"Outrageous to Pass on Bradford?" by Tough Love | The Pilot: Southern Pines, NC

Outrageous to Pass on Bradford?

April 17, 2010

I read where "sources" have told ESPN that "expected" top pick Sam Bradford and the Rams will not have a contract in place prior to the draft. They say the Rams "don't think they need" to have the player signed, and that Bradford has been "hesitant" to complete a deal anyway, and that the cost of having the NFL's No. 1 overall pick this year will be "staggering."

Based on the contracts of Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan, the last two FQAs (first quarterback drafted), Bradford will cost the Rams somewhere around $50 million guaranteed, $13 millon a season.

There always seems to be pressure on the team that drafts first to pick the "Consensus" No. 1 player, which is usually a select media's pick for top quarterback. It's not unheard of for teams to go against the consensus, though. The Houston Texans drafted Mario Williams over Reggie Bush in 2006.

Charley Casserly was subsequently crucified by the "Consensus."

The first thing I did after that happened was go to message boards to say that I thought it was a good move, and that Reggie Bush was a "third down running back."

Instantaneously, 100 people called me an idiot.

Four years later I stand on my statement, and I think the Rams need to think long and hard before they pass on whatever-his-name-is Suh. (Actually, it's Ndamukong).

Sam Bradford might be a great quarterback. I'd personally rather have Jimmy Clausen, after watching him lead crunch-time scoring drives over and over again last season in a pro style offense, while Bradford was shelved, no less. But who knows? Maybe Bradford will be a great pro quarterback.

He did have that one season two years ago where Oklahoma scored like 50 points a game and illegitimately played for the BCS championship.

I'm just saying. I know from watching him play, that almost every time Suh steps onto the field, he changes games. Pro bowlers don't break the bank. They build championships.

Until he steps onto the field and does something, Bradford's just another first-round quarterback who's got a chance to be great, and a chance to go bust.

Suh's the one it should be outrageous to pass on.

RmeMP 3 years, 1 month ago

I couldnt agree more - DT first, grab a QB in the second or even third round. Suh is a guarantee, and there is no guaranteed QB anywhere in this year's class. Bradford looks good, but not NEARLY as dominant a player as Suh. BTW: Defense builds winners!

RD28327 3 years, 1 month ago

Offense fills the seats and defense wins championships. Suh is a monster. Some team better draft him because he'll go very quick in the draft.

HeelsHoopFan 3 years, 1 month ago

If Clausen does not go early he may drop down to late or middle second round. I think Bradford is the man and appears to be as talented as Sanchez et al. I think he is worth a roll of the dice. What amazes me is the business aspect of the NFL. There used to be a break in the season, but basically the NFL is year round. American sports fans are consumed with the League.

NBA playoffs and MLB are hot and we are talking about NFL. I wonder if the tarnish of the Bengals and Steelers will adversely impact the NFL? The Commish must address the issues and I do think Tiger's fall from grace will affect the League. How can the same sport reporters rag about Tiger and not address the larger problems the NFL has with its personnel. Folks are actually dying and in danger of doing so by the actions of some players in the NFL. I'm a big fan of the Colts and Bucs, but man...... they got to clean up the League! Peace.

jkrahnert3 3 years, 1 month ago

Right on, Patrick. I'm not sold on Bradford either. Great talent, no question, but from a business standpoint, I'd be wary of investing that much cash into a kid coming off of a shoulder injury.

I think this quarterback class is pretty underwhelming. I've never been all that impressed with Clausen. Who knows if Tebow will translate to the NFL. I think I like McCoy the best, though the "experts" knock his size.

Hard to pass on a game-changing d-lineman, especially if you're a defensive-minded coach like Spagnuolo in STL. Look what Peppers did for the Panthers right out of the gate.

Worst case scenario, Suh goes #2 to Detroit, unless Matt Millen walks through the door again.

@Heels Agree that draft coverage is overkill. But, people watch this non-stop coverage (I don't). The NFL is now the national pastime.