TBTQB (Wednesday Edition): Sam Bradford

I know it has been a very hot minute since I have put one of these out. I originally was planning on releasing one every week, but reality (AKA College and my Pre-Physical Therapist Degree) had other plans. I was swamped and didn’t have the time to sit down and write these articles but I can’t just throw these together. Life blindsided me like the Boz came off the edge unblocked, but I got back up on my feet and now I got shit together. As Student Union’s Resident QB guy (the Jon Gruden dare I say), I like to take my time with these articles and give them the love they deserve. With that being said, I will be making up for my lack of TBTQB’s by releasing one everyday this week. So, without further to do, I present the TBTQB: Sam Bradford

Overview/Abstract:

(Yes, This was his picture for the season.)

Ah, Sammy Two Sleeves. I remember watching him in the college level because it was at around 2005-06, I started to get into college football heavily. He tore it up in the Big 12 and once he made it to the NFL, he tore something else up (Note: On a personal level, this joke as well hurt me. Torn ACL is not a fun time whatsoever.) He had promise though, and even after being traded from St. Louis to the Eagles, he finally found a home in Minnesota. And once again, he tore it up…. for 2 games then his knee gave out again. While his career is still fairly “Young”, I am truly rooting for Sam because he is a great person and a hell of a QB.

High School/Recruiting:

Sam Bradford attended Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He played Football and Baseball, but after his freshman year, he gave up tossing the baseball to focus more on slinging the Pigskin. After having a All-City season his Junior Year, throwing for around 3000 yards and 20 TD’s. The 6’4 playcaller gained interest from Several D-1 programs, including Stanford, Michigan, Texas Tech, and near by Oklahoma. He was given a 2-3 star rating due to the bigger names in the 2005 class such as Tim Tebow, Matthew Stafford, Josh Freeman, and Pat Devlin to name a few. Following his Senior season and another All-City selection , Bradford committed to the Sooners early december in 2005.

College Career:

Following a Redshirt Freshman season in 2006, Bradford was given a shot in 2007 to start for the Sooners after a QB battle between 2 upperclassmen and even 3 walk-on QB’s. Against University of North Texas, Bradford completed 21 of 23 passes, threw for 363 yards, and had 3TD’s all in 2 Quarters. He broke the schools record for passing yards in a half.

The next game, Bradford was named the full-time starter, and didn’t let off of the pedal what so ever. Breaking another record for completions in a row with 22, he was named Offensive Player of the week after passing for 5 TD’s and breaking yet again another school record. The rest of his 2007 season would go on until November 17th in a game against Texas Tech, he suffered a concussion and was taken out of the game. The Sooners would lose that game 27-34 but the light at the end of the tunnel was that Bradford would be healthy for the all Sacred Bedlam game.

iframe>; In the game against the Cowboys of Oklahoma State, Bradford broke the NCAA freshmen record of 29 passing touchdowns and would go on to defeat OSU 49-17, in front of a crowd of 85,000 people.<iframe loading="lazy" class="hiddenSpellError" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lXbbg6PJmcM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen">iframe>;Now, Bradford has some of the WORSE mechanics I have ever seen. Shotty footwork, low release point, doesnt utilize his hips at all. This being said, he can still throw this ball like there is no tomorrow. And, it works for him, he had a great O-Line in college so he didn’t have to move around as much and with the rocket right arm of his, his receivers would go and make plays.

Following a win over then Big-12 team Missouri, Oklahoma would win the Big 12 Championship and go on to play West Virgina in the Fiesta Bowl. The Sooners would lose, 48-28 and the would be the end on a very promising career for the gunslinger wearing the 14 jersey.

In the start of his Redshirt Sophomore season, Bradford would be whispered around as a Heisman favorite, but Big Name QB and Americas sweetheart Tim Tebow would be the focal point of Heisman Talks. Time Tebow at this time was the guy who parents would want their daughter to date, while Bradford was the guy who at school dances would be left against the back wall waiting for someone to ask him to dance.

iframe>;Sammy Two Sleeves doesn’t give a damn what you think if him, and it showed in the 2008 season. The Sooners would go 12-1 and earn a #1 BCS and #2 AP ranking and have a chance to take on Florida in the BCS Championship. Oklahoma had one of the most explosive offenses to ever grace the college scene. Bradford would lead this team to score 60 Points in 5 straight games (And didn’t even run an Air Raid Offense *COUGH TEXAS TECH COUGH*), and hold a record 702 points scored through the season. A play however that came when the Sooners were taking on the Cowboys in the Bedlam game is seen as his Heisman Moment and possibly what clinched him as the favorite.

