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Are the Rams moving Sam Bradford up their draft board?

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  • #1

    Are the Rams moving Sam Bradford up their draft board?

    Are the Rams moving Sam Bradford up their draft board?
    by VanRam on Feb 9, 2010 1:56 PM CST in 2010 NFL Draft

    Here's a little more insight for the discussion of whether or not the St. Louis Rams will be looking to draft a quarterback when Christmas in April arrives.

    The issue of the Rams drafting a QB is inextricably linked to the discussion of no-so-consensus first overall pick Ndamukong Suh and the Detroit Lions, who pick behind the Rams at our usual number two spot. This latest information comes from a post centered on the emerging meme of whether or not Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy is a better DT than Suh. Blah, blah, blah...expect lots more of that as the weeks go by. Now, let's get the grist of this post. From a post today at MLive.com, the online outlet for a consortium of Michigan newspapers:

    In talking to a couple of well-informed folks from St. Louis last week at the Super Bowl, two interesting points came up.

    The first is one that I've been talking about for awhile -- that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, once he proves his injured right shoulder is OK -- could move into that No. 1 spot. The Rams are desperate to replace Marc Bulger, who is not in the team's long-term plans.

    That shouldn't be much of a surprise. Last year, Bradford, coming off his Heisman-winning campaign, would have been considered by many the top player available in the draft, certainly the top QB. He's throwing again and is said to be ahead of schedule on rehabbing from his shoulder injury. Bradford will not participate in drills at the Combine, but he is predicted to be ready to go for Pro Day at OU, which should happen sometime in March. Ok, now, back to the Rams and why the idea of drafting a QB isn't such a far out possibility.

    The other interesting piece of information was that the Rams had considered drafting USC quarterback Mark Sanchez with the second overall pick last year. The Jets trading up to No. 5 and taking Sanchez was considered a reach so the Rams would've taken plenty of heat for taking Sanchez at No. 2 -- which is why they didn't. But after the rookie performance by Sanchez, it appears the Rams -- who took tackle Jason Smith -- made a mistake.

    Remember, the Rams had some offers to trade down; the terms just weren't acceptable enough for GM Billy Devaney to pull the trigger. Supposedly, Devaney made a 2010 first round pick a precondition of any trade at last year's draft. Regardless, we kind of already knew that the Rams were interested in and considered drafting Mark Sanchez last year, but the notion that taking some heat for using the second pick was a reason never entered into the conversation. How much of a concern was it? I'm not surprised that the issue played into their decision, but I still tend to think that ultimately the team realized just how badly they needed to address the offensive line before they invested in another QB.

    Either way, I think it's safe to assume that Devaney and his draft cadre will most certainly be seriously considering their options at QB and weighing that against the other options available to them in the draft.
    :ramlogo:
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  • #2
    Re: Are the Rams moving Sam Bradford up their draft board?

    We need Suh!!! Colt will be available in the second or somebody else. Please get Suh!!!
    LA RAMMER

    It's Jim not Chris
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HNgqQVHI_8

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Are the Rams moving Sam Bradford up their draft board?

      Originally posted by eldfan View Post
      Are the Rams moving Sam Bradford up their draft board?


      The other interesting piece of information was that the Rams had considered drafting USC quarterback Mark Sanchez with the second overall pick last year. The Jets trading up to No. 5 and taking Sanchez was considered a reach so the Rams would've taken plenty of heat for taking Sanchez at No. 2 -- which is why they didn't. But after the rookie performance by Sanchez, it appears the Rams -- who took tackle Jason Smith -- made a mistake.

      Remember, the Rams had some offers to trade down; the terms just weren't acceptable enough for GM Billy Devaney to pull the trigger. Supposedly, Devaney made a 2010 first round pick a precondition of any trade at last year's draft. Regardless, we kind of already knew that the Rams were interested in and considered drafting Mark Sanchez last year, but the notion that taking some heat for using the second pick was a reason never entered into the conversation.
      I hate this notion with a passion. This is not high school, this is Pro Football, and teams make decisions based on what they think is best for their franchise. They do not make decisions based on the presumed "heat" that the organisation would take for drafting a rookie QB higher than where he was projected to go. The bottom line is that if the Rams felt Sanchez was the right player for them, they would have selected him.

