SKILLWISE I like Sam Bradford as our starter. He has very good arm, generally doesn’t take silly chances with the ball, and has a demeanor that players respect. He’s a legit NFL starter, but right now there have to be some questions about whether or not his teammates trust him to be there for 16 games or if (like many fans), they’re just waiting for the re-injury so that Mark Sanchez, can step in.
Bradford has missed chunks of the last two NFL seasons with Anterior Cruciate Ligaments tears to his left knee. Again, that’s two ACL tears to one knee, in two consecutive years. He spent all of OTA’s this year in a knee brace (pictured) that covered not only his knee, but covered portions of his calf and thigh as well for added stability.
To a man, the locker room is going to feed you that “We support whoever starts” BS; but you have to know that at least most of these guys have a favorite. They have an up close understanding of this game and an up close view of what injuries mean in both the short and long term, as well as the week to week management of them. They would be fools not to have some serious questions/doubts.
As Eagles fans we make constant jokes about the fragility of Redskin QB Bob Griffin, but the truth is, Bradford is just as brittle Griffin. What astounds me is how many Eagles fans still see Bradford playing 14-16 games this year.
Personally I would be surprised if we got 8 games out of him. Aside from our issues on the Offensive Line, there’s the fact that the doctrine on how to beat our Offense is over 20 years old. Playoff level teams have been killing us with that doctrine’s chief tenet: Hit the QB. Early in games hit him even if the hit is slightly late, and cheap shots (remember the first Redskins game last year?) are also fine. That doesn’t bode well for Bradford in particular. So I can’t help but wonder what that locker room REALLY thinks about Sam Bradford and the 2015 season.
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