Monday, 29 March 2010
Bradford impressive - but what did you expect?
By Rob Staton
Sam Bradford kicked off a big week of individual work outs by wowing onlookers at his pro-day. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was present and left this message via twitter: "Just leaving OU... Sam Bradford had a great workout at his pro day... He lit it up!" Gil Brandt from NFL.com was also blown away by Bradford's performance:
"Sam Bradford’s workout in front of representatives for all 32 NFL teams at Oklahoma’s pro day almost left me speechless. And that’s saying something.
"Bradford threw 63 passes (13 during a stationary period and 50 scripted throws) during the workout and, in my estimation, didn’t have one that was uncatchable. He moved around well, including throwing on the run out of the pocket, and went through the entire route tree. The scripted workout included three-, five- and seven-step drops, shotgun, and play-action plays, plus sprints and rollouts to both sides.
"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.
"If Bradford is feeling the effects of his shoulder injury or is experiencing any weakness, there were no indications of that. He threw with velocity during the entire workout."
- Gil Brandt, NFL.com
It now appears to be a near certainty that St. Louis will draft Bradford with the first overall pick. It's been a consensus choice for some weeks now, but people still wanted to see Bradford fully recovered from shoulder surgery and throwing for scouts. He's out there, making throws - and he'll be the #1 pick.
Even so - this is no big surprise. Oklahoma's pro-day is no different to any other - a collection of scripted throws in a comfortable environment. No pass rush, no pads and receivers you're familiar with. I'm not sure there's a first round prospect out there who would struggle in those circumstances. The performance part of today is no great shake. The fact Bradford appears healthy and has maintained eye catching physical statistics (6'5", 236lbs) is the key.
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14 comments:
Exactly, the fact that he looked good shouldn't be a surprise. He looked stronger at the combine and he and his doctor have been saying for over a week that he feels no pain. Like Charles Robinson pointed out, JeMarcus Russell looked great at his pro day. I'm not saying Bradford will be a bust like Russell, just that he has all the tools to look great throwing against nobody. The real test will come when he gets driven into the turf on that shoulder.
And since it seems a lock that STL will take Bradford, do you think they they should give up that 1st pick of the 2nd round to get Brandon Marshall? That way you keep him off the Seahawks and to go along with Avery, Jackson and Bradford, they would have some big time offensive threats.
So the big knock against Bradford is that (a) he's fragile and (b) he's super accurate because he has a lot of time. He proved that his shoulder has healed, but the questions about durability and poise under pressure have to remain. How is he going to survive behind the Rams makeshift OL with no weapons? How is he going to fare when he gets Rocky Bernard-ed or Leroy Hill-ed into the turf 30 times a season? Heck, how long is it going to take him to adapt to taking snaps from center when he's got pressure? I'm not saying the guy isn't going to succeed, but I don't think its clear that he can succeed without ideal conditions.
this kid is going to be a solid starter and a pro-bowler. enough said.
Watch the 2009 Florida game (2009 FedEx BCS National Championship Game)and you'll see how he plays against a top teir defense while getting knocked on his ass..... Fantastic,... as far as Russell, everyone but big Al wouldn't touch him, not cuz his arm,or other physical things but cuz his tude and lack of being a hard worker that actually gives a crap.... so no comparison... Bradford is the real deal and will be a superstar in this league in a few years baring injury. He makes quick reads,great decisions, has extreme accuracy,big enough arm for the pro game and is big ,strong and very driven. It's to bad the Hawks will be facing him twice a year from here on out. Bite your tongue about Marshall going there, damn, I just verpped!
Oh, yea, did I mention his wonderlic score? 36!
HA! I like Gil Brandt, this isn't a hash on him (or Bradford, it's consensus that he ripped it up).
But Brandt said the exact same thing about Alex Smith's pro-day performance when he came out of Utah ("best since Troy Aikman"). I guess he forgot he already used that phrase.
Unlike Alex Smith, bradford is a leader, a hard worker too.
PFT is reporting that Bradford might refuse to agree to a contract before being drafted.
Nick N.
Smith had a very good reputation going into the draft in regards to his work ethic. Team captain, leader of an undefeated team, double-major when he declared as a junior... One thing NFL teams are terrible at doing is grading intangibles, especially at the QB position. There's just no way to scout it, and most coaches will do whatever they can to get their guy drafted highly, either because they like them or because it helps recruit players with NFL aspirations.
Tim Malone, Rams GM Devaney is such a big character-first guy, it'd be hard to imagine him trading for Brandon Marshall. Otherwise, I'm sure they would already have been in the Marshall discussion.
Thanks Kyle--you took the words out of my mouth. Smith is probably one of the most intelligent guys in the league. I think he graduated with double majors as a junior.
He hasn't been good, but he's gotten a really raw deal until late last season (when he started to put it together a little bit).
Maybe, Coach Carrol should have waited until he saw Bradford throw before locking Whitehurst into a two year $10 million dollar deal.
Only time will tell if his decision pans out.
Don't be suprised when Carrol takes Clausen at 6. Hass one more year barring injury, Jesus 1 year barring pro-bowl type year then The Clausen show
Bradford didn't fool anyone in person, his arm is limp and he was unloading everything he had to throw every ball. Mayock has thrown away any objectivity and turned him self into a promoter for Mccoy, Tebow, Bradford, ala don king. This kid is Mark Bulger but less durable. People are quick to go after a Bucky Brooks and worship Mayock, but he is making a terrible read on this years QBs class.
Then again I though Leinart, Young, where sure misses and Cutler and Whitehurst where the best prospects at QB that year. You couldn't stop mayock from blowing Young and lienart. I get sick of being right year after year. I really hope I'm wrong but Clausen will be a HOF player, lucky Whitehurst will be OK.
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