      Moreover, this article neglects the fact that Sanchez inherited an offense which was assembled almost entirely prior to his arrival. When coupled with an elite OL, one of the game's most consistent RB's and two explosive change of pace backs and a gem possession receiver in Jericho Cotchery, a rookie QB has all the tools at his disposal to have at least some success. On top of that, the Jets actively sought to acquire a #1 receiver from Cleveland, in Braylon Edwards, to give Sanchez even more opportunities to succeed.

      Had we drafted him to start in STL, he would have been playing behind God knows who at right tackle (he's a left-hander) with a cast of nobodies at WR and the notable exception to the rule, Steven Jackson, in the backfield. It would have made little sense for the Rams to select Sanchez with nobody around him to help.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Are the Rams moving Sam Bradford up their draft board?

        Decent post, Bar-bq, however, for your info, M. Sanchez throws with his right arm not his left. Also, I had advocated taking him at #2 but with the intention of trading him to the highest bidder.

        Having said that it might have been too much risk for Billy's blood.

        WHAT SAY YE?

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        • #5
          Re: Are the Rams moving Sam Bradford up their draft board?

          Last year we sought to win the battle in the trenches and there was no way we could get a high priced QB and Keep Bulger. And if we released Bulger last year we would have lost money. SO it did not make sense last year. However by releasing Bulger this year we save 4 mil so we dont have to deal with the money thing.

          But the last few years we have just gone for the safe picks we took Chris Long and Jason Smith 2 very safe picks that teams need. But we also need a playmaker. I think if Sam Bradford proves he is fine then we should have a huge debate over Suh vs. Bradford.

          It's very hard to win in this league without a QB. The last 3 years we've been trying to do it with a QB that is all banged up and look where it has got us 6 wins in 3 years.

          Right now i say definitely Suh is our guy but waiting till Bradford's pro day is a good idea.



          And yes there is a huge difference with Bradford vs. the 2nd round QB

          Unlike Colt McCoy Bradford can make all the throws even the deep ones and bradford's foot work and techniques are very textbook so there is no adjustment period needed for that

          Unlike Lefevour Bradford has experience under center and just has pin point accuracy


          Yes Bradford had good protection but he does have a quick release and makes great decision by the end of pre season we will see if he can make quick decisions.

          So lets wait till OU's pro day.

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          • eldfan
            Is Sam Bradford No. 1? Pro day will show QB's worth to Rams
            by eldfan
            By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY

            When Sam Bradford shows off his surgically repaired throwing shoulder at his March 29 pro day in Norman, Okla., the St. Louis Rams should get a good indication whether the quarterback factors into their plans as the clock ticks toward their first overall pick in the April 22 draft.
            Rams general manager Billy Devaney, coach Steve Spagnuolo and the Rams staff must decide whether to pull the trigger on the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma.

            ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay says the top pick in this year's draft is Bradford's to lose after the quarterback met with Devaney and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur last week at the Athletes' Performance Institute training facility near Pensacola, Fla.


            THE HUDDLE: Rams deny they're trying to obtain Donovan McNabb
            DRAFT ORDER: First-round selection order

            "Unless something is fundamentally wrong — his throwing motion has changed, if he's not getting nearly as much zip on the ball, if there's something that just jumps out at you and is alarming and creates concern — I don't think his pro day will affect that opportunity to be the No. 1 pick," McShay says. "It's the (Rams') biggest need and the most important position."

            Defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska and Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma are widely considered the best players in this draft, rare talents at a valued position.

            But if Bradford proves healthy, he's the best quarterback at the NFL's most critical position. And no matter how good Suh and McCoy appear, a franchise quarterback makes their worth pale.

