Polian: Best fit for Bridgewater is Rams at 13

[Username]

The Brees/Rivers situation was different.

Rivers was understood to be the future. Brees was a placeholder until Rivers was ready. Brees was bad in 2003, 11 TDs, 15 INTs, 67.5 rating. It was Brees' 3rd year and the Chargers planned on moving on from him. So the Chargers weren't even thinking about undermining Brees, they planned on shipping him out when Rivers was ready. And then Brees had a great year in 2004, so they stuck with him another year until he got hurt and then he was dumped.

It's different with Bradford. The Rams are saying Sam is our guy. If they draft Teddy at #13, not many players will believe that Sam is the guy. And that not only undermines Bradford, it tells Bradford that Fisher BSed him.

For the life of me, I have no idea why some of you guys don't get this when every ex-GM and media guy gets it. Casserly gets it, Polian gets it, Clayton gets it, Mortensen gets it, and Schefter gets it. If they draft Bridgewater at #13, Bradford is gone. But, its all a moot point. They aren't picking Bridgwater at #13, and I'll bet every ROD dollar I have on it with anyone willing to call me on it.

What if Fisher comes out and says something to the tone of, "Yes, SAM IS OUR GUY. Let me make that clear first. We just felt like there wasn't many trade options on the table that suited us, and we came away with a really great player. Quarterback is a hard position to find in this league, and if you can have 2 really good ones then it makes life a little easier for you. He will be the backup to Sam, and we'll move forward from there. Sam knows he's the guy, but this is a business first. In the scenario we were in he was the best player on the board, so we took him. There's really nothing else to be read into."

Would your head explode, or is it slightly probable? Like X said too, the discussion is less of the probability of it actually happening, and more of what if it happened imo.

 

[DR RAM]

I'm just not a huge Bridgwater fan. But then I'm not a huge fan of any of the guys, but I do like some of the guys. If I had to pick a QB at #13, it would be Bortles, but I don't even think he's that much better than a guy we could get in the 2nd to possibly 5th round. Carr would be my second choice. Manziel is the most dynamic, but I wouldn't draft him.

As far as the leadership thing goes... I don't think certain guys are threatened if they believe in themselves and their abilities. The only way it would cause a problem, IMO, is if the other guy proves he's the better player on the field, and as a leader. The problem occurs when one player is better, and the team knows it, and the staff goes with the lesser player. That is what messes up a locker room, because players know.

I've seen coaches do this on every level, and they almost always lose the team.

 

[max]

I don't think anyone is asserting they will. It's just a discussion about the pros and cons of just such a scenario.
It's okay to be okay with the idea, right? Just like it's okay to NOT be okay with it.
Some think it would be cool. Others don't. It's board life.

It's ok to be ok with it, sure.

But why bother with something that won't happen?

You might as well say let's trade for Andrew Luck. I'm ok with that.

 

[-X-]

It's ok to be ok with it, sure.

But why bother with something that won't happen?

You might as well say let's trade for Andrew Luck. I'm ok with that.

Jeez. You're right.

Let's do another mock.

 

[Alan]

flv refining his viewpoint:
This year is different to me because we're a borderline playoff team with a clear issue at QB.

I'd be gutted if we had a similar 2014.

I really can't strongly disagree with any of your post but the first sentence I quoted is key to my position. If we're a borderline playoff team like you contend (I agree with that), then that very good player we would get at #13 instead of drafting a QB might be what puts us over the line of wanna be to arrived. Using a 4th round or lower pick on a QB doesn't do that even though it also greatly lessens the chance he'll be the answer. The #13 pick should be a huge part of our playoff team even in his first year.

As for the second sentence, I really doubt that any QB we draft this year will affect that one way or another. Not many QBs excel in their first year and especially if they only play part of the year. Hill has a good chance of playing as well as any rookie we might draft. At least for this year.

 

[PhxRam]

It's ok to be ok with it, sure.

But why bother with something that won't happen?

You might as well say let's trade for Andrew Luck. I'm ok with that.

