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Rams need to show some fortitude and draft Bradford
Bernie Miklasz
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/11/2010
As the Rams ponder their options for the No. 1 overall draft pick, it's probably a good time to ask a pertinent question: Are the Rams ready to rejoin the National Football League?
The NFL has evolved dramatically in recent years. This is a passing league now. The salary-cap system went into place in 1994, or 16 seasons ago. Over that time, the league's second-highest average of passing yards per game occurred in 2009, and the fourth-highest passing average came in 2008. In terms of average yards per attempt, four of the five best passing seasons since '94 have come over the last four seasons.
These aren't meaningless yards, either. If a team is incapable of doing considerable damage through the air, then the odds of success are limited. And yes, the numbers back that up.
Over the past three seasons, the teams that finished among the top third in the NFL in overall passing yards have claimed 21 of the 36 postseason spots. In 2009, nine of the top 10 passing teams — and 10 of the top 12 — made it to the postseason.
Message: Throw it or go home.
That brings us to Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford.
The Rams are eyeing Bradford as a strong possibility for No. 1 overall. As they should be — provided Bradford passes inspection when doctors examine his surgically repaired right shoulder.
Of course, the idea of drafting a quarterback first overall has caused an eruption of high-pitched clucking from the precious Chicken Littles among us. These are jittery shaking Rams fans who have decided it's insane to draft a quarterback No. 1 overall.
Why?
Because the Oakland Raiders did it in 2007 and JaMarcus Russell went bust. And because Houston did it in 2002 and David Carr flopped. And because San Francisco took the chance on Alex Smith at No. 1 overall in 2005 and he hasn't ascended to an elite level.
According to the nervous nellies, Joey Harrington (No. 3 overall, Detroit, 2002) is another example of the disaster that awaits any team reckless enough to take a QB at the top of the first round.
Apparently the logic works like this: (A) Other NFL teams have erred in past in choosing quarterbacks, therefore (B) Bradford is doomed to fail if the Rams tap him April 22.
And then there are Dr. Chicken Littles. The Doctor Littles are experts on shoulder injuries.
Just thinking about Bradford's shoulder makes them tremble.
Well, we all know that it is impossible for a quarterback to recover from shoulder surgery. Just ask the New Orleans Saints, the dumbbells who gave Drew Brees 60 million free-agent dollars before the 2006 season. And the Brees injury concern — rotator cuff surgery — was more severe than what Bradford faces.
Someone please refresh my memory: How did Brees work out for New Orleans?
Look, folks. We can do the Safety Dance for another decade or so if you want, but at some point the Rams have to man up and take a calculated gamble on a rookie quarterback.
And not a cautious, cover-your-tail pick, either. I'm talking about a first-round rookie QB. An early first-round, potential franchise quarterback. A promising new face and image for your sad-sack team. A symbol of hope for a futile franchise.
Bradford has accuracy, he's a winner, he scored high on the intelligence test and by all accounts is a high-character individual. If his shoulder is good to go — and every indication is that it will be — then he's worthy of the top pick. Especially for a team that does not have a quarterback.
And before anyone has another anxiety attack, let me add this: Yes, the Rams need receivers and a better offensive line. I know that. I also know it would be silly to hurl an overexposed Bradford into a shark tank. The wiser approach would be to gradually ease him in.
But the Rams wouldn't be drafting Bradford with 2010 in mind; we're talking about a long-term franchise piece here. This is about the big picture. And it's another reason you keep Steven Jackson; a strong running game will help protect a kid quarterback.
You just can't keep hiding under the covers forever as Matt Ryan, Mark Sanchez, Joe Flacco or other first-round QB talents go elsewhere and compete in postseason games.
Sure, you can hope to get lucky and have another Kurt Warner walk out of an Iowa grocery store to save the day. But Warner is a once-in-a-lifetime miracle man.
And when did the NFL draft become an exercise in cowardice?
If the Rams love Bradford and are convinced that he's got the right stuff, then they should follow their judgment.
News flash: Any player picked at No. 1 overall carries risk. Wary, worried fans who want that safe defensive tackle should Google the name Steve Emtman. There is no such thing as a sure thing.
But your best shot for finding one is in the first round.
Fact: Over the last 10 seasons, 120 NFL teams have made the playoffs. And of those 120 postseason entries, 64 were led by first-round QBs. That's 53.3 percent, and it blows away the rest of the board.
The next-best round for finding a playoff quarterback? The sixth round, thanks (mostly) to Tom Brady and Matt Hasselbeck. Sixth-round QBs took their teams to the playoffs 15 times.
You see, when the Chicken Littles cackle endlessly about first-round QB failures and bring up Akili Smith and David Klinger, they neglect to mention that No. 1 picks were used to draft Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Carson Palmer, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rogers, Flacco, Ryan and Sanchez.
Besides, the sky already has fallen on the Rams.
Now they need a quarterback to pump it up and put that bright sky back in place.