I remember sitting on my couch watching this play unfold and just remembering 73 giving up that block. 9-year-old me thought I was gonna witness a murder with the Mike back coming at full speed towards Bradford. However, Bradford had other plans and in a miracle fashion, he ends up tight roping the side line and flips over a defender to make the marvel of a play even more insane.

Bradford would go up against Americas Wonder Boy Tim Tebow and University of Texas playcaller Colt McCoy. The outcome of the voting would give the Pre-Season rumors the Bird and long and behold, Sam Bradford would be the 2008 Heisman winner, receiving 1726 total points.

The 2009 Season would be a very challenging one for the Sooners and for Bradford personally. Flying high on an amazing 2008 season, and had high expectations for the season. In an opening game against BYU, Bradford would suffer a AC Joint injury one play after becoming Oklahoma’s all time leading passer. He wouldn’t return for the rest of the game and was given a 3-6 week time frame for return. After 3 week, he choose to return in a game against the Baylor Bears. He passed for 400 yards and 1 TD and the fan of Oklahoma had a load of relief lifted off of their shoulder.(BA DUM TISS. Too Soon. Okay Sorry.)But then, in a game against Texas in the Red-River rivalry, he would injure it once again. It was announced shortly afterwards that he would undergo Season-Ending surgery and would enter into the 2010 NFL Draft.

Pro Career:

Bradford couldnt throw at the combine, but he still showed up for measurements and interviews. He also took questions from the media and majority of the questions were about if his shoulder was going to be able to hold up and if he could stay healthy. He of course gave respectful answers about it and was hoping to be able to prove everyone wrong at his pro day.

After all speculation was thrown out the window, Bradford was slapped with the QB1 label, and when draft day came, the St. Louis Rams called his name.

Bradford was seen as the next best QB in the NFL, and the Rams were hoping to tap that potential that Oklahoma had. He had an astounding rookie season, breaking small records here and there and Started all 16 games for the rams, and became only the 3rd rookie ever to throw over 3000 yards. He lock up the Rookie of the year award and Rams fans felt like they had the next big thing in their colors.

The 2011 Season showed a pleague of injuries, and Bradford was struck with it as well. He had an ankle sprain that bothered him all season and would end up throwing under 2500 yards and only 6 TD’s

In 2012, speculation was the Rams were going to somehow grab RG3 and replace Bradford. However, this didn’t happen and Bradford had a very solid season, going 7-8-1 with him and a majority of rookies stepping up to the challenge tossing for 3700 yards and a 21-13 TD:INT ratio

2013, the season in which Sam would first tear his ACL after running out of bound on a play and promptly ending his season. He has 1700 yards and a 14:7 TD:INT ratio.

His 2014 season would also end in a very bad fashion with Bradford once again tearing his ACL after getting sacked in a Preseason game. He would miss the entire 2014 season.

Following his injured season, Bradford would be sent to Philadelphia, and play for the Eagles. However, he still never stuck gold and only finished with a 7-9 season in his first year with the eagles and would miss playoffs. In the offseason of the 2015-16 season, Bradford would sign an extension with the eagles, keeping him on board for another 2 years.

But to quote J Cole “Things Change, Rearrange, So Do I”. Bradford would be traded to the Vikings in early september after the vikings lost Teddy Bridgewater to a Knee injury as well. (Ironic). He started 15 games for the Vikings and would lead them to a 8-8 season, while Bradford would beat Drew Brees Completion record with a 71.6%.

With the start of the 2017 season coming, expectations were high for Bradford due to Bridgewater still being out with his knee Rehab. He had a killer first game against the Saints, and earned Offensive Player of the week. But the injury fairy came knocking again and Bradford once again had problems with is knee he had surgery on previously. He went under surgery and came back late in the season, but would not start due to Case Keemun having an outstanding year.

With the 2018 season slowly coming upon us, I truly do hope for the best for Sam Bradford. He has no problems with anybody, no enemies (Except all of the Big 12), and he can truly sling the rock. While his career did have a very rocking start, I believe he will find his footing and end his career somewhere where he can remain healthy can do what he loves to do, throw the football.

(Note: Huge Shoutout to Sam Tschida for helping me find videos for this article. Go read some of his stuff as a thank you from me.)