You have some inside draft info we are not aware of yet?

Are you really some time traveler who has come back to tell us how the draft played out?

Not sure how you can say something WONT happen until that time has happened. You are probably correct, but there is still that chance you arent.

 

[max]

What if Fisher comes out and says something to the tone of, "Yes, SAM IS OUR GUY. Let me make that clear first. We just felt like there wasn't many trade options on the table that suited us, and we came away with a really great player. Quarterback is a hard position to find in this league, and if you can have 2 really good ones then it makes life a little easier for you. He will be the backup to Sam, and we'll move forward from there. Sam knows he's the guy, but this is a business first. In the scenario we were in he was the best player on the board, so we took him. There's really nothing else to be read into."

Would your head explode, or is it slightly probable? Like X said too, the discussion is less of the probability of it actually happening, and more of what if it happened imo.

If Fisher said that, then he would have to explain why he set himself up for a QB controversy when he said he would never have one on his team.

My head wouldn't explode because this would never happen.

 

[max]

Jeez. You're right.

Let's do another mock.

Good idea. I'll take Luck and you can take Bill Munson.

 

[max]

Yes! Great rumor.

 

[moklerman]

Yes. I do think they're above (that kind of petty) emotion. Or at the very least should be. I know it could be a tense situation, but would you prefer your starter to never be challenged by anyone? Or be a pouter and mail it in IF challenged? I wouldn't even be entertaining this if it wasn't for the half-seasons of missed time on two separate occasions. It seems others would prefer that he suffer a career-ending injury before the Rams try to get a contingency plan in place.

I wonder which QB's you think were above it? Van Brocklin, Staubach, Montana, Warner, Favre...some of the coolest customers to ever play the position started gripping it when they weren't the unquestioned starter.

As far as a contingency plan, they don't need one at QB this year if what they say is true. If they are "all in" with Bradford and feel he is the guy for the job right now and moving forward then no, I don't think drafting a first round QB is a good plan. Bradford's 26 and will hopefully move past his early career injuries kind of like Stafford. Maybe he's injury prone and he'll never be able to string back to back season together but that's what we'll find out this year. If he gets hurt again then the Rams have to figure out what to do at QB. But they aren't there this year. They have their QB and they have his backup.

It just doesn't make any sense to me to spend a first on a guy you hope never plays and won't(in 2014) be "developing" in all likelihood. I also don't feel like whichever QB might fall to them at 13 is such a rare opportunity that they need to draft him. There will be just as good of a chance of finding the right QB in the middle of the first round of next year's draft.

 

[-X-]

Good idea. I'll take Luck and you can take Bill Munson.

But. This isn't what Silva said...

Evan Silva ‏@evansilva
On NFL Insiders, Polian said best fit for Luck is #Rams at 13. "Indoor building helps greatly." Mort said AFC South or a dome team.

He said Bridgewater.

 

[max]

I wonder which QB's you think were above it? Van Brocklin, Staubach, Montana, Warner, Favre...some of the coolest customers to ever play the position started gripping it when they weren't the unquestioned starter.

As far as a contingency plan, they don't need one at QB this year if what they say is true. If they are "all in" with Bradford and feel he is the guy for the job right now and moving forward then no, I don't think drafting a first round QB is a good plan. Bradford's 26 and will hopefully move past his early career injuries kind of like Stafford. Maybe he's injury prone and he'll never be able to string back to back season together but that's what we'll find out this year. If he gets hurt again then the Rams have to figure out what to do at QB. But they aren't there this year. They have their QB and they have his backup.

It just doesn't make any sense to me to spend a first on a guy you hope never plays and won't(in 2014) be "developing" in all likelihood. I also don't feel like whichever QB might fall to them at 13 is such a rare opportunity that they need to draft him. There will be just as good of a chance of finding the right QB in the middle of the first round of next year's draft.

Ah, a voice of reason.

Well done.

