- Joined
- Jul 31, 2010
- Messages
- 8,874
Bernie: It makes sense for Rams to draft a QB
Bernie Miklasz
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_8a1b203e-514e-5068-a56e-90fdd1b05fe5.html
By now, the Rams have made it clear that they plan to draft a quarterback during the annual NFL yearling sale that begins Thursday night. Who will it be? And when do they make the move? This is one of the more intriguing aspects of the Rams’ 2014 draft.
Drafting a quarterback makes sense. The time is right. This doesn’t mean that Sam Bradford soon will be asked to hand in his playbook. The possibilities concerning Bradford’s future are so numerous that it’s a mistake to simplify or assume anything.
Bradford will be entering his fifth NFL season in 2014, and we’re all still sparring over him. Depending on your view, Sam is either (1) a victim of horrible circumstances who warrants more time, or (2) a mediocre player who’s had sufficient opportunity to prove he’s worthy of the franchise-QB distinction.
I’ve been a Bradford apologist, but I’ll say this much: If we aren’t sure what he is by now, that isn’t a good thing. We should already know. And I’ve written pieces noting Bradford’s injury history, a factor that further complicates the efforts to fairly assess his value.
I also believe Bradford needs to be pushed by a viable alternative.
Let’s talk about the Bradford-related possibilities. And in every instance it’s smart to have a young, promising quarterback in reserve.
Bradford has a mundane 2014, and the Rams decide to move on and avoid his monstrous $17.6 million cap hit in 2015. Result: Pull the plug and prepare the young QB to take over. Heck, Jeff Fisher is going to have a run-based team, anyway.
Bradford, already recovering from knee surgery, has a setback or suffers a new injury. Result: The Rams realize they can’t count on Sam to stay healthy and move on. The young QB is warming up.
Bradford plays very well in 2014, the Rams finish with a winning record, and the team quickly decides to bring Bradford back for 2015. The sharp, young and relatively inexpensive quarterback is waiting in the wings.
Bradford has a strong 2014 and the Rams decide to stay the course; he signs a big contract extension before 2015. And the Rams still have their young quarterback in place — meaning that an important position is set for several years. Or: The Rams could help themselves by making the young QB available for trade.
Bradford has the breakout 2014 campaign, comes back with an impressive 2015 ... and decides to test the free-agent market. The Rams would have their next starting quarterback locked in, ready to take over.
In every situation, the quarterback drafted by St. Louis in 2014 is a viable asset. He’s insurance. He’s a starter. He’s a quality backup. He’s the alternative to making another financial investment in Bradford. He’s a trade piece.
All of that is predicated on a rather significant reality: The kid has to be the right quarterback. A quarterback who can ascend to the starting gig. A quarterback who inspires confidence. If the Rams draft a stiff who can’t play, then all of these smiley-face ideas blow up.
That’s why this is such a critical pick for the Rams. If they’re going to pull a quarterback from this draft, they can’t afford to strike out.
The Rams have been busy studying quarterbacks. The reported list of names includes Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M), Derek Carr (Fresno State), Aaron Murray (Georgia), Tom Savage (Pittsburgh), Connor Shaw (South Carolina), AJ McCarron (Alabama), Garrett Gilbert (SMU), Keith Wenning (Ball State) and Tajh Boyd (Clemson.) The Rams could have scouted other quarterbacks on the sly — guys like Jimmy Garappolo (Eastern Illinois) and David Fales (San Jose State).
If the Rams are serious about adding a quarterback who can become something more than roster filler, they’ll have to jump on him early in the draft. If they wait, their shot at finding that impact quarterback is greatly diminished.
Here’s why:
In the five drafts between 2008 and 2012, NFL teams selected 60 quarterbacks. Twenty-seven were chosen in the first three rounds; 33 were taken in rounds four through seven.
The 27 quarterbacks picked in the first three rounds have combined to make 880 regular-season NFL starts. Ten of the 27 have led their teams to the playoffs. Seven have been voted to at least one Pro Bowl. Nineteen of the 27 have been their team’s primary starter for multiple seasons. Two have won a Super Bowl. Three have won conference championships.
And the 33 quarterbacks selected after the third round? Goodness, it’s ugly. None has made it to a Pro Bowl roster. None has been the primary starter for a full season. And those 33 quarterbacks have combined to make only 60 regular-season NFL starts.
Even if you draft a QB early there are no guarantees. You could still end up with a bust. But we’re talking historical percentages here, and the odds are substantially more favorable if you grab a QB in the first three rounds.
Bears GM Phil Emery sounded off on this subject in an interview with ESPN Chicago.
“There isn’t a single quarterback after the third round since 2006 that has been a long-term starter,” Emery said. “So to get a quality quarterback, you’ve got to draft them high … most of the starters in this league come from the first and second round. So that’s where you need to take a quarterback.”
I’ll co-sign on that, with one addition: It’s possible to get your man in the third round. (See: Russell Wilson.) But if the Rams really intend to draft a quarterback, they need to be bold and do it early.
