After definitive claims by the Rams that he will be with them, they let him try to make his own trade. Isn't this a prelude to cutting the guy?
Good point. Sam Bradford is Jameis Winston. This is just further proof that hope springs eternal, and the draft is nothing more than an infernal crapshoot.
We just gotta be patient. The QB pool this year is very bad and there is no reason to give up something to trade for a mediocre QB. We need all the talent and picks that we have right now. Let's get stronger in other areas, bring in someone off the scrap heap to compete with Geno. If Geno still starts, we will know once and for all if the kids worth anything. In the 2 years he's been terribly bad, but with Chan Gailey this year who knows? I don't know if 2 years is enough to write the book on any QB.
I know you say you don't want Smith as the Qb anymore, but you keep advocating approaches that would have that net effect. Getting a mid level NFL starting Qb (arguably Bradford is better than that) is worth more than a 5th round pick. Please.
What is the incentive for Bradford to agree to a redo of his contract, and to stay with the Rams? He doesn't have to do that. He can force them to either pay him the current number, trade him or cut him, and if they cut him he gets to pick where he goes and can get a new contract with teams bidding againts each other.
As I said he would have to pass a physical. ACL tears are not as bad as they used to be. Plus the Jets' O is geared toward having a pocket passer, so we dont need him to run the ball. He's never had an injury to his throwing arm or shoulder. Yes, I am sure it has some impact. But I don't think it would be severe.
Regardless of whether he can pass a physical you're talking about a guy who doesn't seem like he can stay healthy. Joe Montana can't help you from the bench. I think this is an appropriate situation for a conditional pick and I don't think a 5th rounder is an unreasonable low end for that based on him not starting enough games.
Left ACL twice and right shoulder. What are the odds he goes somewhere else and has a healthy productive career? I'd sign him as the guy who goes on the field while the rookie sits and watches, with Geno as insurance in case Bradford gets hurt. The odds are pretty good Bradford could get us to the 8 game mark and Geno wouldn't get benched until game 12 or so and then the rookie is in garbage time and the Jets can just bring him along slowly. This assuming the Jets draft a QB on the 6 or manage to trade back up into the end of the 1st or first 4 picks of the 2nd and take a QB there. If the Jets aren't taking a QB this year then Bradford and Geno only works because Bradford will be the starter by default when he signs with the Jets. If he can stay healthy maybe we have something but that last 8 games of the year is going to be really depressing if he gets hurt.
My understanding is the shoulder injury was before his pro career, and he has not had any arm or shoulder injuries while in the NFL. I think it's fair to say his arm is as solid as any other NFL Qb. As for the left ACL, yes that is a concern, but I am not a doctor and don't know whether if it was properly repaired it is more likely to be a chronic problem or not. That being the case I can't share your pessimism about how he would likely perform. Ftr I don't see his situation as comparable to Pennington's, who had chronic problems with his shoulder and wrist. Yes an ACL is still an issue, but if he's coming back from that, there's no reason to think he can't make all the throws.
He also had a high ankle sprain on the left leg in 2011 that cost him 6 games and hindered him for most of the season. I wouldn't mind signing him to a 2 year affordable deal but I really don't want to pick up the existing contract. He's only under contract for 2015 and the Jets would be under pressure to sign him to an extension if he showed signs of life early on. That's a seller's market.
To be clear here, despite the story that the Rams are leeting his agent shop around, I think it unlikely he leaves. They do have cap issues, but dealing Bradford is not the only way for them to fix their cap. Plus they know the draft is not likely to deliver a new starting Qb to them, either. Hill and Davis are not inspiring confidence. The only thing is it is clear their FO does not like Bradford's current contract, and imo he has no real incentive to redo it. Still they could well end up swallowing their concerns about his contract since they will not prefer any alternatives. Not a good situation for the Rams, but it is what itis.
2011 is kind of meh at this point, but I agree the Jets would want to redo his contract at some end point where it might be slightly better than what he could reasonably hope to get in FA. For his agent this could be a game of chicken with the Rams GM. The Rams may well be sending signals to their fans that they do not see a lot of options at Qb, and you have to wonder whether they've already decided it would be more palatable to fix their cap problems by making moves elsewhere on the roster. But we can be sure they do not like his current contract, and that is the factor that drives any possible scenario where they might be willing to trade him. I've seen talk that there's a perception that Bradford wants to stay with the Rams, but imo that kind of talk means nothing.
He's too much of a risk to give up more than a 5th round pick. I like Bradford, but I don't like him that much to give up a decent draft pick. Give me Brian Hoyer instead via FA or Matt Moore. I value the draft a lot, a 4th round pick to me is very valuable. Bradford isn't worth that. Especially if you factor in Percy Harvin.
It's that bolded part that kind of renders the whole thread useless really...and I agree with you. Bradford never hits the "street" unless someone antes up a 'STUPID' number to the Rams. However, I do want to address your statement about "no incentive to redo his contract." I think he does. Make no mistake about it...and you aptly addressed it in your statement...the whole problem with Bradford in St. Louis is the contract. Nothing else. Considering his injury history $13 mill+ is too much for a guy who may only give you half a season or so. Having said that, there are absolutely reasons for Bradford to redo the deal to stay in St. Louis. St. Louis is up and coming and you get the sense they are on the cusp of being a playoff contender. The teams he would be looking to end up are not. I can easily say the conversation in the Bradford home sounds something like...."Sam, if you go looking for a team you may end up someplace crappy like the NY Jets where you'l have your head kicked in on a daily basis, the media will filet you alive and the fans are as two faced as there are in the NFL." And that statement, sans the fans, can be said for any one of a number of landing spots for Bradford like Buffalo, Jacksonville etc... Personally, I'd take $4-5 mil less THIS year to stay on an up and comer as opposed to going to a spot where I KNOW the possibility of injury is VERY real thanks to the lack of offensive team and talent in the various landing spots. Actually, Buffalo wouldn't be all that bad a landing spot for him. They've got no o-line but they, far and away, have the offensive firepower to make it an attractive possibility. But certainly not the Jets.
Is there any confirmation he was given permission to seek a trade? I haven't seen or heard anything confirming. Just saw the rumor, but I'll still stick to my stance his injuries are to serious to take a chance with.
