Sam Bradford's a Viking

[JohnnyNight]

Hi All,

Calling from Philly and I can tell you without a doubt you got a GREAT QB yesterday..!!

I know there's doubters, but Sam Bradford is an elite passer as good as any in the league and I really mean any..

This is no lie..

Bradford has played on absolutely rotten teams from the time he was in the league.. St. Louis was the worst of the worst and the Eagles last year were even worse than that.. Other teams openly said last year they could predict what plays the Eagles were running because Kelly's nutty offensive scheme had become so predictable and he never changed anything about it in the 3 years he was there.

In spite of that Bradford set an Eagle record last year for completion percentage with an absolutely terrible OL, nobody who could run the ball and with the totally worst receivers in the league who lead the league in drops..

This is no joke... You guys are going to move the ball..

For me personally, the whole change Bradford for Wentz move is insanity..

But Eagles are going to do what they're going to do...

Good luck..!!

[FillyFanatic]

Interesting to read the opinions about Bradford from the fans who have seen him the most. Still some love.

http://www.ramsondemand.com/threads/bra ... ngs.46048/

Last year in Philly Bradford got better and better, from dear in the headlights shell shock out of the box to a guy with a sweet laser guided ball who stood in the pocket with real guts. He also moved around much better at the end of season.

From what I've read, red flags are your OL and receiver corps, two deficiencies that have plagued Bradford his entire career. I was hoping he would end up with Dallas just to finally see what he can do behind a real offensive line. Maybe we will never know. Good luck.

[Mothman]

Johnny and Filly, thanks for your perspectives! They're greatly appreciated.

to VMB!

[JohnnyNight]

Thanks Mothman...

[Mothman]

Here's a link to a brief introductory interview with Bradford from Vikings.com:

http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/vide ... df10a7ca49

[Purple Martin]

Please show us where people are laughing at us. I see no sign of it - a couple of semi-critical articles but they still understand the move.

Actually a lot of Eagles fans are laughing and think we got fleeced. Not all, but a lot

[Mothman]

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero
#Vikings got permission to speak with #Eagles doctors, see all info, look at MRIs before Bradford deal, Spielman says.

[randomghost11]

Please show us where people are laughing at us. I see no sign of it - a couple of semi-critical articles but they still understand the move.

Do I really need to link almost every sports forum? Every forum I see has people laughing and saying the Eagles made out like bandits.

[ChicagoViking]

I appreciate your optimism, I really do. And you make some good points. But allow me to play yin to your yang:

1) Bradford is a statue with an injury history, now playing behind an absolute disgrace of an OL. This likely won't be pretty.
2) Trading a 1st really handcuffs us on trying to improve said disgrace of an OL. I was really hoping to see a 1st rounder used next year on a RT or LT. Now? They have much less flexibility in dealing with Kalil, Smith, and even Berger this offseason.
3) Even when healthy he's been average and now he'll be running for his life. As DP posted, Hill has a better career passer rating!!
4) This smells like a panic move to win the super bowl NOW. Since we all know this won't happen this year with this awful OL, it's a terrible gamble which mortgages the future based on desperation.

This MIGHT work, but almost certainly WON'T work (if you define "WORK" as winning the super bowl)....and it cost them a big building block for the future.

1) Bradford has a lower sack % than either Bridgewater or Hill -- and was 10th in the league in sack % in 2013; not terrible for a "statue."
2) Statistical analysis suggests that 1st Round picks are overrated; while Vikings gave up an asset for Bradford, they also picked up a potentially tradeable asset; if all goes well, Vikings may have luxury of two starter-quality QBs a year from now -- could get back more for Bradford than they gave up.
3) Why will he be running for his life more with the Vikings than with STL and PHI? Neither of those teams were known for having league-best OLs. Plus, he has more weapons now than he's ever had.
4) "Panic move?" SOME move was necessary. Not sure what better options they had. Calling this a "terrible" gamble that "mortgages the future" is hyperbole.