 

[jrry32]

Alright, X, here you go. I don't believe drafting Bridgewater undermines Bradford's leadership. Bradford either is the leader or he isn't. He's going to lead or he won't. Bridgewater being here won't change that. Because Bradford will be QB1. Bridgewater just hedges our bets with an incredibly talented young QB. Don't let the media fools like Mayock dissuade you on Bridgewater. His film hasn't changed since they were all calling him the #1 QB and projected #1 pick. They're simply echoing what they hear for ratings. Mayock is the same guy who a couple years ago convinced himself to fall in love with Blaine Gabbert despite Gabbert's awful film.

Here is why Bridgewater is worth the #13 pick(and the #2 pick if we needed a QB):
Pocket Presence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGjsOvjLY0A#t=09m47s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bQ_uMplUEY#t=00m40s

His pocket presence and movement are already at a pro level. He understands how to climb the pocket, side-step pass rushers, and buy time with quick, subtle movements. He has nimble feet, is a sudden athlete, and is slippery in the pocket. Feels pressure well and moves to avoid it without dropping his eyes.

Ball Placement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeSRj45ar0c#t=04m40s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELPwI9_y5U#t=04m38s

Bridgewater has impeccable ball placement in the short to intermediate game. He consistently places the ball in the right spot for the WR to run after the catch. He can throw his WR open and understands how to place the ball relative to the coverage he's facing. His deep accuracy needs improvement though.

Eye Discipline

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELPwI9_y5U#t=06m25s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGjsOvjLY0A#t=0m45s

Bridgewater has great eye discipline when moving in the pocket and when challenging coverage. He is one of the best college QBs I've ever seen at manipulating coverage with his eyes. In both videos above, he looks off the safety to open up a clear throwing lane. In the first video, he makes that throw despite having a badly sprained ankle on his plant foot.

Toughness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTKLlffTaQk#t=08m05s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9GcKd1CkuA#t=01s

Bridgewater is an extremely tough kid. He has shown the willingness to step into a throw knowing he's going to get blasted. He does not shy away from pressure. He also led Louisville to a win and the Sugar Bowl in 2012 by playing through a broken wrist (non-throwing hand) and badly sprained ankle against Rutgers when his team needed him.

Timing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9GcKd1CkuA#t=04m20s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2sQkfDVWPc#t=10s

Bridgewater throws with anticipation and great timing on his routes. He also has a real knack for finding the check-down quickly so that the target has a chance to create after the catch. This is a skill that makes Peyton Manning lethal.

Improvisational Skills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELPwI9_y5U#t=04m06s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2sQkfDVWPc#t=09m07s

Bridgewater is a mobile QB that is surprisingly tough to tackle for a smaller guy. He's slippery and has a good stiff arm. He's also quick and decently fast. Bridgewater also has gotten very good at scrambling to the LOS and flipping a shovel pass to an open WR/HB/TE when the defender leaves his assignment at the last moment.

Throwing on the Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kTkH4Nrg2Y#t=06m10s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZzmXxB64ec#t=01m12s

Bridgewater is a very accurate and effective thrower on the run showing the ability to keep his eyes down the field, throw accurately with touch, and place the ball on target. He also demonstrates the ability to change arm slots when needed.

So what doesn't Bridgewater do well? He needs to improve his deep accuracy which, imo, is related to him not using the lower half well enough. He doesn't step into his throws and drive off his back-foot consistently and hard enough. I also think he needs to add bulk to his body as well as strengthen his core and lower body which will improve his velocity which is solid but not elite.

Regardless, he's a very developed QB that shows off the mental acuity, technical skills, and instincts to be great at the position.

Here's a good article for those who want to read more on Bridgewater:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/futures/2014/futures-louisville-qb-teddy-bridgewater

 

[jrry32]

The Brees/Rivers situation was different.

Rivers was understood to be the future. Brees was a placeholder until Rivers was ready. Brees was bad in 2003, 11 TDs, 15 INTs, 67.5 rating. It was Brees' 3rd year and the Chargers planned on moving on from him. So the Chargers weren't even thinking about undermining Brees, they planned on shipping him out when Rivers was ready. And then Brees had a great year in 2004, so they stuck with him another year until he got hurt and then he was dumped.