If not, then forget about it.
Bernie Miklasz
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_8a1b203e-514e-5068-a56e-90fdd1b05fe5.html
By now, the Rams have made it clear that they plan to draft a quarterback during the annual NFL yearling sale that begins Thursday night. Who will it be? And when do they make the move? This is one of the more intriguing aspects of the Rams’ 2014 draft.
Drafting a quarterback makes sense. The time is right. This doesn’t mean that Sam Bradford soon will be asked to hand in his playbook. The possibilities concerning Bradford’s future are so numerous that it’s a mistake to simplify or assume anything.
Bradford will be entering his fifth NFL season in 2014, and we’re all still sparring over him. Depending on your view, Sam is either (1) a victim of horrible circumstances who warrants more time, or (2) a mediocre player who’s had sufficient opportunity to prove he’s worthy of the franchise-QB distinction.
I’ve been a Bradford apologist, but I’ll say this much: If we aren’t sure what he is by now, that isn’t a good thing. We should already know. And I’ve written pieces noting Bradford’s injury history, a factor that further complicates the efforts to fairly assess his value.
I also believe Bradford needs to be pushed by a viable alternative.
Let’s talk about the Bradford-related possibilities. And in every instance it’s smart to have a young, promising quarterback in reserve.
Bradford has a mundane 2014, and the Rams decide to move on and avoid his monstrous $17.6 million cap hit in 2015. Result: Pull the plug and prepare the young QB to take over. Heck, Jeff Fisher is going to have a run-based team, anyway.
Bradford, already recovering from knee surgery, has a setback or suffers a new injury. Result: The Rams realize they can’t count on Sam to stay healthy and move on. The young QB is warming up.
Bradford plays very well in 2014, the Rams finish with a winning record, and the team quickly decides to bring Bradford back for 2015. The sharp, young and relatively inexpensive quarterback is waiting in the wings.
Bradford has a strong 2014 and the Rams decide to stay the course; he signs a big contract extension before 2015. And the Rams still have their young quarterback in place — meaning that an important position is set for several years. Or: The Rams could help themselves by making the young QB available for trade.
Bradford has the breakout 2014 campaign, comes back with an impressive 2015 ... and decides to test the free-agent market. The Rams would have their next starting quarterback locked in, ready to take over.
In every situation, the quarterback drafted by St. Louis in 2014 is a viable asset. He’s insurance. He’s a starter. He’s a quality backup. He’s the alternative to making another financial investment in Bradford. He’s a trade piece.
All of that is predicated on a rather significant reality: The kid has to be the right quarterback. A quarterback who can ascend to the starting gig. A quarterback who inspires confidence. If the Rams draft a stiff who can’t play, then all of these smiley-face ideas blow up.
That’s why this is such a critical pick for the Rams. If they’re going to pull a quarterback from this draft, they can’t afford to strike out.
The Rams have been busy studying quarterbacks. The reported list of names includes Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M), Derek Carr (Fresno State), Aaron Murray (Georgia), Tom Savage (Pittsburgh), Connor Shaw (South Carolina), AJ McCarron (Alabama), Garrett Gilbert (SMU), Keith Wenning (Ball State) and Tajh Boyd (Clemson.) The Rams could have scouted other quarterbacks on the sly — guys like Jimmy Garappolo (Eastern Illinois) and David Fales (San Jose State).
If the Rams are serious about adding a quarterback who can become something more than roster filler, they’ll have to jump on him early in the draft. If they wait, their shot at finding that impact quarterback is greatly diminished.
Here’s why:
In the five drafts between 2008 and 2012, NFL teams selected 60 quarterbacks. Twenty-seven were chosen in the first three rounds; 33 were taken in rounds four through seven.
The 27 quarterbacks picked in the first three rounds have combined to make 880 regular-season NFL starts. Ten of the 27 have led their teams to the playoffs. Seven have been voted to at least one Pro Bowl. Nineteen of the 27 have been their team’s primary starter for multiple seasons. Two have won a Super Bowl. Three have won conference championships.
And the 33 quarterbacks selected after the third round? Goodness, it’s ugly. None has made it to a Pro Bowl roster. None has been the primary starter for a full season. And those 33 quarterbacks have combined to make only 60 regular-season NFL starts.
Even if you draft a QB early there are no guarantees. You could still end up with a bust. But we’re talking historical percentages here, and the odds are substantially more favorable if you grab a QB in the first three rounds.
Bears GM Phil Emery sounded off on this subject in an interview with ESPN Chicago.
“There isn’t a single quarterback after the third round since 2006 that has been a long-term starter,” Emery said. “So to get a quality quarterback, you’ve got to draft them high … most of the starters in this league come from the first and second round. So that’s where you need to take a quarterback.”
I’ll co-sign on that, with one addition: It’s possible to get your man in the third round. (See: Russell Wilson.) But if the Rams really intend to draft a quarterback, they need to be bold and do it early.
If not, then forget about it.
