Sam Bradford Now Officially Down To His Last Strike
By Erik Lambert
It’s amazing how long a lifeline being a former #1 pick and having a strong arm gives a player in the NFL. Ask Sam Bradford.
Despite having just a 25-37-1 career record, throwing 78 touchdowns to 52 interceptions and missing a total of 33 games across six seasons with various injuries he continues to get another chance at finally realizing the vast potential he came out of Oklahoma with.
Seems he’s realizing that as well as he ended a brief holdout from Philadelphia Eagles team activities.
Sam Bradford has informed #Eagles personnel he'll be back in town this morning. So it's just defensive leader Fletcher Cox staying away.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 9, 2016
Bradford was upset at the news that the team traded up to draft quarterback Carson Wentz with the #2 overall pick, believing he was to be given a legitimate chance to prove he could start long-term. Having Wentz on the roster almost guarantees that won’t be the case, hence his demands for the Eagles to trade him. Unfortunately that’s not going to happen. Thus the longer he held out, the less of a favorable impression he would make, both on his new coaching staff but more importantly others around the league.
This 2016 NFL season is shaping up to become Bradford’s last “audition.” That is to say he’ll be 29-years old by the end of this season. Players only get so many chances to prove they are worthy of being starters in pro football, especially at quarterback. To date Bradford has shown he has talent, but is injury prone and not anything special based on production.
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The last thing a team wants is a diva quarterback who has no right to be a diva. Thus he made the very smart decision to swallow his pride and go compete for the opportunity the Eagles are still giving him, which is more than some teams would’ve. If he can put together a solid year and hold off Wentz from replacing him for 2016, he should generate enough interest to get another opportunity elsewhere.
If he fails, then the time will have come to close the book on the Sam Bradford story.