Also note that Bradford has a lower career interception % than either Bridgewater or Hill and a higher TD% than Bridgewater. Yes, Bridgewater is on the rise, but Bradford just had the two best seasons of his career (ok, season-and-a-half since he was injured for half of 2014), so it's not exactly like his career is on the wane. Color me cautiously optimistic.

[FillyFanatic]

Because of the remarkable money Bradford has made relative to little production in his career, he has become an icon for the overpaid NFL underachiever. Undeniably there is some merit to this criticism. But you have to ask yourself, if Bradford is no better than an average quarterback - the current consensus in Philly and beyond - why did the Eagles and Vikings give up substantial compensation in deals for him, especially after consecutive season ACL tears? Real professional football people (not fans or media) continue to see substantial upside potential in the guy. I hope he doesn't end up a one year rental there, and that the Vikings get the last laugh on the deal - both for your franchise and Sam Bradford. Reasonable probability this can happen.

[Texas Vike]

Because of the remarkable money Bradford has made relative to little production in his career, he has become an icon for the overpaid NFL underachiever. Undeniably there is some merit to this criticism. But you have to ask yourself, if Bradford is no better than an average quarterback - the current consensus in Philly and beyond - why did the Eagles and Vikings give up substantial compensation in deals for him, especially after consecutive season ACL tears? Real professional football people (not fans or media) continue to see substantial upside potential in the guy. I hope he doesn't end up a one year rental there, and that the Vikings get the last laugh on the deal - both for your franchise and Sam Bradford. Reasonable probability this can happen.

Well-thought out post, and thanks for your well wishes.

I count myself as one fan who sees it as you do. Shurmur believes Bradford can be solid and argued for him. I can't wait to see if he was right.

[Norv Zimmer]

Because of the remarkable money Bradford has made relative to little production in his career, he has become an icon for the overpaid NFL underachiever. Undeniably there is some merit to this criticism. But you have to ask yourself, if Bradford is no better than an average quarterback - the current consensus in Philly and beyond - why did the Eagles and Vikings give up substantial compensation in deals for him, especially after consecutive season ACL tears? Real professional football people (not fans or media) continue to see substantial upside potential in the guy. I hope he doesn't end up a one year rental there, and that the Vikings get the last laugh on the deal - both for your franchise and Sam Bradford. Reasonable probability this can happen.

Good post, I hope so too! When does everyone think he will start? My guess is week 1, I listened to his and Spielmans conference call interviews yesterday and it sounds like they are hitting the playbook hard and he is a smart qb.

[TSonn]

Do I really need to link almost every sports forum? Every forum I see has people laughing and saying the Eagles made out like bandits.

Or you could link any legitimate sports news source that is laughing at us. Message boards and comment sections are riddled with overreacting and moronic NFL trolls so those don't really count.

[Texas Vike]

Good post, I hope so too! When does everyone think he will start? My guess is week 1, I listened to his and Spielmans conference call interviews yesterday and it sounds like they are hitting the playbook hard and he is a smart qb.

I don't think week one is likely, but I'd bet on the home opener vs. GB. Primetime game against our main rival, the stadium's maiden voyage... they'll want to do it, so the only reason they don't would be if he simply doesn't look ready.

That's a heck of a lot of pressure to put on him though.

[Mothman]

I don't think week one is likely, but I'd bet on the home opener vs. GB. Primetime game against our main rival, the stadium's maiden voyage... they'll want to do it, so the only reason they don't would be if he simply doesn't look ready.

That's a heck of a lot of pressure to put on him though.

It sure is and that could get things off to an ugly start so they might hold him back. The Panthers game isn't exactly going to be an ideal time to play him either.

Assuming they won't start Bradford in week 1, a lot may depend on how effectively Hill plays against the Titans.

I don't want them to rush him out there. I think Turner's system makes that tricky because it leans on timing between the QB and WRs.