            In a quarterback-driven league, the Rams have two designated drivers — banged-up veteran Marc Bulger and perennial backup A.J. Feeley, two potential bridges to whomever they designate as their future.

            So the pressure is on Bradford to win his pro day and win over the Rams.

            "Franchise quarterback trumps all," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock says. "No matter how good you think Suh and McCoy are, if you believe Bradford is a franchise quarterback — and by the way, your building is kind of empty of franchise quarterbacks — Bradford has to be the first discussion.

            "If the medical question is blessed by their doctors, it makes it easy.

            "The Rams passed on (Mark) Sanchez and Matt Ryan (in the 2009 and 2008 drafts, respectively). Do they want to pass on another potential franchise quarterback?"

            What will Spagnuolo be looking for on Bradford's pro day?

            "I'll be looking for the presence, how he is around teammates because he's in his own setting now," Spagnuolo said. "Then, medically, (assessing) the shoulder. I'll try and grab him early by myself just come away with an overall impression."

            Some feel Bradford would have been the...
            -03-25-2010, 07:05 AM
          • AvengerRam_old
            Sam Bradford is the true "Wild Card" for the Rams first choice.
            by AvengerRam_old
            Last year at about this time, I suggested that, by the time the draft rolled around, Mark Sanchez could be on the Rams short list of players to select with the second pick in the draft. Many scoffed and, truth be told, even I was a bit uncertain with my prognostication. Of course, in the end, Sanchez rose from late first round prospect and became a top 5 pick on the strength of his workouts and interviews.

            I can see a similar scenario occurring with Sam Bradford.

            Last year, before Bradford decided to return to Oklahoma, many had him rated as a potential first pick in the draft. Then, as fate would have it, his season was scuttled by a shoulder injury.

            Now, he is still considered a top 10 pick by most, but there are question marks.

            So here are the "what ifs."

            What if the doctors say he is fine and that there should be no long term impact from his shoulder injury?

            What if he impresses at the Combine and/or his individual workouts?

            What if he presents as a confident leader in his interviews?

            If these things happen, the Rams very well could decide that the time is now to take a chance at drafting a potential franchise QB.

            If that occurs, there will still be decisions to make. The Rams could, of course, simply select Bradford first. Alternatively, they could smokescreen a desire to take Ndamukong Suh and try to trade down. The logical trade partner would be Tampa, who likely would covet Suh, and would not take QB with the first choice (having spent a first round pick last year on a QB). Such a plan would not be foolproof, though. If, as some have speculated, the Redskins want Bradford, they could trade up with Detroit and take him at #2, thereby leaving the Rams to take who? (G.McCoy? Clausen?).

            I'll leave the trade issue out of the analysis for now and simply say this.

            Right now, I see Suh as being a prospect who is extremely likely (say 75%) to be an impact player at a very important position.

            Right now, I see Bradford as being a prospect who has a decent chance (say 40-50%) to be an impact player at the MOST important position.

            With those odds, I go with Suh (absent a great trade offer).

            But if Bradford's stock rises, and I start to see him as having a better than 50% chance of being a franchise QB... then the choice becomes very difficult.

            Bottom line: we're in the first lap of a multi-lap race. Its way too early to call the winner.
            -02-02-2010, 08:03 AM
          • garver
            Stafford, Sanchez, and Bradford
            by garver
            I know it really doesn't matter but I was just curious about this. What if Bradford, Stafford, and Sanchez all were in same draft, would people consider Bradford in this class? I know it might be hard to compare but I would just like to get an idea. Would some say Bradford is better choice than the other two, would some say he isn't even in same class, or would he be right there with the other two? On a side note I'm one of a few that probably think that Sanchez is over rated.
            -04-18-2010, 06:34 AM
          • r8rh8rmike
            Burwell: Advice Rolls In For Rams On No. 1 Pick
            by r8rh8rmike
            Advice rolls in for Rams on No. 1 pick

            By Bryan Burwell
            ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
            02/28/2010


            INDIANAPOLIS —Now that the center of the pro football universe has descended on this place for the NFL scouting combine, it's hard to find anyone within a six-block radius of Lucas Oil Stadium who isn't eager, willing or able to offer the Rams a little helpful or slightly misguided advice about how to use that rather valuable No.1 overall pick in the NFL draft.