It's different with Bradford. The Rams are saying Sam is our guy. If they draft Teddy at #13, not many players will believe that Sam is the guy. And that not only undermines Bradford, it tells Bradford that Fisher BSed him.

For the life of me, I have no idea why some of you guys don't get this when every ex-GM and media guy gets it. Casserly gets it, Polian gets it, Clayton gets it, Mortensen gets it, and Schefter gets it. If they draft Bridgewater at #13, Bradford is gone. But, its all a moot point. They aren't picking Bridgwater at #13, and I'll bet every ROD dollar I have on it with anyone willing to call me on it.

So Brees managed to lead and help his team win despite being more than undermined and yet Bradford is incapable of it?

 

[max]

Alright, X, here you go. I don't believe drafting Bridgewater undermines Bradford's leadership. Bradford either is the leader or he isn't. He's going to lead or he won't. Bridgewater being here won't change that. Because Bradford will be QB1. Bridgewater just hedges our bets with an incredibly talented young QB. Don't let the media fools like Mayock dissuade you on Bridgewater. His film hasn't changed since they were all calling him the #1 QB and projected #1 pick. They're simply echoing what they hear for ratings. Mayock is the same guy who a couple years ago convinced himself to fall in love with Blaine Gabbert despite Gabbert's awful film.

Here is why Bridgewater is worth the #13 pick(and the #2 pick if we needed a QB):
Pocket Presence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGjsOvjLY0A#t=09m47s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bQ_uMplUEY#t=00m40s

His pocket presence and movement are already at a pro level. He understands how to climb the pocket, side-step pass rushers, and buy time with quick, subtle movements. He has nimble feet, is a sudden athlete, and is slippery in the pocket. Feels pressure well and moves to avoid it without dropping his eyes.

Ball Placement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeSRj45ar0c#t=04m40s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELPwI9_y5U#t=04m38s

Bridgewater has impeccable ball placement in the short to intermediate game. He consistently places the ball in the right spot for the WR to run after the catch. He can throw his WR open and understands how to place the ball relative to the coverage he's facing. His deep accuracy needs improvement though.

Eye Discipline

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELPwI9_y5U#t=06m25s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGjsOvjLY0A#t=0m45s

Bridgewater has great eye discipline when moving in the pocket and when challenging coverage. He is one of the best college QBs I've ever seen at manipulating coverage with his eyes. In both videos above, he looks off the safety to open up a clear throwing lane. In the first video, he makes that throw despite having a badly sprained ankle on his plant foot.

Toughness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTKLlffTaQk#t=08m05s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9GcKd1CkuA#t=01s

Bridgewater is an extremely tough kid. He has shown the willingness to step into a throw knowing he's going to get blasted. He does not shy away from pressure. He also led Louisville to a win and the Sugar Bowl in 2012 by playing through a broken wrist (non-throwing hand) and badly sprained ankle against Rutgers when his team needed him.

Timing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9GcKd1CkuA#t=04m20s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2sQkfDVWPc#t=10s

Bridgewater throws with anticipation and great timing on his routes. He also has a real knack for finding the check-down quickly so that the target has a chance to create after the catch. This is a skill that makes Peyton Manning lethal.

Improvisational Skills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ELPwI9_y5U#t=04m06s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2sQkfDVWPc#t=09m07s

Bridgewater is a mobile QB that is surprisingly tough to tackle for a smaller guy. He's slippery and has a good stiff arm. He's also quick and decently fast. Bridgewater also has gotten very good at scrambling to the LOS and flipping a shovel pass to an open WR/HB/TE when the defender leaves his assignment at the last moment.

Throwing on the Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kTkH4Nrg2Y#t=06m10s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZzmXxB64ec#t=01m12s

Bridgewater is a very accurate and effective thrower on the run showing the ability to keep his eyes down the field, throw accurately with touch, and place the ball on target. He also demonstrates the ability to change arm slots when needed.