Bernie Miklasz
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/11/2010
As the Rams ponder their options for the No. 1 overall draft pick, it's probably a good time to ask a pertinent question: Are the Rams ready to rejoin the National Football League?
The NFL has evolved dramatically in recent years. This is a passing league now. The salary-cap system went into place in 1994, or 16 seasons ago. Over that time, the league's second-highest average of passing yards per game occurred in 2009, and the fourth-highest passing average came in 2008. In terms of average yards per attempt, four of the five best passing seasons since '94 have come over the last four seasons.
These aren't meaningless yards, either. If a team is incapable of doing considerable damage through the air, then the odds of success are limited. And yes, the numbers back that up.
Over the past three seasons, the teams that finished among the top third in the NFL in overall passing yards have claimed 21 of the 36 postseason spots. In 2009, nine of the top 10 passing teams — and 10 of the top 12 — made it to the postseason.
Message: Throw it or go home.
That brings us to Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford.
The Rams are eyeing Bradford as a strong possibility for No. 1 overall. As they should be — provided Bradford passes inspection when doctors examine his surgically repaired right shoulder.
Of course, the idea of drafting a quarterback first overall has caused an eruption of high-pitched clucking from the precious Chicken Littles among us. These are jittery shaking Rams fans who have decided it's insane to draft a quarterback No. 1 overall.
Why?
Because the Oakland Raiders did it in 2007 and JaMarcus Russell went bust. And because Houston did it in 2002 and David Carr flopped. And because San Francisco took the chance on Alex Smith at No. 1 overall in 2005 and he hasn't ascended to an elite level.
According to the nervous nellies, Joey Harrington (No. 3 overall, Detroit, 2002) is another example of the disaster that awaits any team reckless enough to take a QB at the top of the first round.
Apparently the logic works like this: (A) Other NFL teams have erred in past in choosing quarterbacks, therefore (B) Bradford is doomed to fail if the Rams tap him April 22.
And then there are Dr. Chicken Littles. The Doctor Littles are experts on shoulder injuries.
Just thinking about Bradford's shoulder makes them tremble.
Well, we all know that it is impossible for a quarterback to recover from shoulder surgery. Just ask the New Orleans Saints, the dumbbells who gave Drew Brees 60 million free-agent dollars before the 2006 season. And the Brees injury concern — rotator cuff surgery — was more severe than what Bradford faces.
Someone please refresh my memory: How did Brees work out for New Orleans?
Look, folks. We can do the Safety Dance for another decade or so if you want, but at some point the Rams have to man up and take a calculated gamble on a rookie quarterback.
And not a cautious, cover-your-tail pick, either. I'm talking about a first-round rookie QB. An early first-round, potential franchise quarterback. A promising new face and image for your sad-sack team. A symbol of hope for a futile franchise.
Bradford has accuracy, he's a winner, he scored high on the intelligence test and by all accounts is a high-character individual. If his shoulder is good to go — and every indication is that it will be — then he's worthy of the top pick. Especially for a team that does not have a quarterback.
And before anyone has another anxiety attack, let me add this: Yes, the Rams need receivers and a better offensive line. I know that. I also know it would be silly to hurl an overexposed Bradford into a shark tank. The wiser approach would be to gradually ease him in.
But the Rams wouldn't be drafting Bradford with 2010 in mind; we're talking about a long-term franchise piece here. This is about the big picture. And it's another reason you keep Steven Jackson; a strong running game will help protect a kid quarterback.
You just can't keep hiding under the covers forever as Matt Ryan, Mark Sanchez, Joe Flacco or other first-round QB talents go elsewhere and compete in postseason games.
Sure, you can hope to get lucky and have another Kurt Warner walk out of an Iowa grocery store to save the day. But Warner is a once-in-a-lifetime miracle man.
And when did the NFL draft become an exercise in cowardice?
If the Rams love Bradford and are convinced that he's got the right stuff, then they should follow their judgment.
News flash: Any player picked at No. 1 overall carries risk. Wary, worried fans who want that safe defensive tackle should Google the name Steve Emtman. There is no such thing as a sure thing.
But your best shot for finding one is in the first round.
Fact: Over the last 10 seasons, 120 NFL teams have made the playoffs. And of those 120 postseason entries, 64 were led by first-round QBs. That's 53.3 percent, and it blows away the rest of the board.
The next-best round for finding a playoff quarterback? The sixth round, thanks (mostly) to Tom Brady and Matt Hasselbeck. Sixth-round QBs took their teams to the playoffs 15 times.
You see, when the Chicken Littles cackle endlessly about first-round QB failures and bring up Akili Smith and David Klinger, they neglect to mention that No. 1 picks were used to draft Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Carson Palmer, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rogers, Flacco, Ryan and Sanchez.
Besides, the sky already has fallen on the Rams.
Now they need a quarterback to pump it up and put that bright sky back in place.
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