            In coffee shops and hotel lobbies, greasy-spoon diners and five-star steak houses, on windy street corners and comfy stadium luxury boxes and just about every other place where more than one NFL executive, coach, TV talking head or ink-stained sportswriter might gather to dish rumors and dispense information, it doesn't take long to gather an opinion about who the Rams will, or should, draft.

            In a nutshell, it is a two-man race to the Radio City Music Hall center stage with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on April 22nd. It's either Nebraska's all-world defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma's strong-armed, but surgically uncertain quarterback Sam Bradford, and it is a furious and intriguing debate that won't be decided before the Rams football trinity of team vice president Kevin Demoff, general manager Billy Devaney and head coach Steve Spagnuolo return to St. Louis on Tuesday evening.

            There's a lot of late momentum building here for the Rams to take Bradford instead of Suh, but it's for all the wrong reasons.

            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."

            If after exhaustive research, scouring through a million miles of game footage, a half-million miles of practice footage, a thousand interviews with everyone from the kid's high school shop teacher to the assistant locker-room attendant, Spags, Devaney and Demoff come away convinced by reports from their scouting department that Bradford is the smarter pick than Suh, then they ought to go for him.

            But 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...
            -02-28-2010, 06:52 PM
          • eldfan
            QB or no QB? In draft, Rams in search of new face for franchise
            by eldfan
            By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY


            INDIANAPOLIS — The St. Louis Rams own the first overall pick and a likely draft-day quarterback quandary.
            The consensus best prospects among evaluators of this draft class are defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska and Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma.

            But if healthy, former Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is considered the top quarterback and the 1-15 Rams are a franchise without a face.

            They seem set on moving on from the battered and beaten-up Marc Bulger and are in desperate need of a long-term answer at quarterback to energize their fan base.


            FROM THE COMBINE: Top prospect Dez Bryant won't work out
            DRAFT ORDER: How teams will select in the first round

            On Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter guaranteed on-air that the Rams will select Bradford first overall in the April 22-24 draft.

            One problem. Bradford, who is rehabilitating his throwing shoulder following Oct. 28 AC joint reconstructive surgery, won't throw for teams until his March 25 personal pro day in Norman, Okla.

            Only then will teams have a better idea about the status of the shoulder of the top-rated quarterback prospect.


            PHOTOS: NFL scouting combine

            "That took a lot of pressure off us right away when Dr. Schefter cleared him medically," Rams general manager Billy Devaney cracked Friday. "We feel really good about the health status of Sam Bradford now with Dr. Schefter giving him a clean bill of health and guaranteeing our pick. So we're on to the second round right now."

            Devaney did concede the team is considering Suh, McCoy, Bradford and Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen. "I think we pretty much know who the potential candidates are," he said.

            He also conceded the organization is still mulling which position can help the team most.

            "Sure," he said. "When you're 1-15, there's a lot of different directions you can go and we're still trying to figure that out. There are four guys that will be given consideration. But we have to be prepared for anything (a trade down).

            "Those four guys, we like everything about them so far."

            The Rams have taken a defensive linemen near the top of the draft in two of the last three years, with defensive tackle Adam Carriker (2007) and defensive end Chris Long (2008).

            No team has called yet with any offers for the top pick. What's more, the Rams have not talked to the Philadelphia Eagles about quarterback Michael Vick.

            "I can tell you this, we have not talked to Philadelphia about any of their players," Devaney said.

            Devaney did insist: The Rams can't overdraft for position.

            "If it gets down to we think the defensive tackles, these two kids, are far and away...
            -03-01-2010, 12:36 PM
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