just don’t let us take Bradford unless he’s there at 4.
Yes, I actually wore a watermelon on my head during the Rams SuperBowl victory in 2000.
Your wrong
80 million dollar contract for the #1 pick…. That’s a massive financial risk for one of the prime defensive tackles at the top of the draft: Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska or former Sooner Gerald McCoy. But it’s a manageable financial leap for a healthy potential franchise changing quarterback, if that’s what the Rams believe Bradford is. And one major hurdle later, there isn’t anything that should have given the Rams pause.
Said an AFC representative on hand Monday: "If it’s a tie between those three players, it’s not really a tie at all – you always go with the quarterback in that situation. But I don’t think this is a tie. [Bradford] looks like everything you’d want."
DT at #1 will be cheaper than a QB at #1.
Besides, if we take Bradford, Feeley will be the starter, the franchise face, the lone revenue generator, and all around good guy.
What makes you say that?
I’m not saying its not a possibility but I don’t think its decided yet. Also, I’d be fine if Bradford sat out the entire season until we get one of those WRs next year. 2011 will be huge and will be where this regime sinks or swims. That being said, there’s no way Bradford sits out the whole year and I don’t really want him to, while I’d be okay with it.
Why in the world
is Clausen a leader and Bradford isn’t? Were you in the huddle with Bradford at any point?
For all the DT at #1 fans, please explain...
Your long-term solution at QB. If the team passes on 3 three franchise players in Ryan, Sanchez and Bradford, I’d like to know how you address the QB position moving forward. And by definition, long-term is not: Feeley, Null, Bulger or Mc Nabb.
I wouldn't count Sanchez
Sanchez wouldn’t have done much better than Null if he came to us. Sanchez had a 5 INT last year too. He has a great line, perhaps the best in the NFL, his rushing offense was ranked 1st in the NFL and his defense was the best in the league and the Jets still ended up 31st in passing offense, behind even the Rams lead by Keith Null for 1/4th of the season.
well, they were 2-8 in games he started...so better than the previous year's 0-16
but the whole point of taking a QB and starting them as a rookie (whether it be week 1 or 8) is not for them to make the team great THAT year – but for the purpose of giving them the experience to make the team great in the upcoming years.
Free Brandon Wood!
I think the preferred situation is to sit the rookie stud QB
so he can get much of it figured out without taking lumps. Such as Philly is doing with Kolb and Green Bay did with Aaron Rogers.
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 31, 2010 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Null and Reilly have not been tutored yet.
Rams will still have a high draft choice next season too. Personally, I like other qb’s this year from the 3rd round on down. I believe there is another Tom Brady out there in this year’s draft AND it ain’t Bradford, McCoy or Clausen!
this jokster thinks mike reilly can be better than bradford
comical to say the least
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
by stlcardsfan4 on Mar 30, 2010 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Perhaps, but...
You can’t argue that Sanchez is not a franchise QB because he had a bad 1st year. By that metric, both Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman would be disqualified.
He could still be good
but I was just never sold on him. I didn’t want to draft him last year and last year didn’t make me regret not getting him.
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