So what doesn't Bridgewater do well? He needs to improve his deep accuracy which, imo, is related to him not using the lower half well enough. He doesn't step into his throws and drive off his back-foot consistently and hard enough. I also think he needs to add bulk to his body as well as strengthen his core and lower body which will improve his velocity which is solid but not elite.

Regardless, he's a very developed QB that shows off the mental acuity, technical skills, and instincts to be great at the position.

Here's a good article for those who want to read more on Bridgewater:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/futures/2014/futures-louisville-qb-teddy-bridgewater

Great. Trade Bradford for a 3rd rounder and draft Teddy.

 

[-X-]

I wonder which QB's you think were above it? Van Brocklin, Staubach, Montana, Warner, Favre...some of the coolest customers to ever play the position started gripping it when they weren't the unquestioned starter.

As far as a contingency plan, they don't need one at QB this year if what they say is true. If they are "all in" with Bradford and feel he is the guy for the job right now and moving forward then no, I don't think drafting a first round QB is a good plan. Bradford's 26 and will hopefully move past his early career injuries kind of like Stafford. Maybe he's injury prone and he'll never be able to string back to back season together but that's what we'll find out this year. If he gets hurt again then the Rams have to figure out what to do at QB. But they aren't there this year. They have their QB and they have his backup.

It just doesn't make any sense to me to spend a first on a guy you hope never plays and won't(in 2014) be "developing" in all likelihood. I also don't feel like whichever QB might fall to them at 13 is such a rare opportunity that they need to draft him. There will be just as good of a chance of finding the right QB in the middle of the first round of next year's draft.

Being "all-in" with Bradford doesn't preclude them from planning for the worst case scenario though, does it? At what point does Bradford not get his feelings hurt? 3rd round QB? 4th? 7th? I hope he's put all of his injury concerns behind him as well, but can you count on that now? If he made it through last year unscathed, we're not having this conversation. Of that I can assure you. But he did get injured again, and it was bad. And sure, we can take the wait and see approach in the hopes that everything turns out okay. My ONLY point is that taking advantage of a bonus pick in this year's first round is a luxury that you can (CAN) invest in a solid contingency plan. You don't have to agree with that, but that doesn't invalidate my thoughts on the matter. They have their QB and his backup -- you're right. Comfortable with Shaun Hill starting in week 3, are you? I'm not. Comfortable with him as the starter if Bradford gets hurt in camp? I'm not.

And it does make sense to spend a first on a guy you hope never plays and won't (in 2014) be developing (though, he will be). As others have mentioned, you don't HAVE to keep him. You can dish him like Philly did with Kolb if you don't need him. It's possible they could find a good QB in the middle of the first round in next year's draft. Definitely possible. But is it guaranteed like it is this year?

 

[Username]

If Fisher said that, then he would have to explain why he set himself up for a QB controversy when he said he would never have one on his team.

My head wouldn't explode because this would never happen.

Fisher said he would never have a QB on this team!!! Wtf?!

For seriouslyness'ses though... Fisher is a pretty fucking good "public spokesmen," knows how to work a room, and knows what people want to hear. That's a major reason he's a good HC. He's been in this for a while now. If they took a QB in the 1st round he'd be able to sell the fans on it... Trust me. I'm not saying that he's full of shit, or that he's really not that sold on Bradford. I'm just saying that if he had to BS a little about ANYTHING for the good of the team, he would, and he would be really good at it.

 

[max]

So Brees managed to lead and help his team win despite being more than undermined and yet Bradford is incapable of it?

Not the point.

The point is that Fisher won't undermine Bradford to start with.

 

[moklerman]

I'm finding it hard to believe that you guys don't think drafting a high first round QB wouldn't undermine Bradford. I understand if you like Bridgewater but it doesn't matter which QB is hypothetically drafted at 13, it would undermine Bradford. To what degree is debatable but just as on this board, there are going to be players in the locker room that would want to see QB X get his shot if/when Bradford struggles.

Two starting QB's equals ZERO starting QB's.